🚌How to get around in Vietnam

🚌 Getting Around Vietnam (With Kids)

We traveled through Vietnam mainly by bus and had a great experience. There are also train connections (which we didn’t use) and plenty of night buses for longer distances.

In bigger cities, Grab was extremely helpful - especially when traveling as a family.

We usually booked tickets 1–7 days in advance, either:

• At local travel agencies/hotel

• Or online via 12goasia

One thing to keep in mind: many routes unfortunately go via Hanoi, which can make connections longer than expected.

Renting a car would definitely be an option for flexibility - but we didn’t try it.

Also, many slow travelers buy and resell a motorbike, read more about that option in our motorbike mini guide.

🛵 Scooter Travel (with kids)

We did part of the Cao Bang Loop by scooter - with the kids, without any problems.

We absolutely loved driving around Vietnam by scooter. Roads were manageable, and it gave us total freedom to explore.

🚍 Our Exact Routes & Costs

📍 Hanoi → Ninh Binh (Grab)

We compared bus prices (via 12goasia) with Grab and since the difference was minimal, we chose Grab.

Why Grab was better for us:

• Door-to-door service (directly to our hotel)

• No need to organize transport from Tam Coc

• Good option for families, since kids often need full bus tickets

Costs for 4 people:

• (Bus: from 700,000 VND)

• Grab: from 900,000 VND

👉 For solo travelers or couples, the bus is usually cheaper. For families, Grab can be more convenient.

📍 Ninh Binh → Cat Ba (Bus + Ferry)

• Departure: Tam Coc Town

• Ferry to Cat Ba Island included

• Company: Vietnam Easy Go Travel

• Booked via 12goasia

• Price: 607,500 VND (total)

Easy and smooth transfer.

📍 Cat Ba → Cao Bang (Sleeper Bus)

• Company: Sapa Discovery Travel

• Booked via 12goasia

• Price: 4,200,000 VND (for 4)

Comfortable overnight option for a long distance.

We had to change the bus in Hanoi. The first bus was a normal one. In the sleeper bus we had booked 4 cabins. If you have smaller kids, the kids can sleep in your cabin as there is enough space. Booking a bus with private cabins (picture above) makes perfect sense, especially so that the children can really sleep.

📍 Cao Bang → Ban Gioc Waterfall (Public Bus)

This was one of our favorite local experiences!

• Bus No. 07 or 03

• Operator: Hoa Binh Transport

• Departure: Opposite the main bus station in Cao Bang

• Bus: Yellow & red ~24-seater minibus

• Price: approx. 70,000 VND per person

• Frequency: Every 20–30 minutes

What to expect:

• Very local experience

• You may share the bus with farmers, rice bags, goods

• Frequent stops (local commuter bus)

• Scenic and budget-friendly

We also used this bus to get to Lan Rung Homestay and back to Cao Bang City - cheapest and most authentic option.

👉 Tip: Check departure times locally, as schedules are hard to find online.

📍 Cao Bang → Hanoi (Bus)

• Operator: Grouptour

• Booked via 12goasia

• Price: 2,250,000 VND (for 4)

💡 Our Booking Strategy

• We booked everything 1–7 days in advance

• Never had issues finding tickets

• Online booking via 12goasia was easy, reliable and cheaper as over the hotel Sometimes we asked the accommodation what a transfer would cost if they organized/booked it for us (to verify the price).

✨ Final Thoughts

Vietnam is very easy to travel - even with kids.
Between buses, sleeper buses, Grab, and scooters, you have plenty of flexible options.

For families:

• Grab can be surprisingly price-competitive

• Public buses offer authentic experiences

• Scooter travel gives maximum freedom

If you plan well and stay flexible, getting around Vietnam is straightforward and affordable.