Does Vietnam have good public transportation?

Is public transportation in Vietnam good?

Vietnam’s public transit? Complex.

• Hanoi, HCMC: Buses exist. Cramped. Unpredictable? Definitely.
• Trains: City links. Slow progress. High-speed? A distant dream.
• Motorbike taxis: Everywhere. Safety? Questionable.

Location dictates everything. Period.

Additional Information

• Bus Network Challenges: Overcrowding plagues buses during peak hours. Routes, while extensive, aren’t always clearly marked or frequently updated. Schedules? Mere suggestions. Expect delays.

• Train Travel Realities: The North-South Railway is the primary route. Modernization efforts exist, slowly. Expect long travel times. Onboard amenities are variable. Sleeper cars are available.

• Motorbike Taxi Caveats: Apps now facilitate booking (Grab, Gojek). Negotiation still happens. Helmets aren’t guaranteed, or properly sized. Licensing varies. Tourist scams? Common. Use at your own risk.

• Alternative Options: Taxis (cars) are more expensive, regulated. Ride-hailing apps work. Walking is viable in city centers. Cyclo rides? Tourist traps. Be wary. Always pre-negotiate fares where possible. Metro systems in Hanoi, HCMC? Ongoing projects.

• Personal Experience: Once I waited three hours for a bus near the Old Quarter. Another time a bike taxi tried to charge me 500k VND for a 5k ride, smh.

How to get around in Vietnam without a car?

So, ditch the four-wheeled beast, huh? Vietnam’s got way more fun options. Forget driving; you’ll look like a lost puppy.

• Buses and trains: Picture this: chicken buses! Nah, just kidding… Mostly. But seriously, they go EVERYWHERE. Trains? Think scenic route meets slightly delayed arrival. They say, “It’s not about the destination, it’s the journey”, and yeah, that’s Vietnam trains in a nutshell. You get to meet some interesting people, that’s for sure. Oh, the stories I could tell!

• Flights: Got some serious dong to burn? Boom! Hop on a plane. Major cities, poof, you’re there. Like teleportation, but with peanuts. It’s great but can add up fast when you spend all of your money.

• Bike rentals: Zoom around like a local! Just watch out for the motorbikes. They’re like bees, everywhere. Oh, and the traffic lights? More like suggestions, tbh.

• Ride-hailing apps: Hail a motorbike! Grab or Gojek are like Uber, but usually on two wheels. Cheap as chips! Just be prepared to cling on for dear life.

• Cyclo rides: Okay, this is peak tourist, but who cares? Get wheeled around by someone pedaling their butt off. Wave to the peasants! Jk, don’t do that, but enjoy the ride. It’s hilarious, I did this last year.

• Boats and ferries: Don’t forget the waterways! Ferries connect islands and coastal towns, offering awesome views. Last time I was on a boat, it started raining so bad and I swear everyone was getting wet.

Basically, avoid cars. Be adventurous! Vietnam’s calling!

Does Vietnam have good trains?

Ugh, Vietnam trains! Okay, so 2024, right? I was backpacking, solo.

Ho Chi Minh City to Nha Trang…supposed to be 8 hours. “Supposed to be” is key, lol.

I remember the station, Saigon Railway Station, chaotic. Vendors everywhere, selling everything.

Bought a sleeper berth. Figured, you know, luxury! HA!

• Bed was basically a plank.
• Air con blasting artic air.
• Sharing with a family…and their chickens. Legit chickens.

Around 3 am, BAM! Train stopped. Middle of nowhere.

No announcements. No explanation. Just…stopped.

Hours later…turns out, track issue. Seriously?!

The locals, though? Amazing. Sharing food, laughing…way more chill than me. I was so angry! So tired!

Finally, we arrive, hours late. Nha Trang was beautiful, but that train ride? Never again. Seriously. Never.

North-South route is their “best.” Even that needs work. Okay?

It depends. New trains = better, old trains…well, you saw my chicken story.

• Book ahead, esp. during Tet.
• Bring snacks! Train food is…questionable.
• Lower berth is easier if you need the toilet.

Seriously. Just fly next time. Trust me.

Oh, and the ticket? I got it at the station. The “foreigner price” is definitely a thing, heads up.

Is public transport safe in Vietnam?

Ugh, Vietnam public transport. Cheap as chips, that’s for sure. Think 20 cents for a bus ride. Crazy! But safe? Eh. City buses? Fine. Mostly. But those mountain roads…Yikes. Heard stories. Seriously terrifying accidents. Drunk drivers are a real issue, I heard.

The motorbike taxis… wild. Helmets are optional, apparently. My friend almost died. Not joking. Always negotiate the price beforehand. Learn a few phrases in Vietnamese. Seriously, it’s essential.

Hanoi’s trains are okay. Crowded, but functional. Ho Chi Minh City’s system is newer; cleaner. But still packed. The best thing? The sheer energy of it all. It’s insane, but vibrant.

Worst? The chaotic traffic. The sheer number of motorbikes. It’s overwhelming. Seriously. And the air quality… I coughed so much the whole time. My lungs still feel weird.

• Safety within cities: Relatively safe, but chaos reigns.
• Intercity travel: Risky. Many accidents due to poor driving conditions.
• Cost: Ridiculously cheap. A huge plus.
• Hanoi: Older trains, crowded but workable.
• Ho Chi Minh City: Newer, somewhat cleaner system, still overcrowded.
• Motorbike taxis: Use with extreme caution. Always negotiate! Always wear a helmet! Don’t be a moron!

Seriously, it’s a gamble. If you’re a cautious person…maybe stick to taxis in the mountains. But then again, you might end up with a crazy driver anyway. Decisions, decisions. I wish I had a better answer, but I don’t.