How to get around in Vietnam without a car?

Is public transportation in Vietnam good?

Dawn rises, dust motes dance in Hanoi's yellow light. Buses rumble, metal beasts groaning under the weight. Public transport... a fragmented dream, a fleeting moment.

Ah, Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City, a swirl of faces. Bicycles flow like rivers. Buses stuffed, humanity pressed close, smelling of jasmine and diesel. It pulses. It breathes.

Trains, iron snakes slithering through emerald rice paddies. North to south, a journey measured in sunsets and shared noodles. A slow meditation. Are they good? Good is relative, like time.

Motorbike taxis, xe oms, a blur. A leap of faith into the swirling chaos. My hands grip tight. My heart drums. The wind whispers promises of freedom... and danger. Is it safe? Safe is an illusion.

• Buses: Crowded. Unpredictable. An adventure.

  • Cheap fares, a lifeline for many.
  • Routes sprawling, a labyrinthine map of the city's soul.
  • Hanoi's buses, a sea of green, a chaotic ballet.

• Trains: Slow, steady. A connection to the land.

  • Scenic routes, a feast for the eyes.
  • Improving infrastructure, a glimmer of hope.
  • Limited high-speed options, a patient wait.

• Motorbike taxis (Xe Oms): Fast, furious. A thrill.

  • Ubiquitous, available on every corner.
  • Inconsistent safety, a gamble.
  • Negotiating fares, a ritual dance.

Is it good? It is Vietnam. It is life unfolding. It is everything. It's not perfect. The bus lurches. The horn blares. A woman smiles. Life, yes, life explodes here. Public? Yes. Is public transport good? It is.

Does Vietnam have good trains?

The trains... some are okay, I guess. Really nice ones on the newer lines. Smooth ride, you know? But man, the older ones... a different story.

Cramped. Hot. Always late. That’s North-South line for ya. High speed? Yeah, only bits and pieces. Mostly the main route. A long way to go.

• New lines are good. Modern carriages. Punctual. A relief, really.
• Older lines... a nightmare. Overcrowded. Broken air conditioning in 2024, even. The delays... they’re relentless.
• High-speed rail is limited. Mostly that one route. Still, a step up from the ancient rattle traps, I'll grant them that.

It depends, you see? Where you’re going. What you’re willing to put up with. Honestly, if I had a choice, I’d fly. But trains... they're part of Vietnam, I suppose. Part of the… experience.