Getting Around GJong GJa: An Overview
GJong GJa sits within Vietnam's wider transport system, so the practical advice below follows how visitors actually move around the country: a mix of ride-hailing apps, tourist-friendly buses and trains, motorbike rentals, and a growing metro network in the largest cities. The notes here are drawn from Vietnam Tourism's transport guidance and cover the modes you are most likely to use.
Ride-Hailing: The Default for Short Trips
Grab is the dominant ride-hailing app in Vietnam and the simplest way for a visitor to get around a city without negotiating fares. It offers GrabCar (standard cars), GrabBike (motorbike taxis), plus food and parcel services.
- The price is fixed and shown before you confirm, which removes the risk of taxi meter scams.
- You can pay in cash or by card.
- GrabBike is typically 40–60% cheaper than GrabCar, making it a good option for solo travellers.
- You will need a local SIM or a foreign phone number, so registering before you arrive is recommended.
Taxis
Metered taxis remain available, and in places where ride-hailing is limited — Phu Quoc is the clearest example — hotel transfers or metered taxis are the practical choice. At airports, avoid unofficial taxi touts and use a reputable operator or a pre-booked transfer instead.
Buses and Tourist Transport
Vietnam has a well-developed bus network aimed at both locals and travellers, and it is often the cheapest way to cover long distances.
- Open buses (tourist): air-conditioned services running the classic Hanoi–Hue–Hoi An–Nha Trang–HCMC route, sold either as a pass or as individual legs.
- Sleeper buses: reclining pods with air-conditioning and a blanket, useful for overnight journeys.
- Limousine vans: 9- or 16-seat vehicles, some offering door-to-door service; popular on the Da Nang–Hoi An–Hue corridor.
- Local government buses: cheaper but slower, with limited luggage space.
Book through platforms such as Baolau.com or Vexere.com, which let you compare and reserve seats in advance.
Trains
The railway is a comfortable and scenic option for longer journeys. The Reunification Express (Tàu Thống Nhất) runs the length of the country between Hanoi and HCMC with multiple stops along the way.
- Classes: hard seat, soft seat (fine for shorter daytime hops), hard sleeper (six-berth), and soft sleeper (four-berth, the most popular choice for overnight travel).
- Notable segments: the Da Nang–Hue stretch is a scenic coastal route, and overnight services connect Hanoi with Hue and with Sapa via Lao Cai.
- Booking: use dsvn.vn (Vietnam Railways) or 12go.asia, and book soft sleepers one to two weeks ahead in peak periods.
Metro and Trams
Urban rail is a newer addition to Vietnam's transport mix. In HCMC, Metro Line 1 connects Ben Thanh with Suoi Tien, and an airport extension is planned. Elsewhere, visitors should expect to rely on buses, taxis and ride-hailing rather than metro or tram services.
Motorbike Rental
Renting a motorbike gives you the most freedom, and it is a popular way to explore both cities and the countryside.
- Semi-automatic, automatic and manual bikes are all widely available.
- An International Driving Permit with a motorcycle endorsement is technically required, though enforcement varies.
- Helmets are mandatory.
- Well-known routes include the Hai Van Pass between Da Nang and Hue, the Ha Giang Loop in the north, and the inland Ho Chi Minh Trail for long-distance riders.
- Guided "Easy Rider" tours are available from Hue and Da Lat if you would rather ride pillion.
Walkability
Walking works well for short hops within a neighbourhood or old quarter, but it is rarely the best way to cross a city. Traffic, heat and distance mean most visitors combine walking with Grab, taxis or buses for anything beyond a few blocks.
Getting In From the Airport
Airport transfers vary by city, and the options below reflect the main gateways serving Vietnam.
- Hanoi Noi Bai (HAN): Grab to the Old Quarter takes around 45 minutes; a public bus (route 86) is the cheapest option but runs infrequently; shuttle services run to the Hoan Kiem Lake area.
- HCMC Tan Son Nhat (SGN): Grab to District 1 is quick and inexpensive; avoid unofficial taxi touts; Metro Line 1 (Ben Thanh–Suoi Tien) is now open, with an airport extension planned.
- Da Nang (DAD): the airport is close to the city centre, so a Grab is cheap; Hoi An is further south and there is no direct public bus, so use a Grab, taxi or pre-booked transfer.
- Phu Quoc (PQC): Grab availability is limited, so arrange a hotel transfer or use a metered taxi.
Practical Tips
- Pick up a local SIM at the airport or a convenience store — it makes Grab and map apps far easier to use.
- For long north–south journeys, flying is much faster than the train, while the train and sleeper buses are the better choices if you want to see the country along the way.
- Book popular train sleepers and tourist buses ahead through the platforms mentioned above, especially in peak season.