Best ways to get around Vietnam on a north to south trip — transport tips

A family of four used Grab for every trip throughout Vietnam, including airport transfers. Fares are shown upfront, cars are modern with A/C, and linking a payment card eliminates any haggling or meter anxiety.

The 15-hour overnight train from Ninh Binh to Da Nang in a private cabin booked through Lotus was comfortable and scenic — waking up to jungle and sea views. Trains ran on time, carriages were clean, shared bathrooms were fine, and a breakfast box with drinks was included. Cost less than flying the same route.

A Wise card let the family load currency at a favorable rate in advance and withdraw cash with minimal fees. It was also used directly for Grab payments. Surprisingly many Vietnamese businesses accept card payments without a surcharge.

VP Bank ATMs charge no withdrawal fee. TP Bank charges 50,000 VND for withdrawals up to 4.9 million VND. ATMs can run out of cash, so plan ahead and always keep a buffer rather than waiting until you're low.

For the Cu Chi Tunnels day trip from Ho Chi Minh City, taking a speedboat instead of a bus saves several hours of travel time. Bookable through Kim Travel on GetYourGuide.

Hotels in Hoi An and Ninh Binh offered complimentary bicycles — a practical way to reach the beach, Mua Cave, and Bich Dong Pagoda without extra cost. Works well for families.

At Hanoi airport, paid fast-pass immigration services are unnecessary — standard queues move efficiently without them and the extra cost is wasted.