I once saw a Rolls Royce ambling through the streets of Saigon as calmly as a seagull coasts on the winds buffeting the ocean . . . any day now a Ferrari is certain to appear in full dress regalia parading through the streets of Saigon . . . on the city streets of Vietnam anything can, and does, happen.
Cyclos
Known elsewhere as rickshaws or pedicabs, the cyclo's design slightly varies according to what part of the country on is in. These are a fixture in all major and minor cities in Vietnam. Cyclos should be booked through your tour company or through the doorman or concierge of your hotel. Any trip to Vietnam without riding a cyclo is a trip deprived.
"Xe Om"
This term literally means to "hug the motorbike." Xe Om drivers (motorbike taxis) peruse the streets in the cities and in the countryside looking for fares. An excellent and ready means of transportation only for the very brave hearted. How to hail a Xe Om: extend arm and hand directly outward; flutter your wrist as if waving goodbye to someone . . . this will hail the first available Xe Om . . . or perhaps even a mob of them.
Taxis
Perhaps the best taxi service in the world exists in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City; the taxis are new, reliable and economical. Always take a metered taxi. Some taxi companies:
Saigon
- M Taxi - 822-2666
- Mai Linh Taxi - 822-6699
- Vina Taxi - 811-1111
- Saigon Taxi - 424-242
Hanoi
- Duong Sat Taxi - 864-5645
- Hanoi Taxi - 535-353
- Mai Linh Taxi - 822-2666
- Taxi CP - 826-2626
City Buses None.
Cars and Vans
Late model Toyota, Honda, GM, Ford, Mercedes Benz cars and vans are available for hire (with driver) through your tour company or your hotel. Self-driven rental cars are not recommended for the rules of the road are entirely different from North America.
Bicycles Not recommended for Saigon but for the more calm and quaint streets of Hanoi they are strongly recommended. Bicycle rentals can be made through your tour company or through the concierge or front desk of your hotel.
Motorbikes Motorbikes are available for rent but are strongly not recommended. They are well worthy of watching for their amazing feats. A terrific book "Bikes of Burden" by Hans Kemp displays Vietnamese motorbike ingenuity at its very best. www.bikes-of-burden.com
Notes: You can email us at iZhelp@iZtrip.com for more Advice on travelling around in Vietnam. The service is free of charge.
Useful resources:
Vietnam : Planning a Trip : Getting Around | Frommers.com
Below is some advice and information about getting around on motorbikes in Vietnam, an increasingly popular option. ...
Getting Around in Vietnam
Vietnam is not an easy country to get around in. Public road transport can be a long and tiresome adventure. The problem can be attributed to the large ...
Vietnam Oasis - Getting Around in Vietnam
Getting Around Vietnam. This 2000 km-long country boasts all forms of transportation, but unless you've got lots of time, flying is the best way to go. ...
Vietnam :: Getting around
Getting around Vietnam. The open tour buses take in all the main tourist cities, are a good way to meet fellow travellers and are ridiculously cheap
|
FLIGHTS
