Job Discussion Forums

[chrisandcarla]

Hey, I'm staying in the backpackers district and I need to get to the intersection of Hai Ba Trung and Vo Thi Sau on a regular basis for a TEFL program. I'm hoping to take the public bus, to save some money (and my life...I can't imagine making the long walk every day without eventually dying in traffic :0 ) My question is, what do the bus stops look like? And does anyone know which buses I need to take to get from Pham Ngu Lao to the intersection I have mentioned? Also, how much does it cost?
Thanks!

[Jbhughes]

Whenever I go to Saigon, I usually use the bus at some point.

My experience has been that it's hot, sweaty and quite stifling. I only ever use them if I know I don't have a fixed time to get anywhere, because it seems impossible to predict when they will arrive at the departure station/bus stop and how long it will take. It's a lot cheaper than a taxi and less hassle than a xe om though (my experience.) Also, it's a slightly different view of the city.

With worries about punctuality and the bane of sitting on the damn thing twice a day, I wouldn't use the bus for a daily commute. I don't find the alternatives particularly alluring either though, quite frankly - one of the reasons I don't live in HCM The experience of those that do (use the bus for commute/live in HCM) will be of more use.

This map is useful for route planning:

http://www.buyttphcm.com.vn/admin/Images/mat%20ban%20doT7-2011.jpg

Initially it looks like a nightmare, but if you use Cho Ben Thanh (Ben Thanh Market) as an anchor for your eye, you should find that you can find most places - possibly with the help of Vietbando:

http://www.vietbando.com/maps/

There is a better interactive street map for HCM, I seem to have lost the link though.

Tickets are 4 or 5k depending on how far you go. According to the website, you can get a bus uhh card(?) for multiple trips which makes each journey 1k or so less.

Some pictures of bus stops:

http://files.myopera.com/SAIGONBUS/blog/VietGiaiTri12.jpg
http://www.baovietnam.vn/articles-images/phap-luat/19/Chuyen-kinh-di-tren-xe-bus-171646-1.jpg

and my favourite:

https://4cdpmw.bay.livefilestore.com/y1mmOSOjwEhCka8fE2z_E8ugmWdiel7e8Ikr7RLVD-TgYk42-fWkC8oRp9XgjRhsBTOUclJ_DeP2f9eS6o6CAdS0PTZjRXawENWx6V7IvOdr7ctoeZtT8ZBTaakBjP44mLJx6NTYBsnYpwW-aqeZoG8LA/6eekieu-2%5B4%5D_thumb.jpg

Hope the links work!

[bludevil96]

Go to a bookstore and buy a map. It costs about 7k-vnd-not sure since it's been awhile. On the back of the map, you'll see the bus routes coordinated by different colors. Each of the color will have a number and that's the number on the bus. The bus DOES NOT stop just anywhere and only at the bus stops. These stops will have a blue square sign attached to a pole about 7 feet high and the area of the street are usually painted with yellow stripes like a pedestrian walkway(not all the time). Some stops will even have seats and an overhead to shield from the rain. The bus fare is 4k-vnd regardless of distance. Don't give them a 100k note to change or you'll get a dirty look. Trace the color of the bus route against the street name and along those lines are where you'll find the stops. The main bus terminal is very close to the PNL area - directly across from Ben Thanh Market. All buses with the exception of #14 will have to stop at the main terminal.

When you are waiting for the bus at the bus stop and sees that the bus you're taking is coming up, you need to waive your hand to them or else they'll think you're waiting for another bus and just continue moving. When you're sitting or standing on the bus, be aware of your wallets, pockets, and pocketbook. There are a lot of pick pocketers on there and are basically opportunists.

When you come home from where ever you're going, you need to wait on the other side of the street and look for the same bus to get back.

Welcome to VN, good luck, and hope this helps.

[1st Sgt Welsh]

Hi chrisandcarla,

Of course it's up to you but, as for myself, I'm a great believer in putting a price on aggravation. As Jbhuges said, the public buses here can be very uncomfortable and, especially during busy times, are extremely crowded. They also have something of a reputation for often being late, but apparently it's much better now than what it was a few years ago.

If it was me, I'd just get xeoms. This would mean riding around on the back of motor scooter so buses would be a safer and, of course, cheaper option. Based on what you have written, buses may be the best way to go. Having said that, a xeom would be much quicker and more convenient.

How much you'd pay a driver for a trip from D1 to D3 will probably depend a little on your haggling skills and how much love you have in your heart . Personally I would be OK paying 20,000 dong each way (about $1), but a Vietnamese person would probably end up paying about half that.

[bludevil96]

[chrisandcarla]

Thanks for the responses! We're going to rent a place closer to our school, after all (10 minute walk). I did get a bus map off a street vendor, so we'll definitely try it out when we want to explore other areas of the city. Bus crowding: I'm used to it from Vancouver, but I'm sure its a different experience in 35 degrees. Yuck!

[mark_in_saigon]

There is a little hotel on the side street just around the corner from that school. One of the guys was in it during the program last month, it looked acceptable, and sure was convenient, about a 3 minute walk. There are a couple of very inexpensive and fairly decent restaurants right across from the hotel as well. Long term, if you live in HCMC, you really need to be able to drive a moto.