How to travel between North and South Vietnam?

How to travel from North to South Vietnam?

Fly. Done. Quick, easy. Hanoi to Saigon. Over.

Train. The slow burn. Scenery scrolls past. Days blur. Reunification Express rattles south.

Bus. Cheap. Long. Very, very long. My knees cramped just thinking about it.

One way. Each has its price. Time versus money. C’est la vie. So, what’s the hurry anyway?

Here’s a breakdown:

• Flights:

  • Fastest: Key. Really.
  • Expensive: Compared to ground.
  • Ho Chi Minh, Da Nang, Hanoi: Fly between major points. My route.

• Trains:

  • Reunification Express: Single line. Whole country.
  • Scenic: Supposedly. I prefer to sleep.
  • Long: Multi-day thing. Consider this.

• Buses:

  • Cheapest: Budget option. Obvious, right?
  • Longest: Did I mention very long?
  • Variable Quality: Depends on the company. Pray.

Budget matters. Time matters. Choose. Like it’s that simple. I chose a flight. Don’t judge.

How do you travel between places in Vietnam?

So, Vietnam, huh? Getting around is like choosing between a dragon, a snail, or maybe your grandma’s rusty bike.

Vietnam Airlines: It’s basically flying on a metal bird. Imagine a really loud pigeon, but with snacks. Sometimes.

Trains: The iron horse chugs along the coast, slower than molasses in January. Expect views and delays, sometimes both at once.

Sleeper Buses: Ah, the rolling sardine can! Pack yourself in, hope for the best, and maybe make a new friend. Or enemy. Who knows?

Motorbikes: The real deal, baby! Conquer the roads like a boss… or end up looking like you wrestled a badger. My cousin Tony once tried, ended up in a rice paddy.

Bicycles: Pedal power! Great for seeing stuff up close, like that grumpy water buffalo. Just watch out for potholes – they’re like lunar craters!

Look, my Aunt Carol swore by the bicycle, but then again, she also wears socks with sandals. You do you. Train, plane, bus, bike… it’s all an adventure, right? Hopefully.

Should I travel North to south in Vietnam?

Northern Vietnam wins. Hands down.

Ninh Binh, Sapa, Ha Giang: breathtaking. Ha Long Bay: essential.

South lacks the raw, untamed beauty.

The north offers unparalleled trekking. Seriously.

Consider your priorities. Adventure? North. Beaches? South.

My 2023 trip: North first. Best decision.

Key Differences:

• Scenery: North – dramatic karsts, rice terraces. South – beaches, Mekong Delta.
• Activity: North – hiking, exploring. South – relaxing, cruising.
• Crowds: Both can be crowded, but the North’s less-accessible regions offer solitude.
• Weather: North – cooler, four seasons. South – tropical, hot & humid.

My flight itinerary? Booked through VietJet Air. Cheap.
Ha Long Bay cruise? Three days, two nights. Perfect.
Sapa trekking? Tough, but worth it.
South? Too much concrete. Nah.

How to travel down the coast of Vietnam?

Man, Vietnam’s coast! I did it last year, 2023. Started in Nha Trang. Gorgeous beaches, seriously. Spent a week, mostly swimming and eating fresh seafood. Nha Trang’s nightlife is insane, way more than I expected.

Then, hopped on an overnight sleeper train to Hoi An. Crazy experience. So cramped, but cheap as hell, like 20 bucks. Woke up in the middle of nowhere, felt pretty disoriented. Hoi An though? Stunning ancient town. Tailors everywhere. Got a suit made, ridiculously cheap.

From Hoi An, I rented a motorbike. Best decision ever! The roads were… adventurous. The scenery was breathtaking, though. I went south, stopped at a bunch of tiny villages. Ate the best damn pho of my life in a place with only three tables.

The further south, the more chaotic the traffic became. The motorbikes. Jesus. Almost got hit several times. But the beaches, small hidden gems! Some I didn’t even see anyone else at. Reached Mui Ne eventually. Huge sand dunes!

Took a ferry from Mui Ne to Phu Quoc. Smooth sailing, totally worth it. Phu Quoc is paradise. Beautiful beaches, crystal-clear water. Relaxed there for a few days, then flew back to Hanoi from Phu Quoc. I’d recommend this entire trip in a heartbeat.

• Transportation: Sleeper trains, local buses, motorbike rentals, ferries.
• Accommodation: Booked hostels and guesthouses in advance, especially for Hoi An and Nha Trang. Phu Quoc was easier to find places.
• Cost: Very affordable, especially if you use the budget options. Food was ridiculously cheap.
• Highlights: Nha Trang nightlife, Hoi An ancient town, motorbike trip scenery, hidden beaches, Phu Quoc relaxation.
• Downside: Overcrowded sleeper train, chaotic motorbike traffic.

How many days should I spend in North Vietnam?

Ugh, North Vietnam. Seven days, minimum. No, wait, ten. Depends entirely on what you want, right? My last trip, I crammed so much in – completely bonkers.

Halong Bay, you HAVE to see it. Two days, easily. Kayaking, that stunning scenery…worth every penny. Then Ninh Binh – a day trip maybe? Too rushed.

Sapa, though…that needs at least three days. Seriously. The trekking is incredible. I did it solo, and met amazing people. But so exhausting! I should have taken more rest days.

Weather’s a total wildcard. Crazy downpours in July. Check the forecast, seriously. And your travel style? Backpacker? Luxury? Totally changes things.

• Fast-paced: 7 days – Hanoi, Halong Bay, Sapa.
• Relaxed: 10-14 days – Add Ninh Binh, Mai Chau, more trekking time.
• Luxury: Forget days, think weeks! Private car, fancy resorts…

My friend went in 2022 and spent only 5 days – it was waaaay too short. She regretted it. She said she should’ve done 10, at least.

Five days is ludicrous. Unless you’re just hitting Hanoi and Halong Bay, but then why even bother with North Vietnam? Crazy! It’s so much more than that! I’m going back in 2024, for sure. Maybe a month this time! Time off work is an issue, though.

How many days do you need in Danang Vietnam?

Three days? Nah, four days is bare minimum. Think of it like this: four days is barely enough time to properly caffeinate yourself for the adventure. You need at least a week, maybe ten days. Unless you’re a speed-demon tourist, running through the place like a caffeinated squirrel.

Reasons you’ll need more than four days:

• Beaches: You’ll need a solid two days just to pick which beach is your favorite. Myang Son beach? Non Nuoc? Seriously, it’s a tough choice. Like choosing between a unicorn riding a dragon vs a mermaid riding a dolphin.

• Marble Mountains: Climbing those is exhausting! You’ll need a full recovery day. And maybe a nap afterwards. Trust me on this one.

• Food: Dude, the food. You’ll spend at least three hours at the food market alone. Let’s face it, even if you just eat twice a day, that’s six meals. Six meals of pure deliciousness! You’ll need time to savor each one, right?

• My Son Sanctuary: Historical sites? Forget about zipping through those in a day, especially if you want to take the perfect selfie. And believe me, you will want the perfect selfie.

Extra stuff, just because:

• I went in 2023 and even I felt rushed! I needed a massage after my trip. And I didn’t even go hiking in Ba Na Hills.
• Remember to pack sunscreen. Lots of it. Seriously, the sun in Da Nang is like a tiny, angry dragon breathing fire.
• Learn a few basic Vietnamese phrases. It’ll help you haggle with the super charming street vendors.

So, yeah. Four days? Cute. Try seven. At least.

How do I plan a Vietnam itinerary?

Okay, so Vietnam… man, what a trip. Here’s how I did it, kinda sorta.

First off, I landed in Hanoi, July 2023, hot and chaotic. Day 1: Just survived the airport and found my hostel in the Old Quarter. Honestly, that was the plan.

Day 2? I just wandered around. Hoan Kiem Lake, the Temple of Literature, ate some pho that tasted amazing but who knows what was actually in it. Hectic, but cool.

Halong Bay, Day 3 and 4, was a blur of boat rides and limestone karsts. We did the overnight cruise. Touristy? Totally. Worth it? I guess so, the views were unreal. I think I even tried squid fishing.

Next, Day 5, train to Sapa. Ugh, overnight train, not a great sleep. But Sapa itself… the mountains were incredible.

Days 6 and 7, trekking around Lao Chai and Ta Van villages. Met some of the locals, bought some weird embroidered stuff I’ll probably never use. Then, Fansipan. Up the cable car, of course. My legs were DONE. Felt on top of the world.

Day 8? Back to Hanoi. Just needed to leave Sapa.

Can you do a road trip in Vietnam?

Ugh, Vietnam. Cao Bang to Ban Gioc? Yeah, totally doable. Crazy winding roads though, Ma Phuc Pass – seven turns?! Seven! My neck will be killing me. Hope my rental bike holds up. Better get travel insurance, duh. Should’ve booked a driver, maybe.

I love rice terraces though. Seriously stunning. Pictures won’t do them justice. Need a good camera. My phone camera sucks. Remember that time in Sapa? Completely different, but equally gorgeous. Wish I’d spent longer there.

Ban Gioc Waterfall itself is amazing, right? Heard the border with China’s nearby. Could even pop across for a day trip? Visa requirements though? Need to check that. Will be scorching hot, probably. Need to pack light, but sunscreen is non-negotiable.

Packing list:

• Sunscreen (SPF 50+)
• Good walking shoes – hiking boots ideal!
• Camera (and extra batteries!)
• Lightweight clothes
• Rain gear – it could rain anytime!
• Insect repellent – seriously, essential!
• Vietnamese phrasebook – though google translate is pretty good now.
• First-aid kit – band-aids for those inevitable scrapes.

Driving is… an experience. Expect crazy traffic, motorbikes everywhere. The scenery though…worth every stressful moment. I’m planning on doing this trip in November. Should be perfect weather.

Book flights NOW. Seriously. Prices spike. Already looked at a few options. Vietnam Airlines looks decent. Should’ve researched earlier, man.

Is it better to travel North to South Vietnam?

Okay, Vietnam…North to South? Hmm.

• I guess it depends? That Cambodia thing makes sense. I went to Phnom Penh back in 2022…from HCMC! Cheap bus, yeah.

• North is pretty. Ha Long Bay! Did that cruise. Touristy, you know? Worth it though? I dunno…Maybe.

• Southern Vietnam, I think has better food. Street food in Saigon rocks.

• Wait…North or South better? Like, overall? Tough call.

• Seriously, should I start a garden? Tomatoes, basil…Focus!

• Okay, okay, North is probably better if you want cooler weather and the mountains. Sapa trekking was AMAZING! Muddy.

• South, hot. HCMC is super busy and chaotic in the best way.

• North to South makes sense if you’re ending in Cambodia. Otherwise? Flip a coin!

• Maybe South to North is better? End on a high note in the mountains. I’m so indecisive.

• Okay, thinking it through. Northern food is more soup and noodles based, whilst Southern focuses on fresh ingredients.

• Ugh, all I want is Pho now. This is not helpful!

• Honestly, there’s no right answer. Just book a flight, dude. North or South…who cares? Just go!

How to travel down the coast of Vietnam?

So, you wanna do Vietnam’s coast, huh? Buckle up, buttercup, it’s a wild ride!

Forget teleportation, unless you got Tony Stark’s tech lying around. Seriously.

First, trains are your metal camels for long hauls. Think overnight sleeper trains – budget-friendly and kinda like a rolling slumber party with strangers. Except, ya know, with less pizza.

Next up: buses. Local buses are the real MVPs for short trips. Dive in and mingle with chickens, questionable snacks, and maybe a dude serenading you with off-key karaoke. Pure gold. I saw a dude wearing socks with sandals ONCE.

Need freedom? Motorbikes and taxis it is! Rent a motorbike, feel the wind (and the questionable road safety) in your hair. Taxis? Easy peasy for point A to point B. Unless you are like me and get lost… often.

Don’t forget ferries. Coastal towns? Easy-peasy with ferries! Imagine scenic routes… plus, ya know, maybe some seasickness.

• Trains: Like slow-motion rollercoasters.
• Buses: The OG social media.
• Motorbikes: For daredevils with a death wish.
• Taxis: When you are just. done.

Lastly, book everything early, especially during peak season. I learned that the hard way and slept in a hammock once, and let’s just say my back hasn’t forgiven me.