Getting Around Vietnam: Transport Guide for Indian Tourists

Getting Around Vietnam: Transport Guide for Indian Tourists Getting around Vietnam is one of the most practical decisions you will make when planning this trip. Indian tourists who understand how to get around Vietnam for Indian tourists before they land save time, avoid overcharging, and cover more ground. Vietnam runs north to south across roughly 1,650 kilometres. You cannot rely on one transport mode for the full journey. What is Getting Around Vietnam? Getting around Vietnam refers to the combined set of transport choices — domestic flights, trains, buses, motorbike taxis, and boats — that connect Vietnam's three main travel zones: the north around Hanoi, the central region around Da Nang and Hoi An, and the south around Ho Chi Minh City. Vietnam's transport network spans road, rail, air, and water routes across a country that is long and narrow. Each zone has its own entry point and its own local transport logic. A tourist who flies into Hanoi and wants to reach Ho Chi Minh City has at least four realistic options, each with different costs and time requirements. Indian passport holders require a visa to enter Vietnam. The e-visa process takes 3 to 5 working days and costs USD 25 for a single entry. The e-visa allows a stay of up to 90 days. Indian travellers should apply at least one week before departure to avoid delays. The Vietnamese dong (VND) is the local currency. As of mid-2025, 1 Indian rupee equals approximately 290 VND. Most transport payments outside airports are cash-only. Carry small denominations of dong for local buses, ferries, and motorbike taxis. The best season for most Indian tourists is November to April. Northern Vietnam gets cold in December and January, with temperatures dropping to 10–15°C in Hanoi. Central and southern Vietnam stay warm and dry during this period. Monsoon season runs from May to October and affects road and boat travel in the central region. Related: Australia Family Tour Packages How does getting around Vietnam for Indian tourists work in practice? Getting around Vietnam for Indian tourists works through a layered system: domestic flights for long north-to-south legs, trains for mid-distance scenic routes, and local transport — grab bikes, taxis, and rented scooters — for city and town movement. Each layer has a different price point and booking method. Domestic Flights Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, and Bamboo Airways operate frequent domestic routes. A Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City flight takes 2 hours and costs INR 2,500 to INR 6,000 depending on how early you book. Booking 4 to 6 weeks ahead gives the best fares. Luggage allowances on budget carriers are strict — check before booking. The main domestic airports are Noi Bai (Hanoi), Da Nang, and Tan Son Nhat (Ho Chi Minh City). All three have direct international connections from India. IndiGo and Vietnam Airlines operate Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City routes from Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata. Trains The Reunification Express train runs the full length of Vietnam from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. The full journey takes 30 to 35 hours. Most tourists use it for specific segments — Hanoi to Hue takes 13 hours, Hue to Da Nang takes 2.5 hours, and Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City takes 17 hours. Soft sleeper berths cost INR 1,200 to INR 2,500 per segment and are the most comfortable option for overnight travel. Book through the Vietnam Railways website or through a local agent. Seats sell out during Vietnamese public holidays, particularly Tet in late January or early February. Buses and Open Tour Buses Open tour buses are hop-on services sold as a single ticket covering the full north-to-south route. A Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City open ticket costs approximately INR 1,800 to INR 2,500. You can stop at any point and reboard the next day. This works well for travellers with flexible itineraries and 14 or more days in Vietnam. Sleeper buses on the Hanoi to Ninh Binh or Da Nang to Hoi An routes are cheap and reliable. Fares start at INR 200 for short legs. The buses have reclining seats or flat beds. Travel time on road routes is longer than the map suggests due to mountain passes and coastal curves. Local Transport in Cities Grab is the dominant ride-hailing app in Vietnam. It works in all major cities and shows the fare before you confirm. A Grab bike from central Hanoi to the Old Quarter costs INR 30 to INR 60. A Grab car for the same route costs INR 120 to INR 200. Download the app before you land and link it to an international card. Cyclos — three-wheeled bicycle rickshaws — operate in Hanoi's Old Quarter and Hoi An's ancient town. They are slow and meant for short distances. Always agree on the fare before you get in. Metered taxis from Mai Linh or Vinasun are reliable alternatives in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Motorbike Rentals Renting a motorbike costs USD 5 to USD 10 per day in most cities. An International Driving Permit is technically required. Many tourists rent without one, but police checks do happen on popular routes like the Hai Van Pass. Carry your Indian driving licence and the rental agreement at all times. Boats and Ferries Halong Bay requires a boat. Most tourists book a 2-night cruise from Hanoi. Prices range from USD 80 for budget boats to USD 300 for mid-range options. The Mekong Delta near Ho Chi Minh City is best explored by local boat. Phu Quoc island is reachable by ferry from Rach Gia — the crossing takes 2.5 hours and costs INR 600 to INR 900. Related: Austria Honeymoon Tour Packages What does transport cost across Vietnam's main routes? Transport costs in Vietnam vary significantly by mode and booking timing. Indian tourists planning a 10 to 14-day trip should budget INR 8,000 to INR 18,000 for internal transport, excluding Halong Bay cruises. The table below shows approximate costs per route and mode as of 2025. Route Flight Cost (INR) Train Cost (INR) Bus Cost (INR) Journey Time by Fastest Mode Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City 2,500 – 6,000 2,000 – 3,500 1,800 – 2,500 2 hours (flight) Hanoi to Da Nang 1,500 – 3,500 1,200 – 2,000 900 – 1,500 1.5 hours (flight) Da Nang to Hoi An No direct flight No direct train 150 – 300 45 minutes (bus/taxi) Ho Chi Minh City to Phu Quoc 1,200 – 2,800 No train 600 – 900 (ferry) 1 hour (flight) Hanoi to Ninh Binh No direct flight 400 – 700 200 – 400 2 hours (train) These fares are one-way estimates for a single adult. Prices rise by 20 to 40 percent during Vietnamese national holidays. Book domestic flights at least 3 weeks ahead for the best rates. Train tickets for sleeper berths on the Hanoi to Hue segment sell out 10 to 14 days before travel during peak months. According to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, over 4.6 million international tourists visited Vietnam in the first quarter of 2024, with transport infrastructure handling a record volume of domestic passenger movements across road, rail, and air combined. Related: Australia Adventure Tour Packages What are the most common mistakes when planning how to get around Vietnam for Indian tourists? The most common mistakes Indian tourists make when planning how to get around Vietnam involve underestimating distances, over-relying on one transport mode, and not booking domestic flights early enough. These errors add cost and reduce the number of destinations you can cover in a fixed itinerary. Mistake 1: Treating Vietnam as a Small Country Vietnam is 1,650 kilometres from north to south. Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City by road takes 2 full days. Tourists who plan to cover both ends of the country in 7 days often spend more time in transit than at destinations. A 10-day minimum is realistic for a north-to-south trip with stops. Mistake 2: Skipping Domestic Flight Booking Budget airline fares on Vietnam routes double or triple within 2 weeks of departure. Indian tourists who book international flights early but leave domestic legs unbooked often pay 3 to 4 times the base fare. Book domestic flights the same day you confirm your international ticket. Mistake 3: Using Unmetered Taxis at Airports Unofficial taxis at Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City airports overcharge consistently. Always use Grab or pre-booked airport transfers. A Grab car from Tan Son Nhat airport to District 1 costs INR 250 to INR 350. An unofficial taxi for the same route can cost INR 1,200 or more. Mistake 4: Not Carrying Cash in Small Denominations Local buses, street food stalls, and small ferry operators do not accept cards. ATMs in smaller towns like Hoi An and Ninh Binh sometimes run out of cash on weekends. Withdraw VND at airport ATMs on arrival and keep INR 500 to INR 1,000 equivalent in small notes at all times. Mistake 5: Ignoring the Train for Central Vietnam The Hue to Da Nang train segment crosses the Hai Van Pass. The journey takes 2.5 hours and runs along the coast. This is one of the most scenic rail routes in Southeast Asia. Most tourists skip it and take a bus. The train costs INR 300 to INR 600 and is worth booking specifically for this leg. Common Mistake What Happens How to Avoid It Booking domestic flights late Fares 3–4x higher Book same day as international ticket Using unofficial airport taxis Overcharged by 3–5x Use Grab app or pre-booked transfer No cash in small denominations Cannot pay local transport Withdraw VND at airport ATM on arrival Skipping the Hue–Da Nang train Miss coastal mountain route Book this segment specifically by train Planning too many cities in 7 days Excessive transit time Allow minimum 10 days for full route Related: Australia Luxury Tour Packages Ready to Plan Your Trip? Tripstor's Vietnam specialists help Indian travellers build itineraries that match real travel times and transport options. We handle domestic flight bookings, train reservations, and airport transfers as part of every package. Call us to get a detailed day-by-day plan with confirmed transport at each leg. For package booking assistance, call us at +91 98253 43323