How to Travel to Soc Trang by Bus from Ho Chi Minh City: Routes, Costs & Tips

The Full-Moon Festival is a top significant Vietnamese festival. It is a joyful event with colorful lanterns, scrumptious moon cakes, and ecstatic vibes. In the occasion of Full-Moon Festival, moon cakes are usually used as gifts of people to the others, especially their parents and grandparents. Vietnamese also put moon cakes and variety of fruits on ancestral altar to offer their ancestor. At night, all members of family will gather around a lavish tray of fruits and of course, moon cakes, and savor it together while admiring the full moon. Mid-autumn festival follows the lunar calendar which is very common in Asian countries. It also means the festival’s day changes every year on the Georgian calendar, often falls in late September or early October. In 2019, the festival occurs on Friday, September 13th. The 15th of the 8th lunar month is said to be the time of the year when the moon is roundest and brightest. In Oriental cultures, the full moon is the symbol of rejuvenation and rebirth. The locals offer sacrifices to the ancestor and the moon with the hope of a new bountiful harvest and a happy life. There will be a lot going on the 14th and especially 15th nights. Everything is abundant from the roistering drum noise on the streets to the foods each family prepares for the gathering under the moonlight.

Mid-autumn is a festival of lanterns of all shapes and sizes – brightly lit lanterns on the streets, lanterns carried by the children, lanterns floating on the rivers…. Lanterns were a symbol of fertility, nowadays function mainly as toys and decoration. It has been a tradition to have a parade of children carrying lanterns under the full moon. Nowadays, children are marching on the streets with their parents. Lanterns and masks were prepared by the parents for their kids days before the festival. Which helps to hype them up so much for the event. It would be considered such a disappointment for the kids if they fail to receive those.

In each Vietnamese family, under the moonlight, all members will gather around a feast to celebrate the full moon. All the seasonal foods like grapefruit and other autumn fruits (gold apple, persimmon, sugar apple), mooncake, snow skin mooncake, carp-shaped cakes, green rice. One fruit that can’t be missed is grapefruits whose vesicles are shaped into a small dog. The family and mainly the kids will participate in the feast, adults often eat mooncake while drinking tea. Moon Cake is the symbol of the Mid-autumn festival. Vietnamese people buy mooncakes to eat and to give to others as gifts. Businesses also use mooncakes to thank their partners during this time of year. Mooncakes can be kept for months which makes them fit perfectly to be gifts for many reasons.

Dragon and lion dances are performed before, during and after the festival, most joyous in the days of 15th and 16th. This type of performance is very popular among Asian countries, used in important events like openings, New Year, festivals….

Bus Companies and Routes

Multiple bus operators provide frequent services from Ho Chi Minh City to Soc Trang, with key details:

• Phuong Trang (Futa Bus): Operates hourly sleeper buses from Mien Tay Bus Station (395 Kinh Duong Vuong, Binh Tan District) to Soc Trang Bus Station (38 Le Duan, Ward 3). Travel time: 5–5.5 hours; tickets: $6–$8 (150,000–200,000 VND). Amenities include Wi-Fi, AC, blankets, and water. Rated 4.2/5 for reliability.

• My Duyen: Offers limousine sleeper buses with enhanced comfort, departing from Mien Tay or district pick-up points. Travel time: 4.5–5 hours; tickets: $7–$10 (175,000–250,000 VND). Rated 3.8/5 for service.

• Tuan Hiep: Provides sleeper buses with a 3.7/5 rating, departing from Mien Tay. Travel time: 4.9–5.5 hours; tickets: $6–$9 (150,000–225,000 VND). Known for punctuality.

• Nguyen Vu: Offers VIP cabins with a 3.5/5 rating, ideal for luxury travelers. Travel time: 5–5.5 hours; tickets: $10–$15 (250,000–375,000 VND). Features include chargers and snacks.

• Ke Nghi and Hao: VIP limousine buses with premium amenities like massage seats, departing from various city points. Travel time: 4.5–5 hours; tickets: $12–$15 (300,000–375,000 VND). Rated 4.0/5 for comfort.

Route Details: Buses travel along National Highway 1A, passing through Long An, Tien Giang, and Vinh Long provinces, offering views of rice paddies and canals. Most routes stop at Soc Trang Bus Station, 2 km from the city center, with some offering drop-offs at key points like Ward 2 or Ward 6. Transfers from city pick-up points to Mien Tay Bus Station may be included, requiring passengers to arrive 30–60 minutes early.

Booking Bus Tickets

• Online Platforms: Book e-tickets via Baolau, Vexere, 12go.asia, or Busbud for instant confirmation and seat selection. Prices are transparent, with no hidden fees.

• At Mien Tay Bus Station: Purchase tickets at counters, but availability may be limited during peak seasons. Arrive early to secure seats.

• Through Legend Travel Group: Bundle bus tickets with eco-tours for a seamless experience, with group discounts for 6+ passengers.

• Tips: Book 3–5 weeks in advance for peak periods like Tet (January–February) or Ooc Om Bok Festival (October–November) to avoid price surges (10–20% increase). Check operator reviews and amenities (e.g., Wi-Fi, toilets) before booking. Arrive at departure points 30 minutes early, as buses may leave on time but face delays en route.

• Primary Departure Point: Mien Tay Bus Station (395 Kinh Duong Vuong, An Lac Ward, Binh Tan District), the main hub for Mekong Delta routes. Facilities include ticket counters, restrooms, and food stalls. Accessible by taxi ($10–$15 or 250,000–375,000 VND from District 1) or city bus (No. 10, $0.50 or 12,500 VND).

• Alternative Pick-Up Points: Some operators like My Duyen, Nguyen Vu, or Ke Nghi offer pick-ups at central locations (e.g., District 1’s Nguyen Thi Minh Khai or District 5’s Hung Vuong), transferring passengers to Mien Tay by shuttle. Confirm pick-up details when booking.

• Arrival in Soc Trang: Most buses arrive at Soc Trang Bus Station (38 Le Duan, Ward 3), 2 km from the city center. From there, take a taxi ($2–$4 or 50,000–100,000 VND), Grab, or local bus (No. 1, $0.50 or 12,500 VND) to attractions like Kh’leang Pagoda. Some buses offer drop-offs at central wards (e.g., Ward 2 near Soc Trang Central Market).

• Comfort: Choose sleeper buses for daytime or overnight trips, with reclining berths and blankets. VIP cabins offer more space and amenities like chargers. Pack a light jacket, as AC can be cold.

• Luggage: Most buses allow one suitcase (up to 20 kg) and hand luggage free. Extra baggage may cost $1–$3 (25,000–75,000 VND). Secure valuables in your carry-on.

• Delays: Buses may face traffic delays, especially during rainy season (May–October). Plan for 30–60 minutes of flexibility and arrive early at departure points.

• Sustainability: Opt for operators with modern, fuel-efficient fleets (e.g., Futa’s Hyundai buses) to reduce your carbon footprint. Pair with Legend’s eco-tours for green exploration.

• Cultural Respect: Say “cảm ơn” (thank you) to drivers; tip $1–$2 (25,000–50,000 VND) for exceptional service. Keep noise low to respect fellow passengers.

• Health Precautions: Bring hand sanitizer, a mask, and snacks, as food stops may be brief. Stay hydrated with a reusable water bottle.

The dry season (November–April, 25–34°C or 77–93.2°F) offers smooth road conditions and scenic views, ideal for bus travel. February–April is particularly pleasant, aligning with Khmer New Year (mid-April). The rainy season (May–October, 22–30°C or 71.6–86°F) may cause road delays due to flooding, especially August–October, but offers 15–25% discounts. Peak travel periods like Tet (January–February) and Ooc Om Bok Festival (October–November)increase ticket prices by 10–20% and require early booking. Check AccuWeather for real-time road conditions.

Tip: Travel overnight (e.g., 10:00 PM–3:00 AM) to save on accommodation and arrive early for morning explorations like Nga Nam Floating Market.

Bus Tickets:

• Standard Sleeper: $6–$10 (150,000–250,000 VND).

• VIP Sleeper/Limousine: $10–$15 (250,000–375,000 VND).

• Peak Season (Tet, Ooc Om Bok): $8–$18 (200,000–450,000 VND).

Transport in Soc Trang:

• Taxi/Grab (bus station to city center): $2–$4 (50,000–100,000 VND).

• Bicycle Rental: $1–$2/day (25,000–50,000 VND).

• Motorbike Rental: $5–$10/day (125,000–250,000 VND).

Dining (Soc Trang):

• Street Food (e.g., Bún Nước Lèo, Mè Láo): $1–$5 (25,000–125,000 VND).

• Restaurants: $3–$12 (75,000–300,000 VND).

• Drinks: $0.50–$3 (12,500–75,000 VND).

Accommodation (Soc Trang Central Ward):

• Hostels/Guesthouses: $10–$25/night (250,000–625,000 VND).

• Hotels: $30–$100/night (750,000–2,500,000 VND).

• Resorts: $120–$300/night (3,000,000–7,500,000 VND).

Total Daily Cost (Excluding Bus Ticket):

• Budget: $15–$40 (street food, bike rental, guesthouse).

• Mid-range: $40–$70 (restaurants, hotel, taxi).

• Luxury: $70–$110 (upscale dining, resort, private tours).

Tip: Use ATMs in Soc Trang Central Ward; carry VND for small transactions. Book bus tickets early via Vexere or Baolau to save up to 20% during peak seasons.

Enhance your Soc Trang bus trip with our sustainable tours:

• Soc Trang Cultural Tour ($55–$75/person): Kh’leang Pagoda, Clay Pagoda, Khmer Museum. Includes bike rentals, eco-transfers, and snacks.

• Mekong River Adventure ($60–$80/person): Nga Nam Floating Market, Hau River cruise, Mè Láo tasting. Includes electric boat transfers and lunch.

• Soc Trang Nature Tour ($65–$85/person): Tan Long Stork Garden, Vinh Chau Mangrove Forest, Binh An Eco-Area. Includes eco-transfers and meals.

• Soc Trang Festival Tour ($70–$90/person, October–November): Ooc Om Bok Festival, Ngo boat races, cultural performances. Includes eco-transfers and dining.

• Soc Trang Foodie Tour ($50–$70/person): Soc Trang Central Market, Bún Nước Lèo, Mè Láo cooking class. Includes eco-transfers and meals.

Prices include English-speaking guides, eco-transfers, entrance fees, and meals/snacks. Enjoy 10% off for groups of 8+ or seasonal promotions. Book now via links around this page!

Traveling to Soc Trang Regional, Can Tho City by bus from Ho Chi Minh City, a 230 km affordable, comfortable, and scenic route, takes 4–5 hours with fares from $5–$10 (125,000–250,000 VND) on modern coaches like Futa and Phuong Trang, departing from Mien Tay Bus Station. This eco-friendly option minimizes carbon emissions while exploring the Mekong Delta’s cultural heart, including Khmer pagodas and vibrant markets. Legend Travel Group’s Soc Trang Tours pair seamlessly with your journey, ensuring a sustainable Soc Trang Travel experience with eco-friendly practices and visits to Kh’leang Pagoda and Nga Nam Floating Market. Contact sales@legendtravelgroup.com for personalized itineraries and don’t miss out—book your bus and tour today for an unforgettable adventure!
Ready to ride to Soc Trang’s cultural wonders? Reserve your sustainable tour with Legend Travel Group and immerse yourself in the Mekong Delta’s charm!

Author Bio: Written by Tony Bùi, with over 20 years of experience in the travel industry, guiding 100,000+ travellers across Southeast Asia. This guide draws from firsthand insights, guest feedback from Legend Travel Group surveys.

Sources:

• Soc Trang Bus Travel Information: By Tony Bùi at Legend Travel Group