By Plane

In Vietnam, there are four international airports in total. If you want a direct flight, e. g. from the U.S. or Europe to Vietnam, you can either fly to HCMC (with the biggest airport, the Tan Son Nhat International Airport) or to Hanoi (with the second biggest one, the Nội Bài International Airport).

Alternatively, you can take a flight to China, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, South Korea, Japan or Singapore, and get a connecting flight to Vietnam:

Da Nang has an International Airport (flights from/to Seoul/South Korea, Bangkok/Thailand, Singapore).

From 2010, the Can Tho Airport in South Vietnam will provide international service, too (flights from/to Bangkok/Thailand, Tokyo/Japan, Phnom Penh/Cambodia).

If you buy a ticket for a flight to Vietnam in a nearby country, you might get it for half the price of a Vietnam Airlines’ flight. However, during holidays it will be hard to get a reservation. Especially during Tet you should make reservations in advance. You can also travel into Vietnam overland or on the waterway from one of the adjacent countries.

By Boat

From Cambodia:

On the banks of the Mekong, there is a river border crossing between Cambodia and Vietnam. Regular fast boats shuttle between Phnom Penh, Cambodia and Chau Doc, Vietnam, with a change at the Cambodian-Vietnamese border.

You can also cross the Cambodian-Vietnamese border on the waterway at Vinh Xuong – Kaam Samnor, which is next to Chau Doc. Boat cruises between HCMC and Siem Reap are offered by the more expensive Pandaw Cruises (www.pandaw.com) and the smaller Cambodian company Toum Teav Cruises (www.cfmekong.com).

By Bus

From Laos:

If you like to travel from Hanoi to Vientiane, be aware that the trip might take 24 hours – due to shady bus drivers who stop in the middle of nowhere, trying to renegotiate the price.

Laos has six border crossings in total:

The most popular crossing between Laos and Vietnam is the Lao Bao – Dansavanh, 80 km west of Dong Ha. Across the border, there’s the southern Lao province of Savannakhet, where a bus runs to from Hue every other day at 6 a.m. (9 hours, US $15), passes Dong Ha (7.5 hours, US $12). The bus from Savannakhet to Vietnam leaves at 10 p.m.

Cau Treo – Nam Phao: If you choose this border crossing, expect the bus to be overcrowded and the journey to take 24 hours, also because the driver might stop for taking a nap.

Nam Can – Nong Haet: links Vinh with Phonsovan and the Plain of Jars. Buses run three times a week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Sundays at 6 a.m. (US$12, 11 hours, bookings at Mr Lam’s: 038-383 5782).

Cha Lo – Na Phao: This rarely used border linkes Dong Hoi and Tha Khaek. Buses run twice a week between these cities.

Na Meo–Nam Xoi: This border connects Thanh Hoa, 153 km south of Hanoi, with Sam Neua and the popular Pathet Lao caves of Vieng Xai. You have to change several times on this trip and, on top of that, you are likely to be overcharged.

Boy–Attapeu: Buses from Attapeu to Pleiku depart every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9 a.m., buses from Quy Nhon to Pakse leave four times a week (250,000 VND).

From Cambodia:

To cross the Bavet – Moc Bai border, you can take the bus, a cab or a private car. Several buses run daily between Phnom Penh and HCMC, departing at 8 a.m. (US $8).

From Thailand:

There are trains from Bangkok to Vientiane, Laos, from where you can take the bus to Hanoi.

If you want to travel from Thailand to Cambodia, you can take the train or bus from Bangkok to Aranyaprathet. Then take a motorcycle, taxi or tuk-tuk to cross the border and travel by train (12 hours) or bus (5 hours) from Battambang to Phnom Penh. From there, buses leave for Saigon.

By Train

From Europe:

You can take a train/flight from Europe to Moscow, and then travel on the Trans-Siberian Railway to Bejing.

From China:

Between China and Vietnam, there are three border crossings:

Youyi Huu Nghi Quan (the Friendship Pass): located at Dong Dang, 164 km northeast of Hanoi, connects Hanoi with Nanning.

Lao Cai – Hekou: The border town on the Vietnamese side is Lao Cai, 294 km from Hanoi. The Vietnamese train only goes until the border. You have to cross it, and take a bus in Hekou, which is 468 km south of Kunming.

Mong Cai – Dongxing: Mong Cai is located in the northeast of Vietnam, near Halong Bay. Border-crossing hours are in general between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. (Vietnam time). Trains leave from Bejing and Nanning to Hanoi.

From Thailand:

There are trains from Bangkok to Vientiane, Laos, from where you can take the bus to Hanoi.

If you want to travel from Thailand to Cambodia, you can take the train or bus from Bangkok to Aranyaprathet. Then take a motorcycle, taxi or tuk-tuk to cross the border and travel by train (12 hours) or bus (5 hours) from Battambang to Phnom Penh. From there, buses leave for Saigon.

Inside Vietnam:

The Reunification Express between Saigon and Hanoi stops in Nha Trang, Dieu Tri, Quang Ngai, Da Nang, Hué, Dong Hoi, Vinh, Thanh Hoa and Ninh Binh.

By Car/Motorbike

You can travel by car or motorbike, too. Border crossing with these vehicles only works for Laos and Cambodia. Yet, the cumbrous bureaucracy will make you think twice whether you really want to do this to yourself. You need your driver’s licence and an international driving permit, as well as the vehicle’s registration papers and a liability insurance. Last but not least, you will need the "carnet de passage en douane", a document for customs, serving as a duty waiver.