Vietnam by Bus: The Open Bus Experience
Traveling through Vietnam is an endless adventure! The country offers a variety of transportation methods, from buying and reselling a motorbike to the Open Bus, a service that allows you to travel from north to south with just one ticket.
At the end of the post, I’ll also cover other transport options: buying a motorbike, traveling by train, and flying. I’ll also share our 15-day itinerary in Vietnam.
HOW TO TRAVEL BY OPEN BUS IN VIETNAM
Travel by bus in Vietnam is the best option in terms of both affordability and convenience.
Advantages of the Open Bus
• It’s cheap.
• You don’t need to plan how long you’ll stay in each place ahead of time.
• You can explore a lot of the country at a low cost.
Disadvantages of the Open Bus in Vietnam
• The beds are small for taller people.
• There’s limited space for hand luggage. Passengers often place it on the floor, under their feet, or behind their heads.
• There’s no bathrooms on the bus.
1. HOW DOES THE OPEN BUS WORK?
You purchase a single ticket with multiple pre-selected destinations. The bus makes stops at these destinations, and you can get off and stay as long as you like before continuing to the next city. This operates like a hop-on-hop-off bus tour. There are different ticket options depending on the cities you want to visit, including a route to Siem Reap (Angkor Wat), Cambodia.
Once you have your multi-destination ticket, you can leave the travel dates open. However, you must book your seat at least one day before departure, providing your reservation code and selecting your bed. A schedule is provided with your ticket, showing all available departure times.
2. HOW MUCH DOES THE OPEN BUS COST?
We paid $32 in January, but the current price (August 2018) from $76 per person, traveling from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to Hanoi, with stops in Nha Trang and Hoi An. During peak season, prices can double. Even then, it’s still affordable, and they accept credit cards.
3. WHAT ARE THE BUSES LIKE?
• New and clean. (this could be different in another buses)
• Provide water and blankets.
• No bathrooms, but there are rest stops.
• Buses have three rows of beds, with an upper and lower level. There are five beds in the back row.
• All beds are recliners, but they are small. At 1.65m, I barely fit. Eduardo, being taller, couldn’t stretch his legs.
• Everyone must remove their shoes before boarding.
4. HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR BED ON THE BUS?
• Choose a lower bed so you can keep your hand luggage on the floor within sight.
• Select a bed in the middle aisle, where you can store things on the floor and avoid light from the windows.
• Avoid the back row of five beds, especially the ones on the ends, which don’t recline fully and are shorter. Bad seats start from number 30 onward.
• Book your next trip as early as possible to avoid ending up with the least desirable beds.
5. WHERE TO BUY OPEN BUS TICKETS?
The best place to find the is 12go (Asia, Brazil, Europe, and Australia). There are other places to buy that may be cheaper, such as the agencies in the city you are in. As mentioned before, the quality of the bus will depend on the bus company. By purchasing through 12go, you can see reviews from other people who have used the service, as well as, of course, offering more transportation options in one place.
We recommend the agency The Sinh Tourist, as they offer a variety of destinations, comfortable buses, bathroom stops, English-speaking service, and their shops are always conveniently located in the city center. The agency also provides a space to store your backpack if you haven’t checked in yet or have already checked out. The bus schedules are available on their website.
6. IMPORTANT TIPS
In Vietnam, many tourist agencies have counterfeit versions. Before heading to an agency, check the The Sinh Tourist website to see what their official store looks like, as even the street numbers are sometimes copied. In Hanoi, there are four stores on the same street, but the original one looks fake. Be cautious!
OTHER TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS IN VIETNAM
Motorbike
Buying a motorbike is a favorite option for travelers seeking freedom and flexibility. This is also the only way to ride the Hai Van Pass, a stunning route near Hue.
• How it works: You buy a motorbike in one city, ride across the country, and sell it at your destination. For example, you can buy in Ho Chi Minh City and sell in Hanoi, or vice versa.
• Price: Prices range from $200 to $450, and resale is about half the original price.
• Caution: Roads can be challenging, and your health insurance may not cover motorbike accidents if you don’t have a license.
Airplane
Flying is the fastest and most comfortable way to visit major destinations in Vietnam. However, not all places have airports, such as Hoi An.
• How it works: Check which cities have airports. Flights can be pricey, but they are a good option if you’re short on time.
• Price: Flights are not cheap, but still reasonable considering the time saved.
Train
Trains offer a comfortable option for foreign travelers, as they tend to be more spacious than buses. The sleeping trains have cabins with 4 or 6 beds, similar to trains in Thailand or the Trans-Siberian Railway.
• How it works: The train system connects most major cities in Vietnam and even crosses into China. It’s a good option for tall travelers who want to avoid flying.
• Price: Trains are expensive, costing about the same as flights but taking longer than buses.
GOING ON A TRIP? THEN BOOK HERE!
Did you know that when you make a booking using the blog’s link, we receive a small commission? You don’t pay anything extra, you get discounts, and you help the Eduardo and Mônica blog produce complete and quality articles.
Help the blog that helps you!
• Accommodation: Booking.com
• Tours and Tickets: Get Your Guide
• Transport: 12go (Asia, Brazil, Europe, and Australia)
Follow our tips on Instagram, YouTube and Facebook.
"This post is a translated version of the original content from our website www.eduardo-monica.com"
