Means of transport in Vietnam: How to travel in Vietnam

Vietnam is a country full of wonderful sights to see from the countryside to the seaside, from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi, Ha Long Bay to ancient Hoa Palace at Hue, cities and rural districts. There are so many things to do in Vietnam, that you need to know how to travel in Vietnam. Here are different options on how to travel around Vietnam.

Taxi and car rental in Vietnam

One of the more popular ways of travelling is by car rental or taxi services. Taxi services are mostly just for cities, like the capital of Hanoi or the historical “Saigon” now known as Ho Chi Minh city. Hanoi even has a company specifically for tourists which can offer multilingual drivers. Taxi services get you wherever you’re going, but are usually more expensive as you’re also renting a driver. 

Costs vary per company and per service. For a Taxi service, you may pay as little as $10 for the day, or higher rates closer to $20 or $30 if they are rented directly from a travel agency or hotel. If you are wondering is Vietnam safe?, don't worry it is a safe country.

Motorbikes: the local choice

Long ago when Vietnam was modernizing, they didn’t get the car right away. They focused mostly on rail work, and in the meantime, used motorbikes. After reconstruction, motorbikes remained just as popular and more common than cars. They are cheaper, easier to maintain, and quick to replace in an emergency.

How to travel in Vietnam like a local? Rent a motorbike. They are the most popular method to travel in Vietnam, so much so that you’re likely to find many streets designed specifically for bike use rather than cars. Helmets are required.

Rentals can go between $8 and $15 a day depending on the quality of the bike you pick. You’ve got about a 75% chance of getting a Honda brand motorbike, the most popular model in the whole country.

Bikes for 1$ a day

Bicycles are widely available and can be rented even out of unexpected places like cafes. You can expect to pay $1 to $2 for a day rental. Even if you end up overusing it and are asked to buy it, the cost won’t be exorbitant.

Trains for inter-city transport

Travelling by train is a scenic treat on its own. Vietnam has a rail that goes from the far south to the north, connecting major cities in Vietnam along the coast along the way with occasional stops in more rural locations where nature is prominent. The trains aren’t high-speed rails.

How to travel in Vietnam by train? For example, from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh, nearly the full length of the country, you can spend up to 36 hours on The Reunification Express rail line. These trains offer various options for shorter or longer trips, with soft or hard seats and even beds.

These range in cost from upwards of 1,500,000 VND which is just about $65. Yes, the exchange rate for the Vietnam currency is really this much. That’s a day-and-a-half cross-country trip in one of the nicer, air-conditioned cabins with full services for under $100. 

Buses: cheap inner-city transport

Buses have regular runs to the most popular spots in and around cities, as well as longer tours that go across the country to its most important things to do in Vietnam. These are great for going on a planned holiday tour, but are popular even with locals, so plan on booking a ticket in advance.

The roads in Vietnam are about as dependable as the rails. You’re in for a mostly smooth, but occasionally bumpy ride no matter what route you take, so prepare accordingly.

Sleeper buses are just as advanced and modernized as sleeper cars in trains with charging stations, storage and loft-style beds, but the whole space is shared with other passengers. It’s more like a travelling hostel than a private room hotel.

Simple, inner-city buses can cost about $2 for a ride that’s under an hour. Sleeper busescan cost around $12 for a ticket, but you’re likely to spend a lot of that time asleep.

Boat: for the bays

If you are wondering how to travel in Vietnam, especially around the bays, you will need a proper boat. Of course you can’t miss the famous Ha Long Bay. A gorgeous and historic natural wonder of hundreds of limestone islands and floating villages. You can tour such a lovely place, see natural caves, and drink at a floating bar in the middle of the ocean for an $85 one day tour.