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Transport in Vietnam

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More transport tips...

The open tour buses take in all the main tourist cities, are a good way to meet fellow travellers and are ridiculously cheap (from $16 Hanoi-HCMC). However, far from being the air-con luxury method of transport the brochure suggests, it would seem some of these coaches also double up as cross-country freight transportation. Travellers have reported night buses that stopped every two minutes to pick up unexpected passengers such as bicycle parts and 400 bags of cashew nuts, whilst a friend of mine found himself spending a 28 hour bus journey with his feet perched atop a basket of live chickens with 'gas issues'. He got off lightly; I had to endure five hours sat next to a basket case from California with verbal diarrhoea. Long journey tip - ensure batteries in Walkman are always fully charged (or get drunk before boarding).

Travelling by train falls neatly in-between buses and planes in terms of both price and comfort. Sleeper trains have private compartments for four or six people and most have air-con. The night train from Hanoi is the most popular way to travel up to Sapa. You can get more info and tickets from any travel agents.

Vietnam Airlines run an extensive network of domestic flights, and following the recent scrapping of their two-tier pricing policy for locals and foreigners a one way ticket from Hanoi - HCMC costs around $50 (£28.30) (and you get nuts and an in-flight magazine).

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Overlanding
Travel through Vietnam and beyond with a group of people in a big ol' truck!

Camping under the stars, cooking and washing up together, hiking, diving, abseiling, white-water rafting, and sharing the odd cold beer or ten, overlanding could never be described as a luxury holiday, it’s much more fun than that!