Public transportation in Vietnam leaves much to be desired, although it is gradually gaining momentum, due to the development of the tourist business. You can use domestic flights, rail and water transport, as well as intercity buses. Urban transportation is common mainly in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. In smaller cities, you'll have to walk, as their size usually allows.
Domestic air transportation
There are 15 airports in Vietnam that you can reach by domestic flight. All are connected to international airports in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. To get from the two centers of Vietnam you can go to Hai Phong, Buonmethuot, Can Tho, Dalat, Danang, Dien Bien Phu, Dong Hoi, Ngha Trang, to Fu Quoc Island, to Pleiku, Quigyong, Vinh. You'll fly from end to end across the country for 60 USD, and smaller flights across South Vietnam will cost you 20 USD.
Rail transportation.
The railroads in Vietnam are mostly pretty outdated and run-down. But in recent years, more modern cars have been added to the trains. They are divided into hard and soft seating, hard and soft sleeping cars, and a separate gimmick for Vietnam - an air-conditioned sleeping car. As a rule, such carriages are offered to tourists. Prices for tourists, by the way, are higher than for locals. But you should not save money if you have chosen the train as a means of transportation. Seated rigid carriages are not recommended to choose even for a short trip. They are usually stuffed to the brim, and are characterized by frightening unsanitary conditions. A ticket in a hard seating car will cost you 30 USD, while a soft air-conditioned sleeper will cost 45 USD.
Intercity buses.
Common buses in Vietnam are not worth using. They are old and can easily break down on the way or get stuck. But the large, modern Big Bus buses are great for traveling between cities. You can buy a ticket for them not even at the station, but at any tourist office in the city. The cost of a ticket rarely exceeds 10 USD.
Water Transportation
Boats and other water vessels are common in Vietnam due to its numerous rivers. There's a system of voyage boats connecting various Vietnamese cities.
- Ho Chi Minh City-Vung Tau: The Comet boat operates between these cities approximately 10 times a day, covering the distance in 1.5 hours. The ticket costs 20 USD.
- Haiphong-Kat Ba: The Comet runs up to 5 times a day for a journey lasting 1 hour and 10 minutes, with a ticket price of 15 USD.
- Halong-Mongkai: The Comet service on this route runs once a day, taking 4 hours for the journey at a cost of 40 USD.
City Transportation
City buses are primarily available in major Vietnamese cities, but their schedules can be infrequent and the transportation system confusing.
Taxis are common and fares are negotiable. Motorcycle and bicycle rickshaws are also available, and a 15-minute trip should generally not cost more than 1 USD. Be cautious if you are quoted an excessively high fare.
