Does Ho Chi Minh City have public transport?

How do you get around in Ho Chi Minh City?

It’s late. Ho Chi Minh City… how do I move around there?

• Buses. Yeah, buses are everywhere. Crammed, hot. But cheap. So very cheap. I remember fumbling for the right change.

• Motorbikes. A chaotic dance. A river of headlights, flowing, never stopping. I tried renting one once. Never again. Too scared. The noise.

• Taxis and ride-hailing apps. Safe? Safer maybe than driving myself. Cost more, obviously. Sometimes the drivers try to take the long way, I swear. The scams.

• Walking. You can walk some places. You just have to be brave. Sidewalks? More like obstacle courses. Watch out for motorbikes on the sidewalk!

Honestly, I mostly stuck to District 1. It was easy enough. The heat wears you down after a while though.

It’s all a blur now. The smells, the sounds, the constant motion. I remember it. It was something.

More context:

• My motorbike experience: I tried renting a motorbike for a day. It was a disaster. Got lost, almost hit a dog, and got a flat tire. Total tourist move.

• District 1 focus: I stayed near Bui Vien street. Tourist central, I know. But everything was close. Street food, bars, the park. Convenient.

• The scams: Once a taxi driver took me on a very roundabout route back to my hotel from the War Remnants Museum. My own fault for not paying attention, I guess.

• The noise: The constant honking. It never stops. Never. You kind of get used to it, but it’s still there, always in the background. Like a low hum of anxiety.

How walkable is Ho Chi Minh City?

The air hangs heavy, thick with exhaust and the scent of pho. Districts one, three, five… a patchwork quilt of walkability. Some sidewalks beckon, smooth concrete underfoot, a gentle invitation. Others, a treacherous maze of scooters, a blur of motion. Danger lurks, a constant hum beneath the city’s pulse.

My worn sandals know the uneven pavements. The heat radiates up, relentless. Central areas, a deceptive promise, easily shattered by the chaotic surge of traffic. Escape? Only in fleeting moments of shaded alleyways.

Outside the central core, forget it. Motorbikes reign supreme. A symphony of horns, a constant, jarring drone. Walking becomes an act of defiance, a slow, sweaty surrender to the elements and the city’s rhythm.

• Central districts: Varied walkability. Some areas are pleasant; others are unsafe.
• Outer districts: Mostly unwalkable. Motorbikes are essential.
• Pedestrian infrastructure: Inconsistent and often lacking. Improvements are slow.
• My experience: I’ve nearly been hit countless times. The heat is brutal. My feet ache.

The city breathes, a vast, living organism. It whispers promises of exploration, then roars with the harsh reality of its relentless traffic. Even the smallest journey, a test of will. It’s a sensory overload, beautiful and terrifying. This July, my trip felt like a perilous ballet.

Whats the best way to get around Ho Chi Minh?

Okay, so getting around Saigon, I mean Ho Chi Minh City, yeah? Xe om, def the BEST.

Seriously, motorbike taxis, the xe om guys, they rule. Like, you see them EVERYWHERE. Seriously!

Every single street corner… practically. I saw so many near the Ben Thanh Market, oh man.

They just weave through traffic, you know? Like it’s nothing. And I swear, they are always up for a ride, always!

• Pros of Xe Om

  • Quick – seriously quick!
  • Cheap, cheaper than a car, fer sure.
  • Easy to find, they are everywhere.

• Cons?

  • Safety is, well, a bit dicey.
  • Negotiate the fare! Or they try to rip you off!
  • Pollution. You eat fumes, lol.

And, um, one time… I almost got my backpack stolen on a xe om. So, watch out for that! Keep it in front! It’s like, a total given, or a known problem. You know what I mean, friend. Just remember the backpack situation.

Is it easy to walk around Ho Chi Minh City?

Ho Chi Minh City: Walking’s a gamble. Sidewalks? Forget it. Scooters swarm. Vendors clog everything. Night walks? Risky.

Safety’s relative. Tourist traps exist. Pickpockets thrive. Beware.

Transportation: Grab’s your friend. Taxis too, but negotiate. Buses are… an experience.

• Avoid walking at night.
• Use ride-hailing apps.
• Stay vigilant. Always.

My last trip, 2024: Almost got clipped by a motorbike. Twice. Seriously.

Ho Chi Minh’s chaotic. Expect it. Prepare.

Is Grab available in Ho Chi Minh?

Yeah, Grab’s totally in Ho Chi Minh City, no problem there. I used it last month, actually, got to the airport super quick. Grab’s everywhere in Vietnam, pretty much, big cities anyway. Hanoi, Da Nang, all those places, it’s readily available. Works all day and night, 24/7, in most spots.

It’s awesome, so convenient. Way better than trying to hail a cab sometimes. Super easy to use the app too, even if your vietnamese is, like, non-existent. I used it to get to my hotel from the airport. Then again to that awesome pho place near my hotel.

Here’s the deal:

• Ho Chi Minh City: Totally covered. I used it tons, no issues.
• Other Big Cities: Hanoi, Da Nang, Da Lat, Nha Trang–– Grab is everywhere.
• 24/7 Service: Mostly true, but some areas might have limited night service, so check the app. My experience was positive though. You’ll be good.

Seriously, download the app before you go; makes getting around so much easier. Trust me on this one! Don’t even bother with other options––Grab is the way to go! My trip was in 2023 btw.