{"id":82690,"date":"2020-09-29T14:17:25","date_gmt":"2020-09-29T14:17:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/staging.expatinfodesk.com\/?page_id=82690"},"modified":"2023-01-30T12:58:49","modified_gmt":"2023-01-30T12:58:49","slug":"transport","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.expatinfodesk.com\/destinations\/hanoi\/transport\/","title":{"rendered":"Transport Options in Hanoi"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Transport Options in Hanoi for Global Nomads<\/h2>\n

You\u2019ll be forgiven if, at first glance, you conclude that Hanoi traffic is insane. Swarms of motorbikes slalom down boulevards and clot intersections. Cars navigate spaces not much wider than they are, and buses muscle through as if their drivers were trained on bumper car tracks. Horns blare constantly, as if adding noise to the equation will somehow speed things up. Traffic regulations are more like vague suggestions than firm laws\u2014a red light, for example, seems to mean to some drivers, \u201cBe careful as you speed through this intersection,\u201d rather than \u201cStop!\u201d It\u2019s a vehicular chaos that can be shocking when first encountered, and you may never get used to it, but as time goes by you\u2019ll learn how to get from place to place as comfortably and efficiently as possible.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s no subway or elevated train system in Hanoi\u2014the only public transportation<\/a> is buses. These can be extremely crowded and slow. Other options are faster and less stressful without being prohibitively expensively.<\/p>\n

Vietnam is a \u201cmotorbike kingdom.\u201d With small, crooked alleyways and high population density, a motorcycle or scooter is often the best way to get around. Locals carry everything from refrigerators and plasma TVs to live chickens and huge baskets of vegetables on motorbikes, and often you\u2019ll see a whole family of five putting down the road on a motor scooter. Many expats get motorbikes of their own. This is the option of greatest freedom and flexibility, though of course it carries its own stresses and dangers.<\/p>\n

\u201cXe om\u201d (pronounced \u201csay-ohm\u201d) is the local word for motorbike taxis. At every corner a handful of men recline on their motorbikes, waiting and hoping to spirit you across town for a small fee. This is a fast and reliable option, as the drivers know the town and the best way to get where you\u2019re going, and you can get almost anywhere for $2-3.<\/p>\n

Some expats refuse to take part in the motorcycle mayhem of Hanoi, finding it too dangerous or unpleasant. (The noise and air pollution can be overwhelming.) Taxis are plentiful and inexpensive in Hanoi, and provide a barrier against the unpleasant aspects of the traffic. However, keep in mind that at peak hours (7 \u2013 9 a.m. and 4 \u2013 7 p.m.) the city becomes so jammed with motorbikes, cars and buses that it can take literally hours to travel even a short distance by car.<\/p>\n

It doesn\u2019t make any sense to own a car if you\u2019re living in the center of Hanoi, but it may be useful in an outlying district such as West Lake. Most expats who own cars do not drive in Hanoi, due to difficult driving conditions and the low cost of hiring a driver. A local driver will save you lots of time and, more importantly, stress.<\/p>\n

While the price of flights from Europe and America has increased in recent years (about $1000 for economy class, $2000 for business), regional carriers have introduced cheap fares to destinations in Vietnam and neighboring countries. Flights to Saigon or Bangkok can be as low as $100 return, depending on the season and day of travel.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″ el_class=”city-side-bar”][vc_row_inner el_class=”sidebar-section-one”][vc_column_inner][vc_custom_heading text=”Top Tips” font_container=”tag:h4|font_size:24|text_align:left|color:%23ffffff” google_fonts=”font_family:Open%20Sans%3A300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_separator color=”#ffffff” type=”full_width” thickness=”1″ up=”” down=””][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
01<\/td>\nThough there are many shopping options in Hanoi, you may find that the style or size you need is unavailable. Large western sizes can be very elusive!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
02<\/td>\nLearning Vietnamese offers an important window onto Hanoi society and culture & helps at all levels of social interaction and day-to-day convenien<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
03<\/td>\nGET OUT OF TOWN! just a weekend away can work restorative miracles. Don\u2019t wait till you feel run down\u2014plan excursions in advance and keep<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
04<\/td>\nMail delivery from overseas is not always reliable, so try to think in advance of any books, CDs, or software you may need in Vietnam.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
05<\/td>\nSet up online banking before you leave, and be sure to notify your bank you\u2019ll be using your ATM card in Vietnam\u2014otherwise they may think<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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