By aussiematesvietnam 
Navigating Vietnamese Public Transport for a Smooth Holiday
G’day fellow Aussies! Aussie Mates here with Tracy by my side, ready to share some hard-earned wisdom from our nearly two decades living in this vibrant corner of Southeast Asia. If you’re planning a Vietnamese adventure and wondering how to get around without breaking the bank or your sanity, you’ve landed in the right spot. After calling Vietnam home for almost 20 years, we’ve mastered the art of navigating the sometimes chaotic but always fascinating public transport system here.
From dodging motorbikes in Hanoi to finding the right bus in Ho Chi Minh City, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know for a smooth journey through Vietnam’s bustling streets and scenic countryside. So grab a cold one, settle in, and let’s talk about getting from A to B in ‘Nam—without the stress!
[IMAGE:vietnam-street-traffic]
Understanding the Vietnamese Transport Landscape
Before you dive into the deep end, it’s worth getting your head around what you’re in for. Vietnam’s public transport system is a bit like our AFL—passionate, sometimes rough around the edges, but with its own unique charm and rules.
The first thing you’ll notice is that motorbikes rule the roads. There are over 45 million of these zippy little beasts in a country of 97 million people. They’re everywhere, and they follow a traffic logic that might seem utterly bonkers to the uninitiated Aussie eye. Tracy still laughs about my first week here when I stood frozen at a Hanoi intersection for nearly 10 minutes, too terrified to cross!
Alongside the sea of motorbikes, you’ll find buses, taxis, ride-sharing services, trains, and even cyclos (bicycle rickshaws) in tourist areas. Each has its own quirks, costs, and considerations.
Mastering the Art of Crossing the Street
Let’s start with the most basic transport challenge: simply crossing the bloody road! It’s a skill you’ll need to develop quickly, and it goes against everything your mum ever taught you about road safety.
The key is to channel your inner AFL player—move steadily and predictably. No sudden movements or changes of direction. Make eye contact with drivers if possible, and whatever you do, don’t stop suddenly in the middle of the road. The traffic will flow around you like water around a rock.
Tracy and I have a system we call the “Aussie Shield”—I walk slightly ahead on the side traffic is coming from, creating a small buffer. It might seem a bit dramatic, but it’s served us well over the years, especially when we’ve had mates visiting from back home who look like startled wallabies at their first traffic crossing!
[IMAGE:street-crossing]
Taxis and Ride-sharing: Your Comfort Zone
For many Aussie travellers, especially those of us with a few more kilometers on the clock, taxis and ride-sharing services offer the most comfortable introduction to Vietnamese transport.
Stick with reputable companies like Vinasun or Mai Linh for traditional taxis. They use meters, provide receipts, and the drivers generally won’t take you on the scenic route to jack up the fare. Look for their distinctive colours and logos—Vinasun is primarily white with green and red stripes, while Mai Linh is green.
If you’re comfortable with smartphone apps, Grab is the Southeast Asian equivalent of Uber and works a treat in Vietnam. The beauty of Grab is that the price is agreed upon before you step in, and the app tracks your journey, so there’s no worry about route trickery.
A word of caution from a bloke who learned the hard way: always have small bills on hand. The old “no change” routine is alive and well here, and you don’t want to be paying 500,000 VND for a 50,000 VND ride!
Buses: Cheap as Chips but Requires Patience
If you’re looking to stretch your holiday budget (and who isn’t these days with the Aussie dollar doing what it does), local buses are ridiculously cheap. We’re talking about 5,000-10,000 VND (roughly 30-60 cents) per journey.
In Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, the bus networks are extensive but can be bewildering. Tracy always recommends taking a screenshot of your destination in Vietnamese to show the driver or conductor. Most buses have numbers and routes displayed in the front window, but it’s about as clear as mud if you don’t read Vietnamese.
The BusMap app (available in English) has been a game-changer for us when exploring new areas. It shows routes, stops, and estimated arrival times—though take those times with a grain of salt. Vietnamese buses operate on what I like to call “flexible time.”
And fair warning: during peak hours, buses get packed tighter than a tin of Arnott’s biscuits. If you’re not comfortable with close quarters or standing for stretches, maybe save bus adventures for off-peak hours.
[IMAGE:local-bus]
Trains: The Scenic Route
The Vietnamese railway system doesn’t have the best reputation for speed or luxury, but what it lacks in modernity, it makes up for in character and views. The Reunification Express route between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City offers some of the most spectacular coastal scenery you’ll ever see.
Tracy and I took the train from Hanoi to Hue last year, opting for a soft sleeper compartment (four bunks with air conditioning). It was like stepping back in time, with the gentle rocking of the carriage and the occasional vendor wandering through selling everything from coffee to boiled quail eggs.
If you’re booking a sleeper, remember that the top bunks are cheaper but require a bit of agility to climb into—not always the best choice if your knees remind you of your age every morning! The bottom bunks cost a bit more but are worth it for easy access.
Book tickets a few days in advance, especially during holiday periods or for overnight journeys. The official website (vietnam-railway.com) or trusted travel agencies are your best bet for securing seats without getting ripped off.
Motorbike Taxis (Xe Om) and Grab Bikes: For the Adventurous
For shorter distances or when you’re feeling a bit adventurous, motorbike taxis (xe om) or Grab bikes offer a quick way to zip through traffic. They’re not for the faint-hearted, but they’re an authentic Vietnamese experience.
If you’re going the traditional route with xe om drivers (usually blokes lounging on their bikes at corners or near attractions), negotiate the price before hopping on. Start by offering about half what they initially ask for and work up from there.
For a more regulated experience, Grab bikes work through the same app as Grab cars but cost significantly less. They provide helmets, which is essential and legally required.
I’ll never forget Tracy’s face the first time she took a Grab bike. She started white-knuckled and terrified but arrived at our destination exhilarated and laughing. Now she’s more comfortable on the back of a bike than I am!
[IMAGE:grab-bike]
A Few Extra Tips From the Trenches
- Always carry tissue or wet wipes—public transport facilities aren’t always well-stocked
- Download offline maps of your destination areas
- Learn a few basic Vietnamese transport phrases—locals appreciate the effort
- Carry a hotel card with the address in Vietnamese for taxi drivers
- Keep valuables secure and be aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded stations
- Validate tickets where required (particularly on newer bus systems)
- Consider travel insurance that covers transport mishaps
Wrapping It Up
Navigating Vietnamese public transport might seem daunting at first glance, but it’s all part of the adventure. Tracy and I have found that