VIETNAM TRANSPORTATION

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VIETNAM TRANSPORTATION

VIETNAM TRANSPORTATION

With many transport options, you'll find good local travel agencies in every tourist stop in Vietnam. Competition among service providers works to your advantage, and you can find affordable deals for getting around with just a bit of shopping.

GETTING THERE FROM OUTSIDE MEKONG COUNTRIES

Vietnam is relatively isolated in comparison with Bangkok,Hong Kong and Singapore, while there are several direct flights daily from Europe that is non-stop one. There are two main international airports in Vietnam, in Saigon and Hanoi. Saigon has the most international connections. Between Vietnam to Europe , there are Vietnam Airlines and Air France (to Paris). European flights normally via Bangkok (Thailand).

Vietnam also has railway to China, from Hanoi to Beijing (China) via Dong Dang station (Lang Son).

GETTING AROUND VIETNAM - TRAVEL TIPS

With many transport options, you'll find good local travel agencies in every tourist stop in Vietnam. Competition among service providers works to your advantage, and you can find affordable deals for getting around with just a bit of shopping.

By Car
• Going by car is the best and safest way to see Vietnam.
• Self-drive is unwise.
• Drivers in Vietnam and Cambodia (and pretty much region-wide) use the horn constantly. Using horn doesn't mean a driver is angry.

By Plane
Someone said “It's a good idea to fly the longer hops along Vietnam's length: from Hanoi to Hue; from Danang to Nha Trang; and from Nha Trang to Ho Chi Minh City (or vice versa).”

By Train
The Reunification Express runs the entire length of Vietnam's coast -- from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi, with routes out of Hanoi to the likes of Sapa, Lang Son, and to coastal Haiphong. There are a number of classes, from third-class hard seat to air-conditioned cushioned seat to sleeper, but in general the more comfortable seats are affordable. Be warned that you need to book trains a few days in advance, especially for weekend travel.

By Bus
• Local buses depart from stations usually a good distance from the town center.
• Buses leave only when full -- and full means that everyone is uncomfortable, two to a seat, produce hanging, bags under your feet and, SARS be damned, chickens in bags and on people's laps
• You often have to negotiate a price with the driver or bus tout
One good alternative is to buy a ticket with assigned seat on the small air-conditioned minivans that ply most major routes in Vietnam. Ask at any hotel front desk, and expect to pay often double the local bus price (still very affordable) and ride in relative style among locals but without the hassles.

However, Travelling by motorbikes, motorbike taxis or renting your own motorbike also can be seen around Vietnam, yet please take care. Hire a guide can make your adventures a little more manageable.

AIRPORT GUIDES

Tan Son Nhat Airport (Saigon)
Location: 8 km away from the center of Ho Chi Minh City is Tan Son Nhat Airport (a.k.a Saigon Airport).
Phone: +84 (0)8 845 6654
Transfer to the city: Minibuses and metered taxis are available for transport to the city centre. Make sure the driver is wearing an official name badge and that the metre is on. Most hotels can arrange transport for arriving passengers, but visitors should organize this in advance. There are no car hire rentals at the airport.
Departure tax: US$14 for foreign adults, $7 for foreign children under 12, payable in dollars or dong

Noi Bai International Airport
Location: Situated 28 miles (45km) north of Hanoi.
Phone: +84 (0)4 827 1513, (0)4 826 8522, or (0)4 886 5060.
Transfer to the city: Airport minibuses and metered taxis are available outside arrivals for transport to the city centre. Make sure the taxi driver is wearing an official name badge and that the metre is on.
Departure tax: US$14 for foreign adults, $7 for foreign children under 12, payable in dollars or dong.

VIETNAM AIRLINES

Direct air service currently includes flights from Hanoi to Hue, Danang, Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh City, Buon Me Thuout, Pleiku, Dien Bien Phu, and Nasan; and from Ho Chi Minh City to Buon Me Thuot, Danang, Dalat, Haiphong, Hue, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, Pleiku, and Quy Nhon.
Flights between Hong Kong, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City suit the travel needs of most travelers connecting with flights from the United States.
For more information, please check Vietnam Airlines.

NATIONAL RAILWAY
Service is available on the northern line from Hanoi to Lao Cai via Thai Nguyen, Hai Phong, Uong Bi, and Lang Son. The full 296 km journey takes approximately nine hours, while Hai Phong is reachable in under four hours.

Service on the southern line from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City includes the well-known Reunification Express train. Stops include Vinh, Hue, Danang, and Nha Trang. The full trip takes approximately two days.

Main railway stations:

- Hanoi Railway Station
120 Le Duan Rd, Hanoi
Tel (84-4) 8252628

- Saigon Railway Station
01 Nguyen Thong St, Dist 3, Ho Chi Minh City
Tel: (84-8) 8245585

ROAD NETWORK

North-south roads
National Highway 1: From the Huu Nghi Border Gate in Lang Son Province to Ho Chi Minh City and down to Go Dau Ha. This is the trans-Vietnam North-South high way.

Highway 14: Running along the Central Highlands from the ancient capital city of Hue to Kontum-Pleiku meeting Highway 1 at Bien Hoa.

Truong Son Trail: Beginning at Tan Ky, Ha Tinh province, it runs in parallel with Highway 1 through the Tay Nguyen Central Highlands down to the east of South Vietnam.

Other roads:
* Highway 2: Linking Hanoi via Vinh Phu to Meo Vac (Tuyen Quang).
* Highway 3: From Hanoi to Thuy Khau (Cao Bang).
* Highway 5: Hanoi to Hai Phong.
* Highway 6: Hanoi to Lai Chau.
* Highways 4B and 4A: From the Ngoc peninsula in Mong Cai (Quang Ninh) through Dong Dang (Lang Son) to (Cao Bang).
* Highway 4: From Ho Chi Minh City through the Mekong Delta to Nam Can, the southernmost part of Vietnam.
* Highway 20: From Xuan Loc to Da Lat.
* Highway 9: From Quang Tri to Lao Bao Gate.
* Highway 19: From Quy Nhon to Pleiku

SEA TRAVEL

Maritime transport has been established to the seaports of Hon Gai, Hai Phong, Da Nang, Vung Tau, and Saigon. Hai Phong is the most important port, lying on the East-West and North-South international sea lanes. In recent years, the ports of Hai Phong, Da Nang and Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) have received international tourist ships each with upwards of 1,000 tourists on board.

TRANSPORT IN VIETNAM

As with every country in the world, when you arrive at the airport you are at the most vulnerable. This is because generally travellers carry cash and quite a lot of it as well. Therefore care is always needed and advised. Vietnam is a very safe country we have never had a problem, however we always take the most precautions when arriving at any country especially if it is on business.

Hotel cars
In Ho Chi Minh the ride is very quick, taking between 10 to 30 minutes tops at most times. The cost of a car will be between US$ 10 - US$ 25. Depending on the hotel.
Hanoi however is quite a bit further, and can take anywhere from 30 minutes to one hour depending where you are staying. The cost here is considerably more between US$ 20 - US$ 50.

Taxis
From the airport never take a taxi from a tote. This is difficult to define in either Ho Chi Minh, or Hanoi, so strongly recommend that you take the comfort, luxury and safety of one of the above, hotel cars.
Within the city, the taxis are safe, and pretty many hassles free. Meters run in most of them, although the starting rates vary a little from each taxi company.

Alternative
Bicycles can be rented out for around US$ 1.5 per day, they are a bit wobbly, but good fun and a great way of travelling around.
Motorbikes are between US$ 4-7 a day, although I will let you decide whether insurance is included.

Newsflash

"...This is just a quick note to thank you very much for organizing our trip and for answering all of my queries so promptly over the last few months. Everything went perfectly and smoothly - hotels, transfers and meals, which allowed us to relax and enjoy our time in your beautiful country..." Michelle from USA