Vietnam

Bus is the cheapest way to travel from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to Phnom Penh with prices costing around US$12 with a reputable company.  The journey is not particularly scenic, but does involve a crossing of the Mekong River by vehicle ferry.  Flights costs around xxx and take 50 minutes.  There are no trains running this route.

Bus

Many bus companies operate between Ho Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh.  It's a 7 hour trip which involves a land border crossing at Bavat.  The journey is not particularly scenic, but does pass traditional Cambodian villages and involves a crossing of the Mekong River by vehicle ferry.  It is generally worth spending a few dollars more and traveling with the more reputable bus companies.  The better companies will get your visa-on-arrival for you, without you having to pay 'extra charges' that the Cambodian immigration officers often ask.  Better companies also have better buses and are more organised.  The better companies charge US$12, but you can find companies running the trip for US$8.

When leaving Vietnam all passengers have to take their luggage into the immigration office.  Your luggage stays on the bus when passing through Cambodian immigration.

The Cambodian company Capital Tours are recommended.  Bookings can be made through Sinh Cafe in Pham Ngu Lao Area in Saigon.  I traveled with them in 2008 and found their service good.  The pickup from the Sinh Cafe Pham in Ngu Lao Area, Saigon.  They drop off at their guesthouse in central Phnom Penh.  The staff on the bus are organised and will get your visa-on-arrival for you.  Whilst the border crossing paperwork is done they have lunch at a good restaurant around the back of the immigration office.

Flights

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Buses are the easiest way to travel between Mui Ne and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).  There is a local train line that runs the route, but the train station is outside of Mui Ne, and requires a taxi ride within Saigon.

Buses

Open tour companies should collect you from your hotel in Mui Ne and drop you right into Pham Ngu Lao area (backpacker central) of Saigon.  Buses leave Mui Ne at 8:30, arriving at 13:00, and also leave at 13:30 arriving at 18:00.  Tickets cost from 80,000Dong.  Buses are often late arriving in Saigon due to traffic, but should drop you right in Pham Ngu Lao, where all the cheap accommodation and travel services are located.  Check with the company before buying the ticket. TM Brothers drop off outside their office inPham Ngu Lao.

Buses are the cheapest and fastest option to travel between Nha Trand Mui Ne. There is no train station in, or near to Mui Ne.

Buses

All the open tour companies run the Nha Trang to Mui Ne route.  All hotels and travel agents sell tickets.  Sinh Cafe have the best reputation and buses.  Their buses leave their in-town depot by the beach, look for their office.  The bus leaves at 07:45 and arrives at Mui Ne at 13:00.  Tickets cost 90,000VND.  Other compnies such as TM Brother also run the route for 70,000VND.

Mui Ne is spread over many kilometers.  Open tour buses will stop at their offices or at resorts.  If the resorts are not in your price range touts will be hovering to show you other places to stay.  Value for money varies between resorts so it pays to look at a few.

The train is by far the nicest way to get between Hue and Nha Trang.  Bus also run the route, and although cheaper and quicker than travel by train, the journey is long and the train is much more comfortable.

Trains

The SE3 daytime train is the best train between Hue and Nha Trang.  The views from the left handside of the train are spectacular on the section before Danang.  The train leaves Hue at 10:44 and arrives at Nha Trang at 21:47.  There are overnight options but they all leave or arrive early in the morning.

Fewer trains stop at Ninh Binh these days, and there is no convenient overnight train with sleeper accommodation, meaning sleeper bus is the best option for many.  The trip takes 10-12 hours and there are no daytime options.

Sleeper Bus

Sleeper buses leave Ninh Bing, near the train station, at 21:00 arriving at Hue at 07:00.  Tickets cost US$15.  This is a well complained leg of the open ticket route so check companies and buses if possible.  Tickets are available from all guesthouses catering to westerners. The Nunh?? sleeper bus is good, and I personally recommend it.  The bus is modern, clean and comfortable. 

Trains

Sadly a few trains stop at Ninh Binh these days.  There is no real option for an overnight sleeper service.

There are direct buses from Halong Bay to Ninh Binh, including public buses and private buses, which may include open ticket bus companies.  

Private buses

There are many private bus companies operating to and from Halong Bay, but most are working with tour companies and there are no bus company offices or travel agents in town.  Try going to the tourist jetty, 2 km west of Bai Chay (an easy walk) and ask around.  There is a travel information office there that might be able to help.  There is also a guy from the Thong Nhat Hotel, just opposite the post office in Bai Chay, who can sell tickets to Ninh Binh (150,000Dong, 4 hours) for a morning and afternoon bus.  You need to book a day in advance the bus needs to be informed to collect you from the Thong Nhat Hotel.  This guy can be found at the hotel or at the tourist jetty.

Public Buses

Public buses leave for Ninh Binh from the Bai Chay bus station, which is 5km outside of Bai Chay.  Alternativaly get a motorbike taxi to drop you by the bridge intersection of the highway, from where you can flag down a Ninh Binh bound bus.  Buses to Ninh Binh take 3 hours and cost 70,000Dong.

Open Ticket Buses are the best way to get to Halong City, as you'll be dropped somewhere convient.  Public buses are quite a lot of hassle.

Open Ticket Buses

Open ticket bus companies have a morning bus from Hanoi to Bai Chay, which should drop you somewhere convient in Bai Chay.

Public buses

 Public buses leave Gia Lam Bus Station every 30 minutes.  The 4 hour journey costs 60,000Dong.  This is generally a rough ride as the crew will get as many people as possible on the bus, and they'll drive quickly.  They where very keen to push me onto their bus when I got to the bus station.  They'll expect you to pay more for your luggage, as it will go inside and take up space.  Once the journey has started they asked me to pay 100,000Dong for my backpack.  I just put my backpack on my lap for the journey and didn't pay the extra charge.  The bus will drop you on the main road the passes Halong City, so you'll have to get a taxi (50,000Dong) or a motorbike to drop you into Halong City.

Ninh Binh is a fairly large town in Vietnam.  Although Ninh Binh has little to do itself, it has become a popular travel hub as people explore the nearby Tam Coc, Hoa Lu and Cuc Phuong National Park.

Sights

• Tam Coc - Known as 'Halong Bay on the Rice Paddies' due to huge rock formations jutting out of rice paddies.  Tam Coc has breathtaking sceneray which is best explored by row boat on the Ngo Dong River.

Accommodation

Queen Mini-hotel
tel: 030 871 874
luongvn2001@yahoo.com
21 P Hoang Hoa Tham
Great value friendly hotel, run by Mr Luong.  A choice of rooms from simple singles to ensuite Triples with AC, TV and fridge.  Good friendly, honest service.  The restuarant serves good food from a simple menu.  The railway station is just 30m away, but the hotel is still quiet.  Mr Luong can arrange bus tickets, motorbike rental and tours of the area.  Rooms from 48,000Dong to 240,000Dong.

Thanh Thuy's Guesthouse
tel: 030 871 811
tuc@hn.vnn.vn
128 P Le Hong Phong
Rooms available in the old  guesthouse and newer and slighty more expensive hotel.  Rooms are a good size, clean and a decent price.  The restuarnt serves good food and tours can be arranged. Rooms from 192,000Dong.  

Just as I am finishing my shower in the morning there is a knock at the door. I say 'hello', and someone replies and then unlocks the door and tries to come into the room. Strange. I get dressed and unbolt the door. A guy says the TV is not working and that he wants to fix it. I say 'don't worry' as I am not using the TV. He says that the other TV's are not working and tries to walk in. My girlfriend is still in bed, and I have to stop him with my hand and push him back out. Very strange.

Nha Trang is a big town in southern Vietnam offering nice beaches, islands to explore and a busy nightlife.

Accommodation

Thien Thanh (Blue Sky) Hotel
tel: 058 521304
3G Hung Vuong Noi Dai
Excellent hotel, although staff can be pushy.  Rooms are big, clean and great value for money.  The hotel has be renovated and everything is spotless.  Bathrooms have hot water and baths.  Rooms have comfortable beds, TV, fridge and AC.  Clean towels are provided are everyday.  Some rooms have nice balconies overlooking the street.  Just a few minutes from the beach and Sinh Cafe bus stop.  Hotel staff often meet people from the trains from Hue.  Rooms are US$10 per night.

Hue is a big city in Vietnam 

Accommodation

Bing Duong II
tel: 84 54 846466
binhduong2@dng.vnn.vn
08 Ngo Gia Tu Str
Good hotel in a quiet but central area of Hue.  Rooms are bright, clean and airy.  Most have nice balconies.  Rooms include hot water showers, towels, AC, fridge and satellite TV.  Breakfast room service is recommended.