How to travel within a city in Vietnam?

How do you travel from one city to another in Vietnam?

Okay, so Vietnam travel… hmm.

Vietnam Airlines, duh. Everyone uses it, right? I flew Hanoi to HCMC last month. It was fine. Except for the crying baby. Ugh. Planes are cramped, ALWAYS! Is there a better way?

Trains! Oh yeah, the train! North to south, all along the coast. I want to do that someday. See ALL the beaches. Wonder how long that takes? A week? More?

• Planes – Fast but annoying.
• Trains – Scenic? Long?
• Oh god, what was I just thinking about?

Sleeper buses. Never again. Packed like sardines! Plus, that one time, the driver almost crashed. Sketchy! But cheap though, I guess. If you’re broke.

Wait, what about motorbikes? Motorbikes! Yes. That’s the way to do it. Open road, wind in your hair. Except for the pollution. And the insane traffic in Saigon.

• Sleeper buses = cheap, scary.
• Motorbikes = freedom, pollution.

Then there are bicycles. Real Vietnam, they say. Sounds awful. So hot! Hills! I’d rather sit by the pool with a cocktail. But maybe, just maybe, for a short ride? Nah.

Planes still seem the easiest way to go from point A to point B.

• Bicycles = sweaty, scenic(?).
• Trains = I still want to take the train, sometime this year, maybe?
• Planes are really the easiest, lets be honest.

How to travel intercity in Vietnam?

Vietnam intercity? Buses. Period.

• Sleeper buses reign. Cheap. Overnight. Imagine cramped reclining beds. AC, maybe.

• I’ve seen things on those buses. Never again.

• Book in advance. Especially during Tet. Trust me.

• Budget travel? Absolutely. Comfort? Questionable.

What is the easiest transportation in Vietnam?

Easiest? Bikes. Dominate Vietnam. Cheap. Agile. Rentals everywhere. Traffic? Killer. Grab app. Simpler. Done.

• Motorbikes: King. Everywhere. Navigate anything. Affordable rentals. Locals use ’em. Tourists too. Not for the faint of heart. My first time? Hanoi, ’23. Near-death experience.
• Ride-hailing: Grab. Gojek. Easy. Door-to-door. Skip the chaos. Cheaper than taxis. My go-to. Saigon, ’24, Used it daily.

Traffic’s insane. Learn the flow. Or get crushed.

What is the most common transportation in Vietnam?

Motorbikes. Everywhere. A swarm of them, a metallic tide flowing through Hanoi’s ancient streets. The scent of gasoline, exhaust fumes, a strangely beautiful perfume. Sunlight glinting off chrome. A symphony of horns, a chaotic ballet. Short trips, long journeys, it matters not. The wind whips past, a feeling of freedom. My own bike, a Honda Dream, a faithful steed.

The motorbike’s reign is absolute. Across the rice paddies, a blur of motion. Through bustling markets, a weaving dance. Up winding mountain passes, a test of skill and endurance. This isn’t just transport; it’s a way of life. A feeling.

This connection. This intimacy with the road. It’s visceral. The rumble beneath you, a heartbeat. The sun, a warm hand on your skin. The freedom of the open road. The feeling of pure exhilaration.

• Dominant Mode of Transport: Motorbikes are undeniably king.
• Urban and Rural Use: From city streets to rural villages, they are ubiquitous.
• Long-distance Travel: A popular choice for adventurous riders. My own trip from Ha Giang to Sapa was unforgettable.
• A Cultural Icon: Motorbikes are deeply ingrained in Vietnamese culture; more than transport, it’s a symbol of independence and agility. Think of the images, the vibrant colors.
• 2024 Update: The dominance of motorbikes continues, even with the growth of other transportation methods.

My best trip? Last summer, I rode my bike alone to the coast. The sun beat down, salty air in my lungs. The sound of the waves crashing, the endless horizon. Pure joy. Pure freedom. Pure Vietnam.

How to travel around Vietnam on a budget?

Vietnam. Cheap travel. Buses, trains. Sufficient.

Motorcycles. Rent one. 20,000-30,000 VND daily. That’s less than a dollar. Rural bliss.

Food. Street food. Delicious. Inexpensive. My favorite: Bún bò Huế in Hue. 2023 prices vary wildly.

Accommodation: Hostels. Dorm rooms. Budget-friendly. I prefer private rooms. A luxury. Sometimes.

Bargaining. Essential. Always. Except at fixed-price shops. Stupid to not bargain.

Internal flights. Consider domestic flights for long distances. Sometimes cheaper than slow buses. This depends entirely on the time of year and your route.

Things to avoid: Tourist traps. Obvious. Overpriced tours. Avoid. Always. Use common sense.

Pro-tip: Learn basic Vietnamese phrases. Helps immensely. Seriously. It makes a difference. Trust me. I know this from experience.

What is the best way to travel around Vietnam?

Vietnam’s a sprawl, a glorious, chaotic tapestry. Think less “scenic route,” more “frantic game of Frogger.” For the time-challenged, planes are your best bet—unless you enjoy a leisurely (and potentially bumpy) bus ride that could rival an Indiana Jones movie in its unexpected turns.

Flying offers efficiency. It’s the difference between gulping a potent espresso and sipping chamomile tea – both might energize you, but only one gets you where you need to go quickly.

Consider these factors:

• Time: Flights win hands down for speed. Imagine zipping between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in a couple of hours, instead of being stuck on a bus that takes as long as a short novel.
• Comfort: Air conditioning is a godsend. Seriously. Ever ridden a bus through the Mekong Delta in July? I have. Let’s just say I emerged a sweaty, sun-baked zombie.
• Distance: Vietnam is HUGE. Underestimating distances is a rookie mistake. It’s like trying to bike across America to save money – you’ll save money, but you’ll also lose all hope.

Trains are a romantic notion, yes. But romantic notions often involve questionable hygiene and questionable schedules. Buses? Prepare for the adventure of a lifetime, a lifetime that may include numerous questionable bathroom stops and the unnerving proximity of strangers. Seriously, I once shared a bus with a family of surprisingly musical chickens.

My personal recommendation? Fly. Unless you enjoy the unexpected. And chickens. Then, perhaps the bus. But bring earplugs. And hand sanitizer. Lots of it. 2024’s hottest travel hack: over-pack the hand sanitizer.