{"id":516,"date":"2019-09-20T15:53:56","date_gmt":"2019-09-20T08:53:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vietnamdiscovery.com\/es\/?page_id=516"},"modified":"2019-09-20T15:53:56","modified_gmt":"2019-09-20T08:53:56","slug":"getting-around-vietnam","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/vietnamdiscovery.com\/es\/getting-around-vietnam\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting Around Vietnam: Transportation Tips for Backpackers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Vietnam is one of the easiest countries to get around and also one of the most popular destinations in Southeast Asia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So what is the best way to travel around Vietnam? The method of getting around Vietnam depends hugely on how long you are going to stay in Vietnam. As a tourist, you have many options of transportation to choose from in Vietnam, including by plane, by train, by bus, by car, by motorbike or cyclo, by taxis and by boat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is the breakdown of the best ways for getting around Vietnam <\/strong>no matter how long you stay or how much you spend on your itinerary in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Transportation Types for Getting Around Vietnam<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. By Plane<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Getting
Vietnam airline – the largest domestic carrier in Vietnam<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Flying or traveling by plane is obviously the most expensive but fastest way for everyone to get around Vietnam. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With this means of transport, you can get almost anywhere in the country in about two hours, making flying to and around Vietnam a great choice for travelers with rush traveling time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Vietnam, Vietnam Airlines is the largest (and costliest as well) domestic carrier, but there are also a lot of budget airlines and flight suppliers, namely VietJet Air, Jetstar, Bamboo Airways and VASCO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vietnam is also home to over 20 airports,<\/strong> with 08 international airports<\/strong> situated in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Da Nang, Nha Trang, Hai Phong, Phu Quoc Island, Can Tho and Da Lat. By far, the majority of international flights arrive in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, with everyday arrivals through Asian hub cities. Hong Kong, Seoul, Bangkok, Singapore, Guangzhou, Siem Reap, and Phnom Penh operate the most frequent flights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you book early, you could save on ticket fares<\/strong> since the budget carriers often offer about 30-50% off tickets if they have sales. Airfares are dependent on the time you book and the dates you want to fly. There is no difference between Vietnamese people and foreigners in terms of airfares. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yet, bear in mind that the baggage fees and policies vary by airlines. Budget airlines usually charge extra for baggage fees or preferred seating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. By Train<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Getting
Train – safe means to travel around in Vietnam<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Vietnam is one of the few countries in Southeast Asia equipped with a reasonable rail network. Though the cost for getting around Vietnam by trains is higher than that of buses, the comfort it brings is really worth a try. Most importantly, the Viet tourism office advises that trains are safer than buses<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most popular way to get from the capital Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City is the train named \u201cReunification Express\u201d which takes over 30 hours for the entire trip. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rail fares are fixed, though there are different prices for different classes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vietnamese trains supply several classes, and train tickets in Vietnam are divided into 4 separate classes, which become progressively more expensive:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though there are a few options, you should choose the highest level within your affordability because the hard seat carriages of lower class could be grim. On the train, there are both hard-berth and soft-berth compartments for passengers to stay overnight, with six and four berths, correspondingly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are a train buff, be aware of holiday periods or peak season and book the berths on night trains <\/strong>as soon as possible. The advantage of night trains is that you do not have to spend daytime traveling, and it saves you the costs of accommodation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are many shorter routes of trains throughout the country and travelers could use these routes to get to China from Lao Cai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. By Bus<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Getting
Sleeper buses – a popular way to get around Vietnam<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

If your trip in Vietnam lasts for long days and you do not mind about comfort, getting around Vietnam by bus is the right choice, especially for independent travelers. Nearly every city of Vietnam can be reached by bus, but be warned that some rickety roads in Vietnam may not be for you. For instance, a 276km trip from the Mekong Delta to Ho Chi Minh by bus will take approximately 8 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using the bus to travel around Vietnam\u2019s big cities is a great option. It requires you to do research in advance and learn primary language related to traveling by bus to better plan your trip. Keep in mind that some Western fatties may feel uncomfortable on Vietnam buses which are designed specifically for Vietnamese. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you take a day bus, be noted that they usually stop multiple times along the route to pick passengers up and drop them off. Don\u2019t expect to move quickly or efficiently. Make sure that you tell them exactly your destination since there are often no signs when you pull into bus stations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among types of buses, sleeper buses are one of the most popular ways for tourists to get around Vietnam. The open tour buses are often best suited for long distances<\/strong> and seem preferable to the system of national coaches\/buses since they are air-conditioned and operate on scheduled timetables with a specific limited number of passengers. National coaches, in contrast, are the opposite. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To use this mode of transportation to get around the country, you should research private bus companies<\/strong> prior to buying a ticker. Also, you should be careful with your personal belongings and avoid falling asleep while listening to music (or anything else), chances are, they will not be there in the next morning. Keep everything locked up while being on the bus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. By Boat<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Getting
A crowded boat station in Vietnam<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Vietnam has a lot of partly navigable rivers; nevertheless, the most crucial so far is the Mekong and its tributaries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Boat trips departing from Phnom Penh to Chau Doc, which is worth a try due to its exciting experience, are suitable for travelers visiting both Vietnam and Cambodia. Of course, if you love something more luxurious, you can travel in luxury down the Mekong River on the river cruise private tour company too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Such type of transport is also possible on the sea. Cruising the Halong Bay’s islands is highly recommended for all travelers to northern Vietnam because tourists will have a chance to see magnificent karst island formations. In the south, boat trips to Phu Quoc islands and the islands off Nha Trang are also recommended. <\/p>\n\n\n

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