Is public transport safe in Vietnam?

Does Vietnam have good public transportation?

OMG, Vietnam’s public transport? Lemme tell ya about my trip last summer (2024). Landed in Ho Chi Minh, chaotic!

Buses are the way to go, seriously.

I booked everything through my hostel near Ben Thanh Market. So easy.

The train? Yeah, romantic, but I heard it’s glacial. Like, “are we there yet?” the whole time.

• Hostels book for you, haggle a bit!
• Buses were cheapest.
• Trains? For views, not speed, lol.

Think I paid like, 15 bucks for a 6-hour bus to Mui Ne. Bargain! The sleeper bus was surprisingly comfy. Air con blasting, felt like I was in a fridge.

Is public transportation in Vietnam good?

Man, Vietnam’s public transport, huh? It’s a mixed bag, I tell ya. Hanoi in 2024? Buses everywhere, packed like sardines, often. Crazy crowded. One time, I swear, I was squished so tight I couldn’t breathe. The air con was broken, too. Brutal.

The trains? Better than the buses, definitely. Got me from Hanoi to Hue this year, no problem. But it wasn’t exactly high-speed. Took forever! The scenery was nice, though. That’s something.

Motorbike taxis? Wild, man. Cheap, fast, thrilling, and terrifying all at once. Helmets? Sometimes. Seatbelts? Forget about it. I rode one in Ho Chi Minh City last month; my heart was pounding the whole time. Safety? Not really a thing. It’s an adventure, that’s for sure.

Overall? It depends. Big cities, okay-ish if you don’t mind the crowds and potential delays. Outside the cities? Much less frequent, forget about it. I’m talking about actually rural Vietnam. You’ll need a plan B.

• Hanoi Buses: Overcrowded, unreliable air conditioning.
• Trains: Slower than you’d expect. Better than buses, mostly.
• Motorbike Taxis: Cheap and fast, but incredibly unsafe. A gamble.
• Rural areas: Public transport is very limited.

It’s not terrible, but it’s not great either. You have to be prepared for anything. Seriously.

How to get around in Vietnam without a car?

Ugh, Vietnam transport. Buses are everywhere, chaotic but cheap. Train travel? Better for longer journeys, I’ve heard. Saigon to Hue? Definitely train. But, hot and crowded.

Flights. Fast, convenient, especially for those crazy long distances. VietJet Air, Vietnam Airlines – those are the main ones, right? Expensive though. I hate airport security.

Motorbikes. EVERYONE rents them. Terrifying, exhilarating, utterly insane. I almost died last year. Don’t be stupid like me. Wear a helmet.

Grab. Uber’s equivalent. Easy to use. Much safer than a motorbike, even if it’s a little more expensive.

Cyclos? Touristy. Fun for a short trip. Not practical for anything serious.

Key takeaways:

• Buses: Cheap, plentiful, but slow.
• Trains: Better for longer journeys, more comfortable than buses.
• Flights: Fast, expensive. Consider if time is short.
• Motorbikes: Awesome, but DANGEROUS.
• Ride-hailing apps (Grab): Convenient and relatively safe.
• Cyclos: Tourist novelty, short distances only.

My friend Sarah swore by the trains. She even met a cool guy on one. I should stick to Grab next time, though. Less stressful. Seriously, those motorbikes… I need a stronger drink.

Does Vietnam have good trains?

Vietnam’s train network is a mixed bag, really. Newer lines, especially those connecting major cities, are a surprisingly pleasant experience. Think comfy seats, decent air conditioning – a far cry from what some might expect. It’s a stark contrast to the older lines though.

Those older routes? Let’s just say “rustic charm” doesn’t quite cover it. Delays are common, and comfort levels…well, let’s just say they could use some improvement. I rode one last year – the experience wasn’t exactly luxurious, put it that way.

High-speed rail is still developing. Currently, it’s mostly focused on the North-South corridor. This makes traveling between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City significantly faster. But don’t get your hopes up for widespread high-speed options yet. Expansion is ongoing, but slow. It’s a work in progress.

Here’s a breakdown for clarity:

• Modern lines: Excellent comfort, reliable schedules. A good investment if you can choose your route carefully!
• Older lines: Expect delays, less comfort, and possibly some…character.
• High-speed rail: Limited mostly to the main North-South route. Progress is slow but definitely happening. The development is funded partly by Japanese aid.

One thing to consider is class of service. First-class is noticeably different from economy on these trains, even the newer ones. It’s totally worth the extra cost in many instances.

The system is constantly evolving, so your mileage may vary depending on the year. But that’s true of any developing nation’s infrastructure. Progress is undeniable, even if uneven. It’s always fascinating to observe this kind of large-scale change, isn’t it? The human drive for better connectivity is pretty inspiring. Makes you think about our relentless pursuit of efficiency, doesn’t it?