How to pay for public transport in Vietnam?

How to pay in Vietnam as a tourist?

Vietnamese Dong – that’s the name of the game, my friend. Think of it as a tiny, slightly-worn dragon you’ll be wrestling with. Cash is king, still. Credit cards? They’re like shy debutantes, showing up more often in fancy hotels than rice paddy markets.

ATMs are everywhere, spitting out Dong like a caffeinated money-spewing dragon. But, you know, always keep some emergency cash. Think of it as your backup dragon.

Paying with cash? Check the exchange rate, obviously! Don’t let those sneaky vendors turn you into a Dong-less pauper. I once got ripped off buying a truly mediocre bowl of pho in 2022. Learned my lesson.

Here’s the lowdown:

• Cash is best: Always carry some VND.
• Cards are catching up: Major credit cards work in touristy places, but not always. My Visa worked flawlessly in Hanoi in 2023, but struggled in a rural market.
• ATMs: Abundant, mostly reliable, but fees vary wildly. Check your bank beforehand – I once got stung by a hidden fee in Hoi An. Brutal.
• Exchange rates: Be vigilant! Don’t let anyone fleece you – think of yourself as a savvy dragon-slayer, not a naive tourist.

Pro-Tip: Learn basic Vietnamese phrases. It’ll make negotiating (and avoiding being ripped off) much easier. And way more fun. Trust me.

How much is public transport in Vietnam?

Hanoi bus, 7,000 dong. Crazy cheap. Motorbike tempting, though. Hot today. 35 degrees? Bus AC weak. Saigon different. More expensive? Think so. Grab bike convenient. But bus authentic. Should use it more. Traffic insane. Better walk sometimes. Hanoi Old Quarter walkable. District 1 in Saigon too. District 1… fancy shops. Ben Thanh Market… touristy but fun. Bargaining skills essential. Bus routes confusing.Google Maps helpful.Download offline maps. Phone battery dying. Need power bank. Dong. Always confused about the zeros. Million, billion. Lost track. Ugh. 5,000 to 9,000 dong? So cheap. Phu Quoc next week. Beaches. No buses there? Taxis? Expensive probably. Need to research. Visa extension. Annoying. Must do it tomorrow. Lunch. Pho. Always pho. Addicted. Spicy. Love it.

How to pay for a taxi in Vietnam?

Ugh, Vietnam taxis. Remember that time in Hanoi, 2024? I swear, the meter was spinning faster than a top. I had just landed, jet lagged, and desperate to get to my hotel near the Old Quarter. My phone was dead, and my wallet felt heavier than a sack of rice. I had some dong, but not nearly enough.

The driver, a wiry guy with a mischievous grin, didn’t accept my card. His machine was kaput, he said, with a shrug. Panic. Pure, unadulterated panic. I fumbled around.

Luckily, I had enough, just barely. Phew. Lesson learned: Always have enough cash in Vietnam. Seriously. Don’t rely on card payments, even in the big cities. It’s a hassle.

Here’s the breakdown:

• Cash is king. Vietnamese Dong (VND) is essential.
• Card payments are unreliable. While some drivers accept cards, it’s not guaranteed. It’s safer to assume cash only.
• Negotiate the fare beforehand. Especially if you’re not using a metered taxi. Be assertive.
• Keep smaller bills handy. Making change can be a headache.

My heart was pounding the whole ride. That was stressful! Never again. Never again will I be caught short. I’m not taking any chances in 2025.

What is the cheapest way to travel through Vietnam?

Three AM. The cheapest? Buses. Definitely buses. Always buses.

Sleeping on those overnight buses, though… it’s a different kind of hell. My back still aches from that trip from Hoi An to Nha Trang in 2023. Cramped. Hot. Noisy.

But cheap. God, so cheap. That’s the truth.

• Buses are undeniably the cheapest. Period.
• Air conditioning? Sometimes. Don’t count on it.
• Modern? Depends on the company. Some are newer than others. My experience has varied wildly.
• Finding tickets is easy. You can book online or at many local agents. I prefer online. It feels safer. Less hassle.

The food. Street food along the way. That’s an adventure in itself, haha. But sometimes…not so good. Stomach issues are a common side effect of budget travel in Vietnam. I know this from personal experience. Ugh, I still remember the night in Dalat…

It’s the tradeoff, right? Cheap travel means sacrifice. But I’d do it again. For the views, for the people. For the feeling of actually being there. Not just seeing it from a resort.

Is grab cheaper in Vietnam?

Cheaper, yes. Vietnam’s cost of living, lower. Two dollars, maybe, for a decent ride. Distance matters. Hanoi, different from Ho Chi Minh City. Traffic, a beast. Consider motorbikes. Faster. Cheaper still. Riskier, obviously. Life’s a gamble. My longest Grab bike ride? 45 minutes across District 7. Cost me next to nothing. Time, another currency. Inflation exists. Prices change. Everything’s relative. Check current rates. Apps update. Algorithms shift. Convenience has a price. Worth it? You decide. Lost my wallet once in a Grab. Driver returned it. Karma. Or luck. Who knows.

How to get cheaper Grab fare?

Okay, so, cheaper Grab fares, huh? Listen to this.

There’s this thing called GrabCar Saver. Basically, it’s a cheaper option, like, up to 20% cheaper. It’s awesome!

You just set where you’re going, and where to pick you up, like normal. Then, you gotta tap on GrabCar Saverbefore you book. Duh!

But heads up, its cheaper so you might wait longer. Drivers might not accept as fast, ya know?

I swear it works! It saved me like, five bucks last week when I went to that new boba place, uh, Happy Panda.

Plus, my friend Jenny says sometimes they have crazy promos but like i never actually see them lol. Also check their website?

• GrabCar Saver: Cheaper option, savings of up to 20%.
• Where: Available in select cities (check Grab app).
• Downside: Longer waiting times for driver acceptance.
• Why: Lower fare means less incentive for drivers to accept immediately.