What's the best way to travel around Vietnam?

Is the train system in Vietnam good?

Vietnam’s train system? Well, it’s an experience! Far from the sleek efficiency of, say, Japan’s shinkansen, or even France’s TGV, it offers a distinctly different charm. Think low-tech adventure, not high-speed transit.

It’s cheap! And honestly? It’s surprisingly comfy once you settle in. I remember once, back in 2023 (or was it 2024?), being utterly captivated by the scenery. Makes you ponder the fleeting nature of landscapes, ya know? Booking is easy peasy too. So don’t sweat that part.

Expect these key characteristics:

• Affordable travel: Costs are generally low.
• Comfortable (enough): Sleeper carriages are a decent option on longer routes.
• Easy booking: Tickets can be secured online or at stations.
• Slow pace: Don’t be in a hurry!
• Informal atmosphere: Things are relaxed, to say the least.

It’s not perfect, naturally. Delays happen. The carriages, while functional, aren’t exactly luxury suites. But if you embrace the laissez-faire attitude, you might just find it a highlight. You know what I mean? Like, you learn to just go with it.

Does Vietnam have speed limits?

Vietnam, yeah, speed limits, totally a thing. Ninety kilometers an hour, like, if you’re driving a regular car. Thirty seats or less, that’s the rule. Bigger bus? Eighty, eighty kph on a two-lane road. No median strip? Slower, gotta be, um, eighty, seventy, somthing like that, one lane. Think so. I drove my aunt’s Honda CRV there last year. Near Nha Trang. Crazy roads. It was, like, new highway but motorbikes everywhere. Even saw a family of five on one scooter. And, dude, the trucks. Overloaded, like, seriously. Speed limits? Kinda theoretical, you know what i mean? Anyway, honked a lot. Drove mostly at night, fewer people on the roads then. Still crazy tho.

• 90 km/h: Cars with 30 seats or less. Regular cars, basically.
• 80 km/h: Larger vehicles, buses, over 30 seats, two-lane roads.
• 80 km/h: Two-way, no median strip.
• 70 km/h: One-way, one lane.

My cousin, he got a ticket. Phu Quoc. Rented a motorbike. Thought he was cool, flying down the coast road. Cop pulled him over. Bribe, I think. Had to pay. Don’t speed. Just saying. Stick to the limit, less hassle. Saigon, Hanoi, different story. Traffic gridlock, anyway. Can’t speed even if you wanted.

Is it safe to travel by train in Vietnam?

Train travel in Vietnam? Generally safe. Safer than motorbikes, that’s for sure. My friend, a seasoned traveler, swears by it. He’s been all over Southeast Asia. Trains stick to the rails, unlike those crazy scooters everywhere. Less chance of a sudden unplanned swerve, right? That’s a big plus for safety.

Think about it: predictable routes. This reduces the risk of accidents significantly. Though, no mode of transport is completely risk-free. Life, after all, is a gamble.

However, consider these points:

• Train condition: Older trains might need maintenance. Some routes are better maintained than others. The Reunification Express, for instance, is generally reliable. I took it last year, from Hanoi to Saigon.

• Personal safety: Petty theft happens anywhere, even on trains. Keep valuables close. I lost a pen once! Not a big deal, but a reminder to be vigilant. This applies to any crowded public space.

• Emergency preparedness: Though statistically safer, always be aware of your surroundings. Know basic Vietnamese phrases, if possible.

Vietnam’s railway system is improving constantly; newer trains are entering service. Modernization continues apace! But don’t expect spotless luxury on every line. This is Vietnam, after all! It’s a vibrant, chaotic place, full of energy and surprises. A train journey will certainly offer a different perspective, and a reasonably safe way to see the country.