Vietnam forum

DL

A car/driver will cost you around US$100/day. And - as we learned after the event - if the driver knew english he wouldn't be a driver!!! So, sit back, and take a silent ride!!!

As most would attest, public transport between major cities, moto for around them.

Whether you use the train &/or buses, travel between cities is well organised.

With a Lonely Planet (or similar), hire a moto to travel around all but Hanoi & Saigon (hate HCMC). 3 months ago, an auto 120cc step through cost around 100,000 dong per day (US$6.50). Make sure you get (and use) a helmet!!!

In and around cities, the average traffic speed is about 30kph (20mph), and drivers coming up on you usually beep. So, make sure you have an international drivers licence and appropriate travel insurance.

If you tried to visit places without your own 'wheels', it would cost plenty and take forever.

cheers

Hi,

The train network in Vietnam is good so that is well worth it, different classes on the trains give you varying levels of comfort - check out www.seat61.co.uk for more info.

You can also look into an open bus ticket, sold by the likes of Sinh Cafe (http://www.sinhcafevn.com/Open_Tour.asp) which would be a really cheap way of getting from place to place. Never done this so it might not be the most "close up" method... Everywhere you go you will find people who can arrange transport for you ... from hotels to cafes... even passers by!

There are plenty of bus services from place to place so that may be a good option - taking the local bus maybe?

Once in a town / city then hiring a moto is a good a way as any of getting around as per Bruce. I'm a little moto-phobic so I normally walk most places - altho the odd $ taxi ride (normally when lost!) is always good too...

A good link is here http://www.travelfish.org/getting-around-vietnam.php to get you started

hope this helps

chris

DL

Given the info to this point, perhaps its also wise to say that travel between some cities is generally overnight, while others are structured around daytime travel. I don't know why, but I think its got something to do with market expectations and the rail travel structure.

For example, I could only go from HaNoi on a night train. Even though the VN rail timetable shows a day train, no agent would (or could) get me a day train ticket. But, then I also couldn't get a day bus. As far as the train is concerned, I got the feeling that the day trains didn't offer 'soft' berths (ie, comfortable seats), rather, only hard seats (wooden slat benches). Perhaps if one told the agent that a hard seat was OK, then a daytime booking could be had: but I'm too western for a hard seat!!!

The overnight buses are 'sleeper' buses. These are about the same height as normal highway buses, but with 2 levels of (fixed) reclined seats. If you can sleep on a train, you'll probably be able to sleep on a bus as well. I can't, so I take a sleeping tablet!

I couldn't find an open bus ticket that allowed me options. Largely, the open bus travels on highway 1(A) from SaiGon the HaNoi. So, if your intention is to only travel along this route, then an open bus ticket is fine. But, I wanted to travel inland, and also do 'other' things along the way. Thus, I merely purchased transport options as I needed them. Yes, it was more expensive, but only by about 10%. And, I could choose from a variety of options.

As crispyrolls points out, everyone in VN is a travel agent. What this means is that the gov't and several large companies have travel options 'tied down'. And as well as offering their product via their agencies, they will give commission to anyone who can sell their product. But, there are pitfalls in using 'anyone'. If there are problems on a Sinh Cafe bus (or a Hahn cafe bus, or any providers' bus), those that purchased via the providers' shopfront will get preferential treatment [of sorts]. The others wait will wait in line (and may get a remedy).

There are a few small companies offering transport, but the quality is very 'hit-n-miss'. Also, once you see the 'quality' of the major operators (by western standards, at best fair) the smaller ones can be woeful.

Most, if not all, 'agents' will promise you the world to get your money, and not be around if you wanted to 'discuss' your experience of their 'promises'. In short, look around, talk to other travellors/various travel agents and reference to knowledge sites (eg. Travelfish, Lonely Planet, etc), know what you want before paying money to anyone.

But, having said that, don't get hung up on the 'relaxed' VN approach. Don't get angry (its your holiday!!) Just take care of yourself, and go with the flow - you'll then really enjoy yourself!

cheers

HI!

We just found a very cheap ticket to fly from Ha Noi to Can Tho with tftravel agency but we aren't sure of booking it because it's is cheaper than Vietnam Airlines web price although we are supposed to fly with this airline.

Anybody knows if we can trust in this travel agency? Any bad or good experiences?

Thanks!