Getting Around in Ho Chi Minh City

Getting around Ho Chi Minh City may appear to be a daunting task at first glance. With some 7.6 million motorbikes for its more than 9 million residents, simply crossing the street is often challenging.

If you’re living in Ho Chi Minh City, you’ll usually take some time to get acquainted with the chaotic traffic conditions that the city is famous for.

The public transport system in Ho Chi Minh City centres around the city’s extensive bus network. But while buses are cheap, expats usually prefer using motorbike taxis or private taxis. These prove to be the most efficient way to travel around Ho Chi Minh City.

Public transport in Ho Chi Minh City

Buses

Ho Chi Minh City has an extensive network of bus routes. The bright green public buses are a cheap, safe and comfortable mode of transport, with around 13,000 bus trips carrying approximately 300,000 passengers each day.

Ben Thanh Bus Station, which lies directly across from Ben Thanh Market in District 1, acts as a transport hub for the city’s buses. From here, buses serve most of Ho Chi Minh City’s suburbs and some of the outlying areas.

You can now pay for bus fares using contactless payment methods, including bank cards and e-wallets, eliminating the need for cash. This EMV open-loop payment system launched on selected routes and is expanding across the network.

Locating the correct line or station may be a challenge, especially if you’re unable to speak Vietnamese.

Trains

The city’s main train hub, Saigon Railway Station, is located in District 3 and serves as the southern terminus of Vietnam’s North-South Railway Line. From here, you can catch trains to destinations across Vietnam, including Da Nang, Hue, Nha Trang, Phan Thiet, and Hanoi.

The station connects to the city centre via limited bus routes, with only Route 7 providing direct access. New train services continue to launch, including daily connections to popular coastal destinations.

Metro

Ho Chi Minh City’s first metro line officially opened in December 2024, connecting Ben Thanh Market in the city centre to Suoi Tien Theme Park. The 12-mile (20km) elevated and underground line features 14 stations and operates from 5am to 10pm daily.

Trains run every 8 to 12 minutes, and you can pay using NAPAS cards or contactless payment methods. The metro connects with 17 dedicated feeder bus routes using electric buses, creating an integrated transport network.

Eight metro lines are planned in total. The second line connecting Ben Thanh Market to Tham Luong Canal is set to break ground in 2025.

Useful links

• Ho Chi Minh City Management Centre Of Public Transport
• Ho Chi Minh City Metro Line 1
• HCMC Metro System Information

Taxis in Ho Chi Minh City

Taxis remain a comfortable and affordable way to travel around Ho Chi Minh City. You’ll find an ample supply of traditional taxis and ride-hailing options throughout the streets.

The main challenge involves avoiding dishonest drivers and potential scams that specifically target foreign visitors. Expats should ensure that traditional taxi drivers use their meter and switch it on at the start of their journey. Take a photo of the driver’s information and taximeter as a precaution.

Expect very slow speeds during the morning and evening rush hours. For groups travelling together, a taxi represents the best option, but for solo travellers, motorbike taxis are cheaper and faster.

Most traditional taxi drivers speak very little English. To avoid confusion with street name pronunciation, have your destination address written down in Vietnamese for the driver.

The easiest way to sidestep language barriers and potential scams is to use ride-hailing applications. Major players include Xanh SM, Grab, Be, and traditional companies like Mai Linh and Vinasun.

Motorbike taxis

Motorbike taxis (xe ôm, literally ‘motorbike hugs’) remain by far the most efficient way to get around Ho Chi Minh City. You can easily find them anywhere in the city, with drivers lining the pavements waiting for customers.

Set a price before starting your journey to prevent overcharging at the journey’s end. Don’t hesitate to build a relationship with competent and friendly drivers. Many visitors get their driver’s phone number for future rides.

Always wear a helmet when using motorbike taxis in Ho Chi Minh City. Helmet violations incur huge fines, and authorities strictly enforce this regulation.

Useful links

• Grab Vietnam
• Xanh SM Electric Taxi
• Be Ride-Hailing App
• Mai Linh Taxi Company
• Vinasun Taxi Company

Driving in Ho Chi Minh City

Expats generally prefer not to get behind the wheel in Ho Chi Minh City because of the increasingly chaotic traffic conditions. Following new traffic safety regulations, commute times have doubled or tripled at key intersections.

Driving without intimate knowledge of the area and Vietnamese traffic patterns puts foreign drivers at considerable risk. The lack of parking compounds the problem, as most parking facilities prioritise motorbikes over cars.

Driver’s licences

To drive legally in Ho Chi Minh City, you need an International Driving Permit from the 1968 Vienna Convention. This critical detail matters because only 1968 IDPs are valid in Vietnam. Drivers from countries that didn’t sign the 1968 Vienna Convention – including the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China, and India – cannot obtain valid IDPs for Vietnam.

The IDP serves only as a temporary solution. If you plan to drive in the long term, you must convert to a Vietnamese licence. This process requires a Temporary Residence Card (TRC), available only to foreign residents, not tourists.

The conversion process involves submitting your foreign driver’s licence copy, passport with visa page, and TRC copy. You must attend in person for photo documentation, and authorities may request embassy verification of your original licence.

Useful links

• Ministry Of Transport Vietnam
• Vietnam IDP Information

Motorbikes in Ho Chi Minh City

Many people who settle in Ho Chi Minh City find themselves renting or buying their own motorbikes to get around. If you’re staying in Vietnam for an extended period or seeking an adrenaline rush, numerous rental shops operate throughout the city, particularly around backpacker areas.

Take time to research reputable companies offering standard monthly rates. Daily rentals are about twice the rate for monthly arrangements.

Riding a motorbike in Ho Chi Minh City requires experience and comfort with the city’s unique traffic patterns. Traffic experts warn that foreign tourists often underestimate local road conditions and traffic laws, leading to fines or accidents.

The city’s parking facilities cater specifically to motorbikes rather than cars. Most locations employ attendants who watch over parked vehicles.

Motorbike riding licences

To ride a motorbike legally in Ho Chi Minh City, you need either a valid 1968 Vienna Convention International Driving Permit covering motorcycles or a Vietnamese motorbike licence. The same country restrictions apply – drivers from the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China, and India cannot obtain valid IDPs for Vietnam.

Tourists without valid 1968 IDPs cannot legally rent or ride motorbikes, regardless of what rental shops might suggest. Many rental shops ask only for passports and don’t check licensing, but this doesn’t make riding legal.

Foreign residents can convert their home country motorcycle licences to Vietnamese equivalents using the same process as car licences, requiring a TRC.

Cycling in Ho Chi Minh City

If you’re moving to Ho Chi Minh City, you’ll notice that cycling infrastructure remains limited despite the city’s flat, compact structure that makes it ideal for bicycles. Current motorbike and car usage patterns make cycling challenging and potentially unsafe for newcomers. The city government is considering dedicated bicycle lanes in downtown areas along the first metro line and on Mai Chi Tho Boulevard. 

Bike-sharing programmes have emerged sporadically but tend not to stick.

If you decide to cycle in the city, always stay extremely focused and aware of your surroundings. A horn proves essential for making your presence known to other road users who may not expect cyclists on busy streets.