How to get around Vietnam
Navigating Vietnam is straightforward with a variety of public and private transport options. Here's what you need to know about getting between and within its cities and towns.
Inter-City Travel
For traveling between cities in Vietnam, various options are available depending on budget and speed. Flights are the fastest but generally most expensive, with typical one-way tickets ranging from 800,000 to 3,500,000 VND ($35-$150 USD).
Trains offer a scenic and comfortable journey, with prices varying by distance and class; a long trip like Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City can cost 837,000 to 3,430,000 VND, while shorter routes or local trains might be 50,000 to 200,000 VND. Sleeper berths on trains typically range from 500,000 to 1,200,000 VND ($22-$52 USD).
Buses are generally the most affordable for long distances. Standard intercity bus tickets can range from 100,000 to 500,000 VND ($4-$22 USD). Sleeper buses, a common choice for overnight travel, typically cost 200,000 to 350,000 VND ($8-$15 USD) for shorter routes, and 600,000 to 1,000,000 VND ($25-$40 USD) for longer journeys like Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. VIP limousine buses offer more comfort at a slightly higher price.
Travel Within Cities
Within cities, there are several convenient transport choices. Public city buses are the cheapest option, with fares typically ranging from 7,000 to 15,000 VND ($0.30-$0.65 USD) per ride.
Taxis offer door-to-door service and are affordable. Fares generally start around 10,000 VND for the first kilometer, then about 15,000 VND per kilometer for the next 30 kilometers, and may decrease slightly after that. Ride-hailing apps like Grab, Gojek, and Bee are widely used and provide transparent pricing for both car and motorbike taxi services.
Renting a motorbike offers the most flexibility for exploring at one's own pace. Daily rental costs for standard scooters are typically 100,000 to 250,000 VND ($4.50-$10 USD). Larger or more powerful bikes may cost 400,000 VND ($16 USD) or more per day.
