Budget Travel Tips: Nanning to Hanoi No-Nonsense Guide for Backpackers

Practical guide for traveling from Nanning to Hanoi (entry via Youyi Port, exit via Lao Cai Port, total cost about 233 RMB [Thumbs up]), details as follows:
[Money bag] ¥29.5 Depart from Nanning Railway Station in the morning on train 5511 to Pingxiang, enjoying the scenery along the way at a leisurely pace.

[Money bag] ¥10 After arriving in Pingxiang, you can share a car to Youyi Port, queue up to handle entry and exit procedures. It is said that the Vietnamese port may ask for a tip, but I was lucky this time and didn’t encounter it.
[Money bag] ¥3.5 After exiting the Vietnamese port, follow the crowd to take a shuttle bus to a place similar to our country’s “Transportation Center,” 12,000 VND per person.

[Money bag] ¥95 There are many transportation companies to choose from here. I chose the business car of A Hua’s family to go to Hanoi. Upon arrival in Hanoi, there will be a dedicated driver to take you to your hotel, which is quite good, 330,000 VND per person. (The highways in Vietnam are not very fast, the whole journey may take about 4 hours.

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[Money bag] ¥95 Because I was going to Yunnan, I chose Lao Cai Port for departure, taking the Sao Viet luxury bus to Lao Cai Port, 330,000 VND per person. (You can lie down throughout the journey, and there are charging ports, the experience is indeed good.)
[Thumbs up] After arriving in Lao Cai, you can queue up to exit.

If returning to China with a Chinese passport, you can use the convenient channel. At that moment, seeing a bunch of people queuing up, I felt a sense of pride [Laughing and crying].
[Check-in] About the visa: For some reasons, Vietnam requires a separate paper visa. You can apply for an e-visa online in advance (it takes about 3 working days), and it is very convenient to exchange for a separate paper visa on-site.

Remember to prepare 2 white background 2-inch ID photos, which will be collected on-site.
[Money bag] About currency exchange: When you arrive at Youyi Pass, many people will ask if you want to exchange money, the exchange rate will be slightly lower, you can exchange a little for the bus fare; after arriving in Hanoi, near Hoan Kiem Lake, there are several places like QUANG HUY where you can exchange money.

[Like] About the experience: For normal travel, Hanoi is relatively safe. The lifestyle here is very relaxed, with many Europeans and Americans, making it quite international. The locals speak a bit of English, and they are quite friendly, so communication is not too difficult. The overall experience is quite good, suitable for short-term travel in Southeast Asia [Backpack].