What is an Open Tour Bus Ticket?

The Open Tour Bus Ticket system allows you to travel between Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi for a distance of 1730 km. This system began because backpackers wanted to see the whole of Vietnam without paying for the expensive rail or air travel. 

Those buses cover about 80-90% of Vietnam's latitude. They transverse the 3 main birding zones (North/Central/ South) though supplementary transport may be needed to bring you to your actual birding destinations.  

You may begin your trip at either city and you can break your journey along the way. The system is designed so that you travel in one direction but you are not allowed to head backwards.

For US$28, you get a booklet of tickets which are valid for 2 months. At the start of each leg of the journey, the relevant ticket would be torn off. The buses will only stop at designated cities which are major tourist attractions. They will depart punctually at a set time everyday even if there are no passengers onboard.

It is a very competitive business. There are many operators in Vietnam that offer this Open Tour Bus service and many of the lesser ones have gone into deep into the red. The most established company, which also happens to be the one who started this form of travel in Vietnam, is Sinh Café. I found that their buses were very punctual and were well-maintained.

I prefer the Open Tour Ticket Buses over the private minivans for 5 reasons:

1. The buses are better maintained and have air-conditioning.

 2. The bus drivers tend to drive more sanely. Taking a trip with the minivan drivers is a hair-raising experience! They have a habit of overtaking recklessly and tend to remain on the wrong side of the road!

 3. They depart punctually and do not have to wait until the vehicle is full of passengers. The buses are often not full so for long distances, you get to stretch your legs over 2 seats.

 4. They only stop at designated stops and do not waste time going round the block to pick up more passengers.

 5. The maximum number of passengers onboard each Open Tour Bus is fixed so you will not have to be crammed uncomfortably in an overloaded minivan.

How long would it take to bird watch across the entire country?

That depends on how thorough you want to be. If you have limited time (less than 2 weeks) and plan on going the DIY route, I would suggest doing just a section or 2 of Vietnam (Southern/Central/Northern). If you hire a guide and fly from town to town, it might be possible to squeeze in many of the hotspots, though it will be a shame to miss much of Vietnam’s glorious landscape.

I spent 50 days travelling from HCMC to the northernmost tip of the country.  During my trip, there was ample time for a good mix of sightseeing at the various historical sites. There were times that I wished I could have afforded more than 3-6 days at each of the birding hotspots. In all, I spent 27 full days bird watching.

Should I head norwards or southwards?

Since the Open Tour Bus Ticket only grants you access to travel in one direction, the question of travelling northwards or southwards arises. Below are some considerations:

The weather is an important consideration for birdwatchers. If you are travelling in between the monsoon periods, check how the winds bring rain there. Vietnam is a long country and so the southern part can be rainy while the central or northern parts remain dry.

Do you intend to get any shore birding done? Xuan Thuy Reserve is around Hanoi’s latitude and is several hours away. On a long 1-3 months birding trip, especially before the beginning and nearer to the end of the migratory season, you will have to plan your route accordingly to see the rare Black-Faced Spoonbills.

Do you plan to do a lot of shopping at the end of your trip? If so, end your trip at Ho Chi Minh City. The prices are better and the product range is wider. Branded backpacks, in particular, are sold at very steep discounts. It was very tempting to buy a few more as gifts for friends and family members.

This DIY guide begins from HCMC (in the south) and will lead the reader all the way to the northern tip of Vietnam.