Tips Travel Local Transports Service From Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport is Vietnam’s major domestic aviation hub. If a city in Vietnam has an airport, chances are there’s a flight to HCMC. Domestic routes are serviced by Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air and/or Jetstar Pacific.

We are a local transports agents in Ho Chi Minh Vietnam since 2007, so we would like to share for you the best experience tips local transports from Ho Chi Minh City Viertnam.

By Air.

Destinations include: Buon Ma Thuot, Ca Mau, Con Dao, Da Lat, Da Nang, Dong Hoi, Hai Phong, Hanoi, Hue, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, Pleiku, Qui Nhon, Rach Gia, Thanh Hoa, Tuy Hoa and Vinh.

Tan Son Nhat  international airport is also the country’s international gateway, with direct flights from Southeast Asia, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Australia. It’s just a 5-10 minute on walk between the international and domestic terminal.

Tan Son Nhat airport is located right in the city, on Truong Son Street, Ward 2, Tan Binh District , Ho Chi Minh City just about 7 km northwest of the city centre and backpacker neighbourhood Pham Ngu Lao. During lighter traffic, the journey to the city centre can be as quick as 20 minutes. 

The airport is well serviced by taxis and a trip to District 1 will cost around 7$USD= 150,000  ( sedan 4 seat ) to 8,5$USD =180,000 dong SUVs 7 seat When exiting the international terminal, ignore the booths inside the building offering taxi or limousine services. Head outside and to the left there is an informal taxi queue where uniformed company reps will try to whisk you into their company car rental with driver in Ho Chi Minh ( https://vietnambudgetcartransfers.com/), but know that you can choose whatever taxi company you like. 

At the risk of being overly cautious, there are only two meter taxi you should use: green Mai Linh, and white with red and green Vinasun Taxi. Check the branding before getting in as other taxis will use similar colours or logos. If you feel the melee is too intense or can’t locate a Mai Linh or Vinasun Taxi, head upstairs to the departures terminal and get one from there.

When taking a taxi to the airport, passengers pay the 10,000 dong entrance fee. but you may contact with this taxi company service without the taxi toll gate (https://www.vietnamtrustcarrental.com/) 

Grab and Uber transportation apps are undercutting traditional meter taxis and motorbike taxis. It’s as much as 50% cheaper, with a fare between the centre and airport around 70,000 dong. Obviously, the regular taxis are not happy and there have been a few skirmishes between the clans near transport hubs. So far these have been isolated incidences but if you choose to use the app, it’s wise not to flaunt your choice to the taxi guys.

Taking a xe om is only advisable if you have a small backpack or luggage. To find them, leave the airport and walk to where they hang out, a five minute walk away. The trip should cost no more than 50,000-75,000 dong.

Bus is the cheapest way and there are several options. It’s best to get the bus from the international terminal as they are far more frequent; again, it’s a 5-10 minute walk from domestic to international. The bus route ends at Cong Vieng 23/9 (23/9 Park) station, conveniently located on Pham Ngu Lao across from the backpacker area.

https://www.vietnambudgetcarrental.com/shuttle-bus-ho-chi-minh-airport-transfer-to-city-center.html

Bus #49 airport shuttle bus goes direct from the airport to Cong Vieng 23/9 without stops. From airport to city, the bus departs every 20-30 minutes from 05:00-02:00. From city to airport, the bus departs every 20-30 minutes from 05:00-23:00. The trip costs 40,000 dong and takes 30 minutes.

Bus #109 departs every 15-30 minutes from 05:45-01:30, making frequent stops along the way including Ham Nghi St station (which replaces the nearby Ben Thanh market station, closed as of 2017 due to metro construction). This costs 20,000 dong and takes 45-60 minutes.

Bus #152 is a slow, old bus that departs around every 30 minutes from 06:00-18:00, making frequent stops along the way including Ham Nghi St station. this costs 6,000 dong and takes 60 minutes.

By Train
Saigon train station or Ga Sai Gon is tucked away in District 3 at No1 Nguyen Thong Street., District 3, HCMc.

Tickets can be purchased from the station itself or for a couple of dollars more from the travel agents in Pham Ngu Lao. It's best to book in advance, especially if travelling on the weekend or holidays. Book months in advance if travelling during Tet. 

Stops on the Reunification Express HCMC-Hanoi line include Phan Thiet, Nha Trang, Da Nang, Hue and Dong Hoi. Price depends on the type of train (express/slow) and the type of berth (soft-berth air-con with 4 beds/berth; hard-berth air-con with 6 beds/berth; soft seat air-con; hard seat air-con; hard seat fan) and bottom or top bunk. Sample of approximate times and costs are as follows:

Saigon to Nha Trang: soft berth 498,000 dong, takes 7.5 hrs
Saigon to Da Nang (for Hoi An): soft berth 823,000 dong, takes 17 hrs 
Saigon to Hanoi: soft berth 1,355,000 dong, takes 35 hrs

By Bus
Ho Chi Minh City has two main bus stations, both located in the outskirts of the city. Their distance from the city centre and traffic congestion make a good case for trying to avoid them altogether by opting for one of the major bus companies or “open tour” that operate and depart from Pham Ngu Lao. Otherwise, factor in the time getting to and from the station. Motorbike would be the fastest way.

Bus companies from Pham Ngu Lao include, but are not limited to The Sinh Tourist, Hanh Cafe, Phuong Trang, Tam Hanh and Kumho. Tockets can be purchased direct from the operator or online.

The Sinh Tourist; 246-248 De Tham St, District 1; T: (08) 28 3838 9597; https://www.thesinhtourist.vn/

Daily departures to Mui Ne, Nha Trang, Da Lat, Can Tho and Rach Gia. Departures to Hoi An are via Nha Trang. Passengers alight at their office (not the bus station), often conveniently located in the destination’s tourist centre. There are also frequent departures by sitting bus to Phnom Penh and one departure a day to Siem Reap and Sihanoukville.

Saigon Bus Stations
Note: if you are taking a bus to Ho Chi Minh City, schedules often refer to the name of the station. For example, “BX Mien Dong” or “BX Mien Tay” rather than “Ho Chi Minh City”.

Mien Dong bus station (ben xe Mien Dong, BX Mien Dong) is the busiest bus station in Vietnam. Also known as the Eastern bus station, it’s located on the eastern side of the city in Binh Thanh District, about 8 km northeast of Ben Thanh Market and backpacker street Pham Ngu Lao. Completion of the new Mien Dong station is expected in early 2018. The 16-hectare station will be located even further out, in District 9 and Binh Duong Province. Check on the latest situation when on the ground.

Ben xe Mien Dong services all destinations north and east of the city including the Central Highlands, Phan Thiet (Mui Ne) and Nha Trang. Every bus company, big or small, has a ticket booth and the choice can be overwhelming. One destination may have more than a dozen different bus options, varying in price, quality and service. If you’re headed to a popular destination, the station has such high volume that you can turn up and there’s a good chance you’ll find a bus scheduled to leave within an hour. Departures run regularly right up until midnight. Popular destinations have 24/7 service.

However, it does pay to be discriminating in your choice. The major bus companies like Phuong Trang, Mai Linh and Kumho tend to be more reliable and straightforward, leaving frequently, are more likely to leave on time and less likely to stop every five minutes to pick up passengers en route. Your seat is yours alone. Ask a guesthouse or a travel agent and they may know of which is the current “best bus to Da Lat”, keeping in mind that they may try to steer you to a company they can make commission on. 

Phuong Trang (Hotline: 1 900 6067; at BX Mien Dong T: (083) 511 9809; https://futabus.vn/en-US) is a dominant nationwide carrier. It’s dogged by chatter of bad drivers and shifty government connections, but its network is extensive with frequent departures and they are large enough that they can increase service on the weekends. They have daily departures to Chau Doc, Can Tho, Ca Mau, Da Lat, Mui Ne, Nha Trang, Qui Nhon, Da Nang, Rach Gia and Ha Tien. We haven’t had a terrible experience yet, and the whole experience is status quo when it comes to bus travel in Vietnam, if not better. They also have an office in Pham Ngu Lao at 272 De Tham St, District 1.

A perk to booking Phuong Trang: for most destinations, the ticket includes free pick-up and transfer to the station, as well as free shuttle from the station to your hotel upon arrival. Large cities are the exception. For example, in Ho Chi Minh City the free shuttle will take you as far as their office/depot in District 1.

When arriving to your destination, ask the staff or follow the other passengers towards the branded Phuong Trang minivans. Taxis know that foreigners are usually unaware about the shuttle bus and try to snag you as you exit the bus.

Sample times and prices from Ho Chi Minh City:
Da Lat: departs every hour from 05:00-02:00. Costs 210,000 dong and takes 8 hours.
Da Nang: departs at 10:30, 13:00, 14:30, 16:30, 18:30. Costs 355,000 dong and takes 23 hours.
Mui Ne: departs every hour from 06:30-23:30. Costs 130,000 dong and takes 6 hours.
Nha Trang: departs at 08:00, 09:00, 10:30, 20:30, 21:30, 22:30. Costs 210,000 dong and takes 12 hours.

Qui Nhon: departs at 18:00, 19:00, 20:00. Costs 245,000 dong and takes 14 hours.
Tuy Hoa: departs at 18:15, 18:45, 20:40. Costs 230,000 dong and takes 12 hours.
Vung Tau: departs every hour from 06:00-19:30. Costs 95,000 dong and takes 2.5 hours.

Mai Linh
Buon Ma Thuot: departs at 21:00, 22:00, 22:30. Costs 215,000 dong and takes 7.5 hours.
Hanoi: departs at 09:00, 15:00. Costs 870,000 dong and takes 36 hours.

Hoa Mai
Ba Ria: departs every 15-20 minutes from 04:00-19:30. Costs 85,000 dong.
Vung Tau: departs every 15-20 minutes from 04:00-19:30. Costs 90,000 dong and takes 3 hours.

If you are not family with the local taxi in Ho Chi Minh, please contact with this agents for a private taxi to Vung tau with basic English speaking driver ( https://vietnambudgetcartransfers.com/rent-a-car-with-english-speaking-driver-ho-chi-minh-city/taxi-ho-chi-minh-airport-transfers-to-vung-tau).

Thanh Buoi
Da Lat: departs at 08:00, 11:00. Costs 230,000 dong and takes 7.5 hours.

Kumho
Buon Ma Thuot (Dak Lak): departs at 09:00, 14:00, 20:30, 21:00, 21:30, 22:30. Costs 240,000 dong and takes 7.5 hours.
Phan Thiet: departs at 07:00, 08:30, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00. Costs 135,000 dong and takes 4 hours.
Vung Tau: departs every 15-20 minutes from 04:30-19:30. Costs 90,000 dong and takes 3 hours.

Other destinations, sample departures and prices.
Kon Tum: departs at 17:00, 18:00. Costs 230,000 dong and takes 13 hours.
Pleiku (Gia Lai): departs at 18:00. Costs 240,000 dong and takes 11 hours.

Mien Tay bus station (ben xe Minh Tay, BX Minh Tay), also known as the Western bus station, is located in Binh Tan District, 10 km west of Pham Ngu Lao and the city centre. In 2017, crews began clearing a site for a new station. Minh Tay will eventually be moved further out, to Binh Chanh District.

Mien Tay services all destinations south of Ho Chi Minh City, essentially all of the Mekong Delta. While not as intense as Mien Dong, it is still extremely busy, with all the major companies and a slew of smaller ones. For popular destinations, show up in daylight hours and there’s a good chance of departure within an hour. For less common destinations, the bus departs when there’s enough passengers to warrant it. As is the case with Mien Dong station, it pays to be discriminating when choosing the company.

Phuong Trang has hourly departures to the Mekong Delta.
Ben Tre: departs 06:00, 08:15, 13:00, 16:00. Costs 80,000 dong.
Can Tho: departs every 30-60 minutes 00:00-23:00. Costs 110,000 dong and takes 4 hours.
Chau Doc: departs every 30-60 minutes from 05:00-01:00. Costs 140,000 dong and takes 6 hours.
Ha Tien: departs at 08:50, 09:30, 10:30, 11:30, 20:30, 21:30, 21:45, 22:30, 23:05. Costs 165,000 dong and takes 8 hours.
Rach Gia: departs every 30-60 minutes 04:15-01:45. Costs 145,000 dong and takes 6 hours.

Mai Linh bus departs at 08:00, 10:00, 12:00, 20:00, 22:00 with the service to Vinh Long costing 85,000 dong and takeing 3 hours; Can Tho costs 95,000 dong and takes 4 hours; Bac Lieu costs 145,000 dong and takes 6 hours; Ca Mau costs 180,000 dong and takes 8 hours. 

Thanh Buoi bus to Can Tho: departs every 30 minutes from 06:00-19:00, every hour from 19:00-06:00. Costs 110,000 dong and takes 4 hours. Service increases to departures every 30 minutes 24 hours on weekends.

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