Tien Giang is the gateway to the Mekong Delta (메콩 델타 / 湄公河三角洲 / メコンデルタ). It's home to Ben Tre (famous for coconut candy) and My Tho (river boat tours, temples, fruit orchards). Getting there is straightforward, but the best route depends on where you're coming from and how much time you have.
From Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)
This is the easiest jump. Saigon is only 70 km away.
By bus: Grab a seat on any minibus or coach heading to Ben Tre or My Tho from Saigon (사이공 / 西贡 / サイゴン)'s main bus stations. Mien Dong (northeast) and Mien Tay (southwest) both run frequent services. Journey time is 1.5–2 hours depending on traffic and your exact destination. Cost is 60,000–120,000 VND. Buses run roughly every 20 minutes from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. This is the cheapest and most convenient option for most travelers.
By motorbike taxi (Grab/Bee): If you're solo or traveling light, a bike ride costs 120,000–200,000 VND and takes 45 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on traffic. Early morning (before 8 a.m.) is fastest.
By private car or hired driver: Around 800,000–1,200,000 VND for a full day. Useful if you're in a group or want a flexible itinerary within Tien Giang.
From Hanoi
This is a longer haul—about 1,700 km southeast.
By bus: Overnight coaches run from Hanoi's main stations (My Dinh, Giap Bat) to My Tho or Ben Tre. Journey time is 24–28 hours. Cost is 300,000–600,000 VND depending on seat class (sleeper berths are more expensive). You'll arrive early morning. This is the budget option but exhausting; most travelers prefer to fly then bus from Saigon.
By train: Hanoi (하노이 / 河内 / ハノイ) to Saigon on the North–South Express takes 30–32 hours. Hard seats are 400,000–600,000 VND; sleeper cabins are 1,000,000–1,500,000 VND. Once in Saigon, take a bus to Tien Giang (1.5–2 hours, 60,000–120,000 VND). Total journey time is 32–36 hours but more comfortable than a coach if you book a cabin.
By flight + bus: Fly Hanoi to Saigon (about 2 hours, 300,000–1,000,000 VND depending on airline and how far in advance you book). Then bus from Saigon to Tien Giang (1.5–2 hours, 60,000–120,000 VND). Total door-to-door time is 5–7 hours, but you arrive refreshed. Most practical if you're not on a tight budget.
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From Da Nang
Da Nang is 900 km south; you'll likely route through Saigon.
By bus: Direct coaches are rare. Easier to fly or take a bus to Saigon (12–14 hours, 250,000–400,000 VND), then bus to Tien Giang. Total time is 15–17 hours.
By flight + bus: Fly Da Nang (다낭 / 岘港 / ダナン) to Saigon (2 hours, 300,000–900,000 VND), then bus to Tien Giang (1.5–2 hours, 60,000–120,000 VND). Quickest option at 5–6 hours total.
By motorbike: A scenic but long ride (3–4 days). Highway 1 is well-maintained but monotonous. Most travelers skip this unless they're island-hopping down the coast.
Where to Base Yourself
My Tho is the larger hub and tourism center. It has more restaurants, hotels, and organized boat tours. From My Tho, you can visit the Mekong's floating markets (Cai Be, Cai Rang—though the latter is more famous and technically in Can Tho), orchards, and temples. Accommodation ranges from budget guesthouses (100,000–250,000 VND a night) to mid-range hotels (400,000–800,000 VND).
Ben Tre is quieter and more rural. It's the coconut heartland; day trips here focus on small-scale farming, candy factories, and boat rides through narrower waterways. You'll find fewer tourists and a more authentic Mekong experience, though fewer creature comforts. Guesthouses are 80,000–200,000 VND per night.
If you're doing the Mekong as a multi-day loop, you might bus from Saigon to My Tho, spend 1–2 days there, then hire a private boat or join a tour that takes you to Ben Tre, Vinh Long, or Can Tho (껀터 / 芹苴 / カントー) before returning. Alternatively, some travelers skip Tien Giang entirely and head straight to Can Tho, which is the major Mekong city with bigger markets and more organized tourism infrastructure.
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Cost Summary
- Saigon to Tien Giang by bus: 60,000–120,000 VND, 1.5–2 hours
- Hanoi to Saigon by flight: 300,000–1,000,000 VND, 2 hours
- Hanoi to Saigon by train (sleeper): 1,000,000–1,500,000 VND, 30–32 hours
- Hanoi to Saigon overnight bus: 300,000–600,000 VND, 24–28 hours
- Budget guesthouse in My Tho or Ben Tre: 80,000–250,000 VND per night
- Hired boat tour (half-day, private): 800,000–1,500,000 VND
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get from Saigon to Tien Giang on a budget?
The cheapest option is a minibus or coach from Saigon's Mien Tay or Mien Dong bus station. Buses run every 20 minutes from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., with fares of 60,000-120,000 VND. The journey takes 1.5-2 hours depending on traffic. If you prefer door-to-door travel, a Grab or Bee motorbike taxi costs 120,000-200,000 VND and can be faster before 8 a.m.
What is the fastest way to reach Tien Giang from Hanoi?
Fly from Hanoi to Saigon (about 2 hours, 300,000-1,000,000 VND depending on airline and booking lead time), then take a bus to Tien Giang (1.5-2 hours, 60,000-120,000 VND). Total door-to-door time is 5-7 hours. The alternative overnight coach takes 24-28 hours and costs 300,000-600,000 VND, making the flight-plus-bus route the clear choice unless budget is the only priority.
When is the best time of day to travel from Saigon to Tien Giang by motorbike taxi?
Early morning before 8 a.m. is fastest, as traffic on the 70 km route is lighter. A Grab or Bee motorbike taxi at that hour can complete the trip in as little as 45 minutes. Later in the day, congestion can stretch the same ride to 1.5 hours. The cost is 120,000-200,000 VND regardless of departure time.
Practical Notes
Bus tickets can be booked at ticket windows or through apps like Busbud and Wanderu; arrive 30 minutes early for domestic routes. The Mekong is at its fullest June to November, which is wet season but offers the most dramatic scenery. Roads in Tien Giang are decent, though driving can feel chaotic during rush hours in My Tho. If you're renting a motorbike, wear a helmet and stay alert. Mobile apps (Grab, Google Maps) work well in town centers but spotty in rural areas—download offline maps if venturing far.
Last updated · May 19, 2026 · independently researched, never sponsored.
