Air
Vietnam Airlines (VN) provides regular flights between Hanoi, Ho Chi
Minh, Da Nang, Hue, and Nha Trang. They also have daily flights between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Dalat, Buon Ma Thuot,
Na San, Phu Quoc, Pleiku, Qui Nhon and Vinh. The Northern Airport
Flight Service Company operates helicopter flights from Hanoi to
Halong Bay.
Departure tax:
VND20,000 from Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang and Hai Phong and
VND10,000 from other airports.
Sea/River
Cruise services are operated between ports in a local area. For more details contact the Embassy prior
to departure.
Rail
The rail system can be used independently or as part of a tour.
Long-distance trains are more expensive but are more reliable, faster,
and more comfortable. Although a few trains now have air conditioning,
facilities still fall short of western standards, and foreigners’
rates are comparable to air fares. The main rail route connects
Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi and the journey
takes about 30 to 40 hours. There are also services from Hanoi to
Haiphong, Lao Cai, Dong Dang, , Thai Nguyen and from Yen Vien to
Ha Long. Contact Vietnam
Railways for more information.
Road
Traffic drives on the right.
There is a fairly good road network; however, roads, especially
in the north, are
frequently
in quite bad condition and can be unreachable
during the rainy season.
It is inadvisable to drive in Vietnam because most
drivers do not follow the normal rules of highway discipline. There is a reasonably good highway from Ho Chi Minh
City to Hanoi.
Bus: Services are substandard and overcrowded. Minibuses
usually run between tourist hotels in the major towns.
Car hire: There are cars with drivers available for hire.
Documentation: An International Driving Permit and a test
(taken in Vietnam) are obligatory before driving.
Urban
Local bus services are available in Ho Chi Minh
City and Hanoi which also has a tramway. It is also
possible to travel by taxi, motorbike
or cyclo (cycle rickshaw; motorised version also
exists); the last of these can pose a risk of theft from opportunistic
passers-by and the government is trying to phase them out. When
travelling by taxi, it is a good idea to write down the driver’s
registration number (displayed on rear side of taxi) for security
reasons. |
