Getting around

Vietnam's main thoroughfare is Highway 1, which runs from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh, passing through HuA©, Da Nang and Nha Trang en route, and is ghosted by the country's main rail line. Though things have been improving, public transport remains fairly shambolic: bus timetables are for the most part redundant, and many tourists opt for internal flights or private tours in order to escape the clapped-out buses and snail-slow trains. On buses, never fall asleep with your bag by your side, and never leave belongings unattended. On trains, ensure your money-belt is safely tucked under your clothes before going to sleep and that your luggage is safely stowed (preferably padlocked to an immovable object).

Other useful information for tourists (each section contains more specific sub-sections):