Travel the World

As one of the most popular holiday destinations in Southeast Asia, Vietnam welcomes tourists from around the world. Although the country is as vast and as vibrant as its neighbours, the public and private modes of transportation available in Vietnam remain a mystery to most of the travelling masses. While the country does not boast MRTs and SkyTrains as Singapore, Malaysia or Thailand, here are some convenient alternatives to use during a trip to this fascinating part of the world.

Image via Anantara Hoi An Resort

Domestic flights are the best way to travel long distances in Vietnam as there are plenty of local carriers offering quick transfers to various corners of the country. With multiple flights to nearly every domestic destination available daily, it is by far the most convenient way to get around for those who have the means to shell out for a speedy flight. Bamboo Airlines, Viet Jet Air, Jetstar Pacific and the national carrier Vietnam Airlines all fly around Vietnam but also connect visitors with nearby countries and cities. Although domestic flights are more costly than other means of transport, the charges are not exorbitant when comparing fares with neighbouring countries as a one-way flight can cost as little as USD 25.

Travelling via train is also an option that locals and expats use to travel from one Vietnamese city to another as subway train networks have not yet been introduced to the country's transportation system. Trains offer travellers an efficient and scenic means of crisscrossing the country as the best way to travel from Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City to destinations such as Ninh Binh and Phan Thiet is via the railway. Affordable and reliable, this budget-friendly means of transport covers most of the Vietnamese map with around 3000km of railway tracks dotting the country. The Reunification Express train service, which runs between Saigon and Hanoi train stations, is available daily. While not plush, Vietnamese train travel is cosy and comfortable while sleeper cabins with bunk beds are also available. Bao Lau, DSVN and 12go.Asia are three popular websites for booking trains in Vietnam.

When it comes to navigating the interior landscapes and attractions in a city, buses and coaches are the ideal way to get around. The well-maintained highways and the reliable national bus service make Vietnam a joy to explore by bus. With several private bus companies also thrown into the mix, visitors can also travel in air-conditioned comfort to their chosen destination. Perfect for covering long distances as well as sightseeing tours, the comforts available inside the buses will depend on the route and the bus company in question. Open tour buses are also available in Ho Chi Minh City and other tourist hubs such as Hanoi where travellers can hop on and hop off as per their convenience.

Motorbikes in Vietnam are called "xe máy" in the local tongue, and renting a motorbike can be a great way to see the country without breaking the bank. Those with an international driving license can rent a motorbike from RentABike, Tigit Motorbikes and other reputable rental companies and enjoy the freedom of having their own set of wheels. These rentals will cost less than USD 20 per day, and the cost of a rental will depend on the make and quality of the bike as well as the duration of the rental period.

Cabs are another efficient way to explore the inner city areas of Vietnam although the charges tend to be more expensive than bus fares. It is crucial to download the taxi booking apps once you touch down in Vietnam as Taxi Mai Linh, Grab and Gojek provide metered taxis to patrons around the country. Tourists with reservations at Anantara Hoi An Resort or any other Hoi An luxury resort will find that taxis are also the most popular mode of transport for airport transfers

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Forget luxury resorts and five-star hotels and opt for a guest house or an Air Bnb run by a Vietnamese family instead. In addition to offering visitors a more authentic holiday experience, the interactions and exchanges one is likely to have with the community who resides in a certain area of the country also increase exponentially. Big hotels and plush resorts often shelter tourists from the reality of life in Vietnam and it is better to find more modest lodgings for less and experience life in Vietnam without blinkers on.

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.