Travel time HCMCity to Dalat

Sorry, I read that as Nha Trang not HCMC.

I would say closer to 6 hrs once you're out of Saigon traffic, but that's nonstop on a private vehicle.  On a bus, it would be at least 7 hrs including meal stop.

It is pretty cheap to fly if your time is valuable.

I'm not sure about Dalat but 4 years ago it would take 6 hours to Bao Loc (which is in the central Highlands  from HCMC. Then they widened the road and shortened the journey time.

Last year we took a VIP bus (14 dollars fare) from HCMC to Bao Loc and the journey took 3 hours 30 mins, so I guess that by now the journey time from HCMC to Da Lat must be down to around 5 hours.

Apropos of bugger all, I hired a car and driver in 2000 and went from Vung Tau to Dalat - it took nearly all day in those days - and from VT to HCMC in those days took 5 hours. It now takes about 2 hours.

Vietnamese drivers, the faster they go the higher the risk of traffic fatality.

QuidProQuo wrote:

Vietnamese drivers, the faster they go the higher the risk of traffic fatality.

Would that be the same with all drivers, regardless of nationality?

eodmatt wrote:

I'm not sure about Dalat but 4 years ago it would take 6 hours to Bao Loc (which is in the central Highlands  from HCMC. Then they widened the road and shortened the journey time.

Last year we took a VIP bus (14 dollars fare) from HCMC to Bao Loc and the journey took 3 hours 30 mins, so I guess that by now the journey time from HCMC to Da Lat must be down to around 5 hours.

Apropos of bugger all, I hired a car and driver in 2000 and went from Vung Tau to Dalat - it took nearly all day in those days - and from VT to HCMC in those days took 5 hours. It now takes about 2 hours.

I was going to Dalat for the cooler weather and hopefully find somewhere quiet. Bao Loc looks like it might be another option. Some good reviews online. Shorter bus ride is a positive.

gobot wrote:

It is pretty cheap to fly if your time is valuable.

Time is no problem. If it is 8 hours I would prefer to stop part way or train to as close as possible.

furthur wrote:

eodmatt wrote:

I'm not sure about Dalat but 4 years ago it would take 6 hours to Bao Loc (which is in the central Highlands  from HCMC. Then they widened the road and shortened the journey time.

Last year we took a VIP bus (14 dollars fare) from HCMC to Bao Loc and the journey took 3 hours 30 mins, so I guess that by now the journey time from HCMC to Da Lat must be down to around 5 hours.

Apropos of bugger all, I hired a car and driver in 2000 and went from Vung Tau to Dalat - it took nearly all day in those days - and from VT to HCMC in those days took 5 hours. It now takes about 2 hours.

I was going to Dalat for the cooler weather and hopefully find somewhere quiet. Bao Loc looks like it might be another option. Some good reviews online. Shorter bus ride is a positive.

Bao Loc is a delightful place, small but worth exploring. There was a coffee farm there for sale at the end of last year - 3 bedroom house with about a hectare of coffee trees. Mum in law has a farm there which looks across a valley with views of red mountains.

There is little or no industry and so the air is clear. The weather is hot in summer but not as humid as HCMC. It can get cold in winter but there's rarely any snow.

Bao Loc is largely agricultural and all kinds of crops grow there including mulberries, tea and a whole slew of other veg and fruit.

Ciambella wrote:

QuidProQuo wrote:

Vietnamese drivers, the faster they go the higher the risk of traffic fatality.

Would that be the same with all drivers, regardless of nationality?

'All drivers'? Not necessary. Vietnamese drivers especially those in Vietnam are the worst I've seen. They have no reaction time even when they're riding a scooter at low speed. People here are oblivious and unaware of their surroundings whenever they are out on the road.

QuidProQuo wrote:

Ciambella wrote:

QuidProQuo wrote:

Vietnamese drivers, the faster they go the higher the risk of traffic fatality.

Would that be the same with all drivers, regardless of nationality?

'All drivers'? Not necessary. Vietnamese drivers especially those in Vietnam are the worst I've seen. They have no reaction time even when they're riding a scooter at low speed. People here are oblivious and unaware of their surroundings whenever they are out on the road.

Ah well, lack of spatial awareness is a very well known phenomena in some parts of Asis

Trip took six hours including a rest stop with futabus

It takes 5 1/2 hours to 6. It depends on how many pigs they need to pick up or drop off on the way. They do not actually allow animals. But for example they can take a nice highway just before the Preen pass and save time. But if there are passengers to pick up or drop off near that area they will take the road that goes through the city. But the new turnpike bypasses Dong Nai and speeds it up quite a bit. There are time where they must P/U or drop off in Dong Nai so then they do not take the turnpike. Then too it is a tad faster at night always.