Getting around in Vietnam
In the early 1990's, when Vietnam first reopened its
doors to foreign visitors, the transportation infrastructure was creaking at
best and totally dysfunctional at worst. A product of a few generations of war
followed by a punitive and punishing economic embargo, the nation's transport
was unreliable, expensive and uncomfortable. The grandiose-sounding Highway One
was dotted with rusted-out ferry crossings in place of bombed out bridges; the
rail system was glacially-paced and expensive. Budget airlines were unheard of
and domestic carrier Vietnam Airlines
was double priced, unreliable and equipped with vintage Russian aircraft.
By train
The total length of railway system in Vietnam is
2,600km, including main train routes:
The "Reunification Express Route", from
Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, is 1,726km.
+ Hanoi - Lao Cai
+ Hanoi – Haiphong
+ Hanoi - Quan Trieu
+ Hanoi - Dong Dang
+ Kep - Uong Bi – Halong
+ Kep - Luu Xa
+ The international trains from Hanoi to Beijing
(China)
+ Via Dong Dang station (Lang Son)
Vietnam's train system
is a lot better than is used to be, and while it's not all that cheap, it's
comfortable, exceedingly scenic in places, and an overall very interesting and
fun way to travel.
If you're travelling in high season or especially
over Tet, book as far in advance as possible. On the downside it serves only
the Vietnamese coastline along with a couple of spurs out of Hanoi (most
notably northwest to Sapa). The coastal line serves many of the key
destinations in Vietnam, notable exceptions are Hoi An (alight at Da Nang),
Qui Nhon
(alight at Dieu Tri) and Mui Ne (alight at Muong Man).
The Railways Vietnam website has
comprehensive and accurate timetable and price information. Travelfish members
can also avail themselves of the PDF timetable and pricelist we put together
after fighting our way through the Vietnam Railways website. You can download
it from the resources section of the Member Centre.
You can read a very
detailed story on Vietnam's rail network here.
By motorcycle
If you are thinking of a motorcycle hire in Vietnam, do not fret. There
are plenty of bike rentals in Vietnam who will be only too willing to lend you
a bike for a time for something like USD 5-10 daily. The best thing
about Vietnam motorcycle rentals is that the service providers won't ask for
your driver's license to lend you a machine.
However, there are some Vietnam motorcycle hire agents who will ask you
to deposit your passport as a security measure and also sign on a form. It is
always worthwhile to exercise some prudence as regards the form that you will
be asked to submit. For instance, since it is very likely that the form will be
in Vietnamese, it is better that you get it translated into English or the
language you are comfortable in and get a hang of what you are actually
committing to.
The Vietnam motorcycle hire agents will usually be reliable but it is
always advisable that you yourself check the brakes, the tires and the gas
level before you hit the roads or the dirt tracks.
Besides the professional Vietnam motorcycle hire agents, you can also
hire a bike from your hotel and you might also get better deals on it.
Vietnam motorcycle rentals are not hard to come by. All you need to do is
locate your Vietnam motorcycle hire agent and zoom off.
By car
Situated in Southeast Asia, Vietnam is a country of spectacular
landscapes, exotic beaches and magnificent mountains. It is a country with both
historical and modern architectural splendor. The best mode of Vietnam
transportation to experience this enchanting land is to travel by a hired car.
International driving licenses are not allowed in Vietnam; therefore, Vietnam
car hire gives you the best options for excursions. The hotels and the tourist cafes
spread all over the country are experienced in making arrangements according to
the need of the tourists.
The expenditure for car rentals in Vietnam depend on the stretch it the
vehicle to cover. On an average they usually charge around $40 to $50 for 8hours,
day. For example car hire in Vietnam for a trip from Hanoi, Vietnam to Halong
for 2 days and 1 night will cost around $95 while Hanoi, Vietnam to Hoa Binh
for a day cost around $60. Luxury cars for one day in Hanoi, Vietnam charge
around $99. Cost of traveling by car in Vietnam also depends on the number of
tourists traveling together.
Tourists can go for a Vietnam car hire for various purposes like the
transfer to the airport from the hotel or vice versa, trip to the major
attractions in the city, trip to the nearby attractions in the city and also a
trip to another destination. Most of these trips have pick up and drop off
facilities.
By Bus
Vietnam bus travel allows the people to reach almost all parts of the
country. All the major cities in Vietnam are connected by bus services. They
are availed by both tourists and people traveling for work. Long distance buses
mostly start the journey or travel by night. This is done to avoid the heavy
traffic and the late afternoon rains which make long distance travel
troublesome. There are bus stations in almost all the cities of Vietnam. These
are especially used by the public buses. In the comparatively big places the
bus stations are usually not in the centre of the town which results in the use
of local transport. Bus travel in Vietnam allows the tourists and the locals to
interact with each other.
There are open tour buses which arranged by the travel companies. These
are mostly for the tourists and are one of the cheapest modes of Vietnam
Transportation. They usually charge around $20 to $25 for a trip from Hanoi,
Vietnam to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. These buses usually drop the tourists to
their desired hotels which are not available with the public bus services.
These open tour bus trips allow the people to break up the journey and visit a
place of their choice before availing a bus of the same company to the final
destination. Facilities like these make the bus trips attractive and Vietnam
bus travel so alluring.
By bicycle
A great way to get around Vietnam’s towns and cities is to do as the
locals do and ride a bicycle. During rush hours, urban thoroughfares approach
gridlock, as rushing streams of cyclists force their way through intersections
without the benefit of traffic lights. In the countryside, Westerners on
bicycles are often greeted enthusiastically by locals who don’t see many
foreigners pedalling around.
Long-distance cycling is popular in Vietnam. Much of the country is
flat or only moderately hilly, and the major roads are in good shape. Safety,
however, is a considerable concern. Bicycles can be transported around the
country on the top of buses or in train baggage compartments.
Decent bikes can be bought at a few speciality shops in Hanoi and HCMC,
but it’s better to bring your own if you plan on cycling over long distances.
Mountain bikes are preferable, as large potholes or unsealed roads are rough on
the rims. Basic cycling safety equipment and authentic spare parts are also in
short supply, so bring all this from home. A bell or horn is mandatory – the
louder the better.
Hotels and some travel agencies rent bicycles for about US$1 to US$5 per
day and it is a great way to explore some of the smaller cities like Hue or Nha
Trang. There are innumerable bicycle-repair stands along the side of the roads
in every city and town in Vietnam.
Groups of foreign cyclists touring Vietnam are a common sight these
days, and there are several tour companies that specialise in bicycling trips.
By
air
Airlines in Vietnam
Vietnam Airlines (www.vietnamairlines.com.vn)
has a monopoly on domestic flights, as it owns the only rival, Pacific
Airlines (www.pacificairlines.com.vn),
which flies the Hanoi - HCMC route and the HCMC – Da Nang Route.
Most travel agents do not charge any more than when you book directly
with the airline, as they receive a commission. A passport is required to make
a booking on all domestic flights.
Vietnam Airlines has come a long way and many (but not all) branch
offices accept credit cards for ticket purchases. The airline has retired its
ancient Soviet-built fleet (thank heavens!) and purchased new Western-made
aircraft.
By
boat
Getting around or getting to Vietnam is not a
problem at all, because of the varied range of transport services that Vietnam
has to offer. There are easily available train and bus services and cars,
motorcycles and even bicycles can also be hired at very pocket friendly rates.
Apart from these Vietnam transportation also includes the Vietnam boat service,
which is conveniently used by both locals as well as tourists.
Vietnam has about 17,702 kilometers of traversable
waterway, which has been conveniently used by the government for water
transportation. Over the years boat service in Vietnam has gradually developed.
River boats and barges have increased and now have a capacity for more than
280,000 passengers. Apart from this Vietnam has more than ten thousand small
country boats and ferries running within the country.
This is only really an option in the Mekong Delta,
where you can travel in both tourist boats for short haul trips and take
freighters for longer trips. The former are comfortable, the latter can
sometimes be comfortable, other times less so. Boat transport is slow -- figure
on two days for a trip from My Tho to Chau Doc on the Cambodian border. The
most popular tourist services are the ferries from Saigon to Vung Tau, and the
boats from Chau Doc to Phnom Penh. Boat travel generally works out as being
more expensive than bus travel over a similar route.
Apart from the Vietnam boat services other popular
water transport includes hydrofoils in Vietnam which runs quite regularly from
Haiphong to Cat Ba and Mong Cai. Then there are the express boats in Vietnam
running between Rach Gia and Phu Quoc.
By cyclo
Vietnam has many transport options, available at
various price ranges and suitable for traveling varied distances. Apart from
the conventional buses, trains and taxis, there is the Vietnam cyclo service,
which is probably the most enjoyable one and adds a touch of heritage to the
Vietnam transportation.
The concept of cyclo is common to most Asian
countries and is the ideal way to get the best out of your trip. You can
experience the real essence of Vietnam, meet the people and see their cultures
from as close as possible. Cyclo in Vietnam is also referred to as 'pedicabs'.
The advantages of availing the Vietnam Cyclo Service are many:
+ Vietnamese Cyclos, are in itself a reflection of
the country's heritage.
+ Cyclos can take you to every nook and corner of
the place.
+ Instead of whizzing past interesting sights, you
can actually observe them at ease.
+ Its slower place makes it easier for you to take
photographs.
+ They are very convenient for short distances.
+ Most importantly they are cheaper than the other
means of transport.
The Cyclo Service in Vietnam is mostly used by
tourists. Cyclos are not available everywhere on the streets of Vietnam, hence
you have look around a little before you find one. However it is easier to find
cyclos near the places of interest and sometimes near the hotels. An important
point to note before riding a cyclo is that you must settle the price before
hand, as the drivers charge much higher at times.
So next time you are walking down the streets of
Vietnam and you hear the sound of bells behind, be sure it's the Vietnamese
cyclos. So all you have to do is just hop on and have a great time.
