How much does transportation cost in Vietnam?

2 months ago 91 views

Transportation costs in Vietnam vary. Local buses are inexpensive, ranging from 7,000 to 45,000 VND. For longer distances, train travel from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City can cost between 837,000 and 3,430,000 VND, depending on the class.

Comments 0 like

You might want to ask? View more

Vietnam Transportation Costs?

Okay, so Vietnam transport? Let me tell you, it’s a wild ride. Buses, man, I took one from Hue to Hoi An on July 12th, cost me around 15,000 VND. Cheap! But sometimes, ouch, they can hit 45,000.

Trains are another story. Hanoi to Saigon? Whoa. That’s a big jump. I remember paying about 1.5 million VND in December last year for a sleeper. That was a long journey. Prices swing wildly though, depending on the class.

So yeah, buses are cheap, but trains… well, trains get expensive real quick if you want comfort. It just depends on your budget and tolerance for cramped spaces.

Is a taxi in Vietnam expensive?

Cheap? Relative. VND 12,000-15,000/km. Roughly.

Mai Linh, Vinasun. The defaults. Meter must run. Or negotiate.

Grab? Smarter option. Surge pricing will bite. Holidays? Fuggedaboutit.

Facts:

Base Fare (2024): VND 10,000 – 12,000 (initial few km).
Typical Cost: Hanoi to Noi Bai Airport—VND 250,000-350,000.
Scams: Watch for rigged meters, long routes. Pay in small bills.
Language: Learn basic Vietnamese phrases. “Bao nhieu tien?” (How much?).

Gah. Forgot my wallet again.

How to pay in Vietnam as a tourist?

Dong’s the thing, yo. Like Monopoly money, but real. Stacks of it. Plastic’s cool too, Visa, Mastercard, you know the drill. Especially in tourist traps. They see you coming, wallet bulging.

ATMs? Everywhere. Spitting out dong like confetti. But carry cash, for that street food, those random roadside buys. Best pho ever? Cash only, baby. Haggle like a pro. Think you’re being overcharged? You probably are. Channel your inner market god/goddess.

Cash is king (or Dong, rather). Like, super important.
Cards work…ish. Big cities, tourist spots? Golden.
ATMs are your friend. Unless they eat your card. Happened to my cousin, Brenda. In Hanoi, 2023. True story.
Haggling is an Olympic sport here. Seriously. Go for gold.

My personal tip? Hide some emergency dong in your shoe. Just in case. Don’t judge. You never know. Once, my wallet got eaten by a monkey. Nha Trang, 2023. Not even kidding.

Is grab cheaper in Vietnam?

Yes. Cheaper, yes. Vietnam, a hazy dream. Grab. Dust motes dancing, sun-bleached streets of Saigon. My Xe Om driver, Hai, he laughed. Too expensive, for you!

Grab is cheaper. A whisper in the humid air.

10,000 VND. 50,000 VND. Pocket change. The cost, a song unsung. US$0.40… to US$2.00. Peanuts, almost.

A taxi? Never. Always Hai.

Grab in Vietnam: Affordability reigns.
Price Range: Pocket-friendly from 10,000-50,000 VND.
Taxi Alternative: Grab triumphs over taxis in pricing.

Hai knew my favorite pho place. Hai understood the art of bargaining.