By air
Flights take approximately 2 hours to Ho Chi Minh City, 1h30 to Da Nang, 1h30 to Hue, 1h40 to Nha Trang, 1h40 to Da Lat.
Vietnam Airlines, the national carrier, has daily flights between Ho Chi Minh City, Ha Noi, Da Nang, Hue, and Nha Trang. Regular flights are also provided between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Da Lat, Buon Ma Thuot, Hai Phong, Na San, Phu Quoc, Qui Nhon, Pleiku, and Vinh. Pacific Airlines is another airline that offers domestic flights between major cities.

Helicopters
You can fly from Ha Noi to Ha Long, 1 flight/week on Saturdays. Tickets can be purchased at Northern Flight Services Company, Gia Lam Airport, Long Bien District. Helicopters can also be chartered. Tel: 04 3 877 14 10.

By road
Traffic drives on the right in Vietnam. There is a reasonable road network, but because of the inconsistent condition of the roads, combined with the "creative" driving techniques, journeys by road can take a considerably longer time than in other parts of the world.

Bus
There are many bus options avilable, from the official city bus companies to independent operator running regular routes using A/C vihicles: Sinh Café, Kim Café, mai Linh etc. A very
cheap alternative to car rental and flights.

• Gia Lam Bus Station: Nguyen Van Cu Road, Long Bien Dist. Tel: 04 3 827 15 29, to Hai Phong, Halong and other Northern provinces.
• Luong Yen Bus Station: Luong Yen Road, Hai Ba Trung Dist. Tel: 04 3 987 72 25, to Hai Phong, Cat Ba island, Lang Son and bunk bed buses to Ho Chi Minh City.
• My Dinh Bus Station: My Dinh Commune, Tu Liem Dist. Tel: 04 3768 55 49, to Northern provinces.
• Giap Bat Bus Station: 6 Giai Phong, Hoang Mai Dist. Tel: 04 3 864 14 67, local buses to Southern provinces.
  

Cyclos, rickshaws
They are all the same vehicle: the driver sit on his bicycle behind the nacelle, while the passenger sits in the front. Cyclos tend to disappear from the urban landscape, progressively replaced by the motorbikers (xe om), but can still be hired to explore the heart of the city. We don't advise them for longer journeys, due to the intense traffic. Cyclo journeys should cost around 30,000 VND and hour. Agree on the price before you depart.


Motorbike rental
You can rent a motorbike, (try a Minsk for the fun!), or a bicycle along Dinh Liet or Hang Bac street, Hoan Kiem Dist, starting from 60,000 VND and you will need to show your passsport. Make sure your vehicle is equipped with helmetts as it is compulsory since 15th Dec 2007.

Public Transport
The public bus system (red and yellow colour) is somehow puzzling but offters the lowest fare rate of all. There are around50 bus routes operated by Hanoi Transerco. Check with our Travel advisers.

Taxis
Ther are many taxi companies in Hanoi, however it is safer to usemain companies such as Taxi CP 9Tel: 04 3 8 26 26 26) or Mai Linh (Tel: 04 3 822 26 66). make sure you have the address written down, as most drives won't speak English. For your own comfort, do avoid smaller, unmarked taxis. Always make sure the meter is on before starting.

Train
For the more adventurous, trains offer an interesting alternative, especially overnight train in a soft sleeper, but only if you have time to spare. Vietnam's Reunification Express runs the entire coast between Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City, with stops along the way in Hue, Da Nang and Nha Trang. It takes a minimum of 32 hours to reach Ho Chi Minh City. A new deluxe train company is now operating between Phan Thiet/Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh City. Train is also the best way to go from Ha Noi to Sapa, at night or during the day, with arange of compartments from economy to deluxe.
Hanoi Railway Station (Ga hang Co) 118 Le Duan, Hoan Kiem Dist. tel: 04 3 822 23 47. The entrance for Northern provinces is on Tran Quy Cap Street, Hoan Kiem Dist. tel: 04 3 942 34 33. Check out the timetable with our Travel Advisers. The ticket Office is open from 7h15 to 11h00am & from 1h00 to - 3h00pm, with separated counter for foreigners.
Tickets can be purchased at the train station or - more convenicently - at most travel agencies.

Xe Om
The "xe om" or "Honda om" is a moto-taxi: you hire a motorbike and its driver for a short drive, or by the hour or the day. Before hopping on the bike it is best agree on the price of the ride. A xe om trip will cost from 10.000VND/km, depending on the distance. it is probaly the quickest way to reach one's destination, but considering the traffic chaos in the city, this should be experrienced only by the strong-hearted travelers! Wearing a helmet is now compulsory, and your driver will provide the equipment.

By river
Discover the Red River Delta by boat, departing at 7:30am and returning at 4:30pm, with stops en route to visit pagodas and handicraft villages. Contact "Cong ty Du lich Song Hong", 42 Chuong Duong Do, Hoan Kiem Dist. tel: 04 3 826 14 79. Ticket price: 190,000 - 400,000 VND.

Hydrofoil service from Hai Phong, Binh Mooring stage, Tel: 031 37 47 288 to Cat Ba island and Mong Cai border province and from Ha Long (Hon Gai Port, Tel:033 3 825 187 to Cat Ba and Mong Cai)