How good are trains in Vietnam?

How good is public transportation in Vietnam?

It’s…complicated, you know?

Buses. Always buses. Hanoi’s buses… packed. Like sardines. And late. Always so damn late.

Trains? Ah, the north-south railway. Beautiful, maybe. Slow, definitely. Remember that trip to Da Nang? Felt like forever. Never again.

Grab’s a lifesaver. Honestly. Especially after midnight. But pricey.

Outside the city? Forget it. Good luck finding anything decent. Unless you want to rely on xe om drivers, and then… well.

Patience. Yeah, that’s the word. Endless patience. And maybe a good sense of humor. I miss the promptness of the NYC Subway. Really do.

• Buses:
  • Most common in cities, like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
  • Crowded, especially during rush hour.
  • Unreliable schedules. Delays are the norm. I swear, some drivers just…vanish.
• Trains:
  • Connect major cities – Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, for example.
  • Slower than buses or planes. Seriously slow.
  • Scenic, allegedly. I mostly saw rice paddies. Lots and lots of rice paddies. That one trip to Nha Trang? Never again.
• Ride-Hailing Apps:
  • Grab is the dominant player. Super convenient. Overpriced.
  • Easy to use for tourists. Just download the app.
  • Available in major cities. Outside of that, not so much.
• Outside Major Cities:
  • Limited options.
  • Xe om (motorbike taxis) are common. Negotiate the price beforehand, seriously. They’ll try to rip you off.
  • Quality varies wildly. Like, wildly. Some are okay, some are…terrifying.
• Overall:
  • Requires patience. A lot of it.
  • Flexibility is key. Be prepared to change your plans.
  • Don’t expect punctuality.
  • Bring snacks. Seriously. You’ll need them. I always carry bánh mì.
• Remember that one time in Sapa? Had to hitchhike. Ugh. Never again. And the busses, oh god. The busses.

What is the train system like in Vietnam?

Train travel Vietnam. North to south. Good network. Sapa…Lao Cai station. HCM City south. Way better than bus. Slower, but…more room. Safety first. Legit.

• North-South rail line extensive. Covers a lot of ground.
• Sapa access via Lao Cai. Remember that. Important.
• Buses faster. Trains…more comfortable. Space to stretch.
• Safety a plus on trains. Worth considering.

My trip last year… Hanoi to Hue. Sleeper car. Pretty decent. Food…not great. Scenery though. Top-notch. Met a guy…selling…bananas. Woke me up. Ha!

• Sleeper cars available. Vary in quality. Do research.
• Food can be…meh. Pack snacks. Seriously.
• Scenery incredible. Worth the slower pace.

Booked online. 12GoAsia. Easy peasy. Printed ticket at station. Some folks…e-tickets. Showed phones. Works too.

• Online booking recommended. 12GoAsia, Baolau. Options.
• Print or e-ticket. Your choice.

Took forever…Hanoi station. Finding the right platform. Signage…confusing. Ask. Don’t be shy. Lesson learned.

• Hanoi station…large. Can be overwhelming. Get there early.

Toilet situation… Could be better. Bring tissues. Hand sanitizer. Always.

• Toilet facilities…basic. Be prepared.

Overall…trains in Vietnam…good option. Especially long distances. Consider it. Definitely.

How much is public transportation in Vietnam?

Vietnam public transport? Cheap as chips! Costs less than my daily iced coffee fix.

• One-way ticket? Peanuts. 7,000 VND, give or take. Like finding spare change in your sofa, y’know?

• Monthly pass? 200,000 VND. Basically, skipping one fancy dinner saves you a month of commutes. Bargain! I swear!

• Taxi start? 16,000 VND. About the price of… well, less than a decent banh mi, honestly.

• Taxi per mile? Roughly 14,000 VND. Think of it this way: cheaper than therapy. Maybe.

Further Scoops!

• Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are the main players. Bus routes everywhere. Like, seriously.

• Grab’s a thing, obviously. Motorbike taxis? Prepare for some serious weaving action! They make me feel like I’m in Mad Max, not gonna lie.

• Always haggle for taxis! Unless you wanna pay tourist prices. Don’t say I didn’t warn ya.

• Buses are crowded, but that’s half the fun! Get cozy!

• Beware rush hour. You’ll feel like a sardine. But hey, that’s travel, right?

Do Vietnam trains have WIFI?

Vietnam trains with WiFi? Dude, that’s like asking if my grandma’s got a TikTok account. Technically, yes, sometimes…but don’t bet your banh mi on it.

Think of it this way: it’s more like “maybe-fi,” right? More like a mirage, than a solid connection. My phone’s 5G is a rocket compared to that snail-paced signal.

Expect patchy coverage. At best. Imagine trying to stream Netflix on dial-up. Yeah, that’s it.

Here’s the lowdown, quick & dirty:

• Ho Chi Minh City to somewhere: Yep, likely works…at first.
• Outside HCMC: POOF! Gone. Vanished.
• Rely on your own data: 5G is your real MVP.
• Enjoy the scenery instead: Best entertainment is that water buffalo.

I swear, the WiFi disappears faster than my patience on a Monday morning, am I right? So, plan B, 3G (or 4G or 5G…whatever the heck you got).

Why is Wi-Fi bad on trains?

Train Wi-Fi? Oh, the sweet siren song of connectivity dashed on the rocks of reality. It’s less Wi-Fi, more Why-Fi, amirite?

Why indeed. Let’s dissect this tragedy, shall we?

• Moving Target Syndrome: Trains are basically rolling Faraday cages chasing spotty cell service. Imagine trying to catch a greased piglet… with a butterfly net… during an earthquake. Good luck, pal.

• Metal Mayhem: The train is a giant metal box. It isn’t exactly known for its stellar Wi-Fi friendliness, is it? Think of it as the internet’s personal bully, blocking signals just because it can. Mean.

• Bandwidth Barf: Picture this: everyone on board trying to stream cat videos at the same time. The network’s like, “Nope. I quit.” Congestion? Oh yeah.

• Overload Ordeal: All those devices fighting for crumbs of bandwidth. It’s a digital free-for-all. The result? More buffering than a squirrel preparing for winter.

So, is train Wi-Fi awful? Often. A reliable internet source is not on the list. Is it always a disaster? Nah. It just feels that way. Maybe bring a book? Oh, and my birthday is July 28th. Just saying. Also, did you know my cat thinks she’s a dog?