What is the cheapest way to get around in Vietnam?

How to travel in Vietnam on a budget?

Vietnam, dirt cheap, seriously. Forty bucks a day, easy. Less even. Stayed in Hanoi in this hostel, Old Quarter, think it was called Funky Monkey, maybe. Eight bucks a night. Breakfast included! Banana pancake thing, strong coffee. Street food, dude, forget about it. So good, and pennies. Pho every day, sometimes twice. Banh mi for like a dollar. Scooters, rent one. Crazy cheap too. Drove one all the way to Ha Long Bay. Beautiful. Buses are good too, sleeper bus to Nha Trang, remember. Air con blasting, almost froze. Beaches, insane. Cheap beer. Bia Hoi. Something like that. Met some Aussies, went island hopping. So much fun. Definitely doable on a shoestring. Oh, and bargain. Everything. They expect it.

• Budget: $40/day (or less!)
• Accommodation: Hostels/dorms (Funky Monkey Hostel in Hanoi – about $8/night with breakfast).
• Food: Street food (pho, banh mi, bun cha, xoi, banh xeo)
• Transportation: Scooters, buses (sleeper bus recommended).
• Activities: Ha Long Bay, island hopping, beaches.
• Drinks: Bia Hoi (cheap local beer).
• Tip: Bargain for everything!

My trip was three weeks, July 2024. Crazy hot but so worth it. Spent like, maybe $600 total, flights not included. Flew into Hanoi, out of Ho Chi Minh City. Sapa was cool too, rice terraces. Trekking, waterfalls. Definitely check that out.

How do people get around in Vietnam?

The taxis here… exhausting, yellow cabs everywhere. A constant honking symphony. Buses too, packed tight, sweaty, the air thick with the smell of gasoline and something else… I can’t quite place it. But you get there. Eventually.

Motorbikes though… that’s the real Vietnam. A chaotic dance, weaving through traffic. I felt alive, reckless, even. Even a little afraid. My heart thumped every time.

The countryside. Different. Peaceful, in a way. Cycling, slow, deliberate. You see things, the small details you miss in the city’s blur. The rice paddies stretching out forever. It’s a whole different kind of freedom.

Key things to know:

• Motorbikes: Dominate city and countryside transport. Essential for exploring. Learn to ride one, if you dare. It was intense.
• Buses: Cheap, crowded, and efficient within cities. Air conditioning varies wildly. Prepare for the heat.
• Taxis: Readily available, but expect aggressive drivers and potential scams. Use apps if possible. Use Grab. It’s safer. I used it constantly in 2023.
• Cyclos: Primarily in tourist areas. Fun for short distances, but tiring for longer journeys. Negotiate the price beforehand. Seriously.
• Cycling: The countryside’s best kept secret. Peaceful and immersive way to travel. I rented a bike near Hoi An last year. It was beautiful.

What transportation does Vietnam have?

Vietnam moves. Cities: Taxis swarm. Buses groan. Cyclos linger. Countryside: Motorcycles dominate. Bikes endure. Getting around? Easy. No sweat. Your trip. Seamless.

• Motorcycles: Ubiquitous. King of the road.
• Cars/Taxis: Plentiful in urban areas. Grab, Gojek reign.
• Buses: Extensive network. Varying comfort levels. Open-tour options.
• Trains: North-South line backbone. Scenic routes. Sleeper cars.
• Planes: Domestic flights connect major cities. Budget airlines thrive.
• Boats/Ferries: Essential for Mekong Delta, coastal travel. Halong Bay cruises. Junk boats.
• Cyclos: Touristy. Negotiate fares.
• Bicycles: Popular in countryside. Rental easy.

My last trip (June 2024). Hired motorbike Hoi An. Explored coast. Freedom. Wind.

Is transport expensive in Vietnam?

Transport costs vary. Buses are cheap. Trains, not so much. 3,430,000 VND? Ouch.

City buses: pocket change. Long haul trains drain the wallet. That Hanoi to Saigon trip… pricey.

Buses: 7,000-45,000 VND. City rides? Negligible. “Eh,” I said to the vendor.

Trains bleed cash. Up to 3.4 million VND. Is it worth it? Is anything?

• Buses: For local hops, negligible. 7,000 – 11,000 VND mostly.
• Trains: Hanoi-HCMC. A fortune. 837,000 – 3,430,000 VND.

Think: do I want leg room? Or noodles for a week? Choices.

The train window, seen it. Fields. Water buffalo. Gets old. Bring a book.

My grandmother, she’d say: “Walking is free.” She’s not wrong, huh?