Getting to Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City is the biggest city in Vietnam, and it is also considered the economic center of Vietnam. Therefore, travelers can enter Ho Chi Minh City in many ways.

Airlines

Vietnam Airlines is the national airline and operates in more than 20 domestic and 39 international air routes. At present Vietnam Airlines is using a modern fleet of Western-built aircraft. Pacific Airlines is the second airline of Vietnam. It operates through a leased fleet of Boeing 737s and 767s. Tan Son Nhat International Airport, located 7 km away from the District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City, is the largest international airport of Vietnam. Transfer facilities (bus & taxi) at affordable rates are offered by the airport authority to transfer the passengers to and from the airport.

Railway

The Vietnamese railway company offers the rail service in the city. The Southern rail route from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City operates the famous Reunification Express train. The entire trip takes around 2 days.

Roads

The National Highway 1, extending from the Huu Nghi Border Gate in Lang Son Province to Ho Chi Minh City and terminating at Go Dau Ha is the well-known trans-Vietnam North-South high way.

Truong Son Trail, starting from Tan Ky in Ha Tinh province and ending at southern Vietnam, goes in parallel with the National Highway 1.

However the network of roads within the city is not adequately developed. Roads are packed with bicycles and motorbikes. Cyclo plying on the streets is an interesting feature of Saigon's road transport.

Ho Chi Minh City is well connected with other parts of Vietnam through the National Highways.

Waterway

Ferry service operating through the waterways of the city is of great use to the locals.

Getting around

Finding Ho Chi Minh City Transport is never a problem as it seems to be the occupation of a large proportion of the male population. We've already covered HCMC airport transfers so here are a few tips on getting around the city when walking gets too much for you.

Cyclos

Cyclo drivers won't be happy seeing you walking around when they could be taking you to wherever you wish to visit around the town. These men are extremely good natured and a rejection is normally met with a smile. If you do decide to go in a cyclo just be sure to agree a price in advance.

Many of these cyclo drivers speak good English, so maybe they can become a good guide for your trip around the city by cyclo. The Municipal Government of Ho Chi Minh City has already set restrictions on where these cyclos can go, so don't assume you're being ripped off if you end up taking a road that doesn't seem logical.

Metered Taxis

Getting around by taxi is perhaps the best way to see Saigon. Drivers are fairly dependable and the fares are economical. Because not all the drivers can speak English, it is recommended that you write down the name of your destination as pronouncing street names incorrectly could cause you to end up in a totally different location. Most taxis are metered, saving you the problem of haggling over price and rate. Just make sure that the driver turns down the meter before your journey begins. For taxis which are not metered it is better to agree on a rate before starting so you avoid any unpleasantness later. While you are not expected to tip the driver, a small reward is always accepted with gratitude. You can hail a taxi on the street or ask your hotels or guest house to call one for you.

Motorbike Taxis/Xe Om

Xe Om is a Japanese motorbike taxi and such taxis can be found on most street corners. You will find these drivers sitting on or near their motorbikes watching for customers at street corners. It is easy to get their attention with a wave of the hand. Before getting on the Honda Om, negotiate a price. These taxis have a few advantages over cyclos - they are faster and can enter streets which are out of bounds for cyclos.

City Buses

You can see city bus services operating all over the place but realistically there is no need to use them when the cyclos and taxis are so easily accessible and cheap. You will have no idea where to get off buses and the driver is unlikely to be able to help you; they are usually overcrowded and very much for the use of locals.