Taking the Bus in Vietnam

(This article is written by a Japanese person who loves Vietnam and has spent nine years living and working here.)

The main ways to get around Vietnam are motorbikes and cars. People who don't have their own vehicle usually use taxis or buses. For taxis, using an app is the safest and most convenient way. I own a motorbike, so I used to take a taxi whenever I went on a long trip.

I have lived in Vietnam for almost 10 years now. When I first arrived, I took the bus a few times with my Japanese colleagues, but once the Grab app became popular, I stopped using them. After I bought my own motorbike, I stopped using the bus entirely.

Once I got used to riding a motorbike, I had a negative image of the bus. I thought they were never on time, difficult to board, and that the drivers were too aggressive. While the arrival times on Google Maps are generally accurate, they often are not. Sometimes two buses with the same number arrive at the same time—it’s all down to luck!

boarding is also a challenge because the bus often doesn't come to a full stop. Instead, it just slows down, the door opens, and you have to hop on quickly while making sure you don't trip. As for the aggressive drivers, I kind of understand them now. There are so many careless motorbikes on the road that it’s natural for them to get frustrated. If you aren't used to it, the rough driving can give you motion sickness. Because of these reasons, I didn't use the bus at all for about eight years.

However, riding a motorbike isn't easy either. Traffic is heavy, and the accident rate in Ho Chi Minh City is very high, so you have to be alert at all times. During the rainy season, you also have to deal with sudden squalls. This creates stress, and I found myself not wanting to drive at all on my days off. After moving to the suburbs, I decided to start using the bus again.

When I drive my motorbike, I focus entirely on the road and don't notice anything else. On the bus, I can observe the interactions between passengers. Years ago, I wasn't interested because I only spoke Japanese with my colleagues and didn't understand Vietnamese. Now that I understand a bit more, I treat it as listening practice. I hear people talking about things like rising prices or health tips.

Once, right before a long holiday, I heard a driver telling the conductor how much his bonus was. The conductor asked what he was going to spend it on, and the driver laughed and said, "No matter how much I get, it all goes to my wife anyway, so it's all the same!" I thought to myself, "Yeah, me too..." (lol).

Another time, a middle school boy was so busy playing a game on his phone that he missed his stop. He shouted, "Oh no! Can I get off right here?" The driver lectured him while driving: "No, you can't! You missed it because you're always playing games. You're smart and handsome, but being addicted to games is no good!" The older ladies on the bus were all laughing, and I was secretly smiling under my mask too.

During rush hour (5 PM to 6 PM), the bus gets very crowded. When elderly people board a full bus, young people immediately give up their seats, and the elderly people say thank you with a big smile. I’ve taken the bus dozens of times, and I’ve never seen a conductor have to tell someone to give up their seat. Young people do it proactively.

I remember a long time ago, before I knew Vietnamese, I gave up my seat for a pregnant woman. she gave me a huge, radiant smile. Seeing someone that happy makes you feel like it was really worth it. In my home country, Japan, people in that situation often say "I'm sorry" (sumimasen) to acknowledge the trouble they caused, but in Vietnam, they say "Thank you." It’s very honest and human, which I like.

Yesterday, I took the bus to the city center. While we were stuck in traffic, a young woman (likely a university student) asked the conductor, "Can I charge my phone?" The conductor immediately lent her his own power bank. This would almost never happen in Japan, so I was surprised, but for them, it seemed like a totally normal, everyday thing. If they can help, they help. That’s a wonderful part of Vietnam.

There are more buses than I expected, and I’ve gotten used to the rough driving. Now, I find the bus quite comfortable. Most importantly, as long as you watch out for pickpockets, it's very safe and stress-free during traffic jams. Recently, I've seen more electric buses, too. I plan to keep using the bus and discover new routes!

By Takkun