Getting Around
The majority of tourists arrive in Vietnam in either Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City and then make their way up or down the coast, with the choice of travel method depending both on budgets and the amount of time.
With more limited time, flights present the best option to hop between the further apart destinations in the north, south and central areas of Vietnam.
Trains are also quite popular, especially overnight trains in a soft sleeper. Vietnam’s Reunification Express runs the entire coast between Hanoi and HCMC, with stops along the way in Hue, Danang and Nha Trang. In addition, the train is the main way to get between Hanoi and Sapa in the north.
On a tighter budget, the most popular way to get around is the open-tour bus – allowing travelers to stop and stay in destinations as long as they like – and the prices and convenience are hard to beat. For those who prefer to travel more independently, there are public buses that run many of the same routes, as well as many additional routes.
Private cars with driver can also be easily arranged for travel and can be a good option for those with families or groups, for popular routes that are not served by flights, or for longer routes with more customized stops.
For the more adventurous and those with plenty of time, a motorbike or bicycle can also be a great way to see the country, or just a good way to get around once you have already landed in a destination.