Getting Around Vietnam
Buses
Vietnam’s cities, towns and villages are linked by a comprehensive – if nerve-shattering – array of public buses. Inter-city buses (air-conditioned and with the ubiquitous video TV) are increasingly modern and comfortable and on more local routes crowded minibuses operate leaving when filled to the brim. Drivers drive at high speed and accidents are common.
There can be several bus station in a town depending on the direction of travel (north or south) and the distance of travel (inter-city/local). Tickets are bought from the stations or through hotels and travel agents who make arrangements for a fee. Book well in advance to get the service you want and avoid night travel wherever possible to minimise the chances of an accident.
Taxis
Taxis are plentiful and are metered with prices in dong and can be found in all major cities; they are useful for night-time travel; fares are cheap. Cyclos are the samlors of Thailand, rickshaws of India and becaks of Indonesia; they are plentiful, pleasant and affordable with bargaining. Motorbike taxis known as ‘xe om’ are useful if you don’t mind the risk of an accident with fares similar to cyclos; again haggling is necessary.
Car Hire
Self-drive car hire is not available at the time of writing but this is probably just a matter of time. Very popular however is chartering a car and a driver (choose a well-known agency or choose one of our Travel Experts as scams are rife, especially in Saigon and Hanoi). Motorbike hire is possible, popular and incredibly dangerous – avoid at all costs.
Driving
Right-hand side of the road.
Trains
Vietnam’s railway line stretches between Hanoi and China (two lines from Hanoi, one northwest to Lao Cai, the other northeast to Lang Son) and south along the coastal strip to Saigon, with occasional branch lines to town along the way.
The Reunification Express is the country’s flagship service linking, as the names suggest, Hanoi with Saigon. A wide range of other train services exist too and there are 4 basic classes (some of these subdivided into a/c and non-a/c options too). Most people find soft class a/c fine for day travel and 6-berth soft a/c sleeper fine for overnight journeys. Fares are cheap by Western standards.
The journey between Hanoi and Saigon takes between 30 and 40 hours depending upon the service used.
Boats
Boats are a popular way of exploring Halong Bay, Nha Trang and the Mekong Delta.
