Da Lat Airport Closure: How to Get There in 2025?

Lien Khuong International Airport, located in Duc Trong District (Lam Dong Province), is set to temporarily close for renovation, complicating travel to Da Lat, one of Vietnam’s top tourist destinations.

A Closure Planned for Modernization

After 18 years of operation since its 2007 upgrade, Lien Khuong Airport is scheduled for major renovation works, including runway and taxiway upgrades. The project, led by Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), is estimated at over 1,045 billion VND.

The exact closure date has not yet been announced, as it depends on coordination between Lam Dong Province and the ACV. However, local authorities have indicated that the renovation could begin after 2025, which is considered the most favorable period.

Impact on Travelers

Lien Khuong is the main air gateway to Da Lat, especially for tourists arriving from Hanoi, Da Nang, or Ho Chi Minh City. With direct flights suspended, travelers will now have to rely on alternative — often longer and more complex — routes.

What Are the Alternatives to Reach Da Lat Without a Direct Flight?

1. From Northern Vietnam

By Bus

• Duration: 25 to 40 hours, depending on the departure city (e.g., Quang Ninh, Ninh Binh)
• Cost: 600,000 to 900,000 VND round trip
• Pros: Affordable
• Cons: Very long journey

By Plane (via Cam Ranh or Buon Ma Thuot)

• Flight: Hanoi ➝ Cam Ranh or Buon Ma Thuot – about 2 hours
• Cost: 3 to 5 million VND round trip
• Bus: 4–5 hours to Da Lat, 200,000–400,000 VND
• Pros: Fastest option
• Cons: High cost, requires ground connection

Alternative via Hai Phong (Cat Bi Airport)

• Flight: Direct to Cam Ranh
• Cost: ~4 million VND round trip
• Total travel time: 6 to 7 hours including bus

By Train (via Nha Trang or Thap Cham)

• Train: Hanoi ➝ Nha Trang – ~26 hours
• Train cost: 2.4 to 2.5 million VND round trip
• Bus to Da Lat: 4 hours, 200,000–400,000 VND
• Pros: Relatively comfortable, moderate price
• Cons: Very long trip, requires a transfer

2. From Central Vietnam

By Bus

For tourists from nearby provinces (Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan), the bus is the most practical and economical way to reach Da Lat.

• Duration: 3 to 5 hours
• Cost: 150,000 to 500,000 VND round trip per person

For those coming from farther central regions (Quang Binh, Nghe An), the trip can take 8 to 15 hours, costing 1.2 to 1.8 million VND. In that case, other transport options may be more attractive.

By Plane

From Da Nang or nearby provinces like Hue, Quang Binh, or Nghe An, travelers can fly to Cam Ranh Airport (Khanh Hoa):

• Flight duration: ~1 hour
• Bus to Da Lat: 5 to 6 hours
• Total cost: ~3 million VND round trip (plus 200,000–400,000 VND for the bus)
• Pros: Fastest from the central region with a balanced cost/time ratio

Alternative: Fly from Da Nang to Buon Ma Thuot

• Cons: Only one direct flight, high cost (~7.3 million VND round trip), no significant time savings

By Train

From Da Nang, Quang Ngai, Tam Ky, or Hue to Nha Trang station:

• Duration: 7 to 11 hours
• Cost: 600,000 to 1.2 million VND round trip
• Bus to Da Lat: 4 to 5 hours, 200,000–400,000 VND
• Pros: Comfortable and affordable
• Cons: Suitable only if you have time

3. From Southern Vietnam

By Bus

From Ho Chi Minh City, travelers can take a limousine or sleeper bus to Da Lat.

• Duration: 6 to 8 hours, depending on the company
• Cost: 400,000 to 700,000 VND round trip
• Pros: Simple, direct, economical — very popular among Vietnamese tourists

By Plane

Flights are available from Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho, or Phu Quoc to Cam Ranh Airport, followed by a bus to Da Lat.

• However: This option is not recommended
• Flights usually require one or two stopovers
• Travel time is similar to the bus, but at a much higher cost
• In this case, the bus is clearly the better choice

By Train

For travelers seeking more comfort or prone to motion sickness, it is possible to take a train from Ho Chi Minh City to Nha Trang or Thap Cham:

• Total duration: 9 to 10 hours including the bus to Da Lat
• Total cost: 900,000 to 1.2 million VND per person (train + bus)
• Not the fastest, but suitable for those avoiding winding mountain roads