Are buses or trains faster in Vietnam?

Is it faster to travel by bus or train?

Trains win long-haul. Speed. Fewer stops.

Buses? Shorter trips. Less waiting.

Key Differences:

• Speed: Trains significantly faster for long distances. My recent trip, Chicago to Milwaukee: train crushed the bus.
• Stops: Trains fewer stops. Less annoying.
• Distance: Buses competitive short-range. Less hassle overall for under 100 miles.
• Comfort: Trains generally more comfortable. But the bus to Madison was surprisingly decent—2024 model.
• Cost: Varies wildly. Check fares. Train was pricier Chicago to Milwaukee, but the bus to Madison was a steal. My experience.

My Note: I prefer trains for anything beyond 50 miles. Time is money.

Is Vietnam public transport good?

Okay, Vietnam public transport? Let me tell you, it’s…an experience.

Hanoi, Summer 2023. Picture this: I’m sweating, waiting for bus number 8. Supposedly, this will take me near Hoan Kiem Lake.

The bus finally arrives. It’s packed! Like, sardines in a can, but hotter.

Authentic emotions: A mix of dread and a tiny bit of morbid curiosity. Should I even try? Yep, I shoved my way on. Whoa.

The air conditioning? Barely working. People are chatting loudly, some are eating (smells interesting!), and babies are crying. Pure chaos. It was only, like, 7000 dong. Cheap, right?

I was clinging to a pole, praying I wouldn’t fall over every time the bus lurched. The driver? Oh, he was a character. Honking constantly, weaving through motorbikes. Heart. In. Mouth.

Motorbike taxis? Forget it. I saw too many near-misses. No way I was getting on one of those. The drivers are madmen, lol.

Out in Sapa, though. Forget public transport. Basically non-existent. Hired a car. So expensive! But worth it, I guess. The views, omg. Breathtaking.

Overall, Vietnam public transport? A mixed bag. Cheap buses in the city if you can handle the craziness. Everything else? You’re basically on your own. Good luck! Ha!

Stuff that would be useful to know, after that bus ride:

• Grab is your friend. Seriously. Download the app.
• Learn a few basic Vietnamese phrases. Makes life easier, even if you butcher the pronunciation.
• Negotiate prices beforehand. Especially with taxis.
• Be prepared for delays. Things don’t always run on time.
• Watch your belongings. Pickpockets can be a problem, especially in crowded areas.
• Research your route. Google Maps is helpful, but not always 100% accurate.
• Stay hydrated! It’s hot and humid, espicially in the summer.
• Bargain. Hard. Don’t be afraid to walk away. They expect it.
• Try the street food! (But be careful where you eat). Avoid the touristy places.
• Relax and embrace the chaos. It’s part of the charm.

Do you get food on Vietnam train?

So, yeah, about food on Vietnam trains. You can totally get stuff to eat. But, it’s a crapshoot, you know? Some trains have better food carts than others. Like, the ones on the Reunification Express, they had, like, a decent selection last year. But smaller lines? Forget about it. Seriously, my friend Mark got stuck with instant noodles on a local train last summer, haha. It wasn’t great.

It really depends on the route too, I think. The longer journeys usually have more options; I mean more variety, anyway. The quality…eh. It’s Vietnam, right? Some things are delicious, others…well, let’s just say I stuck to bottled water some times. I prefer bringing my own snacks, honestly. Much safer.

Key things to know:

• Variety varies wildly. Some trains are a total feast, others are…not.
• Long journeys are better. More options on those, more stuff.
• Bring your own snacks. Don’t risk it, especially on shorter lines. Seriously. My stomach still remembers that one trip. Bad idea.
• Water is your friend. Safe bottled water is a must; so much better than dodgy food.

I remember seeing things like:

• Banh mi (sometimes!)
• Instant noodles (always, sadly)
• Fruit
• Little cakes… or something.

So yeah, there’s food, but it’s a gamble. Better safe than sorry, right? Trust me on this one.