Vietnam Transport: How to Use the Open Bus Ticket in Vietnam

How the Open Bus ticket work in Vietnam?

One of the easiest ways to get around Vietnam is with the open bus ticket. This system has been popular with travellers for decades and continues to improve in efficiency and comfort. Operating between all the popular destinations between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh, the open bus ticket is the most affordable way to traverse the country.

The Vietnam open bus ticket system is simple: you buy one ticket at the start of your trip which allows you to hop between cities along Vietnam’s coast on your own schedule.  A bus timetable comes with your ticket, so you simply call your bus company and tell them you’d like to travel the next day to x location and give them your ticket number. The ticket lets you travel for up to a month.

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The Vietnam open bus route stops in the following cities and travels in both directions:

Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Phong Nha – Hue – Da Nang – Hoi An – Nha Trang – Da Lat –  Mui Ne – Ho Chi Minh City

This is an example timetable:

With a month on your ticket, you could easily spend 3 days in each place but the beauty of the open ticket means you can spend longer in places you like and less time in those you don’t.

Compared to travelling in Vietnam by train or plane, the open bus ticket is really affordable. It is possible to pay only $50 for a ticket that takes you all the way from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh.

The Vietnam open bus ticket is cheap and convenient but not always the most comfortable way to travel. The driving style in Vietnam is very different to many other parts of the world and you should be prepared with travel sickness tablets and earplugs if you are prone to travel sickness or are a light sleeper. Using the horn is a favourite pastime of Vietnamese bus drivers and weaving through traffic is common.

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The bus drivers are also unlikely to speak English so miscommunication can happen. When taking rest stops, keep the bus in sight to be 100% sure you know when to get back on. The biggest piece of advice we can give is to be positive, calm and friendly in your interactions with drivers, rest stop owners and ticket providers and you shouldn’t have any problems.

We also advise that you wear long layers on the bus as they will usually be blasting the air-con! Some form of entertainment, like music or a notebook, is also a good idea if you do find you cannot sleep while on the road.

So, why book your Vietnam open bus ticket with Lily’s Travel Agency?

We want to provide the very best travel experience to all visitors in Vietnam. Therefore, when you book your open bus ticket with us we guarantee support for every step of your journey. Whether you need help with the bus timetable, booking  a specific bus or communicating with the driver, we are here to help. Whether by phone or by Facebook, we can answer any queries and even help you on your journey if you lose your ticket. So, you can travel around Vietnam hassle free! >>> We hope this helps you get to grips with how and why to use the Vietnam open bus ticket to make your trip to Vietnam easy and enjoyable. You should get in touch with us now if you want to get your bus tickets today.

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Find out more about Hanoi tours here: Northern Vietnam Tours

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