What is the cheapest way to travel in Ho Chi Minh City?
For budget travel in Ho Chi Minh City, public buses are the cheapest option, offering extensive city coverage. Ride-sharing apps (Grab, Gojek, Be) are convenient but more expensive than buses. Taxis are readily available, though fares can surpass ride-sharing, especially in traffic.
Cheapest Ho Chi Minh City Transport?
Okay, so you wanna know the cheapest way to get around Saigon, huh? Lemme tell ya, I’ve been there, done that, bought the Banh Mi.
Buses, man, buses. Seriously. Ho Chi Minh City has a massive bus network, and it’s dirt cheap. Think like, maybe 6,000-7,000 VND (like 25-30 cents US) per ride, no matter how far you go. Saw it with my own eyes last Feburary (sic) when I went to visit the Independence Palance.
I’m not gonna lie, it can be a little confusing at first. Lots of routes, all in Vietnamese of course. Still, the cheapest.
Grab and Gojek are also super popular. Kinda like Uber, but SE Asia style. These can be pretty affordable, especially if you split it with friends. I grabbed (ha) a Gojek bike taxi on Le Duan street 21st of January last year. Was only 30.000 VND for 5km.
Finally, taxis. Always an option, but make sure they use the meter. Some try to rip you off, especially near tourist spots. Just be smart.
So yeah, bus, ride-sharing, then taxi, in terms of price. Hope that helps.
Is it cheap to travel around Vietnam?
Vietnam travel? Dirt cheap. Southeast Asia’s budget paradise. Seriously. My last trip, Hanoi, Hoi An, Saigon, under $50/day. Easy. Street food’s amazing, like, $2 a meal. Bia Hoi, local beer, pennies. Phở, Bún chả, oh man, delicious and cheap.
- Accommodation: Hostels from $5. Decent hotels $20-30. Luxury? Still a bargain compared to the West.
- Transport: Sleeper buses are the way. Comfortable, convenient. Flights are surprisingly affordable too, especially with VietJet, Bamboo Airways. Motorbike rental, essential for exploring, like $5 a day. Scooters everywhere.
This year, I explored Ninh Binh. “Halong Bay on land,” they call it. Breathtaking. Boat trips through rice paddies. Climbing ancient temples. All for next to nothing. A hidden gem, although not so hidden anymore. Still cheap. The Dong’s exchange rate is favorable. It’s a backpacker’s dream. Or anyone’s dream, really. Who doesn’t like saving money? Right? Think about it. Where else can you get this much value?
- Food: Seriously, you won’t believe how cheap the food is. And good. Authentic.
- Activities: Trekking, kayaking, cooking classes, all budget-friendly.
- Shopping: Tailors everywhere. Get custom-made clothes for ridiculously low prices. Bargaining is expected. It’s part of the fun. My new suit? $60. Silk. Hand-made.
I’m planning another trip next year. Maybe Phu Quoc. Beaches. Diving. Still cheap, I hear. Vietnam’s the place. Go before it gets too popular. Although, even then, probably still cheap.
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