Getting Around Vietnam: Trains, Buses, Flights and Ride Apps

Getting around Vietnam is part of the adventure. Distances are long, but frequent domestic flights, a scenic railway, a dense bus network and ride-hailing apps make it straightforward to travel the length of the country.

From the airport to the city

• Hanoi (Noi Bai): the drive to the Old Quarter takes roughly 45 minutes to an hour. Ride-hailing cars and airport taxis wait outside arrivals, and public buses, including the long-running route 86 airport service, connect with the city centre.
• Ho Chi Minh City (Tan Son Nhat): the airport sits inside the city, so the trip to the centre is short, though rush-hour traffic can stretch it to an hour. Airport buses run towards the Ben Thanh Market area.
• Da Nang: the airport is just a few minutes' drive from the city and roughly 45 minutes from Hoi An.

Wherever you land, use the official taxi rank or a ride-hailing pick-up point rather than drivers who approach you in the arrivals hall.

Domestic flights for long distances

Flying saves days on a long trip. Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City takes just over two hours in the air, with dozens of departures a day, and there are useful links to Hue, Da Nang, Da Lat, Nha Trang and Phu Quoc. Book ahead around Tet and the summer holidays, check the baggage allowance on low-fare tickets and allow extra time at the busy domestic terminals.

Trains: the Reunification Express

The North–South Railway links Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City along the coast, and the full journey takes more than 30 hours. Few people ride it end to end; most use it for sections such as Hanoi to Hue overnight or the spectacular coastal stretch between Hue and Da Nang.

• Soft sleeper: four-berth cabins with air conditioning, the comfortable choice for overnight runs.
• Hard sleeper: six berths per compartment, more basic and a little more crowded.
• Soft seat: fine for daytime hops of a few hours.

Tickets are sold at stations and on the official railway website, and an overnight train from Hanoi to Lao Cai is a classic way to reach Sapa.

Buses, sleeper buses and limousine vans

Long-distance buses reach almost everywhere. Sleeper buses have reclining berths on two levels and run overnight on routes such as Hanoi to Sapa or Ho Chi Minh City to Da Lat; shoes come off at the door, and tall travellers may find the berths short. On popular shorter routes like Hanoi to Ninh Binh or Ha Long, comfortable nine- to eleven-seat "limousine" vans often pick you up from your hotel.

Getting around cities

Grab is the go-to app for cars and motorbike taxis in the big cities, with the fare shown before you ride, and local rivals such as Be and Xanh SM work the same way. Hanoi has two urban rail lines, and Ho Chi Minh City opened its first metro line, from Ben Thanh to Suoi Tien, at the end of 2024. City buses are very inexpensive but slow in traffic.

Cyclos are fun for a short sightseeing loop if you agree the price and duration first. On foot, cross the road at a slow, steady pace without sudden stops, and let the motorbikes flow around you.

Renting a car or motorbike

Traffic drives on the right. Self-drive car hire is uncommon among visitors, and most hire a car with a driver for day trips or scenic routes such as the Hai Van Pass. Motorbikes are everywhere and easy to rent, but city traffic is intense, so check the current licence requirements for foreigners and whether your travel insurance covers riding before you set off. Always wear a helmet, and if a rental shop asks to keep your passport, offer a cash deposit instead where possible. Riding pillion with an experienced local driver-guide is a relaxed alternative.

Stay connected in Vietnam

Almost every part of getting around Vietnam now runs through a phone: hailing a Grab, showing an e-ticket, tracking a bus or finding the right pick-up point. A HelloSIM eSIM gives you that data from the moment your plane lands, with no need to hunt for a SIM card at the airport. It is data-only, installed at home before the trip and connects once you arrive.