So you’ve booked a beach getaway at one of Ho Tram’s luxury resorts. Flight lands at Tan Son Nhat. Then it hits you — how do you actually get there?
Ho Tram sits about 120km southeast of Ho Chi Minh City. Not far. But here’s the thing: there’s no train, no direct shuttle from the airport, and Grab drivers aren’t exactly lining up for a 2.5-hour one-way trip. You need a plan before you land.
I’ve done this drive maybe twenty times now — for our own guests, for resort drop-offs, for groups heading to weddings at The Grand. Here’s exactly how it works, what your options are, and which one makes sense for your trip.
How Far Is Ho Tram from Ho Chi Minh Airport?
About 120 kilometers. 75 miles. In normal traffic, the drive takes 2 to 2.5 hours. If you’re leaving HCMC between 3pm and 6pm on a weekday, add another 20-30 minutes — the expressway entrance gets backed up.
The route is straightforward: Long Thanh–Dau Giay Expressway for the first hour or so, then you branch off onto QL55, the coastal road that runs past Long Hai and up to Ho Tram. The expressway is smooth — honestly, better than most highways I’ve driven on in Australia. The second half is slower, single-lane in spots, but it’s a nice drive. Rubber plantations, small roadside cafés, then suddenly you see the ocean.
Your Options — What Actually Works
Private Car Transfer (The Obvious Choice)
A driver meets you at arrivals with a sign with your name on it. You get in. Two hours later, you’re at your resort. No haggling, no confusing directions, no stress.
This is what most people do — especially families with kids, groups with luggage, or anyone arriving after a long flight who just wants to get there. AN Tours runs this route regularly, and we send everything from 4-seat sedans to 16-seat vans depending on your group size. Contact us with your flight details and we’ll sort the rest.
Resort Shuttle (Limited, But Worth Checking)
A few resorts run their own shuttles. Melia Ho Tram has a complimentary one — but it leaves from a pickup point in HCMC, not from the airport. So you’d still need to get from Tan Son Nhat to wherever the shuttle picks up. At that point, you might as well just take a car all the way.
Check with your resort before assuming they’ll pick you up. Most don’t. And the ones that do often have limited schedules — miss the 11am departure and you’re waiting until 3pm.
Ride-Hailing Apps (Grab, Be, Xanh SM)
Technically possible. Grab will show you a fare estimate for HCMC to Ho Tram. But here’s the problem: drivers can see the destination before accepting, and a 2.5-hour one-way trip means 5 hours round-trip for them. Many will decline. The ones who accept might ask for extra cash on top. And if your flight is delayed, you’re stuck re-booking at the airport while jetlagged.
I’ve tried this exactly once. The driver canceled three minutes after accepting. Not worth the gamble.
Public Bus + Taxi (Don’t)
There are buses from HCMC to Vung Tau. From Vung Tau, you’d need to catch a taxi another 40 minutes north to Ho Tram. With luggage? After an international flight? No. Just no.
The Resorts You’re Probably Heading To
Almost everyone going to Ho Tram is heading to one of three places:
- Melia Ho Tram Beach Resort — 152 rooms, 88 private pool villas, right on the beach. This is the one we get the most bookings for. Family-friendly, massive pool, solid breakfast buffet. About 2 hours from SGN.
- Angsana Ho Tram — part of the Banyan Tree group. More boutique, quieter vibe. Nice if you’re looking for something less resort-crowded and more couple-oriented.
- The Grand Ho Tram Strip — the big one. Casino, multiple hotels (InterContinental, Holiday Inn Resort, Ixora), golf course, entertainment complex. If someone says “I’m going to The Grand,” they probably mean the casino-resort complex, not just one hotel.
What to Know Before You Go
- Book before you land. Don’t wait until you’re at the airport. The good drivers get booked up, especially on weekends and during wedding season (Ho Tram is popular for destination weddings).
- Give your flight number. A decent transfer service tracks your flight. If you’re delayed, they adjust. You don’t want to pay for a no-show because your plane landed 40 minutes late.
- Bring cash for the toll. The expressway has a toll booth (about 100,000 VND). Most transfer services include tolls in the price, but confirm this when booking.
- There’s one rest stop. About 45 minutes in, right off the expressway. Clean bathrooms, a coffee shop, snacks. Your driver will know it.
- Return transfer. Book your return at the same time. Getting back to the airport from Ho Tram is harder — fewer cars available, and you don’t want to miss your flight because Grab couldn’t find a driver.
The Short Version
Private car is the only stress-free way to get from Ho Chi Minh Airport to Ho Tram. It’s not the cheapest option, but it’s the one that actually works — especially when you’ve just stepped off a long flight with luggage and just want to get to the beach.
We do this route all the time. Solo travelers, couples, families of six, wedding groups — doesn’t matter. Tell us your flight details, which resort you’re staying at, and how many people, and we’ll have a car waiting when you land.
📞 WhatsApp/Zalo: +84 70 6666 520
📧 Email: info@antoursvietnam.com
Or fill out the contact form and we’ll get back to you within the hour.
Also check out our HCMC Airport Transfer page if you need a ride anywhere else in the city — not just Ho Tram.
If you’re heading further afield after Ho Tram — say, back to Saigon for a food tour or up to Da Nang — make sure your visa is sorted before you arrive. One less thing to worry about.
