Vietnam By Car, Motorbike, Or Bicycle

Individual means of transportation in Vietnam are a popular but undeniably risky options, particularly in big cities. The streets are overcrowded and drivers typically take little heed of transportation rules that barely exist. Road conditions outside of cities and sometimes in the cities themselves are not very reliable, and roads in rural areas are especially dangerous. However you chose to get around within the cities and between cities and towns, be extremely cautious. Always demand to use a helmet if you ride on a motorcycle or even a bicycle; your driver may refuse initially to get you one, but it pays to be insistent (see “Promote Helmets, Prevent Death,”). Consider bringing one with you or buying one there.

Settle on prices for transportation before you hop on for a ride, unless there is a visibly functioning meter. Never pay until you reach your destination. Bring a notebook and pen to write down the agreed price (in plain view of your driver).

The only option if you wish to travel by car is to rent a car and a driver for US$30-50 per day, as foreigners are prohibited from renting cars themselves in Vietnam. International Driving Permits (IDP) are not valid. If you wish to drive, you must obtain a Vietnamese driver’s license by calling the Vietnamese Road Administration in Hà Nÿi (☎4 857 1444; www.vra.gov.vn). This, of course, applies only to those people who will be spending a long period of time in Vietnam.

Taxis are also an option in the big cities, but this is one of the most expensive ways to travel in Vietnam. Prices depend on the city—check the essentials information section at the beginning of the city chapters. Make sure the driver turns on the meter; don’t get stuck haggling over prices after the drive.

By Motorbike

Motorbike taxis, or xe ®ms (“hugging bike”; the passenger hugs the driver to stay on), are an extremely popular means of transportation in Vietnam. They are also extremely dangerous, due to the blatant disregard for or ignorance of traffic laws and overcrowded streets, but are often your only option when you’re traveling outside of urban areas. Let’s Go strongly recommends using a helmet whenever you ride a xe ®m. Prices are negotiable—never accept the first price the driver gives you. Don’t pay until you’ve reached your destination, whether traveling around a city or long distances. Ask around to get an idea of reasonable prices between two locations or per km; 2000-3000 per km is a reasonable rate in cities, less for longer distances through the countryside. Renting a motorcycle (xe máy) for yourself will run about US$5-10 per day, but they can be very dangerous for inexperienced drivers. Rental shops abound; prioritize reputable over cheap, because cheap rentals frequently end up costing you more when the motorcycle breaks down or miraculously runs out of gas two blocks down the road.

By Bicycle

There are several different means of traveling by bicycle in Vietnam, as there are several different types of bicycle. In the cities, you can get carted around in a cyclo, a three-wheeled bicycle rickshaw with a driver in front, but it’s slower and more expensive than a xe ®m. As with any sort of transportation in Vietnam, be sure to bargain and settle on a price beforehand, and bring along a city map to avoid getting lost. The drivers typically know their way around, but communication can sometimes be difficult. Drivers who speak English tend to be a bit pricier than those who don’t. Prices run lower for cyclos than for taxis.

Regular bicycles are a popular means of transportation in the big cities. You can rent bikes in the cities, but be forewarned—Vietnamese traffic is not for the faint of heart. Western-style mountain bikes are becoming more popular means of transportation in Vietnam. A growing number of tourist agencies are offering tours of Vietnam by bike. There aren’t really specialty stores in Vietnam, so it is best to bring your own gear. Rentals in major cities run about US$1 per day.