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Vietnam’s charms are authentic and exploring it calls for all sorts of transport options. The locals use their trusty motorbikes; flying is the best way to travel long distances. You can have more leeway on where you go and how close you get to places with motorbikes. Trains can be a bit expensive if you choose sleepers but offer enticing views along the way. The cheapest way to travel is to get an Open Bus ticket. Let’s take a more detailed look.

Phan Minh Tuấn, Taxi Mai Linh, Nguyễn Trãi, Hà Nội 001, CC BY-SA 4.0

With a fairly large tourism operation and a sizable urban population, Vietnam offers plenty of licensed taxis in major destinations. Taxis are the most comfortable way to get to your resort from the airport. For example, if you were to travel to Quy Nhon villas, you can get a taxi on arrival at the airport. Try to book your taxi with a reputable company like Mai Linh or Vinasun. If you are staying at a hotel like the Anantara Quy Nhon Villas, you can ask them to arrange a pick-up taxi for you. If you plan on using taxis during your holiday, always check if the meter is working and don’t expect the drivers to speak English. You can write the address on a piece of paper to help them navigate.

You can take public buses with a bit of planning. Expect city buses to charge tourists more than locals. Buses are a better option for long-haul journeys from province to province. The best option is to get an Open Bus Ticket – a type of hop-on and hop-off bus that lets you buy a ticket valid for 10 stops (over the course of a month). You can buy tickets from Ho Chi Minh and visit all the key hubs along the way. The stops along the way include Nha Trang, Mu Nei, Hue, Phong Nha and Hoi An. The sleeper buses with air conditioning are cheap, but you might have to put up with a bit of discomfort.

This is in fact the most popular ride in Vietnam. You can rent your own set of wheels to get from the North to the South. It is an immersive way to explore the country, but it is not the fastest or the most convenient mode of transport. Traffic patterns around cities can be too confusing and hectic.

Vietnam’s domestic flight route is pretty decent, and you can use it to travel between provinces. Check airlines early to get yourself some fantastic deals. Flight prices sometimes vary widely, so it is better to always book ahead. The cheapest flights you can get operate from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh and Da Nang.

Roads and highways in Vietnam are modern and well-maintained. Motorbikes tend to flood the streets as they are affordable. As a result, traffic is congested and can be disconcerting. It is always better to have someone else drive. Hence, private cars and taxis are always a better option.

Train travel in Vietnam will present you with scenic views along the way. In Vietnam, trains are comfortable but remember never to pick hard seats. You can find air-conditioned cars on most trains. You would soon find out that trains in Vietnam prefer to go slow. While you can get sleeper trains, daytime travel is preferable because of the views of green or gold-tinged rice fields, charming villages, hills and water buffalos.