How to get around Vietnam: routes, transport and guides

Vietnam is a long, narrow country, so moving well between destinations is half of a good trip. The good news: it’s very well connected, with an option for every style and budget.

For shorter legs, the train rules (including the legendary night train), along with the bus — daytime services or the overnight sleeper bus. For long hauls — from Hanoi to the center or the south — a domestic flight saves you hours. And for the deep north, it’s the motorbike (the Ha Giang loop) or a private transfer if you’re traveling as a family or want extra comfort.

Below you’ll find our guides to each route, with prices, journey times and the best option for every case.

Routes from Hanoi

The capital is the starting point of almost every trip through the north. These are the most searched-for connections:

Other popular routes

From the center to the south, the connections you’re most likely to need on your route:

Diego, author of Viajar por Vietnam

Diego

Vietnam as a second home since 2019

My relationship with Vietnam got off on the wrong foot in 2019, after catching dengue fever in Cambodia — but a second chance turned that indifference into absolute passion. Today I live in Ho Chi Minh City, exploring the country with the calm and depth I lacked on that first visit.

From my base in Vietnam, I use my on-the-ground experience to help other travelers discover the country through this blog, proving that second chances — and well-planned trips — can change your life.

That same drive to share the world also led me to found Aventúrate a Viajar, a travel agency where I design and coordinate small group trips across Vietnam and many other countries.