Travelling around Vietnam

[matthew231]

Hi all,
We are about to travel through Vietnam (this January) and wondered if anyone can give us some travel tips please?
Specifically what is it like to travel the buses (we want to get from Hanoi down to Hi Chi Minh and am trying to avoid flying as want to see things on the way). We're no spring chickens anymore so if they are a bit rough and ready please say. We need the buses (coaches) to have a toilet and be pretty clean. Also how long would it take and if you don't recommend the buses is there another way to travel the country (agian having the flexibility to visit places on the way down)?

Also in terms of paying for things, I assume hotels and restaurants take credt cards, but what about for buying lunch and drinks at a bar - do I need to carry cash for that?

Thanks a lot
Matthew

 

[JackMiles]

Hi Matthew
I've not used the buses but have heard pretty much nothing but bad things about them. One of the main concerns raised about them is safety - apparently the drivers can be pretty reckless. And I seem to recall comments that there are NOT toilets on board. Now, it may be that these folk were travelling on cheaper buses/coaches and that there are more 'luxurious' and safer options out there - I've not done the research - but I have not heard about them, particularly for the long journey from Hanoi to HCMC. And that's because for that journey, if you're not flying (or driving yourself), most people will take the train.
If you want to consider the train, you've got some research to do. There's basically just the one long line running the length of Vietnam, but there's various cabin classes, etc. If you can afford it, and it's available, booking into the top tier should provide a fairly clean and comfortable journey. The entire train journey takes about 36 hours, but you can definitely stop off along the way, as you said is your preference. Just google "train hanoi to ho chi minh" and start reading!

Hotels and 'expensive' restaurants & bars will generally accept credit cards but cash-only is still the case quite prevalently at cheap, smaller, 'street-food'/open air restaurants and bars where you might be inclined to eat and drink. Basic rule of thumb is that if the bill will be low, you might have to pay in cash*, so my advice would be that you definitely should have some cash on you, and if you prefer to pay by card, just ask on arrival if you can so there's no surprises when you go to pay. You don't need a lot of cash at any one time; for example, $AU50 goes a long way when a meal is $3 and a beer is $1.

*The exception to this is convenience stores (7Eleven, etc) which are cheap but DO accept credit card for payment.

The Trip Advisor forum on Vietnam is reasonably active and has some very helpful contributors, so you might want to get on there - though I'm happy to have a crack at any more questions you might have (but my knowledge of Vietnam is by no means extensive).

 

[Buzzard]

Whilst hotels, bigger grocery stores and restaurants accept card, cash is king in Vietnam based on my stay there in September this year.
Use VND is my advice because if your USD or AUD are not in mint condition they may not be accepted or even exchanged.
You didn't say if you are stopping along the way from north to south.
If you are then I found the smaller busses quite acceptable, some were even very luxurious. Although there are no toilets on board, comfort stops were made so for me this wasn't an issue.
You should consider joining Vietnam Travel Group on facebook, there is so much information there but also some rubbish.
If you want to use a TA I can recommend one based in Hanoi. I recently recommended her to another AFFer and he was very happy. Just don't use her for information, that's not the right thing to do.
In regards to a train, my understanding is that a very nice updated service started just recently but you have to know which one to book. This is where a TA might come in handy.

 

[ols]

Traveled Ho Chi Min city to Nha Trang by train.
Had cabin to ourselves but plenty of interaction with friendly locals.
Didn't cost much.
Great to see countryside and plenty of coastline.
Toilets were a bit iffy.
Will sell you beer cans in plastic bags with ice.
Was a twenty beer trip

 

[matthew231]

Thanks for all your replies. Very helpful.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

seat61… all about trains… the writer and owner of the site is a true expert. Comprehensive timetables, fares, pictures of the cabins and service, where and how to buy tickets. I reckon start there and plan your trip!

By all accounts, avoid buses.

Even the train they say can be a bit gritty. unless you really really want to avoid planes, why not fly/hop down from hanoi? say fly to hue, stop for a few days, and then fly on to ho chi minh

 

[p--and--t]

Definitely carry local currency.

Trying to pay for smaller purchases in USD or AUD will result in you paying significantly more.

When converting money - crisp clean new USD50 notes often attract a better conversion rate than other notes.

 

[matthew231]

Thank you

 

[Longtoo]

there is not much to see from your bus from HCM city to Ha Noi. It is a long journey and if you do not speak the local language, you will have a hard time on the bus and reststops. if you want to experience bus travel in vietnam, i would recommend short distance over well established routes with recent freeway upgrade such as Ha Noi to Sapa.

 

[blacksultan]

Hi all,
We are about to travel through Vietnam (this January) and wondered if anyone can give us some travel tips please?
Specifically what is it like to travel the buses (we want to get from Hanoi down to Hi Chi Minh and am trying to avoid flying as want to see things on the way). We're no spring chickens anymore so if they are a bit rough and ready please say. We need the buses (coaches) to have a toilet and be pretty clean. Also how long would it take and if you don't recommend the buses is there another way to travel the country (agian having the flexibility to visit places on the way down)?

Also in terms of paying for things, I assume hotels and restaurants take credt cards, but what about for buying lunch and drinks at a bar - do I need to carry cash for that?

Thanks a lot
Matthew

Will need cash for small bars and restaurants

 

[AmanKumar12]

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Happy Travelling!#VietnamDiaries #TravelSEO #Wanderlust

 

[JackMiles]

AmanKumar12 - what is this?

 

[funnymummy]

Hi all,
We are about to travel through Vietnam (this January) and wondered if anyone can give us some travel tips please?
Specifically what is it like to travel the buses (we want to get from Hanoi down to Hi Chi Minh and am trying to avoid flying as want to see things on the way). We're no spring chickens anymore so if they are a bit rough and ready please say. We need the buses (coaches) to have a toilet and be pretty clean. Also how long would it take and if you don't recommend the buses is there another way to travel the country (agian having the flexibility to visit places on the way down)?

Also in terms of paying for things, I assume hotels and restaurants take credt cards, but what about for buying lunch and drinks at a bar - do I need to carry cash for that?

Thanks a lot
Matthew

Hi matthew
Just leaving today. Highly recommend downloading GRAB app for transport. It must be like Uber. I linked it to travel Visa card with VND preloaded
Half the price of hailing taxis and far less than a private car that hotel arranges. Grab 240k from Hanoi town to airport vs 1300million for hotel car and I think there is a 300k for prearranged taxi
VND was preferred for everything but hotel chains.
Hanoi to Halong bay tours pick up from hotel and includes overnight on boat etc
Allow hours for airport checkin and departure. Took 2 hrs to go through immigration at SGN and you then have to walk from that terminal to domestic with luggag to recheck in for domestic flight. Very impressed with VN. Full service airline and not $$ if bought in advance. You will need visa and your flight out of country prebooked

 

[dinhoecotour]

Both credit card and cash (Atms along with bring AUD to exchange for VND) but cash is king.
Use train for a long distance instead of bus (Avoid night bus if possible).