Vietnam´s official travel and tourism guide

TRANSPORTATION

How to get to Viet Nam?

AIR
Direct flights to Viet Nam
There are two ways to approach to Viet Nam, either take a direct flight from one's home country, or make a trip to Bangkok and get visa and air ticket arrangements from there. Here are direct flights to Viet Nam:

1. From Bangkok to Noi BarftHa Noi), Da Nang (Da Nang), Tan Son Nhat (Ho Chi Minn City).
2. From Hong Kong, Siem Riep, Taipei and Singapore to Da Nang City by Viet Nam Airlines, PB Air, Siem Riep Air way, Far Transportation and Sil Airway.
3. From San Francisco-Ho Chi Minh City (via Hong Kong) by United Airlines
4. From Cao Hung (Taipei) to Ho Chi Minh City by Mandarin Airlines
5. From Shanghai Airlines to Ho Chi Minh City by Shanghai Airlines
6. From Jakarta - Singapore - Sai Gon by Garuda Airlines (Indonesia)
7. From Luang Prabang - Ha Noi by Viet Nam Airlines
8. From Paris to Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City by Viet Nam Airlines

International Airports
There are four international airports in Viet Nam: Noi Bai (Ha Noi), Phu Bai (Hue), Da Nang (Da Nang), Tan Son Nhat (Ho Chi Minh City). In each airport, the tax for international flights is including in the ticket (children under 2 are exempted).
Flights are available to Bangkok, Singapore, Paris, Hong Kong, Seoul, Sydney, Berlin, Jakarta, Manila, Taipei, Guangzhou, Vientiane, Amsterdam, Moscow, Frankfurt, Kuala Lumpur, Los Angeles, Melbourne, Dubai, Osaka, Kaohsiung, and Phnom Penh.
Noi Bai Airport is about 35km from the north of the Ha Noi City. There are Viet Nam Airlines minibuses, bus, and Airport Taxi going there. Viet Nam Airlines Office is at 1 Quang Trung Street.
Phu Bai Arport is 14km from the centre of Hue City
Da Nang Airport is close to the centre of the city.
Tan Son Nhat Airport is 15km from the centre of the Ho Chi Minh City.

LAND
Over Land Routes to Viet Nam
It is now possible to enter Viet Nam overland from either Cambodia, Laos, or China.
From Laos:There are now several border crossings, including: Tay Trang, 31km from Dien Bien Phu City; Na Meo, 213km from Thanh Hoa City; Nam Can 250km from Vinh City; Keo Nua, 100km west of Ha Tinh City; Cha Lo, 160km from Dong Hoi City; Lao Bao, some 80km south-west of Dong Ha; Po Y (Kon Turn).
From Cambodia:Border crossings: Hoa Lu (Binh Phuoc), Moc Bai, Sa Mat (Tay Ninh), Dinh Ba (Dong Thap), Tinh Bien (An Giang), Ha Tien (Kien Giang), and Le Thanh (Gia Lai).
Vinh Xuong Waterway Border Gate is 30km north of Chau Doc Town, An Giang Province (It takes 40 minutes from the wharf at Victoria Chau Doc Hotel to Vinh Xuong Border Gate by motor-boat).
From China:The Beijing-Hanoi train enters Viet Nam at Dong Dang, north of Lang Son, at the border crossing known as Huu Nghi Quan (Friendship). Lao Cai Border Gate (Lao Cai Province) and Mong Cai Border Gate (Quang Ninh Province) are open to foot traffic.

SEA
There are several marine routes to international ports in Viet Nam: Hon Gai, Hai Phong, Chan May, Da Nang, Qui Nhon, Nha Trang, Vung Tau, Sai Gon, Con Dao and Phu Quoc Ports. Among them Sai Gon and Da Nang Ports welcome a lot of tourists.
There are some boats linking Asian countries with Ha Long and Da Nang ports.

LEAVING VIET NAM
From Viet Nam, tourists can travel to other Asian countries. Obtaining visas to these countries is quick and convenient. Tourists should contact travel agencies in Viet Nam.

Getting Around
Visitors can travel to various provinces, cities, and towns by air, car, train, or boat. Domestic flights are available everyday. The train from Ho Chi Minh City to Ha Noi stops at various stations along the way and provides an exciting and unforgettable trip. Air-condi­tioned express trains take 30, 33, and 39 hours to complete the trip.
Taxis, motorcycles, and bicycles can be easily hired. Cyclo, a three-wheeled vehicle, is perfect for those who wish to move slowly and enjoy a city tour.

AIR
Vietnam Airlines serves domestic and international flights.
Domestic flight
There are Vietnam Airlines booking offices in all most towns and cities. Pacific Airlines, a Taiwan-based airline, also offers a limited range of internal flights.
Domestic airports: Gia Lam (Ha Noi), Cat Bi (Hai Phong), Dien Bien Phu (Dien Bien), Na San (Son La), Vinh (NgheAn), Phu Bai (Hue), Chu Lai (Quang Nam), Pleiku (Gia Lai), Phu Cat (Binh Dinh), Tuy Hoa (Phu Yen), Cam Ranh (Khanh Hoa), Buon Ma Thuot (Dak Lak), Lien Khuong (Da Lat), Con Son (Ba Ria - Vung Tau), Tra Noc (Can Tho), Phu Quoc, Rach Gia (Kien Giang), Ca Mau (Ca Mau).
From Ha Noi: There are daily flights and return to Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, Da Nang, and Nha Trang.
Northern Airport Flight Service Company (Tel: 852 3451) has flights from Ha Noi to Ha Long Bay by helicopter. There is a flight on Saturdays at 8 am, departing from Gia Lam Airport.
From Ho Chi Minh City: There are daily flights and return to Ha Noi and Da Nang. There are also return flights to Hai Phong, Hue, Qui Nhon, Nha Trang, Da Lat, Buon Ma Thuot, Pleiku, and Phu Quoc.

TRAIN
A railway line links Ha Noi with Ho Chi Minh City, passing through many towns and cities worth visiting, including Hue, Da Nang and Nha Trang. The train offers a very comfortable way to travel.

Ha Noi
Train to the Southern Provinces:
Ha Noi Railway Station
120 Le Duan St., Ha Noi
Tel: (84-4) 942 3697, 942 3949

Every day, there are express trains from Ha Noi to Ho Chi Minh City, passing through other Southern localities and may stopover j with few points, with trips of 30, 33, and 39 |  hours. These trains have hard seats, soft •  seats, six - bed compartments, four-bed com­partments (air-con).
For sleeping berths, travellers may book ! ticket several days before the trip. Do not for­get to bring your passport when buying train ticket. Otherwise, may hotels and travel agencies have a ticket reservation.
There are also local trains departing from Ha Noi to Nam Dinh, Thanh Hoa, Vinh.

Train to the Northern provinces:
Tran Qui Cap Station
Tran Qui Cap St., Ha Noi
There are several return trains from Ha Noi to Hai Phong, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Thai Nguyen, Quang Ninh.
There are 2 express-trains to China and return:

1. Ha Noi - Lang Son (Friendship Border Gate) to Beijing   (Train M1: Tuesday and Friday every week)
2. Beijing - Lang Son - Ha Noi (Train T5: Thursday and Sunday every week)

Ho Chi Minh City
Sai Gon Railway Station
1 Nguyen Thong St., Tel: (84-8) 844 3952
There are daily express trains from Ho Chi Minh City to Ha Noi and several local trains from Ho Chi Minh City to Nha Trang, Qui Nhon, Da Nang, Hue, etc.

BUS
There are various kinds of express-coaches that transport passengers in the cities and provinces.
Ha Noi
•  Southern Bus Station:
225 Giai Phong St., Tel: 864 1467

1. My Dinh Bus Station: close to My Dinh National Stadium, approximately 15km from the centre of Ha Noi.
2. Gia Lam Bus Station: Nguyen Van Cu St., Tel: 827 1529.

•  Luong Yen Bus Station: Nguyen Khoai Road, Hai Ba Trung District, Ha Noi.
Ho Chi Minh City

1. West Bus Station (Ben Xe khach Mien Tay), 137 Hung Vuong St., Binh Chanh Dist. Tel.: 877 6593.
2. East Bus Station (Ben Xe khach Mien Dong), 292 Dinh Bo Linn St., Binh Thanh Dist. Tel: 898 4893.

CAR
Cars for rent with driver are available at travel agencies. They offer four to eight seat cars with drivers. It is easy for service in big cities.

BOAT
Visitors can travel by sea to the big harbours, such as Ha Long, Da Nang, Nha Trang, and Ho Chi Minh City, etc. From Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City, there are cruises to several provinces.
Ferries sail year round to the three major islands located off the coast of Viet Nam, including Phu Quoc, Cat Ba and Con Dao. In addition, a ferry runs from Hai Phong to Ha Long City, and there is a hydrofoil service between Ho Chi Minh City and Vung Tau. You will encounter passenger services in the Mekong Delta, where river ferries haul from bank to bank of the various strands of the Mekong from morning to night

OTHER MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION
Taxi service is available in the big cities and provinces.
Cyclo available all day (and night) and very popular in Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City, D; Nang, Hue, and Hai Phong.
Motorbike Taxi faster and no more expensive than a cycio (available at any time o day).
Bicycle Cycling is perhaps the best way t( sightsee around towns.
Motorbikes for rent are available in most towns and cities regularly frequented b; tourists. Puttering around on a motorbike can be a most enjoyable and time-efficien method of sightseeing.

REASONABLE TIME FOR TRAVEL
In the North, the climate is divided into four seasons: Spring, summer, autumn, am winter, so it influences to the tourism activities. Period from October to April ii suitable for travel and enjoy festivals because 70% festivals are organizing in spring. The lunar New Year festival (Tet) in Ha Noi allow: tourists to enjoy the bustling atmosphere at food vendors and flower markets. Tourist visiting Viet Nam from November to April an advised to bring warm clothes. May t October is suitable for those who like swimming and sunbathing, or mountaineering.
In the South, the temperature is war throughout the year, so tourism activities can operate all year round. The period from April to October the average temperature approximately 27°C (80.6°F), sometimes it rain. There are cultural, ecological and aquatic tours available in the Southern provinces.
There are cultural, ecological and aquatic tours available in the Southern provinces