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[Cloe]

Public bus
There is an extensive network. But….. they are slow, stowed with people and luggage, so not comfortable at all. In fact, the government discourages travellers taking the public buses, that's why they themselves (through Sinh Café have put up the "Open Tour" bus trip.

"Open tour"
Most low budget tourists prefer the so-called "open tourist" busticket to travel through the country. The prices of these tickets are extremely low and even seem to get lower every year. Here is an example of the Sinh Café open tour bus with prices and schedules, but there's also a Kim café bus which offers similar prices and schedules.

However, it is good to remember that this ticket has advantages as well as disadvantages:

ADVANTAGES:
- It's convenient as these buses follow the usual tourist trail: Saigon-Dalat-Nha Trang-Hoi An-Hue-Hanoi
- During the trip, they also stop at the usual tourist spots
- It's extremely cheap
- Nightbuses save time and money on accommodation

DISADVANTAGES
- This buses tend to be uncomfortable. Sinh Café does have new Daewoo buses with AC, but believe me leg room is not made for my 186 cm (although my girlfriend had no problems with her 165 cm).
- Seats are not reclining
- These buses stop at restaurants for lunch, but these restaurants can be very bad and dirty (though this is not always the case). Sinh Café claims that there are no better restaurants in the area, but travellers contradict this.
- Some roads in Vietnam are awful, so on some trips it is simply impossible to sleep. The trip from Hanoi to Hue is notorious for this, but also Dalat-Nha Trang and Nha Trang-Hoi An. Saigon-Nha Trang on the contrary is quite good.

CONCLUSION
- If you care for your comfort and are prepared to spend a bit more, it's best to avoid some trips, especially the Hue-Hanoi trip, and probably also Nha Trang-Hoi An (take a plane or night train from Nha Trang to Danang instead.

[VanUk]

Interesting information. Thanks for your sharing

[johncina]

hello,
The main feature of the "OPEN TOUR" is a daily bus service. Moreover, on the journey, at your demand and interest, the traveller could stop by and visit any famous destinations nation wide.

e.g. Hanoi - Ninh binh - Vinh - Quang binh - Hue - Danang - Hoi an -Nhatrang - Dalat - Ho Chi Minh City or vice versa

At these local spots of scenic beauty, if you would like to branch out to another places, sightseeing tours are available in each town, these tours are conducted by local operators and all information concerning the time and places of the bus departure will be given to you as well.

At each of your stop place, you should reconfirm in advance (24 h) at our nearest booking office your departure time so that we arrange the next trip for you.

And, foremost, the striking feature of the "OPEN TOUR" that tourist has mostly been interested in is the reasonable prices serving any kind of your budget, from low to up market.
thanks!!

[anna27789]

If in Hanoi, the cyclo is the best way to visit.