Open Tour Buses

Though my initial plan is to make my way south of the country by train, I am drawn to the open tour bus. It cost an average of US$25 for an open bus ticket, which allows me to hop on and hop off at all major stops between Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh. A hard sleeper with multiple stops on the other hand will cost me more than US$120.

However, a mistake I have made as other traveller is to purchase the full open tickets from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh, instead of purchasing one destination at a time. If the bus is fully booked – which can happen – I can’t seek alternative with other bus companies or mode of transport without sacrificing what I have paid for. Essentially, I have sacrificed my independence to save a couple of bucks.

Travelling on the open tour bus is not so much a tourist affair as the guidebook has suggested. With the increasing affluent Vietnamese, I found myself sharing seats with them on my way from Hanoi to Hue. Apparently, they are taking short break to their hometown in Central Vietnam from their job in Hanoi. They also seem to carry with them large number of suitcases, cartons and bags which they packed the back of the bus. Bags are pack to on the last row and spilling on to the aisle.

I have also learnt not to take the last few rows of the bus. I have took a 12 hours bus journey from Hanoi to Hue on a seat which I can tilt back due the bags packed in the seat behind me…