Practical Tips for Vietnam Travel

2026-01-31 4 min

Last reviewed: 2026-01-31

Practical details can change quickly; this guide was reviewed on 2026-01-31.

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Transportation

HCMC (Tan Son Nhat Airport):

Exit from arrival, find pillar number 5 (there’s Lucky Cafe) then cross over. That’s the Grab pick-up point.
Price is cheap because the airport is located in the city center.

Hanoi (Noi Bai Airport):

From arrival, exit then cross to the parking area. No specific landmark. Don’t pick up in the lane specifically for taxis/airport transfers, must cross first.
Price can be 200-300k VND because the distance to city center is quite far (Noi Bai is located on the outskirts like CGK).

Tip: Connect your card (Visa/Mastercard) to the Grab app. It will automatically deduct in VND currency. I used Jenius CC and it was safe.

Book via Klook, it’s easy. I prefer the night schedule (10 PM) so I don’t waste time on the road and don’t need to book accommodation for that night.

Bus Details:

Very bumpy so choose the lower cabin with minimal shaking. Price ~300k VND per person (slightly more expensive than upper cabin)
Can request pick-up and drop-off at your accommodation, as long as it’s around the bus office (in Hanoi that means around Old Quarter, in Sa Pa supposedly all accommodations can because the town is small). When booking on Klook, we enter the address.
Can also request pick-up and drop-off at Hanoi airport.

Bus Service:

In Sa Pa, the shuttle bus driver comes to the hotel lobby, very kind. Maybe because the hotel location is below the street level (so have to go through stairs) so he wants to help carry bags.
I also got a call when the shuttle bus arrived at the hotel for pick-up.
There will be WhatsApp confirmation 1-2 days before. They tell you what time to be picked up (30 min-1 hour earlier than departure time)

Bus Facilities:

Complete amenities: USB charger (but on Sa Pa-Hanoi route it didn’t work so luckily I had a powerbank), wet wipes, mineral water, wifi, blanket, bed with massage (just vibrating), light-blocking curtains, headset but I didn’t use it
Before entering the bus, given plastic bags to put our shoes because when entering the bus we must take off shoes to not dirty it (the bus is fully carpeted).
6-hour journey. There are 2 rest area stops for toilet breaks and can buy food too.

Important Tips:

Don’t forget to prepare cash 2-3k VND for toilet.
No need to wear shoes, sandals are provided at the bus door.
If you arrive before the bus office opens, you can sleep inside the bus until it opens.
When checking in at the bus office, don’t forget to request bag tags according to luggage count (I requested 6 pieces).
MUST TAKE NAUTAMINE and similar to avoid motion sickness!

Notes:

Bed size isn’t the same on every bus. Some buses have shorter beds so those taller than 170cm will be a bit cramped. But there are buses with spacious beds too.
Some people’s reviews aren’t as good, depends on luck because it’s a business not always smooth especially during high season. Personally, thank God my experience was okay so I recommend it.
NOT RECOMMENDED FOR YOUNG CHILDREN AND ELDERLY

Temperature Tips:

In the bus wear warm jackets + heattech because as you approach Sa Pa it gets cold (at rest areas) and at Sa Pa bus office brrr it’s cold especially at night and early morning.
In Hanoi it’s also quite cold.
Pay attention to the bus license plate, make sure it’s the right bus. Also pay attention to the cabin number. Basically you’ll be given a sticker with all that data.
But I think we have to be proactive to chat WhatsApp with them if there are questions, both central CS and branch. Though they are slow to respond. Sa Pa branch is the most responsive in replying.

Can’t download app from Play Store (regional issue). So access via website https://shopee.vn/ (can translate in Chrome)
If you want to create an account must verify via VN phone number (+84). So alternatives are either buy SIM card or ask Airbnb host to borrow their number or ask host to order the items for you then we pay them (cash is easier).
I took the last option. So I send product link and notes (need how many pcs, type, etc.) then they order.
Supposedly will cover luggage arriving next day. Even cheaper using their account, free shipping too wkwk.

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