Moving to Ho Chi Minh City is exciting for several reasons. Throw out your preconceived notions or fears because this will be the adventure of your life! Ho Chi Minh City is a bustling metropolis, which also means it comes with a standard rush hour as people commute. You'll quickly realize the city never sleeps, and there is always a way to get from point A to point B, regardless of distance.聽
As the city continues to develop and prioritize green energy, it has opened a new metro (subway) system and also invested in more buses on the road. Whether you decide to drive or commute across the city, this article will help figure out the how-tos and the don'ts and make it a seamless and stress-free experience.
Should you drive in Ho Chi Minh City?
If you are planning on arriving in Ho Chi Minh City and looking forward to driving, you need to ask yourself a couple of questions first:
- How do I handle making quick decisions under pressure?
- How do I handle loud noises while trying to concentrate?
- Do I possess a driving license or have any experience with motorbikes/scooters?
- Did I buy health insurance?
While a few of these are in jest, we do want you to examine every angle before renting or getting on these chaotic roads. As of 2024, approximately 8 million motorbikes circulate around Ho Chi Minh City every day. With this many bikes - and with many citizens learning to drive one at 16 - there's a different level of comfort for a local versus a new arrival.
In December 2024, the government passed Decree No.168, which made traffic laws stricter, specifically with driving safety. Examples of new fines or previous fines being increased include speeding, driving without proof of ownership, only turning right with a light signal, the number passengers on bikes and mandatory helmet wearing. The new decree also introduced a point system for drivers similar to that seen in other countries. You can learn more information on the decree and read preliminary reviews of the changes from local news sources .
Good to know:
Every year, Vietnam has over 11,000 fatalities from vehicle accidents, 60% of which involve a motorcycle or scooter. While the Vietnamese have had more time learning to drive offensively and defensively simultaneously, it's not something that happens overnight.
We encourage you to practice driving before braving the Saigon streets. Whether it's outside your hostel, back home in a parking lot, or in an underground garage, making sure you understand the feel of the bike and are familiar with the responsibilities of the left or right hand is paramount.
Driving in other parts of the country is completely different from the pace and intensity of traffic here. You might find you're uncomfortable driving in the city but feel much safer on the slower coastal roads of Mui Ne or Da Nang. There's nothing to feel embarrassed about, and safety should be your number one priority.
For those of you who are set to drive and face the rush hour commute, here are some tips to make you drive like a local:
- If you are driving to work in the morning - don't forget a face mask and layers - you will stick out in shorts and bare arms as people tend to hide their skin from the sun and feel that the early morning breeze is 鈥渃ool鈥� - these layers and face mask will also help you feel "cleaner" and not covered in exhaust when you arrive at the office.
- Don't forget to carry a poncho and a second helmet - it's an easy way to make friends and impress dates if you are capable of driving together, and are well-prepared.
- You will need to overtake someone on the road at some point, it's just the way it works here, and that's ok.
- Driving on the right side of the road at a slower pace is expected, but you may need to turn at some point, and should leave yourself lots of time to navigate slowly crossing lanes.
- As of January 2025, traffic police are intensely focused on the use or earphones or drivers being on their cell phones. Pull over to the side of the road if you need to check a map or answer a quick call. Driving with earphones is considered illegal and an easy fine if you are spotted.
海角乱伦s and new foreigners alike can rent motorbikes from many reputable places throughout the city, or they can choose to purchase one themselves. Buying a motorbike is the cheaper option, but some choose to initially rent one to help determine what bike fits their needs. In either case, here's what you need to keep in mind:
Motorbike rental cost: Anywhere from 800,000 VND to 1,500,000 VND per month (USD 34 to USD 64)
Motorbike purchase cost: Anywhere from 3,000,000 VND (USD 116.70) and up. These prices are dependent on what quality of motorbike you'd like and whether you'd like something brand new or not.
If expats don't feel quite comfortable getting behind the wheel, they can book a lesson with Ride With Me Saigon to break the ice and get their bearings.
Important:
You are strongly advised to wear a helmet! Regardless of what you see around you, everyone on a scooter must be wearing a helmet. This includes drivers, children, and passengers.
E-bikes and smooth cycling in Ho Chi Minh City
Now that we've addressed motorized two-wheels, what about the non-motorized options? Ho Chi Minh City has a thriving cyclist culture - albeit they prefer to spin around the city before the rush hour commute or to get out of the city on weekends - but you are in good company as an active cyclist.
There aren't designated bike lanes across Saigon - and it's understood that bicycles can be on the road as long as they also respect the rules. Motorbikes will give you a wide berth - but you must be equally as cautious of pedestrians or cars who may not realize you are in a blind spot.
In the last five years, e-bikes have gained popularity, and you can rent blue TNGO bikes, which come with a basket and only cost a low fee. The first and only problem you may encounter is payment, as the app requires a deposit of VND20,000 (.68 USD) with a bank card, Momo, or ZaloPay. Not every international card works for this service, and Momo and Zalo are both domestic banks that you might not have access to. If you can make a deposit and unlock the bikes, a 60-minute ride costs VND10,000 (.39 USD)with an option to extend the ride for VND3,000 (.12 USD) for every additional 15-minute duration.
Cars and taxis in Ho Chi Minh City
Similar to most cities around the world, Ho Chi Minh City also offers car services. Asia's premier company is Grab. Uber or Lyft are not available in Vietnam. This app is easy to download ahead of your trip and makes connecting an international credit card easy! A major benefit of using these services in Vietnam is the cost-effective nature of traveling. A 20-minute ride can cost as low as VND 50,000 or USD 2, and you can check for daily promotions or deals! Other popular ride-sharing apps you can download are and .
You can also have a private driver in Vietnam, which may be more cost-effective depending on your schedule and the distance for commuting. Your best bet is to search on Facebook in Ho Chi Minh expat pages to connect with other people on how they found a daily driver, or perhaps if they are leaving the country and would like to recommend someone's services. There are many private car companies available for weekend trips that will get you to your destination in comfort and style!
Good to know:
Not all drivers are comfortable taking pets - alert your driver when you are making the initial request, and don't let it be a surprise on the day of your trip.
Taxis in Vietnam are not overly popular. However, these are the leading companies:
- Mai Linh Taxi (028) 38 38 38 38,
- VinaSun Taxi (028) 38 27 27 27.
Neither of them has an app, which is ironically the main reason for the lack of use. You will not be able to hail a cab in Ho Chi Minh City as the drivers are receiving orders from dispatch rather than waiting to pick up customers. When you enter the taxi, check that the meter is running or try to pre-arrange a set fare with the driver.
Important:
Do not get into unmarked cars claiming to be taxis or take an airport taxi service - the price will be extortionate, and you will have no other option but to pay the fee.
The New Ho Chi Minh City Metro
Officially launched on December 22, 2024, the metro line connects Ben Thanh Market( District 1) to Suoi Tien Theme Park in Thu Duc City, spanning a total length of 19.7 kilometers. This modern transit system is designed to alleviate traffic congestion, reduce travel time, and promote sustainable urban development.
Overview of Metro Line 1
Metro Line 1 features 14 stations, including three underground stations (Ben Thanh, Opera House, and Ba Son) and 11 elevated stations. The line is equipped with 17 trains, each consisting of three carriages, with a total capacity of 930 passengers (147 seated and 783 standing)1. Trains operate at intervals of 8 to 12 minutes, with an estimated journey time of around 30 minutes from the first to the final station. The metro has been funded by the Japanese-based firm, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). This firm was also partially responsible for the funding of the Hanoi Metro line that opened in November 2021.
The HCMC Metro system incorporates various modern amenities to enhance passenger convenience and comfort. These include cashless payment options, online ticket purchases, self-service kiosks, and charging stations for mobile devices. Additionally, onboard screens display information, news, and entertainment content, while kiosk screens at stations assist passengers with service usage and inquiries. The response has been overwhelming, and many Vietnamese are still eagerly riding the metro for fun rather than for commuting.
Buses in Ho Chi Minh City
Taking the bus has begun to garner more popularity, especially with routes designed to match the opening of the new Ho Chi Minh Metro. There are over 100 routes with buses running continually throughout the day. Fares are low and range from VND 5,000 to VND 6,000 per trip for regular passengers and VND 3,000 for students. Children and folks with disabilities ride for free.
To buy your ticket for the bus, simply board. Each bus has a designated ticket employee who will issue the ticket once you board and provide change.
Good to know:
Buses typically don't come to a complete stop unless children or passengers with disabilities are disembarking. The bus will slow down, open the doors, and passengers are expected to exit and board while potentially still in motion. Motorbikes will wait for you to board, but it's still important to check the road before stepping out.
Buses are also helping Ho Chi Minh City reach its transportation initiatives, which focus on green energy. The city aims to replace all urban buses with electric and green energy buses in 2025. Currently, the city has 2,209 buses, of which 546 use green energy. The goal is to have 100% of buses using green energy by 2030, and plans to implement zoning that will prohibit motorbikes or cars.
The city has also been working on developing infrastructure to support electric vehicles, including planning and constructing electric charging stations. This initiative is part of the city's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve urban air quality.
Traveling with children in Ho Chi Minh City
Most of the international schools in Ho Chi Minh City offer pick-up and drop-off services for children. While most of them are located within District 2 or District 7, the chartered vans (similar to a North American school bus) will go anywhere in the city to ensure the kids get to school safely and on time. The prices vary depending on the number of children in the household, the institution, and the pick-up/drop-off location. When applying for schools, be sure to inquire about these options.
We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.
