Getting Around

Trains, roads, taxis and how to move around Vietnam.

Book through Vietnam Railways — Use the official Vietnam Railways website (dsvn.vn) or authorized agents like Baolau to book tickets in advance. Prices are fixed and cheaper than buying at stations, especially for popular Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi-Da Nang routes.
Overnight trains save time and money — The SE1/SE2 express between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City takes 30 hours but eliminates a hotel night. Soft sleeper cabins (4-bed) offer reasonable comfort; hard sleeper is crowded but budget-friendly.
Train schedules are frequently delayed by 2–6 hours; plan buffer time before connections. Stations lack English signage, so arrive early and ask staff to confirm your platform.
Bring food and water — Onboard dining is limited and overpriced; bring snacks and a water bottle. Toilets are basic but functional on most routes.

Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh metro systems are new — Hanoi's Line 2A (Cat Linh–Ha Dong) and Ho Chi Minh's Line 1 (Ben Thanh–Suoi Tien) are clean and efficient. Fares are fixed (20,000–30,000 VND) and much cheaper than taxis for longer distances.
Use Grab Bus for city routes — Grab Bus operates in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, and Da Nang with in-app booking and set pricing. Buses are air-conditioned and reliable, ideal for avoiding traffic stress.
Public buses are crowded during rush hours (7–9 AM, 5–7 PM) and drivers speak minimal English. Routes are not always marked clearly; ask locals or use Google Maps for directions.
Buy a transit card for convenience — Ho Chi Minh's Beecards and Hanoi's metro cards reduce queuing and offer a small discount. You can top them up at station kiosks.

Grab is safer than street taxis — The app is available nationwide and shows driver details, routes, and fixed prices upfront. Payments are cashless, eliminating scam risks and change disputes.
Unmarked taxis frequently overcharge tourists; some drivers disable meters deliberately. If using street taxis, confirm they activate the meter before departing or agree on a price beforehand.
Grab prices surge during peak hours — Book in the early morning or late afternoon for lower fares. Grab Pool (shared rides) is significantly cheaper if you don't mind waiting a few minutes.
Traffic accidents are common — Drivers often speed and ignore traffic signals; avoid riding during rain. Travel with your hotel's trusted taxi number rather than random street hails.
Reputable taxi companies include Mai Linh and Vinasun — Call or ask your hotel to book; these companies use meters and have complaint hotlines. You'll pay slightly more but avoid significant scams.

Driving is dangerous for tourists — Traffic rules are loosely enforced, motorcyclists ignore lanes, and accident rates are high. Unless you're an experienced driver in chaotic conditions, use Grab or hire a driver instead.
International Driving Permit required — You must carry an International Driving Permit alongside your home license. Vietnam does not recognize foreign licenses alone.
Police conduct frequent checkpoints and may demand bribes (50,000–100,000 VND); keep documents visible. Helmet use is mandatory for all riders; fines are 200,000–500,000 VND if not worn.
Hire a driver instead — Tour operators and apps like Grab arrange drivers for full-day or multi-day trips at reasonable rates (500,000–800,000 VND/day). This is safer and lets you relax.
Petrol stations are sparse outside cities; fill up in towns. Road signs lack English; GPS (Google Maps offline) is essential.

Main airports: Noi Bai, Tan Son Nhat, Da Nang — Noi Bai (Hanoi) and Tan Son Nhat (Ho Chi Minh) are the hubs for domestic and international flights. Da Nang airport is modern and handles flights to central Vietnam.
Book domestic flights online in advance — Low-cost carriers like VietJet Air and Bamboo Airways offer fares from 500,000–1,500,000 VND if booked weeks ahead. Last-minute bookings are expensive and flights often overbook.
Airport transfers via Grab or shuttles — Grab from airport to city center costs 150,000–250,000 VND depending on distance. Many hotels offer free or cheap shuttle services; ask when booking.
Arrive 2 hours early for domestic flights and 3 for international; lines are long during peak hours. Baggage allowances are strict; budget airlines charge 150,000–300,000 VND for excess.
Check visa requirements early — Many nationalities need advance visas; e-visas (25 USD) are processed online in 1–3 days. Don't rely on visa-on-arrival services at airports as queues are lengthy.

Mekong Delta and Ha Long Bay ferries are popular — Ha Long Bay offers tourist boat tours (500,000–2,000,000 VND/day) booked through agents or apps. Mekong Delta ferries are local transit but slow; longer distances are better by car.
River ferries in cities are cheap and scenic — Ho Chi Minh's Saigon River ferries cost 5,000–15,000 VND and connect Binh Thanh to District 1. They're slower than buses but offer a unique local experience.
Ferry schedules are irregular and often delayed; check locally before heading to the dock. Safety standards are basic; wear a life jacket if offered and avoid travel during storms.
Book Ha Long Bay tours with reputable operators — Avoid very cheap tours (under 800,000 VND) as they often involve overcrowding and poor facilities. Use established agents like Handspan Travel or Viettourist.

Buy train and bus tickets in advance online — Websites like 12Go.asia, Baolau, and Busbooking.com let you compare prices and book seats. Booking 2–4 weeks ahead guarantees availability and lower fares.
Tourist passes exist for some cities — Ho Chi Minh's Saigontourist Card offers discounts on attractions and transit. Hanoi doesn't have a city pass; pay per journey or use a transit card.
No-show policies are strict — Most train and bus bookings are non-refundable or charge 50% penalty if cancelled within 48 hours. Read terms carefully before confirming.
Keep all receipts and confirmation emails — Ticket agents sometimes ask for proof; digital confirmations are sufficient. Printed tickets are issued at stations or via email.
Avoid street ticket sellers; they often sell invalid or overpriced tickets. Always buy from official websites, authorized agents, or station counters.

Buy a local SIM card at airport or convenience stores — Viettel, Vinaphone, and Mobifone offer prepaid SIM cards (50,000–100,000 VND) with bundles of data and calls. Activation is instant; you need a passport copy.
Data-only plans are very cheap — A 30-day unlimited 4G plan costs 50,000–100,000 VND; voice calls are extra. This is ideal if you already have a home number via WhatsApp or Viber.
WiFi is widely available in cities — Hotels, cafes, restaurants, and shopping malls offer free WiFi; speeds are generally adequate. Password information is usually printed on receipts or available from staff.
Public WiFi in cafes is often slow and unsecured; avoid accessing banking or sensitive accounts. Use a VPN if handling private data.
Download maps and translation apps offline — Save Google Maps offline for your entire trip and use Google Translate's offline mode. This reduces data usage and helps navigate when signal is weak.