A favourite alternative for tourists is to charter minibuses to popular spots. These are more expensive, but more comfortable. Budget hotels and cafes usually take bookings for charters. Within the cities, reliable bus services are sorely lacking. The fares are heavily subsidized, with a flat rate regardless of the distance.
Minibuses often run between tourist hotels in the major towns.
In Hanoi, taxis wait outside the more upmarket hotels or you can telephone for one. Few drivers speak English, so if you want a guided tour you'll have to pay extra for the guide. The highway between Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi is in fairly good condition, but other road connections may be quite potholed. Black market petrol is sold along most roads, but be aware that it is often mixed with kerosene. Hiring a bicycle or a motorbike is about the best bet for getting around the cities.