THE SHORT VERSION
Son La to Hanoi at a glance.
- From
- Son La Sơn La
- To
- Hanoi Hà Nội
- Road distance
- About 280 km
- Straight line
- 203 km
- Car time, no stops
- ~3 h 30 min buses take longer
- Return route
- Hanoi to Son La →
THE DETAILS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Right place. Right bus. Better start.
Leaving Son La
Son La is a provincial city in north-west Vietnam on Highway 6 between Hanoi and Dien Bien Phu. Long-distance buses on the north-west loop stop here.
- Son La Bus Station · Bến xe Sơn La
Services to Hanoi, Dien Bien Phu and the north-west.
Arriving in Hanoi
A ticket that says “Hanoi” may end at a terminal well outside the Old Quarter. If you booked with a tourist company, check whether it drops at its own office or offers a shuttle; otherwise allow time and a taxi or ride-hail fare into the centre.
- My Dinh Bus Station · Bến xe Mỹ Đình
West of the centre. Many routes to the north-west and the mountains, including Lao Cai, Sapa and Ha Giang. - Giap Bat Bus Station · Bến xe Giáp Bát
South of the centre. Public buses to the south, such as Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa and central Vietnam. - Gia Lam Bus Station · Bến xe Gia Lâm
Across the Red River to the north-east. Buses towards Hai Phong, Ha Long and the north-east. - Nuoc Ngam and Yen Nghia stations · Bến xe Nước Ngầm, Yên Nghĩa
Smaller southern and south-western terminals, used by some routes towards Hoa Binh and Mai Chau.
Keep the essentials offline
Save your ticket, the exact meeting point and the operator's phone number before you set off. Follow the check-in time on your confirmation.
- Check which terminal your ticket uses: the four stations are far apart.
- Some services from the mountains have dropped passengers on the western outskirts. Confirm the final stop when you book.
- Noi Bai Airport has its own direct buses to several destinations, so you may not need to go into the city first.
KEEP GOING
From Hanoi, the road continues.
Other ways to reach Hanoi
USEFUL FOR THIS TRIP
Sort the small things before you go.
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GOOD QUESTIONS
Before you take your seat.
How far is Son La from Hanoi by road?+
About 280 km by road (203 km in a straight line). Distance is an OpenStreetMap routing estimate, not an operator figure.
How long does the bus from Son La to Hanoi take?+
We don't publish timetables. As a guide, the drive takes roughly 3 h 30 min by car without stops; bus journeys are usually longer. Check the duration of your chosen departure on 12Go before booking.
Where does the bus leave from in Son La?+
It depends on the operator. Main options in Son La include Son La Bus Station, and many tourist companies collect from offices or hotels. Your ticket shows the exact boarding point.
Is there a bus back from Hanoi to Son La?+
Yes, 12Go also lists services in the opposite direction. See our Hanoi to Son La guide.
Where does the bus from Son La arrive in Hanoi?+
It depends on the operator. In Hanoi, services use My Dinh Bus Station, Giap Bat Bus Station, Gia Lam Bus Station, Nuoc Ngam and Yen Nghia stations. A ticket that says “Hanoi” may end at a terminal well outside the Old Quarter. If you booked with a tourist company, check whether it drops at its own office or offers a shuttle; otherwise allow time and a taxi or ride-hail fare into the centre.
How do I get from the bus stop to the centre of Hanoi?+
A ticket that says “Hanoi” may end at a terminal well outside the Old Quarter. If you booked with a tourist company, check whether it drops at its own office or offers a shuttle; otherwise allow time and a taxi or ride-hail fare into the centre.
What kind of bus runs from Son La to Hanoi?+
It varies by operator and departure. Routes in this region are served by a mix of sleeper buses, seated coaches and smaller limousine vans. Check the vehicle type, seat layout and luggage allowance for your departure on 12Go before you book.
Can I book the Son La to Hanoi bus online?+
Yes. 12Go lists departures on this route. You choose a date, compare operators and pay online, and the provider issues the ticket. BusConnects doesn't sell tickets itself.
Where can I go next from Hanoi by bus?+
Direct buses from Hanoi include Noi Bai Airport (HAN), Thai Nguyen, Hoa Binh, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh and more. See all connections on our Hanoi bus page.
FOLLOW THE INFORMATION
Clear sources. Better decisions.
Route listed in 12Go's public route index (checked 2026-10-09). Station information reviewed 2026-10-09. Distance: OpenStreetMap data via OSRM (approximate driving distance). Listings change and are not live inventory. Confirm the departure, pickup, price and conditions before paying.
12Go: Son La to Hanoi bus route listing ↗12Go: Hanoi to Son La bus listing ↗Wikivoyage: Hanoi (Get in) ↗How BusConnects uses sources →