Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi or Siem Reap to Hanoi
by Gail
Hi! I'm planning a Vietnam and Cambodia trip this April. Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) to HanoiTrain There is a famous train called the "Reunification Express" that runs from Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) to Hanoi. Along the way it stops in many of the most famous towns and larger cities. Any travel agent will hook you up with tickets. Foreigners do pay more than locals but don't bother buying the ticket right at the trsacks because the price is the same. Check out this page for train travel times and approximate costs for the 'Reunification Express". Or Get a good book  on all the rail routes through Vietnam for the incredible maps, extensive timetables and advice for all train travel through Vietnam.Bus Singh Cafe runs a bus from Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) to Hanoi. They seem the most used and reliable company around but I would like to dissuade you from a bus ride to Hanoi. I took the bus that runs from Saigin to Hanoi but got off in Nha Trang. They will tell you that it's a 5 hour journey but you'll be lucky to do it in 7-8 hours. The bus is a beast that smells like a boar's cage after a few hours and the roads just weren't built for the bus. They have to constantly slow down and honk their horns to get the motorbikes out of the way. The Vietnamese flood the streets and highways on their motorbikes and cruise along at 30km/h. There is no hope of sleep because of the constant rage of noise from the honking bus horn, which is made even worse when the staff try to drown out the bus's horn with terrible Vietnamese Karaoke music. The train has a bed and the bus does not. This means nothing to you now but after the 36+ hour journey, it might become the only thing that matters to you. Do the train I beg you. Or at least most of the journey by train. Just please keep valuables under your body as you sleep. The Vietnamese enter your room and steal your things as you sleep. Other than that...the train is most gorgeous. Don't forget to apply for your Vietnam visa BEFORE you go. Siem Reap To HanoiThe only problem with this route is that you have a country seperating you in Siem Reap, Cambodia and Hanoi, Vietnam. Loas is a beautiful country and you can go Siem Reap-Vientiane-Hanoi. It is a heck of a trip unless you fly. Tickets are cheapest at Cheapoair.com and can be booked from Siem Reap to Hanoi. Overland can be done by combination of bus, train and taxi. Spend the $70USD a get the plane. It will be the best investment you'll ever make. However, if overland prompts you to see some of Loas and less of Vietnam, please do it. I would recommend to anyone that time spent in Laos is better than any time spent in Vietnam. Good Luck and write back soon.  Click here to read or post comments.
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