Motorbike travelling in mountainous areas in Vietnam

When coming to Vietnam, beside big cities’ well-known tourism destinations, many foreign travellers love spending their time chasing the wind on the road of the wildly mountainous areas by motorbike. We tell you How and Why!

Reasons for choosing motorbike

Motorbike is considered the best means of transportation for travelling mountainous areas due to its convenience and initiative. With a motorbike, one is free to go wherever he loves, despite all kinds of road’s condition. He can stop whenever he feels like to take photographs or relaxing, instead of depending on the driver or tour guide. Motorbike helps integrating people with nature and fresh air, and one will never be afraid of motion sickness. If choosing a car, people are likely to waste hours sleeping in passenger’s seat with air condition, not to mention the car sick caused by consecutive slopes and mountain passes. Riding on the motorbike means living on every single kilometer of your itinerary! Moreover, one can ride a motorbike in any kind of terrains, and it is much easier to repair in case of breaking down.

Read more about Motorbike travel in Vietnam

Which kind of motorbike and when?

100 cc-or-more semi-automatic motorbikes are all suitable for roads in Northern Vietnam’s mountainous area. The main criteria for choosing motorbike are strong engine, gasoline-saving and flexible packing space.

Weather is one of the most essential issues regarding planning for motorbike trip. The best time for exploring those mighty areas is from late September to the beginning of December or after Tet Nguyen Dan, when there is almost no rain and the temperature is cool. The spring’s rain and summer’s heat in high region somehow are hazardous for health as well as damaging to the road’s quality.

Be well-prepared!

There are indispensable things that one has to bring whenever travelling to remote areas such as specialized clothes and shoes, personal stuff, map, contact information and medical bags. However, a motorbike trip requires more than that. One will have to be well-prepared with a protective helmet and a motorcycle repair tool kit, and of course, certain skills of mending engine. An extra spark-plug and motorbike’s key are always in need. Remember to maintain the whole motorbike before setting off, change the oil and check its tyres, brakes, mirrors, horn and light. Fill up your motorbike with gasoline and know the location of gasoline station!

On the way

If possible, travelling in groups of two or three motorbikes with one experienced leader is advisable. All members of the group are required to have detailed itinerary to get rid the risk of getting lost. People should not ride parallel to each other and talk while controlling the motorbike, thus, stop the bike if feeling a need for a conversation.

Pay attention to the bend and ones driving contrariwise and do not drive into other lane. Sometimes, there may be animals like buffaloes, cows, dogs or even pigs crossing the road, so one should decrease the speed and avoid making them panic. At night or in rain weather, when the vision is limited, travellers had better pause the journey for resting and safety reasons.

Other things to remember

• Do not ride when you feel tired or sleepy.

• Do not ride after drinking alcohol.

• Avoid riding too fast or stop without noticing.

• Observe carefully and pay attention to road signs.

• Bring your identity paper and driving license because there will be police checking along the road ( however, they will not be very strict to foreigners)

• Be extremely careful when crossing the stream; be sure about the depth of the water to have the best arrangement.

• Respect the ethnic minority people and their distinctive culture.

• Protect the environment and always remember: Safe is of primary important.

How much money do I need for Vietnam?

Vietnam is a promising land to the foreigner travelers because of the unique attractions of the country in terms of nature, culture or history, not to mention cheap and diverse tourism services. Basically, the amount of money on average that has to be paid out of tourists ‘pocket is around USD50-70 in exchange for mid-range tourism services, including standard accommodation, meal fees, transportations fees and other fees. However, the expense is significantly diverse among different tourist-attracting destinations, and normally the price in the North of Vietnam is more expensive than the South counterpart. Below are some tips and estimates for tight budget travelers to enjoy a cracking trip in Vietnam.

Accommodation: Like other tourism destinations in the world, Vietnam has two main types of accommodation: budget and luxurious. Generally, the room price of the budget hotel fluctuates around USD 25- 35 per night, while the luxurious one is more various with the average price higher than USD 60 per night. Should travelers choose to stay at more modest accommodations like motels and guesthouse, the price is much cheaper, roughly USD15 – 25 per night.

Transportation: There is a ton of ways to travel around and between destinations in Vietnam. The recommended transportation methods for foreigners are taxies with the average price of VND 8,000-10,000 per km (USD 0.4 – 0.48 per km). Another way is to use motorbike taxi (Xe Om) with lower price around VND 6, 000-8,000 (USD 0.28-0.38), in case you know how to bargain and get the deal. For interprovincial travelling, you have more options to pick up, namely buses, train and air. Domestic air fare in Vietnam is approximately USD 60-150 per flight based on the airlines and distances. Train fare is from USD 5 – 60 while bus fare is a little lower with USD 4 to 50.

Food: In Vietnam, the fee for a meal in local restaurant is very reasonable. With common Vietnamese dishes, the price is pretty low at around USD 1 – 5 per dish, and if tourists want to try special foods of some specific destinations, it is certain that they will be charged higher based on the rareness and availability of the cuisine. Generally, average expense for main meals (lunch and dinner) in Vietnam is roughly USD 8 – 15 per person, whilst the breakfast is more or less USD 3-4 per person.

Other expenses: They are access fees to local attractions, souvenir expense and other extra costs. It is truly difficult to estimate the amount of money to spend on this dimension, however, normally the access fee to local attractions is less than 5 USD per person (except the high class playground), and souvenirs are just worth about USD 2 – 10 per objects (depend on your bargaining talent).

The bottom line: You can get by in Vietnam for $25 a day with basic food and stay. A suggested budget for a 10 day trip to Vietnam, excluding return air ticket, is $600, at the minimum.

Money and Costs

One of the constant worries for non-package tour travellers is to budget for the trip. The good news is, it is relatively cheap both to live in and to travel in Vietnam. A 5 star hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, for example, would cost you the same as what you pay for a 2 star hotel in New York or Toronto. The rule is that Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City will be more expensive than smaller cities like Hue or Hoi An and much more costly than the countryside area.  

Accommodation:  

It depends on how much luxury you want but you can find a hostel dorm for as little as $5. Contrastingly, a five-star resort in Hoi An such as the world famous Nam Hai can go for as high as $600. The condition varies greatly but in general, the standard will leave up to your expectations - in other words, good bang for your buck.  

Food:

“The cheaper the food, the better it is”, say an expat in Hanoi. Believe it or not, street food is a culture thing that you can’t afford to miss when visiting Vietnam. A bowl of Pho (which is filling for a meal) costs about 20,000 in local place and 65,000 in upper scale restaurant. A set menu in high-end restaurant is about $15-$30, depending on restaurant venues and chefs’ prestige. For budget travellers, you will be pleased to know that you can get by a day with $10 spent on food.  

Transportation:

Getting around the city, you can choose taxi, xe oms, walking or city bus. Taxi meter varies but do not exceed 15,000 per km (about 75 cents) and is the most expensive option. You can continue working out the math.  Getting from one city/province to another, you have airplane, open tour bus or train. The flight from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City is about $115 one way (you can haggle around to find the best deal). Buses and trains are about half-price.  

Museum entrance fees:

Most museums and arts galleries cost you less than $2. There is no discount for students with valid card or for seniors. Depending on site, admissions for children less than 12 years old are free.  

Entertainment:

The most luxurious 3D movie ticket will cost you about $6, well below the Western standard. For music shows it depends on where you go- a concert at Hanoi Opera House vary between $10-30 while a show at tea house will cost you only drinks.  If you plan to go out for the night, avoid bringing excessive money in case of theft. A cocktail will not cost you more than $5.

* Note: 1 USD = 21,600 VND (Approximately)

Ho Chi Minh City Accommodation Guide by Districts

DISTRICT 1

Touted as the most modern and exciting district in Ho Chi Minh City, District 1 is a top-notch district to live in. The first reason attracting people to live in District 1 is its strategic position. Most foreign embassy offices or governmental offices are located in District 1. If visitors would like to do their visas, passports or temporary immigration documents, they can reach these offices within walking distances or 5 to 10 minutes drive.

Secondly, because it is the center district, there concentrate lots of recreational activities, such as shopping malls, movie theaters, bars,restaurants, etc. That is the reason why District 1 is also regarded as a “sleepless district” where a great deal of entertainment keeps you awake all night (see 5 Places to Spend your Night in HCMC).

Foreigners from all over the world can be found here - so the chance of making a new expat friends are likely to be higher than other districts. Pham Ngu Lao street is touted as a Western road where there are a lot of Western-styled restaurants, coffee shops, bars and other services for foreigners. Thanks to the high density of foreigners, there are more citizens in District 1 who can communicate in English than in other districts. If you are not confident in your Vietnamese and do not have any translator, District 1 may be the most suitable place to live for less hassle in daily conversation (read Can You Get By With Just English in Vietnam).

Though life seems to be pink in District 1, there are reasons that deter expats from staying here. District 1 is considered to be the most expensive district, like New York City in the States. Everything seems to be more costly here. A cup of coffee is twice or tripled more in comparison with other districts. A movie ticket costs you $1 more if you choose a movie theater in Galaxy cinemas in District 1 instead ofTan Binh district. Daily food at the market is also priced higher. If you just stop by Ho Chi Minh City, District 1 can satisfy all your senses  with its premium services.

DISTRICT 2

Located a little bit outer from the city center, District 2 is a less crowded and less expensive district to live in. A lot of expats choose to live in District 2 for the following reasons. First, it is not too far from the city center: just 10 km (6.22 miles) away. Thanks to the new Dong-Tay Boulevard project, it normally takes only 15 minutes to 20 minutes to commute between District 1 and District 2. Besides, there are villas and high class apartments available for leasing at more affordable price. If an expat rents an apartment here, he or she can save at least $200/ month depending upon the size and amenities of the house. Thirdly, if you are tired of crowded streets with crazy motorbike riders in the city center, you may find larger roads with fewer riders in district 2 so enjoyable. Traffic jams don’t happen as regularly as in center districts.

However, there are some drawbacks you need to look at before making a decision. There are not many entertainment activities taking place in District 2. If you are a dynamic young person who can’t stand being home in the evening, you may think twice about living in District 2. It seems district 2 is more suitable for middle-aged and elderly expats who prefer fresh air, fewer people and a peaceful life.

DISTRICT 3

Young people still have another option of accommodation to live near the city center at a cheaper price: District 3.  Not so far from District 1, people living in District 3 tend to use a cab or rent a motorbike as a means of transportation. District 3 is suitable for those who stay in Ho Chi Minh City just for a short time and travel on an economy basis. One advantage of living in District 3 is various kinds of recreational activities: coffee shops, movie theaters, parks (Tao Dan Park, Le Van Tam Park).

If you are a coffee lover and want to discover different themes of coffee shops, District 3 is your right choice. Besides, if you are tired of going shopping at malls, you may try looking around some fashion shops on Vo Van Tan street, Nguyen Dinh Chieu street, Cach Mang Thang Tam street, to name a few. Family with teenagers may prefer living in District 3 because the shops mostly sell clothes at their ages. If you are shoe lovers, you cannot miss lots of shoes shops on Ly Chinh Thang street where extra sizes are available at much less price than buying those in district 1.

However, district 3 has small roads, therefore, traffic jams happen almost every day at rush hours. The only way to avoid being stuck in a traffic jam is try to get out/ get back home right before the peak hours.

DISTRICT 5

Known as the China Town of Ho Chi Minh City, District 5 has the most Chinese Vietnamese living. Unlike District 1, District 5 is more ancient and oriental in its architecture and people’s daily activities. There are more pagodas and temples in District 5 than other districts of Ho Chi Minh City. The cost of living in district 5 is not as expensive as living in District 1 and just about the same as living in District 3.

Chinese food sold in district 5 is authentic and yummy which satisfies even the toughest customers. Public transportation is also convenient to travel back and forth between District 1 and District 5. From District 5, you can take the bus No. 1 at Cho Lon Bus Station (20 cents for a ticket) to get to Ben Thanh Market in 45 minutes. If you are travelling on Lunar New Year occasion or Moon Festival, you should really consider District 5. It gives you truly festive atmosphere of celebrating these special occasions of the Hoa people community living here.

The only disadvantage of living in District 5 is not so many people can speak English; they can speak Chinese (both Mandarin and Cantonese) fluently, though. If you are good at Chinese, it won’t trouble you, then!

DISTRICT 7

Like District 2, District 7 is chosen as Vietnamese homes by many expats. Though it is a little bit away from the city center, District 7 is touted as the future face of Ho Chi Minh City in the next few years in housing industry. Because it was planned to be a Western district serving high income people in Ho Chi Minh City long time ago, there are a lot of high quality villas available for long-term leasing. Phu My Hung area offers high living standard apartments which are available for either purchasing or renting. Expats may find their familiar food at a local supermarket which has food from different countries, such as Korea, Japan, and the likes.  Fast food restaurants, coffee shops, bars are also modified to be suitable for foreigners. You may feel less homesick when living in District 7. Recently, Domino Pizza just opened its first franchise in Vietnam in District 7. Besides, KFC, Lotteria and other restaurants can be reached within walking distance. Special dinner seafood buffet is available at Cham Charm restaurant during weekends.

However, there are 2 disadvantages of living in District 7. First, because it is a remote area from the city center, there are not manynightlife activities here. Moreover, public transportation is not as convenient as in District 5.  Second, high cost of living is another drawback. Because of high quality standards characteristic, it may cost you more for the same service in comparison with other districts’.

TAN BINH DISTRICT

Tan Binh district is a good place to live for middle income people. Tan Binh district has lots of middle sized and small companies. Public transportation is convenient though it is often crowded at rush hours (6:30 a.m. -8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m- 6:30 p.m.) There are lots of hotels and motels available for renting for short term or long term at cheap price. If you are living in Ho Chi Minh City for more than 3 months, you may try finding a room in some houses. Host family may offer it at a reasonable price. Not too costly is another advantage of living in Tan Binh district. Fast food is also available but not in a variety of choice like District 1 or District 7. There are not as many luxury restaurants and hotels here, either. Food quality is reasonable at its price.

Roads, however, are too small to travel smoothly, especially during peak hours when traffic jams happen almost every day. Entertaining activities are limited. There are not many movie theaters, shopping malls or fashion shops.

If you are an expat officer or a businessman who does not require a lot of means of entertainment, you can think of Tan Binh district to live for a long time due to low cost of living and convenient public transportation.

THU DUC DISTRICT

Being so far away from the city center (about 20 km ~ 12.5 miles), Thu Duc District attract fewer foreigners to live. Most expats live in Thu Duc district because they are working here. People don’t have to worry about their budget when living in Thu Duc. It is much cheaper than living in the city center. For a meal, it may cost you at most $1.5 which can be over $2 in inner districts like District 1, District 3 or District 5. Houses are available for renting at more affordable price, too.

If you don’t care much about the architecture and are not too specific about your accommodation, a house in Thu Duc District is suitable for you. Besides, Thu Duc district has been planned to be an education district of Ho Chi Minh City where most big universities in the city center expand its branches. Therefore, it will be suitable for you to live if you are working in education field such as being a lecturer at a university in Thu Duc.

Public transportation is easy to learn and use. The only matter is time. It takes about 1 hour to travel from the city center to Thu Duc district by bus or 45 minutes by taxi. There are not many exciting things to do there, too! Therefore, it is not a good idea for young people who love enthusiastic and exhilarating urban life to live in Thu Duc district. Just imagine that the bus from the city center to Thu Duc district stop its service at 9 p.m, when the party is just about to start, is discouraging enough to make such a decision to live permanently here.

Top Tips for a Trip to Vietnam

AUTHOR Tammy Burns DATE June 3, 2014

No doubt about it, Southeast Asia is one of the top choices for travellers. Beautiful scenery, friendly people, and cheap food and accommodations make it a popular destination not just with backpackers, but with anyone who wants an affordable trip to paradise. As one of the less traditional stops on the so-called Banana Pancake Trail, Vietnam is quickly growing in popularity. Less touristy than Thailand, but still easy to navigate, it offers up the best of everything—great beaches, incredible food, fascinating history and the feeling that you’re in a place that’s not quite like anywhere else on earth.

However, Vietnam can also be a challenging destination, especially if it’s your first time to that corner of the globe. The language is difficult to speak and understand, and the traffic can leave even the most seasoned traveller fretting over something as simple as crossing the street. There’s a vibe you have to find, a rhythm you have to fall into—and once you have it, you’ll realize why people keep falling in love with Vietnam.

Here are a few tips for your first trip to Vietnam:

Don’t hesitate in the streets. Vietnam’s traffic is notoriously intense, especially in Hanoiand Ho Chi Minh City. The key? Once you’ve started crossing, just keep going. Trust that motorbikes will weave behind you—if you hesitate, you’re more likely to cause an accident.

Realize that everything is further than you think. Geographically, Vietnam is a very narrow and very, very long country. If you’re travelling the length of the country, be prepared for a few overnight trains and long bus rides. And some major tourist attractions are quite far from the city—for example, a trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels will take at least two hours from downtown Ho Chi Minh City.

Carry cash and don’t rely on ATMs. Credit cards are often not accepted, especially in markets, and ATMs not only charge exorbitant fees for tourists, but also limit how much money you can take out to about 3 million dong, or US $150, at a time.

Pack less clothing. You can easily get your clothes laundered at most hotels for a few dollars. (Tip: There are often independent vendors set up outside hotels, offering laundry service—they’ll usually do it for a cheaper rate than at the hotel desk.) It’s worth it to get your clothes professionally cleaned every few days rather than lugging around several pounds of luggage.

Take more money. Yes, Vietnam is cheap. But it’s also easy to spend and spend and spend. When beers are only $1, keeping track seems less important—until you get your bill. In Hoi An, you’ll probably want to have a dress or suit made, which will cost you anywhere from $50 to $100 or more. You’ll want to take tours or splurge on a martini in Saigon. Don’t feel like you have to scrimp on your vacation simply because you didn’t bring enough cash.

Be prepared for all seasons. In the south, be prepared to sweat and burn under the sun. Places like Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City are extremely warm, especially in the summer months. However, north of the Hải Vân Pass, it can be remarkably chilly and rainy. Hanoi is very cold in the winter and spring—so, if you’re travelling the entire country, bring more than just your beach attire.

Eat, eat, eat! Vietnam is famous for its street food scene, and for good reason. The produce is fresh and every dish is seasoned with fragrant herbs. And don’t be afraid to venture away from the tourist restaurants. There are delectable finds on almost every city street—just be sure to avoid any place that doesn’t have running water or its own refrigeration system.

Dear First-Time Vietnam Visitor

A 36-year old ex-pat with the pen name "Our Man in Hanoi" offers advice to budget travelers.

The first thing you have to realize is that nothing is what it seems.

No one has sex outside of marriage here apparently. Yet the teenage abortion rate is horrifically high. Everyone seemingly has a mobile phone and a motorbike but the average wage is a dollar a day.

Befriend a local and they will spend their last few cents on a meal for you. They will refuse to take anything towards the cost (and you probably shouldn't offer) and they will be genuinely honored to eat with you. You can make a friend for life in seconds. At the same time, if someone collapses in the street, people will walk by. Or worse, stop to stare but do nothing.

As a foreigner the police will leave you alone. They know you bring money into this country. But that works both ways too. They may not help you when you need them either.

Everywhere is manic with activity yet strangely serene. Eventually your ears will filter out the noise and you'll fall in step with the traffic. You'll wonder why it seemed so scary when you first arrived.

I understand that when you think of Vietnam the chances are your first thought is of the American War (that's what it's called in these parts -- and what else would they call it, if you think about it for a second). By all means go to the museums, the tunnels and the rest if that is your thing. But Vietnam is much much more than that.

Seventy percent of the population were born after the war. And the American war was a blip in amongst centuries of other wars. In my experience Vietnamese tend to look forward rather than back: understand the horrors of that war. Put it in context and move on. Vietnam has.

Don't get too tied down with that communism thing. Vietnam is communist in name only. In terms of the likes of education and health care the capitalist country you left is likely to provide more for its people. As for freedom, well don't expect criticism of the government in the newspapers, but you don't suffer a nanny state here either.

And yes.. the opening up to commerce has helped Vietnam prosper. But don't forget this is on the back of a rare 30 years of peace. I would guess that this is the most significant factor in the upswing.

Don't worry about your personal safety. Or at least don't panic about it. Vietnam is probably the safest place you will visit. But don't be stupid. Hanoi isn't too bad but by all account bag snatching is on the rise in Saigon. Just keep things close to you. Honestly money belts are not needed. Stick you wallet in your pocket, like you do at home.

People will rip you off sometimes. They need the money. But that doesn't mean that people will ALWAYS rip you off. Sometimes the price they say is THE price. There is no need for haggling. Other times you can haggle and haggle to get a couple of cents knocked off. Why bother?

Find out what things cost. Don't accept the rip off price but accept the reasonable price. And while we're at it, westerners don't always pay more than locals (transport aside). That's a myth.

And yes people are poor here. Ignore the TV shops, the motorbikes, the cars etc. It's for a (growing) select few. Most people still live in a one room home and sleep on the floor. Remember that.

Learn a couple of words of Vietnamese. Hello and thank-you will do it. It'll make people smile at the very least. Smiling is important here. Smile when you're haggling, smile when you're arguing, smile when you're asking for your money back. People will appreciate it and actually it's a nicer way to live. If you're being over charged make an "oh my god" face, but do it half smiling. They'll realize they've been sussed but they'll smile back in an "I've been caught?" way and most likely offer you the real price.

Relax...they can smell nervous tourists and it's like a red rag to a bull. At least pretend you know what you're doing without being arrogant.

Learn to enjoy it even when things go wrong. They will go wrong. Vietnam is slapstick and bizarre and that is why so many of us love it. Vietnamese people know their country is bizarre. Get stuck in a traffic jam in a taxi and the driver will turn to you laughing, shrug and say: "Vietnam." As if that is the reason for the madness.

Remember, each cock-up is another experience and another good traveler's tale. Learn to laugh at the problems and live with it.

Oh and they will call you fat. They will ask how much you weigh, how old you are, how much you earn, how much your camera cost. Compared to them you probably are fat -- and answer the questions truthfully -- who cares?

As Michael Caine says in The Quiet American: "They say, whatever you are looking for, you can find here."

It's true. On every level from beautiful beaches to amazing cities. From boiled dog to bangers and mash. From street food to the Sheraton. How much you submerge yourself in Vietnam is up to you. Eat at street stalls if you enjoy the experience but you don't have to. Don't feel guilty if you only eat in top restaurants. Your dollars will still pay for a wage here. Likewise don't think you understand Vietnam and its people just because you've sat on plastic stools and eaten noodle soup.

And there is a seedy underside, and there are drugs, and there is corruption and prostitution. But where doesn't have these?

There is no where else like Vietnam. People who have been here longer than me, have told me that only five years ago it was all bicycles on the road. Now it's mostly motorbikes but more and more cars are starting to appear. Vietnam is changing. And although I wish I had seen it then, now is also fascinating. The change is here but McDonalds and Starbucks haven't arrived yet. Nothing is ruined. Not yet.

You should realize that people either love or hate Vietnam. It is that type of place. But if you at least try to love it then it is more likely to work for you. Come here already smiling and with an open mind and it will be ok. Start to lose your temper over the traffic, the service, the roads or the food and it will only get worse. Nothing works here if you stop smiling.

My final piece of advice is: play the idiot.

Play the big western lump. Catch their eye when they're laughing at you (you are funny) and laugh with them. Pull a face at the kids.

Leave your ego and impatience behind and it'll work out just fine.

Comment on this story below. Then check out what our other finalists wrote: A young man goes to Belgium on a quest for the world's most elusive beer. A young mother learns how to find spa bargains. And a food-lover offers her list of the best places for budget travelers to eat in eight cool places.

Read more: http://www.budgettravel.com/blog/dear-first-time-vietnam-visitor,9133/#ixzz3lD0g6qn1

HANOI TRAVEL GUIDE

Vietnam’s capital has shrugged off its hostile war-torn image to emerge as one of Southeast Asia’s best and most culturally significant cities. There are countless museums, all offering visitors a chance to better understand Vietnam’s history of revolution, war and art, while the tangled web of streets in the historic Old Quarter are a great place to wander around. It’s a great launching pad for trips into Sapa and Halong Bay. Overall, I enjoyed the city and its delicious mix of French colonial architecture.

Typical Costs

Hostel prices: Dorms start at 55,000 VND while private rooms are between 218,000 – 430,000 VND for a double.

Budget hotel prices: Private rooms average 325,000 – 650,000 VND for a double.

Average cost of food: Street food is delicious and extremely cheap, with many dishes for less than 16,000 VND. 85,000 VND is enough for a meal in a casual restaurant.

Transportation costs: Bus fares are usually no more than 1,000 VND and taxis start at 19,000 VND for the first two kilometers then 12,000 VND per kilometer thereafter.

Money Saving Tips

Eat from street stalls – For the cheapest food in the city head to the Old Quarter which is packed with low-cost eats at the street stalls.

Negotiate – You should barter for everything from street stalls, markets and taxis.  Tourists are often quoted huge prices and bargaining is expected.

Take the bus – These are the cheapest and most hassle-free way of getting around the city and are comfortable and efficient.

Drink Bia Hoi – This draft beer is available on the street throughout Hanoi and starts at merely 3,000 VND per glass.

Top Things to See and Do in Hanoi

Wander around Hoan Kiem Lake – Get here early in the morning to watch throngs of people practicing Tai Chi, running, cycling and walking before their working day begins.  In the center of the lake is the Tortoise Pagoda, a shrine to the famous giant turtles that live in the lake. The lake is very beautiful and there is a temple worth visiting on the the north end of the lake.

Visit the Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts – The Fine Arts Museum is a must-see if you are interested in the various styles of Vietnamese art.  There are fantastic exhibits of Buddhist art, folk art and silk and lacquer paintings but the museum’s most impressive feature is Kouan Yin, the goddess of mercy who is depicted with a thousand arms and eyes.

See Quan Su Pagoda – As the headquarters for the Vietnam Central Buddhist Congregation, Quan Su is one of the most important temples in the country. If you’re going to visit any of Vietnam’s pagodas, this 15th century one is the one you should see.

Visit One Pillar Pagoda – Built in 1049, One-Pillar Pagoda sits on stilts over a lake and is a miniature reproduction of the original temple built by the Ly Dynasty.   A prayer at this little wooden pagoda is said to bring fertility and good health.

Pay your respects at Ho Chi Minh Museum & Mausoleum – Ho Chi Minh is Vietnam’s leader and founder of the communist state. Ho lies in state at this grey concrete mausoleum, which is not far from the museum dedicated to his life and belongings and the house he used to live in. You’re able to walk through and see his embalmed body when it is not being repaired in Moscow. It’s morbid and fascinating at the same time.

Tour Hoa Lo Prison – U.S. POWs named Hao Lo “the Hanoi Hilton” and this is where many U.S. soldiers were tortured. Sen. John McCain from Arizona is its most famous prisoner. What remains of the building is a small museum, complete with the guillotine used to execute detainees. Again, morbid but interesting.

Shop at Dong Xuan Market – Hanoi’s oldest market is located in the Old Quarter. The market is multi-storied and sells everything you could ever expect, especially a lot of knock offs.  The market is a bit of a Hanoi institution and probably the best place for low-cost shopping in the city.

Wander around the Old Quarter – The Old Quarter’s 2,000 year old streets are a web of shopping opportunities and cheap eateries. Gold and silver jewelery, clothes, cosmetics and even musical instruments can all be bought here alongside a myriad of other goods. There’s also a lot of fascinating old worn French architecture around and you can still see the strong French influence in the area. I never bought anything but I found the chaos, the crowds, and the maze of streets fascinating to witness.

Go to the Army Museum – References to Vietnam’s tumultuous history of combat are everywhere in Hanoi and a visit to the Army Museum is a good way to bring it all together.  The museum has an excellent collection of planes, tanks and guns supplied by the Chinese and Soviet armies, alongside dozens of captured French and US made war machinery.

Visit the Temple of Literature – Built in 1070, the Van Mieu temple is a great example of traditional Vietnamese architecture and is one of the oldest structures in the country.  Originally dedicated to Confucius, what remains today of ancient Vietnam’s center of learning is five courtyards decorated with stelae which served as diplomas for the universities first doctorate students.

Learn some women’s history – The problem with written history is that so much of it revolves around men, and female contributions tend to fall to the wayside. The Vietnam Women’s Museum tries to turn this around with exhibits about the history and daily lives of women in Vietnamese society. There is some great material to encounter here, as well as some video interviews that will give you better insight into the life of a female street vendor.

Watch a water puppet show – Water Puppetry as an art form dates back over a millennium in Vietnam. Near the lake you can take in a show at the Water Puppet Theatre. Puppets are carved from wood, and the shows are performed in a waist-deep pool, which makes the puppets look like they’re walking in water. This is a very unique and worthwhile cultural experience.

Explore the Museum of Ethnology – The Vietnamese Museum of Ethnology is a multipurpose institution, serving as both a research facility and a public museum. It contains exhibits on the different ethnic groups which reside in the country, and will give you a much better understanding of Vietnamese history.

HE BEST AND WORST THINGS ABOUT TRAVELLING IN VIETNAM

THE BEST THINGS ABOUT TRAVELLING IN VIETNAM

Banh Mi

Back in Melbourne, we were always big fans of Vietnamese rolls, whether it was vietnam roast chicken rolls with pockets of eye-watering chillies from Jenny’s Hot Breads in Camberwell, pate-filled deliciousness from Johnston street, pork meatball rolls from that joint near Barkly square or bbq pork from Sunny’s on Smith St.  All super fresh, with crunchy baguettes and delicious fillings – and usually costing less than $3.

Well, Vietnam did not let us down, especially in Ho Chi Minh (or Saigon, or whatever) which seemed to be the capital for vietnamese rolls (called Banh Mi).  The rolls are often sold from street vendors, but it is best to get them straight from the bakery itself.

50 cents of awesome

Our typical Banh Mi experience was this:  a fresh, crusty rolled, cut and spread with a lard/butter/something yellow, and then spread with pate, stuffed with three different types of pork meat (yay for mystery meats), along with pickled carrot and other vegetables, chilli, coriander, chilli sauce and a dash of fish sauce.  That normally costs around 10,000 dong (50 cents).

I think its silly to judge a food culture by what its very best dishes are – i think you need to look at the quality of the everyday, easily available street food because that is the real food culture, and in this regard Vietnam was amazing.

Roll your own fresh spring rolls

Fried spring rolls are great, but good fresh spring rolls are even better.  And having all of the ingredients brought to the table so you can add whatever you want and roll it up – well, you just made Asha’s day.  Fresh spring rolls – in particular some we had in Hanoi – are just amazing.  Take a piece of rice paper, add some beef pan-fried in lemongrass, vermicelli noodles, pineapple (yep pineapple – it was a revelation), lettuce, vietnamese mint, chilli and heaps of other unnamed herbs and roll tightly.  Dip into a sweet, fishy dipping sauce and put that glorious thing in your mouth!

Oh, and all the other Vietnamese food – Pho and Bun Cha especially – was pretty bloody good.

Lunch in Hanoi

Cheap Beer (Seriously, freakishly cheap)
Cans and bottles of beer in Vietnam are cheap enough, but draught beer (beer on tap) is ridiculously so.  Even at some tourist restaurants you  can get a large glass of cold draught beer for 3000 dong (thats about 15 cents).  And the beers aren’t bad – sure, the gas coming of the 15 cent a glass stuff might have a eggy scent to it – but you get over that.

Our favourite Vietnamese beers included the super cheap Saigon (Asha favourite), Bia Ha Noi (which I was warned by a fellow traveller had given him the squirts, “i think they use dodgy water” he said, but i had no troubles with it), Larue – actually there seemed to be a beer named after each significant place in the country.  Its hot, its humid – the conditions where light tasting beers like these do there best work.

I don’t care if it smells like egg – 15 cents is a bargain

We were also surprised at Vietnam’s drinking culture – or that there was one.  But at 5pm on a friday afternoon in Hanoi, its amazing to see hundreds of people sitting on impossibly tiny plastic stools on corners around the old town drinking cold beers and having very loud conversations.

And the Vietnamese word for beer is bia, so that makes ordering one even easier.

Not Getting Ripped Off

We’d heard our fair share of Vietnam horror stories before we’d even arrived. Tales of complex taxi scams, dodgy hotels, drive-by bag snatching, toddlers picking your pockets etc etc. Although we were a little intimidated by all the stories, we were determined not to be taken advantage of (much). In my opinion things weren’t nearly as bad as people say they are. Either that or we may have just been lucky. That being said we took the usual precautions: My bag was practically stapled and duct taped to my body at all times, we always took legit taxis and monitored the meters with our hawk eyes and generally avoided flashing our fat stacks of cash around for all to see. All in all we came away from Vietnam completely unscathed (or that we know of).

Hotel quality and level of service

Vietnam is light years ahead of Thailand, Cambodia and Laos when it comes to hospitality.  So often on this trip asking a question at reception has been met with confused looks or half-hearted responses.  In Vietnam it was hard to head out the door without first being made to debrief the hotel staff on what we were doing, so they could show us the best way to get there, give us tips on what to see, and make sure we had a map and knew to watch out for bag-snatchers.  So many times the staff would go out of there way to help us with our travel plans (at one hotel, the doorman rode his motorbike behind our taxi to the train station, organised our tickets, and then took our bags onto the train to make sure we got into the correct cabin).  Its great to return to your hotel at the end of the day to find two smiling staff members in reception who seem genuinely pumped that you have returned, with beaming smiles and plenty of questions about your day.

Added to this was the quality of the hotels.  We have spent on average $20 a night on accommodation between us, and in Vietnam this gets you a much nicer room than in Laos or Thailand.  Everywhere we stayed was great.

Coffee

The coffee in Vietnam is not for the faint hearted. It’s thick, black, strong and VERY caffeinated. And we love it.

Coffee, with free tea

getting a brew on, Vietnam style

Coffee is made using individual metal filters placed over the cup. The ground coffee and water is placed in the top and the coffee slowly drips through (see more here via this sassy video). If you like your coffee with milk, the Vietnamese will throw in a generous dollop or two of condensed milk, which is probably the only substance that’s able to penetrate the concentrated coffee sludge. The bean itself has a distinctive vanilla smell to it that you really can taste in the finish product.

Things on motorbikes

Its amazing what gets put onto motorbikes.  Most of the time we didn’t have a camera or weren’t quick enough to get a pick.  Twice we did:

That pig is alive and grumbling

at the Vietnam-Cambodia border

THE WORST THINGS ABOUT TRAVELLING IN VIETNAM

What people eat on public transport

It seems the stinkier the food, the more appropriate it is to eat on public transport in Vietnam.  Boiled eggs are the favourite, and shells should be discarded everywhere you can throughout the cabin.  Dried fish or any fish products are also highly favoured.  After consuming, loud belching and coughing up phlegm is practiced, especially by old ladies.

Crossing the road

Not for the faint of heart – crossing the road in the heart of Saigon or Hanoi involves stepping off the curb straight into oncoming traffic (a wall of motorbikes).  Somehow, the sea of vehicles parts around you as you steadily cross.  But don’t stop, drivers won’t know what you are doing and you will get hit.  We struggled with this when we first arrived, waiting for gaps in traffic that never came, but by the time we left we strode confidently into oncoming traffic like locals.

Thats it really – we loved Vietnam.