Vietnam Transportation

Vietnam Transportation - Exterior :
The international airports near Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are the main means of transport to the outside world in Vietnam; there are flights to-an-fro between Vietnam and more than 20 countries and territories. The roads connect with the roads in the countries around Vietnam. Even though the buses are not so comfortable, they are the dirt-cheap transportation for travelers.

Vietnam Transportation - Interior:
Vietnam is long and narrow, the railway and roads from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City are the two main arteries from north to south along the length of the country. At both ends, roads spread out to the areas around these two big cities. The water transportation in Vietnam is quite convenient too. The main course along its coastline is around 4,200km long. The main ports of Vietnam: Hai Phong, Hon Gai, Da Nang, Quy Nhon, Vung Tau and Ho Chi Minh City are dotted along the coast. The course on rivers is more than 10,000km long. In Vietnam, 70% goods are transported on the sea and rivers.

Travelling in Vietnam, you won't miss the Open Tour. Open Tour is a convenient bus ticket for travelers, the government designed it to improve its tourism. The route of Open Tour is between Hanoi and HCMC. In between these two points, there are stops at Hue, Hoi An, Da Nang, Nhs Trang, Dalat, Munner Beach, etc. The ticket prices are $25~$35, depending on the companies which offer the Open Tour service.

Each company has a daily bus to running to every stop; some bigger companies offer more buses. Travelers can drop off the bus at any city along the route to look around., Then find the local office to show them the ticket, confirm with the clerk about the departure time and the hotel at which you will be staying, the bus will come to the hotel to take you to the next stop. At peak times, the seats are not guaranteed, so that it may upset your travel plan. If you don't have plenty of time for travelling, the first thing to do after you get off the bus is to confirm the seat to next stop. If possible, confirm all the seats by phone at the first stop.

Vietnam Transportation - Between cities:
There are few public buses in Vietnamese cities. Even in its capital city - Hanoi, or the main cities such as Ho Chi Minh City, the public buses are not often seen.

You can call for a taxi, or get one at some big hotels or car parks, but the taxis are not so many, and the cost is unreasonably expensive; the cost of a taxi is unaffordable for normal travelers and the citizens.

But Vietnam has always been known as "the country on motorbikes"; the number of motorbikes is much more than cars. If you don't have your own transportation, you can choose a motorbike taxis or a manpower tricycle; motorbike taxi are often found along the streets; they are fast and convenient, but when the motorbikes are running swiftly among the crowded cars, travelers need to be brave enough to ride on the back of such motorbikes. Most people prefer manpower tricycle, they can go into each street of the city, and the travelers can enjoy the scenery.

You can find the tricycles anywhere, but you must bargain with the carrier; even though the foreign tourists don't speak Vietnamese, they can use fingers to show the numbers and point to the place on a map.

In addition, there are bikes and motorbikes for rent at many inns and hotels in Vietnam. Deposit is not required when you rent the bikes, only pay when you return them.