Getting Around Vietnam: Transport Guide

Domestic flights within Vietnam are almost totally the domain of Vietnam Airlines. Getting a ticket isn’t much of a problem, but be prepared to shell out a goodly amount for it- it isn’t cheap.

If you need to budget, you could opt for trains where, at a little extra cost, you can get quite a decent seat. But remember to watch out for thieves and pickpockets. If even trains aren’t within your budget, you could try buses- crowded, slow and often not particularly clean, but always a treat if you like people-watching- you’ll certainly get to see Vietnamese life close-up. Other forms of public transport include taxis, many of which have defective or broken metres and cyclos- the pedalled conveyances so common in both Vietnam and Cambodia.

A good alternative to all these transport problems is to hire a car- and if you hire a driver along with it, you can avail the services of a driver cum guide in one package. Motorbikes and cycles are available for hire and most Vietnamese still use the cycle to get around. You should definitely consider if you want to strike out on your own and want a healthy, economical and eco-friendly albeit slow mode of transportation.

A most unusual and gratifying way to travel around and see the countryside in Vietnam is by opting for a cruise down the Mekong on a rice boat or barge. These boats are traditional barges used to transport paddyfrom fields to the mills or sacks of rice from the wharf to ships. Most popular are the river cruises on the Mekong, round trips that begin at Ho Chi Minh City stopping en route at Long An, My Tho, Vinh Long, Can Tho, and Long Xuyen before wending their way back. Equally interesting boat cruises are also available in Hanoi and around Halong Bay.