How to Get Around Vietnam

Vietnam’s Transport Overview

Vietnam is long and narrow — 1,650km from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. Getting from north to south (or vice versa) efficiently requires planning. The good news: excellent options exist at every budget.

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Domestic Flights (Fastest, Often Cheapest for Long Routes)

Vietnam’s budget airlines (VietJet, Bamboo Airways, Vietnam Airlines) make domestic flying practical and often affordable.

Key routes:

• Hanoi → Da Nang: 1 hour, $30–80
• Hanoi → Ho Chi Minh City: 2 hours, $40–100
• Da Nang → Ho Chi Minh City: 1 hour, $25–70
• Da Nang → Hanoi: Same as above

Book: 2–4 weeks ahead for best prices. vietjetair.com, bambooairways.com.

Note: Allow 2+ hours for airports — security can be slow.

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Reunification Express (Train)

The Reunification Express runs the full length of the country — Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City in 30–35 hours. Not the fastest option but one of the world’s great train journeys — the coastal sections between Da Nang and Nha Trang are spectacular.

Best segments for scenery:

• Hanoi → Hue (12 hours): Mountain tunnels, coastal views
• Hue → Da Nang (2.5 hours): The Hai Van Pass section — dramatic coastal mountain scenery
• Nha Trang → Ho Chi Minh City (8 hours): Less scenic but comfortable overnight

Classes: 6-berth hard sleeper, 4-berth soft sleeper, air-conditioned seat. Soft sleeper is recommended.

Book: Through Vietnam Railways (dsvn.vn) or 12Go.Asia.

Prices: Hanoi to HCMC full journey: $40–80 for soft sleeper.

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Open Tour Buses (Budget Traveler Backbone)

Bus services specifically designed for foreign backpackers — hop-on/hop-off tickets sold by Sinh Tourist, Phuong Trang/Futa, and others.

How it works: Buy a full north-south ticket or segment tickets. Buses stop at major tourist cities. You can stop and continue whenever you want.

Hanoi → Ho Chi Minh City full ticket: $25–40.

Pros: Extremely affordable, direct door-to-door in tourist areas.

Cons: Long journeys are tiring. Drivers sometimes aggressive. Limited stop times.

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Sleeper Buses

For overnight journeys: lie-flat beds instead of seats. More comfortable than sitting buses.

Popular route: Hanoi → Sapa sleeper bus (8 hours, $15–20 return).

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Local Transport in Cities

Grab: Works in Hanoi, HCMC, Da Nang, Hoi An. Best option — fixed price, English app.

Cyclo: Three-wheeled bicycle rickshaw. Tourist experience in Hanoi and Hue old quarters.

Xe om (motorbike taxi): Abundant. Use Grab for metered pricing.

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