In Vietnam, buses have long been part of everyday life. But beyond just getting locals to work or school, buses are becoming an exciting and affordable way for tourists to explore cities. Whether you’re wandering through Hanoi’s historic streets, soaking up the energy of Ho Chi Minh City, or cruising the cool hills of Da Lat, Vietnam’s bus networks offer unique sightseeing experiences without breaking the bank.
Let’s check out some of the best bus routes for travelers in three of Vietnam’s most vibrant cities!
Hanoi: Discover the Capital by Bus
Buses rolled into Hanoi’s streets around 2001 and quickly became a popular choice—not just for daily commuters, but for curious explorers wanting to see the city differently. Today, countless bus forums even share itineraries for visiting Hanoi’s landmarks by bus.
Why travel by bus in Hanoi?
✅ Super affordable (6,000–40,000 VND for a round trip)
✅ Safe and convenient
✅ Great for avoiding parking stress
Quick tips for a smooth bus trip in Hanoi:
- Travel outside rush hours—try 5–6 a.m., 8–11 a.m., or 1–5 p.m.
- Carry small change for tickets unless you have a monthly pass.
- Don’t bring too many valuables on board.
- Follow bus rules (like entering from the front door and exiting from the back).
Here are some interesting bus routes to explore Hanoi:
🚍 From My Dinh Bus Station
- Bus 33 (5,000 VND/ride, every 15 mins)
- Visit West Lake, Tran Quoc Pagoda, Truc Bach area.
- Enjoy delicious Pho rolls on Ngu Xa Street.
- Walk around Phan Dinh Phung and Hoang Dieu streets.
- Hop back on Bus 33 to Le Hong Phong, check out the Ho Chi Minh Museum and Mausoleum.
- Continue towards the Hanoi Flag Tower, Lenin Park, Fine Arts Museum, then take Bus 02 to the Opera House.
- Bus 46 (5,000 VND/ride, every 15 mins)
- Head to Hoa Binh Park and cross Thang Long Bridge to explore Co Loa, an ancient citadel.
🚍 From Long Bien
- Bus 15 (7,000 VND/ride, every 10 mins)
- Cross Chuong Duong Bridge to Dong Anh, visit Soc Temple and Thanh Chuong Palace.
- Bus 47 (7,000 VND/ride, every 10 mins)
- Follow the Red River dike road to Bat Trang Ceramic Village, perfect for pottery lovers!
🚍 From Yen Nghia Bus Station
- Bus 75 (20,000 VND/ride, every 30 mins)
- Cruise along Highway 21B to Perfume Pagoda, one of Vietnam’s most famous spiritual sites.
🚍 From Tran Khanh Du Parking Lot
- Bus 35 (7,000 VND/ride, every 15 mins)
- Pass Thong Nhat Park, National Cinema Center, Hoa Binh Park, and head towards Hai Ba Trung Temple.
Ho Chi Minh City: City Tour on Four Wheels
Saigon’s tropical weather can flip from blazing sun to sudden downpours in minutes. That’s when a bus becomes your perfect shelter-on-wheels.
With tickets starting around 7,000 VND, you can escape the heat or rain while visiting iconic attractions. Buses run from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. every 15 minutes on most routes.
Highlights on HCMC Bus Routes
- Route 6
- Tao Dan Park
- Landmark 81
- Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street
- War Remnants Museum
- Turtle Lake
- Notre Dame Cathedral
- Saigon Zoo & Botanical Garden
- Saigon Bridge
From Notre Dame Cathedral, it’s just a short walk to the Independence Palace, Central Post Office, or Turtle Lake. Expect to spend a full day exploring these gems—and don’t forget your camera!
- Route 30
- Zoo & Botanical Gardens
- Turtle Lake
- Foreign consulates area
- Saigon Tower
- Thi Nghe Bridge
- Thu Thiem Bridge
- Saigon Bridge
- Tan Dinh Church
- Suoi Tien Theme Park
Tan Dinh Church, with its striking pink façade, and Con Rua (Turtle) Lake are popular selfie spots. Head out early or late for fewer crowds.
Other great routes for sightseeing include buses 3, 7, 19, 56, and 150.
Travel tip:
- Pack light to avoid theft.
- Download a bus app for navigation.
- Bring an umbrella in case you’re caught walking in a downpour.
Fun fact: HCMC operates around 126 bus routes with over 2,100 buses making more than 12,000 trips daily!
Da Lat: A Scenic Ride on the Open-Top Bus
Da Lat, the romantic city of pine forests and cool mountain air, now offers a fabulous way to sightsee: open-top bus tours.
There are two fun routes:
🌸 Route 1 – “City of Thousands of Flowers”
🕗 8 a.m.–10 a.m. and 12 p.m.–5 p.m. (every 40 minutes)
Starts from Nguyen Van Cu street near Da Lat Market and passes landmarks like:
- Xuan Huong Lake
- Bao Dai Palace III
- Da Lat Cathedral
- Bao Dai Palace I
- Da Lat Railway Station
- Da Lat Flower Gardens
🌙 Route 2 – “Da Lat Night Scenic Route”
🕕 6 p.m.–10 p.m. (every 30 minutes)
Covers scenic streets around Xuan Huong Lake, offering magical views of Da Lat sparkling under night lights.
The buses are equipped with comfy seats, multilingual audio guides (in Vietnamese, English, French, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Spanish, and German), and plenty of fun facts about Da Lat’s attractions.
Why Travel by Bus in Vietnam?
✅ Affordable prices
✅ Eco-friendly way to explore cities
✅ Unique local experiences
✅ Great for spontaneous trips
So whether you’re wandering the leafy boulevards of Hanoi, cruising Saigon’s bustling streets, or breathing cool mountain air in Da Lat, Vietnam’s bus system offers a budget-friendly ticket to adventure.
Ready to hop on and explore?
