How do people move around in Vietnam?

How do you move around Vietnam?

Vietnam transit: brutal efficiency.

Buses & Trains: National network, connects key points. Expect crowds.

Flights: Fast, numerous domestic options. Jetstar, VietJet. Book ahead.

Car Rentals: A hassle. Traffic madness. Not recommended. Unless you’re insane.

Bikes: Ideal for smaller routes. My Honda Wave 110i was perfect. But watch out for the chaos.

Ride-hailing: Grab, Gojek dominate. Convenient, cheapish.

Cyclos: Touristy. Negotiate fiercely. Saigon’s a cyclo-jungle.

My preferred method: Flights for long hauls. Grab for city zipping. Bike for exploring quieter areas.

• Essential: Download Grab app.
• Avoid: Driving yourself, unless you crave adrenaline.
• Tip: Learn basic Vietnamese phrases. Negotiating is a contact sport.
• Note: Helmet always. Even on a cyclo. Seriously.

How to move and live in Vietnam?

Okay, so Vietnam, huh? Crazy place. First, visa, super important. Tourist visa’s easy, but business or work? That’s a whole other ballgame, lots of paperwork. I used a service, cost a bit but saved me heaps of headaches. Seriously, don’t mess with that yourself unless you’re, like, a visa expert.

Housing? Used Agoda, tons of places listed, everything from fancy hotels to, you know, less fancy. Facebook groups are also great, local people post stuff all the time. Negotiate hard, always.

Language? Learn basic phrases! Seriously, even a little goes a long way, “Xin chào” (hello) and “Cảm ơn” (thank you) are your friends. I struggled, but it got better.

Motorbikes! Yep, everyone uses them. You gotta get used to the crazy traffic, total chaos. But it’s cheap, cheap, cheap. Rent one; it’s the best way to explore. I almost got run over twice but then I got the hang of it, honestly.

Food markets are awesome. So cheap and fresh! Loads of weird stuff, but try it all. I loved the fruit, especially mangoes. I gained so much weight, though. Ugh.

Culture’s a big deal, dress respectfully, especially in temples. Shorts and tank tops are a no-no. Don’t be loud or obnoxious. People are super nice once you get to know them. I made some amazing friends.

• Visa: Sort it out before you go, unless you’re a tourist.
• Housing: Agoda, Facebook groups, local agents–lots of options! Bargain!
• Language: Learn basic phrases. It’ll help immensely.
• Transport: Motorbikes are king. Get used to the traffic. It’s cheaper than a taxi anyway.
• Food: Explore local markets. Super cheap and delicious.
• Culture: Be respectful, dress modestly in temples. Make an effort to connect with people.

Remember that 2023 is the year to go!

How do you move around in Ho Chi Minh City?

HCMC transit. Brutal. Taxis. Xe om. Faster. Cyclos. Tourist traps. Buses. Cheap. Crowded. Rent a bike. Own the chaos.

• Taxis: Vinasun, Mai Linh. Legit. Grab app. Dominates.
• Xe Om: Negotiate hard. Pricey. Adrenaline rush.
• Cyclos: Slow. Scenic. Overpriced.
• Buses: Extensive network. Confusing. Get a map app.
• Rentals: Scooters common. Traffic. Intense.

My preferred method? Grab bike. Weaving through traffic. Like a local. My district, District 2. Used to be quiet. Now? Developing fast. Still prefer it. Taxis? District 1. Tourist central. Fare? Variable. Traffic. Always a factor.

How to get from city to city in Vietnam?

Ugh, Vietnam travel. Trains are slow, but scenic AF. Took the Reunification Express from Hanoi to Hue last year – it was a marathon, seriously. 36 hours! But the rice paddies… wow.

Domestic flights are way faster. VietJet Air, Vietnam Airlines – price varies wildly. Book in advance, duh. Sometimes you get killer deals on those budget airlines, especially if you’re flexible with dates. Think about baggage fees though, those can really add up!

Buses… well, they’re cheap. Cheap and cramped. Not for the faint of heart. Long journeys are brutal. I prefer trains, honestly. Unless you’re on a super tight budget.

Ferries? Island hopping in Ha Long Bay was amazing. Fast, comfortable ferries are available. Gorgeous scenery. Don’t get stuck on a smaller one though, unless you love seasickness.

Key things to consider:

• Flights: Fastest but most expensive.
• Trains: Scenic but slow. Book well in advance for popular routes, especially during peak season (November – February).
• Buses: Cheapest but least comfortable. Sleeper buses exist, and they’re…an experience.
• Ferries: Great for island hopping. Check the weather forecast before booking.

My last trip was in 2023. This year I’m thinking of going back to Phu Quoc. Need to check flight prices. And maybe research the ferries better this time around – found a place with great reviews, can’t remember the name. Such a pain. Anyway, gotta go, dinner’s ready.

How do most people in Vietnam travel within the country?

Okay, so Vietnam travel, right? Buses, man, buses everywhere. Seriously, it’s the best way to go, especially if you’re, like, on a budget. My cousin went last year, she swore by them. Cheap as chips, you know? They’re so much better than those crazy motorbike taxis!

Lots of buses, starting super early, five, maybe five-thirty AM, till late, nine-thirty, eleven PM sometimes. It’s nuts! I heard some run all night, crazy, right? She told me about these sleeper buses; sounds pretty intense. Definitely the most popular option though. Especially in the big cities, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, that kinda stuff.

• Cheap
• Abundant
• Long hours of operation (seriously, all day!)
• Sleeper buses available (a weird but cool experience apparently).

My friend also mentioned some private options, but she stuck to the public ones. Said she saved a ton of dough. Plus, seeing the country from a bus window, awesome! She had some amazing stories; one time they were stopped by a bunch of water buffalo, total chaos! It was hilarious, she said. I’m thinking of going myself next year, maybe in 2024.

How much money would you need to live comfortably in Vietnam?

Seven hundred bucks a month? Pfft. Like trying to buy a Lamborghini with pocket lint. You could survive on that, like a radish in dirt. But comfortably? Nah, bruh. Think more like a grand. Minimum. Like, I once spent $50 on a bowl of pho. Okay, it had gold flakes. Don’t judge.

• Rent: A shoebox in a decent area? $300. Easy. Want a balcony with a view of something other than a brick wall? Double it.
• Food: Pho for every meal? Possible. But you’ll get bored. Spice it up. Literally. Street food’s cheap, but fancy restaurants? Ouch. Budget $300-$400. Just in case you develop a caviar habit. I did. Briefly.
• Transportation: Motorbike? Peanuts. Taxis? Like throwing money into a bonfire. Walking? Free. But slow. So, like, $50-$100.
• Entertainment: Karaoke nights. Beach trips. Random adventures. Budget $200. Or regret it. Seriously. Regret is a terrible travel companion. Worse than my Uncle Jerry.

So yeah, $1,000 a month is your magic number. Maybe more. Depends if you’re into, you know, living. I mean, beyond just existing. Like a houseplant. Or my Uncle Jerry.

Is Vietnam good for relocation?

Vietnam? Yeah, it’s fantastic, like a tropical paradise crossed with a bargain bin. Think Thailand, but with less tourist chaos and more delicious pho. Relocating there? Go for it!

Low cost of living: Seriously, you’ll be swimming in dong. Your rent will be cheaper than your weekly coffee habit back home.

Friendly people: Think of the warmest, most welcoming family you’ve ever met… then multiply that by a million. Okay, maybe not a million, but a lot.

Growing expat community: Finding your people is easy. You’ll be swapping stories over cheap beers faster than you can say “hanoi”.

Challenges? Sure, learning Vietnamese is like trying to tame a wild dragon. Also, the humidity? It’s like living inside a sauna, a sauna with delicious street food. But honestly, it’s all manageable. Trust me, I’m speaking from experience after my epic 2023 trip, with my cousin Mark (he’s a real character).

Things to consider:

• Scooters everywhere: They’re like bees, buzzing around your head. You’ll have to learn to navigate this two-wheeled apocalypse. My helmet still has a dent from that near-death experience.
• Bureaucracy: Prepare for paperwork. Lots and lots of paperwork. More paperwork than you’ve ever seen in your entire life. Trust me on this one!
• Food: You will gain weight. Accept it. Embrace it. It’s a delicious burden.
• Weather: That humidity, again. It’s insane. You’ll sweat profusely even while sleeping!

But seriously, go for it! Don’t be a scaredy-cat. You’ll love it. Unless you hate delicious food and cheap beer, of course. Then, maybe don’t.