Most visitors fly to Vietnam. The country’s domestic airport system is good and is being constantly improved. The safety record is admirable, while the flights are mostly on time, and are well connected to the main tourist destinations. Visitors from the US and Europe usually arrive via Bangkok, Hong Kong or Singapore depending on the airlines they choose to fly with. From Cambodia, travelling by boat along the Mekong River is a scenic option. With the opening of several border crossings, many travellers opt to enter Vietnam by train, car, or bus from China, Laos, or Cambodia. The cheapest, often the quickest, and the most convenient way to get around the country are by the long haul bus system and the Open Tour bus. And for the independent traveller, rented car and driver is relatively inexpensive. Locally, cyclos, metered taxis, and motorcycle taxis are the preferred modes of transport.

Arriving by air

Of all three international airports in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh city Tan Son Nhat is by far the busiest. Ha Noi’s Noi Bai Airport and Da Nang International are also major airports. Vietnam Airlines, the country’s official international carrier, operates direct flights from many destinations across the world, such as Paris, Beijing, San Francisco, Sydney, Siem Reap, Bangkok and Singapore. Many prominent international airlines also service Vietnam, including Cathay Pacific, Thai Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Lufthansa, Japan Airlines, and Singapore Airlines to name a few. A trans-Pacific journey from the USA takes over twenty hours, while from Europe, the trip takes less time.

Air fares

The cost of flying to Viet Nam varies with airlines, the season, and your travel agent. The average cost from the North American West Coast is about US$1,000 return fare; prices equivalent from Europe. The busiest and most expensive time to travel to Viet Nam is from December to February, when Vietnamese studying or residing abroad fly back home to celebrate Tet. Summer is also usually a busy time as foreign travellers are attracted to seaside getaway spots in the country. Discounted tickets are usually available during off-peak seasons. Check for any special deals being offered by airlines flying into the country.

On arrival

The immigration and customs procedures for arrivals to Vietnam is now more efficient and streamlined. While on the plane, passengers are handed an immigration and a customs form to fill out. These need to be submitted, along with your passport, at the airport’s immigration counter. A yellow copy of the customs form will be handed back to you, which needs to be presented at the time of departure. Keep this form safe as misplacing it can lead to delays and fines.

Getting from and to the airports

Ho Chi Minh city’s Tan Son Nhat Airport is the biggest and best equipped airport in Viet Nam. Both arrivals and departures are handled in a quick and efficient manner. Note that at this airport, you must go through security checks during arrival and departure. The airport is 3 miles (5km) from the city centre of the city. A metered taxi can be hired from the authorized taxi service, which is located near the currency exchange counter at the airport. Avoid any drivers offering flat rates as they are usually unlicensed. Minibuses are also available for transport to the city as are shuttle pick-ups, which can be provided by hotels on request. Be prepared for large crowds outside the terminal as many people will come not only to pick up their family members, but also to watch passengers and planes arrive and depart.

Ha Noi's Noi Bai Airport is the farthest from the city centre and can take more than 45 minutes by taxi between the airport and town centre. All transport service operators, including metered taxis and minibuses, are located outside the arrival terminal. Airport taxis offer the most convenient means to get downtown. Look for the line of empty taxis and hire a prepaid taxi from the airport. This will cost about US$10. The cheapest way to get to the city centre is by taking the number 7 city bus which departs every 15 minutes - airport staff should be able to advise where you can take the bus from. It takes an hour to reach the city, and stops on request on its way to Hoan Kiem Lake. Another affordable option is the Vietnam Airlines shuttle bus, which costs about US$2, and is supposed to drop all its passengers at their hotels as requested. Note that you are not required to pay any toll taxes on the way to or from the airport.

Located at the western edge of town, Da Nang International is the smallest of the three international airports. There is only one terminal, with a small part dedicated to international flights. The taxi service outside the terminal offers fixed and inexpensive rates for a ride into the city.

Departure tax

All overseas visitors need to pay a departure tax when leaving the country. Currently, the charges are US$14 at Ho Chi Minh city, US$14 at Ha Noi, and US$8 at Da Nang, and are subject to change. The tax is not included in the ticket price.

Arriving via land or water

Viet Nam shares land borders with three countries- China, Laos, and Cambodia. With new border crossings opening to foreigners (presently there are three with each neighbour), more independent travellers are taking the land route.

From China, you can enter Vietnam by car, bus or train. The popular Friendship Pass, located at Dong Dang, is open to rail and road traffic , and is the busiest crossing between the nations. A bi-weekly train, connecting Beijing to Ha Noi, makes a brief stop at this pass, for travellers to board or get off. The other two border crossings are at Lao Cai and Mong Cai. Open only to motor vehicles, they are less popular routes.

The crossings from Laos are at Lao Bao, west of Dong Ha and the most used, Cau Treo, and Nam Can. All three are open only to motor vehicles usually buses, and can be time consuming. Visitors are well advised to fly in from Laos.

Entry from Cambodia is easy and usually hassle free. The Moc Bai crossing is the busiest, being only about two hours from Ho Chi Minh City. Many buses run daily between the two countries. The Vinh Xuong border near Chau Doc offers a more scenic approach to Viet Nam. Tourists can travel along the Mekong River, taking in the view from a boat or a luxury ship. A third crossing, for vehicles only, is at the seldom used Tinh Bien border.