Vietnam Transportation [Get Around Vietnam Transport Options]

Traveling around Vietnam can be exciting and quite an adventure. Whether you plan to use public transport or seek something of a more adventurous ride, there’s something for everyone. But before you commit to a specific mode of transportation in Vietnam, you should know a few things, including cost, comfort, safety, convenience, and more.  Vietnam transportation methods cover several different ways to get around Vietnam – there are Vietnam trains, minivans, motorbikes, bicycles, airplanes, and in cities and towns on foot.  Plus add the islands and you’ll want to explore ferries in Vietnam.  And that’s before we get to the buses (and there are a bunch of different types of Vietnamese buses!).  So here’s our guide on Vietnam transportation and what to expect when you’re getting around Vietnam.

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Getting around Vietnam can be confusing initially as each city doesn’t just have one bus station, but often various central (and not so central) bus stations. You’ll figure out quickly that you go to a bus station depending on your ultimate destination.  There is rarely a centralized terminal. but, some fantastic transport services will offer to pick you up from your accommodation, saving you a trip, time, and hassle.  But travel in Vietnam is about more than just buses, so let’s take a look at how to get around Vietnam.

Transportation in Vietnam

Vietnam’s geography plays a significant role when it comes to traveling Vietnam overland. Its long and vertical shape means that there are only two ways to get around Vietnam. You’re either going from north to south or up from south to north; both will pass through the central region. The distance between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City is 1,638 km (1,018 miles). This means that if you decide to travel by land via bus or motorbike, it will take over 30 hours to go between these two cities.  (The quickest way to travel from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City is to fly, and it’s usually quite cheap – you can check here).

Vietnam also has some islands that can only be reached by ferries or air travel.  The most popular Vietnamese island to visit is Phu Quoc Island, (and I wrote about how to get to Phu Quoc here).  But ferries and boats also play a big part in visiting Halong Bay, Cat Ba Islands, Binh Tuan, the Cham Islands, and the Con Dao Islands. When it’s off-season, the ferry schedule runs less often, making it a more inconvenient way to travel around.  In the offseason ferries are often canceled for days at a time (we only just managed to get off Con Son island, and couldn’t get to the Cham Islands at all recently!)

Sometimes, you might have to combine two modes of transportation to reach your destination. Let’s say you’re going to Ha Long Bay. You must take a bus or minivan for 3-4 hours to get there, then transfer by boat to your actual cruise boat. Another example is that to get from Nha Trang Central Bus Station, – it’s about 8km (5 miles) from the main area of Nha Trang, so you must take a motorbike taxi or taxi to reach your hotel. Nha Trang International Airport (Cam Ranh) is 37km away (39 miles) from downtown.

Check routes to and from Nha Trang here.

High Season and Low Season in Vietnam & Transport

The high season for traveling in Vietnam is during Christmas and the TET Holiday (Lunar New Year). Although Vietnam doesn’t celebrate Christmas, due to the high number of foreign visitors coming this month, this holiday period leads to transportation by land, air, and water fully booked at least a month in advance.

Traveling to Vietnam over Christmas?  Check travel and BOOK it EARLY.

TET, or the Lunar Holidays, falls between the end of January and mid-February, lasting nearly two weeks. This is the busiest season in Vietnam since both locals and foreign expats get off from work resulting in many people traveling simultaneously. If your trip lands on these dates, securing your transportation ticket at least three months in advance is best.  Reserve TET Travel arrangements ASAP.

The least busy time in Vietnam is during the rainy season, which runs from May to November. However, the rainy season varies a lot depending on the region. For example, rainy months in the north start around early May, and in the south it’s about June. But generally, most rains and typhoons happen in September, making traveling around the country more complicated.

We saw out the rainy season for a fabulous time in Mui Ne.  Mui Ne is seriously easy to get to from Ho Chi Minh City (read more about that here).

Flights, boats, and even buses can be canceled during this time due to weather. However, the prices are much more affordable, and booking your seat can often be done at the last minute. You should also remember that ferries can have difficulty traveling or sometimes completely stop during the dry season, a great example of this are the ferries in the Mekong region.  It’s a popular way to travel from Vietnam to Cambodia.

We’ve traveled from Vietnam to Cambodia on the Mekong – our guide going from Chau Doc to Phnom Penh is here.

And we’ve done this route in the opposite direction – Phnom Penh to Chau Doc too.

You can check ferries on the Mekong between Cambodia and Vietnam here.

Types of Transport in Vietnam

There are various types of transportation in Vietnam. This includes air travel, buses, trains, motorbikes, luxury minivans, and ferries. This article will guide you on how to get around Vietnam whether you’re on a budget, looking for some adventure, or prefer a scenic way to get around.

Flights to Vietnam & within Vietnam

There are more than 30 airports in Vietnam. The three main international airports are Ho Chi Minh City (Tan Son Nhat/SGN), Hanoi (Noi Ba/HAN), and Da Nang (DAD). Phu Quoc International Airport (PQC) also has routes around Asia, such as South Korea, China, and Japan. There are airports in Vietnam that were once used as military airports. Today, these airports have been renovated and started servicing domestic flights.

Flying around Vietnam is very affordable. The longest flight is between Phu Quoc and Hanoi, which will take around 3 hours for only $60 per person (you can check the latest rates here) Vietnam Airlines is the flagship air travel company of the country, which flies around Asia, Europe, North America, and of course, domestically as well. You can check Vietjet, Bamboo Airways, and Vietravel Airlines for budget airlines. These budget airlines also fly around Asia, and Bamboo Airways have flights to Europe.

Trains in Vietnam

Traveling by train is another excellent way to explore Vietnam. If you decide to travel this way, you can enjoy a scenic ride and see regions in Vietnam that can only be seen if you board a train. The country has only one train line, going from north to south and back. The train is often used for cargo transportation and usually takes longer than the bus and air travel.

That said, I love trains, and traveling on a train means you can walk around and stretch your legs. If you travel at night, there are berths (bed-like) for a more comfortable journey. The trains are also equipped with toilets and snack bars.

For foreign travelers, the routes that might be interesting are usually Hanoi to Sapa or to Da Nang and between Ho Chi Minh City to Phan Thiet (Mui Ne) or Nha Trang. The trains in Vietnam are generally comfortable, but it depends on the class you book. There are three classes inside a Vietnam Railway; 1st class sleeper, which is the highest class, composed of 4 berths and electronic outlets. You might also be given bottled water and some snacks. 2nd Class Sleeper AC has 6 berths and has limited head clearance if you sit on the bed. Then there are 2nd Class AC Seats similar to plane seats.

If you’re traveling for 3-4 hours, you can book seat classes, but for over 6 hours, you might want to get a berth. There are bathrooms in each carriage, but depending on the class, you might want to carry sanitizer and toilet paper with you whenever you need to use it. (aka always do this).

Traveling by train in Vietnam between Hanoi and Sapa is most recommended since this drive is long and windy if you take the bus or minivan and usually takes 7-9 hours. I wrote about the different options for going to Sapa from Hanoi here ).  Traveling by rail around central or South Vietnam is also suitable because the train runs through farms and the coastline, where you can enjoy some exquisite views. You can book your seat or berths from DSVN, the official Vietnamese government site, 12goAsia, or Bookaway.

Note that buying train tickets from DSVN only works *sometimes* if you’re using a credit card not issued in Vietnam.  For us it worked about 30% of the time.  And you’ll need to go to the train station BEFORE your train ride to get your tickets issued.  12goAsia is far more reliable!

Buses in Vietnam

Buses are the most common and favored mode of transportation in Vietnam. Both locals and foreign visitors travel on buses because it’s affordable, reaches even the rural areas of the country, is generally comfortable, and you can take as much luggage as you want. You can even put your motorbike under the bus if you don’t want to drive it, for an extra fee.

There are two different kinds of buses in Vietnam. One is the regular bus you take with two or three seats on each side of the bus, and the seats are upright 90° angle with an option to recline slightly; the other is the sleeper bus.

In the sleeper bus, the seat reclines down to 180°, and each seat has its own screen, curtain for privacy, USB plug to charge your phone, and is provided with a water bottle, blanket, and wet wipes. A sleeper bus also has a toilet on board.

If you know which route you want to go, I would ALWAYS book in advance, especially if the travel time is longer than 4 hours.  Why?  The back seats of ANY bus are never comfortable.  Choosing your seat in advance is a big bonus to avoid this. 

Check buses in Vietnam – and select specific seats here

There are many bus companies around Vietnam. However, it varies depending on the city. Hanh Cafe and Sinh Cafe are the two companies that have a presence in almost every major city in Vietnam, such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang. When it comes to smaller towns like Sa Pa, Mui Ne, Da Lat, and Hoi An, there are local bus companies such as Good Morning Sapa, Catba Express, and Kumho Samco.

Although most cities have bus terminals, each bus company might prefer you to go to their own terminal or office to board the bus. Sometimes, the bus company might even offer a pickup service from your accommodation to their bus stop.  So if you find yourself picked up in a small minivan for a longer journey, then it’s likely that you’re being transported to the company’s main bus terminal for the longer part of the journey.  Unless, of course, you’ve specifically booked a minivan journey!

There are also tourist buses specifically designed and used to shuttle guests from one city to specific destinations. For example, if you’re staying in Ho Chi Minh City and want to go to Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta on a day trip, the tour company has a bus to transport the clients from the city to the destinations.

Want some useful guides on traveling in Vietnam?

• How to go from Hanoi to Sapa
• Going from Phong Nha to Hanoi – our guide to Phong Nha is here
• How to go from Hoi An to Danang

There are also airport shuttles bus in cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Da Nang, Dalat, and Nha Trang.

• How to go from Ho Chi Minh Airport to the City
• Hanoi City to the Airport

Here’s a quick list of common bus stations in major cities in Vietnam where you’ll catch long-distance travel.

• Ho Chi Minh City: Mien Tay Bus Station, An Suong Bus Station, Pham Ngu Lao Bus Station, and Mien Dong Bus Station
• Hanoi: Giap Bat Station, My Dinh Bus Station, and Yen Nghia Bus Station
• Nha Trang: Central Bus Station Nha Trang
• Da Nang: Danang Central Bus Station

Minivan Transport in Vietnam

Minivans usually operate in smaller cities where big buses, trains, and air travel are impossible. These vehicles are the usual 12-14 seater vans. It’s affordable, but with limited luggage space, and can be uncomfortable due to being tight in space.

There are super luxurious minivans called VIP Limousines which are super comfortable. These vans are fitted with spacious seats similar to massage loungers. Each seat can be reclined and is installed with USB ports for charging your device. The van company will pick you up from your accommodation and drop you off right at your next hotel without extra fees.

Traveling by limousine minivan is a super option for a special trip – you can see what routes they run here.

In general, minivans don’t travel for more than 6 hours. For example, some minivans go from Hanoi to Hai Phong (near Halong Bay and Cat Ba) or from Ho Chi Minh City to Mui Ne, Da Lat, and Vung Tau. But no minivans go from Hanoi all the way to Da Nang. You should be able to book your seat through your receptionist or find the tickets online. There are limited seats on these minivans, it’s best to purchase your ticket in advance.

Taxis and private transfers in Vietnam

Private transfers and taxis are available in Vietnam. This is the most suitable choice for traveling between Danang, Hoi An, and Hue since these cities are not too far from one another, and, in the case of Hoi An to Danang cccc, the local bus no longer runs. You can also arrange this for Ho Chi Minh City to Vung Tau, Mekong Delta, and Cat Thien National Park.

Taxis around Vietnam exist in many cities. Mai Linh is a brand that can be found all over the country. Vinasun and Vinataxi are also reliable companies. Make sure to either agree on a price or to run the meter before you get on the taxi. You can also book a taxi via Grab, Gojek, and Be Taxi apps.

Rental Cars in Vietnam

You can rent cars in Vietnam. However, it always comes with a driver. This is because foreign visitors cannot legally drive in Vietnam unless they convert their driver’s license to a local one. AVIS, Hertz, and other global car rental companies operate in Vietnam, but they will strictly ask for a converted driver’s license, or you can rent a car with a local driver.

Renting a car in Vietnam is rare, but it’s possible. Your hotel reception or any tour agencies around Vietnam should be able to assist you in booking one and finding the cost. It’s also common for locals with their own vehicles to rent their car, and the owner provides a driver if you feel comfortable with that option.

Renting Vietnam Motorbikes

Motorbiking is one of the most popular modes of transportation in Vietnam. Renting a motorbike is a common practice. The popular show Top Gear made a film in 2008 about motorbiking around Vietnam, which led further to Vietnam being a motorbiking destination. Since then, visitors of the country have rented motorbikes either in Hanoi to travel from north to south or vice versa. Motorbiking in Vietnam usually takes around 3-4 weeks, the more time you have, the better, but you have to consider your visa limitation.

You can either rent a motorbike from one city and drop it off to another. But you must ensure the motorbike company has an office at your final destination for drop off.

You can check which companies offer this by using the BikesBooking service here.

When you rent a motorbike, you will need to present a copy of your passport and might also require to put down a security deposit. The rental costs are between 7.5 million VND to 15 million VND for a 30-day rent with a helmet. In many cases, though, people buy a motorbike in one city and sell it at the end of their trip.

When you buy a motorbike, it will come with a blue card which proves that you own the bike (although your name doesn’t appear there, only the name of the first owner of the bike). The cost usually ranges between 8 million VND to 15 million VND depending on the type and mileage of the motorbike. You should be able to buy a bike from motorbike rental companies or repair shops or find people in hostels selling one since their trip has ended.

One thing you must remember is the legality of driving in Vietnam. To legally drive here, you must get a local driver’s license, which can be long and tedious work for which most people have no time. An international driver’s permit is not recognized in Vietnam, but foreign visitors tend to ride without a local license anyway.  Reports indicate that there is a practice to simply “pay your way” when caught by local police.  However, you should consider the legal implications of attempting to bribe a police officer.

We’ve ridden motorbikes in quieter towns and areas of Vietnam and on islands too, over the years, and over our multiple visits to Vietnam.  We’ve not had an accident or a run-in with police over that time, so can’t speak to any experiences of the above.

In this situation, one thing to consider is your travel insurance.  If you get into an accident and need medical care, your travel insurance might not cover you since you cannot drive in Vietnam and failed to get a local license. You can get around this by getting travel and medical insurance from a Vietnamese company and clarifying that you plan to travel by motorbike and that they agree to cover you.

If you want to convert your driver’s license, go to the local transportation office, each city has its own. From there, bring a copy of your driver’s license, passport, visa, and passport photos. You will fill out a form, pay, and do a written test. After that, you will do a practical test. If you pass both, you’ll get a driver’s license valid for the entirety of your visa. Be aware that this process is not a one-day trip. It might take a week or even more, depending on how busy the office is. You can also contact a travel agency or visa company. They can help you convert your license, bypass the stress, or even fast-track the process.

Motorbike Tours of Vietnam

If you don’t want to commit to having your own motorbike to sell after your trip or have a limited time, you can book motorbike tours instead and still experience this exciting adventure during your visit. You can do motorbike tours around the cities or go from one city to another.

For example, you can book a Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh city tour on a motorbike. You can drive on your own, or the company can provide a driver for you. The most popular motorbike day tour is from Da Nang to Hue or vice versa, crossing the famous Hai Van Pass on a motorbike, which is windy, hilly, and foggy – making it such a thrilling experience. Another option is motorbiking from Nha Trang to Dalat and returning in a day or this motorbike food tour in Da Nang. You can book your motorbike tours on Klook. If you like the idea of adventure sports in Da Lat, then stay longer – here’s our guide to the best things to do in Dalat.

Bicycles in Vietnam

Bicycles are also popular transportation in Vietnam. Hoi An has the biggest cycling culture, which is a fantastic way to explore the old town of this city.  It’s a seriously easy way to explore the area around Hoi An and one of the best things to do in Hoi An. Even locals go by bike, and there are rickshaw bike tours you can sign up for if you don’t want to ride a bicycle on your own. Most hotels lend their guests bicycles for free, and some are available for rent. You can also rent one online using BikesBooking.

The area of Ninh Binh and Tam Coc is another perfect area for using a bike (or a motorbike) – we had great fun there on bikes exploring.

Ferries around Vietnam

If you plan to visit Phu Quoc, the Cham Islands, or Con Dao, your best way to reach those places is by ferry. Phu Quoc and Con Dao have their own airports, but arriving by boat offers a different experience too. You can get your ticket from 12goAsia or Phu Quoc Express Boat. For the Cham Islands, you can usually get there by booking a boat tour from Da Nang or Hoi An.

The only way to travel around the river in the famous Mekong Delta is either by ferry or traditional boat. During the dry season, the Mekong ferries might stop operating altogether. However, you can still sign up for the traditional Mekong boats via a tour that goes through the river.

We spent several glorious days in Can Tho exploring the Delta, and taking an early morning boat trip to the floating markets.  You will definitely get a better experience if you go on a boat that has an English-speaking guide, as most don’t.

Here are the best options for exploring the Mekong Delta and the morning markets with an English-speaking guide.

Transport within Cities in Vietnam

Getting around Vietnam’s big cities is dominated by motorbikes, city buses, and taxis. The most affordable option would be by local bus and motorbike taxi. It’s always a good idea to use taxis and ride-hailing apps to see the fare prices before booking anything.

Local Buses in Vietnamese Cities

Local city buses also exist in bigger cities such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang. Locals, if they’re not riding a bike, usually use these buses since they’re very affordable. Riding these buses in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City can be inconvenient as they get stuck in traffic, and some have broken air-conditioning.

To get on the bus, you must waive to the driver to signal that you want to get on, or else they probably won’t stop. You can buy the bus ticket from the bus driver or conductor on board in cash, and you’ll receive your ticket. There are specific bus stops around the cities, some have a screen that shows the schedule and where the bus is heading to. But many bus stops don’t have it. In that case, you can check the city government’s site for bus schedules to find which bus number to take and study the bus map, which shows the price ticket too.

• Ho Chi Minh City bus schedule
• Ho Chi Minh City bus map
• Hanoi bus map app
• Danang bus schedule and map

Metros in Vietnamese Cities

Vietnam is upping its transportation game by building subways/metros and tram lines in its major cities. The first one was installed in Hanoi and is now in operation. But Ho Chi Minh City is not too far behind and expected to have one ready for the public originally by 2020. The pandemic slowed its launch, and the local government said the project will be finished by 2024.

For the Hanoi metro, you can go to any station to purchase a single-journey ticket, but there are also choices for weekly and monthly passes. You can pay with your bank card or cash. Check the metro map to see which line to take, or find more information here on how to use the metro.

Using Taxis & Grab in Vietnam

If you enjoy using ride-hailing apps like Uber or Lyft, you can install software such as Grab, Be, and Gojek, where you can choose between booking a motorbike, private car, or taxi. These apps will tell you the price before you book anything, which is a great way to avoid taxi scams. You can pay by adding your card details or pay with cash.

If you find yourself hailing a traditional taxi, make sure to run the meter or simply agree on the price beforehand to avoid getting overly charged. Tampered meters were a known problem around Vietnam a few years ago. But with ride-hailing apps available, you can show the taxi driver the cost of the ride and see if they agree with it or not.

It’s a good rule of thumb to NEVER accept the first offer that the driver makes you for a ride.  Always haggle at least a little!

Xe Om Motorbike Taxis in Vietnam

Motorbike taxis are exactly what they sound like. You can ride a motorbike with a driver, and they will take you anywhere in the city. Today, most people book a motorbike taxi via mobile apps. But in smaller cities, you will see locals offering their services on street corners. For safety, it’s best to use the app since you can share your ride with a friend or family, and it’s more affordable.

The driver will provide you with a helmet (sometimes) and even sometimes a rain jacket if needed. Make sure to compare the license plate from your phone to the motorbike and wait for the driver to say your name or look at the booking on their phone to ensure you’re getting on the correct motorbike.

My favorite form of transport here in Vietnam has, though, been the motorbike. When our hotel in Hanoi decided that they had no room for us, they sent us to another hotel on the back of an Xe Om – a motorbike taxi. So backpack on, clutching day pack, helmet-less, clutching onto a random dude we zigzagged through traffic, ran red lights, and breathed again as we pulled up in front of the new hotel. The most we’ve counted on a motorbike is four people and in a country where it’s the law to wear a helmet we’re still amused that while the adults mostly wear them, the kids they transport around on the bikes don’t!

Walking in Vietnam

Walking is another way to get around in Vietnam, but it can be a hassle. Not only can the weather be uncomfortably hot, but also motorbikes often drive on the sidewalk, which means you must always be aware of your surrounding when walking. You can use pedestrian lanes and stop lights when crossing the road, but motorbike drivers often ignore these rules. Motorbikes can come from any direction. It can be dangerous to cross the roads, it’s best to wait for a local and follow their lead.

The general rules for crossing the road are

1. If you’re in a group stay together.  ALWAYS stay together.
2. Be positive, in your movements.  Bikes will 99.99% of the time avoid you if they know where you’re going.  Dither and no one has a clue!
3. Follow a local. 

If you prefer to book a guided walking tour, there are plenty of city tours you can check out. Some tours focus on the city’s history and culture, while food and art tours are available. You can check Klook or Get Your Guide to see which walking tours are popular in Vietnam.

There are also free walking tours that you can join for cities such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang. While these tours are free, tipping is expected. The tip depends on the guide’s performance and ranges between 100K VND to 200K VND. You can use the sites Civitatis or Guru Walks and book your spot. Most free walking tours only take up to 15 people, so booking in advance is advisable.

Booking Transport in Vietnam

When booking your bus, air, and ferry transportation in Vietnam, it’s best to use reputable websites such as 12goAsia and Bookaway. With these companies, you can pay with a card. If you want to pay in cash, you can book with a travel agency once you arrive in the city, look them up on Google Maps, and read the reviews first. You can also head to bus terminals to get your ticket for long-distance travel with buses and minivans.

Try to book your seats at least 3 days in advance if you know the dates you want to go. If you’re traveling during peak season, you might have to book a month in advance to ensure you can travel on your desired dates.

One of the best reasons for booking in advance is to secure your seat.  I’ve traveled on the back seats of too many buses not to do this when it’s actually an option. 

When it comes to motorbikes and bicycles, you can use BikesBooking. You’ll see the price, where to pick up the bike, choose what type of bike you prefer, and pay in advance. This site also allows you to rent a bike from one city and drop it off in another.

Use 12goasia in Vietnam

12goAsia covers almost all countries in Southeast Asia, making it a convenient one-stop shop for all your transportation needs while traveling in this region. You can see the schedule of the buses, trains, ferries, minivans, and even airlines and book right away. A link on Google Maps is also available so you know where to go and find your bus and contact details of the company in case accommodation pick up is available.

Use BaoLau in Vietnam

BaoLau is another search engine covering Asia regarding bus, train, air, and ferry travel. It’s mostly famous between Vietnam, Thailand, and Laos. BaoLau’s website is popular with foreign visitors and locals when looking for transportation in Vietnam tickets. You can pay for your ticket with a card.

DSVN

DSVN is a government site that sells tickets for trains in Vietnam. When you book your ticket online, you can pay by card or over the counter through banks (your seat is on hold for 24 hours while waiting for your payment). When you arrive at the train station, you must check in at the counter and show your booking to claim your actual ticket. You can also go to the train station and buy the ticket over the counter and pay in cash.

Specific Ferry Companies

Phu Quoc Express is a good ferry site to get your tickets from. Don’t worry about the name, this company covers not only Phu Quoc Island but also Con Dao/Vung Tau and the Da Nang area. The schedule and prices are on its website, and you can also see when the boats are not going due to the low or dry season. You can pay by card for your tickets or buy the ferry ticket at the ferry terminal. You can also use 12goAsia, but it doesn’t sell tickets for some routes that Phu Quoc Express has.

FAQS for Transportation in Vietnam

Got questions about transport options in Vietnam?  Not sure whether to take a taxi?  Take a Vietnamese train or fly?  Here’s our frequently asked questions about Vietnam.  If you’ve got a Vietnam transport question and we haven’t answered it, then drop us a comment or send us an email.

What’s the cheapest form of transport in Vietnam?

Traveling by bus is the most affordable way to get around Vietnam. There are many companies to choose from, and it’s also suitable for a last-minute booking. If you have the time, buying a motorbike also saves you money and gives you freedom in your itinerary.

Is Grab available in Vietnam?

Yes, and it’s the most used by local and foreign visitors. It’s so popular that sometimes it’s hard to get a booking. Hence, installing other apps such as Gojek/GoViet, and Be is a good idea.

Is Uber or Lyft available in Vietnam?

No, Uber sold its Southeast Asia license to Grab in 2018. Lyft doesn’t operate in Vietnam either.

Is it safe to drive a motorbike in Vietnam?

This depends on your skills. Vietnam’s motorbiking culture is massive, and the locals drive fast and somehow have created their own rules and communication by honking. You can rent a motorbike first and drive around to see if you’re comfortable before committing to a month’s trip across the country.

Safety in Vietnam

Vietnam is a pretty safe place to travel to.  Follow all the usual precautions that you would when traveling.

• Keep valuables out of sight
• Always lock your valuables away when they’re not with you (read how we use a portable travel safe here)

• Use a VPN when utilizing public WiFi networks in hotels, hostels, and guesthouses (read about VPNs here)
• Tap water is generally NOT recommended in Vietnam. Consider taking a refillable water bottle to reduce the use of single-use plastic.  We always travel with a filter water bottle, which I wrote about here.

Travel Insurance for Vietnam

Vietnam is a pretty safe location to travel to, but accidents can happen.  If you’re considering travel insurance.  If you’re considering travel insurance for your trip to Vietnam, then you can get a quote from World Nomads for your travel insurance for Vietnam

Key Routes to Travel in Vietnam

Want to know more about different forms of transport in Vietnam? Our guide to Vietnam transport is here. And here’s how to travel some of the popular routes around Vietnam, your options, and how we did it.

• How to go from Ho Chi Minh Airport to HCMC
• How to get to Phu Quoc from Ho Chi Minh City.
• Go from Chau Doc to Can Tho
• How to go from Hanoi Airport to the City
• How to go from Phong Nha to Hanoi
• Best way to go from Mui Ne to Dalat
• How to go from Hanoi to Hue
• How to go from Hoi An to Hue
• How to go from Ho Chi Minh City to the Cu Chi Tunnels
• How to get to Phu Quoc Island
• How to go from Hoi An to Danang
• How to go from Vietnam to Cambodia
• How to go from Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh
• How to go from Phnom Penh to Chau Doc (Cambodia to Vietnam)
• How to go to Mui Ne from Ho Chi Minh City
• How to go from Hanoi to Sapa
• How to go from Chau Doc to Phnom Penh (Vietnam to Cambodia)

Final Words on Transportation in Vietnam

Vietnam has such incredible transportation in a way that it offers various options. Whether you are short on time or looking for a more adventurous way to travel, there’s something for you. If you are on a budget, you should be able to travel like a local, and if you want comfort and don’t mind paying, you sure have that possibility too.  For those on a shoestring budget, go by bus and look at free walking tours. Enjoy a train or ferry trip if you want a scenic ride. Do you have a limited time? Book a flight or private transfer to save time. The most important thing to remember is that you must book in advance if visiting during the TET Holiday and Christmas.

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