Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Chat Forum > The HUBB PUB
Vietnam tips please Vietnam tips please
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
The HUBB PUB Chat forum - no useful content required!

BUT the basic rules of polite and civil conduct which everyone agreed to when signing up for the HUBB, will still apply, though moderation will be a LITTLE looser than elsewhere on the HUBB.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Like Tree1Likes
  • 1 Post By AnTyx

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 3 Jul 2018
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 2
Vietnam tips please
I last minute just went to hanaoi and bought a bike. I plan on doing the ho chi minh trail. But before i do does anyone know of any other rides i can do further up north?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 3 Jul 2018
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Tartu, Estonia
Posts: 1,111
Get yourself up to Ha Giang, go to QT's and ask for a map and up-to-the-minute tips on road closures.

The Ha Giang Northern Loop (road QL4C), up to Dong Van and the northern edge of Vietnam by the Chinese border, is just about the best riding there is to do in Vietnam. Easily a match for Hai Van Pass. Ma Pi Leng is probably the most scenic stretch of road, but it's all pretty damn amazing. Lots of foreigners, so there's infrastructure and the locals are used to it (but it's still exotic and authentic enough in places like Du Xia), but doesn't have the insane traffic of the more populated bits of the country.

EDIT: Pro tip that I did not try, but apparently is totally a thing: you can go to a bus station and negotiate to have your bike put in the cargo hold of a sleeper bus. Apparently it's No Big Deal to locals. Drain the tank, put it down sideways, and on you go.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 3 Jul 2018
mollydog's Avatar
R.I.P.
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: california
Posts: 3,824
Contact HUBB Moderator MarkHarf here. He just did a Vietnam ride.

There is a report here ... search for it. I'd contact for more specific tips.

Good luck!
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 18 Jul 2018
farqhuar's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Oztralia
Posts: 646
Quote:
Originally Posted by jory.davies View Post
i last minute just went to hanaoi and bought a bike. I plan on doing the ho chi minh trail. But before i do does anyone know of any other rides i can do further up north?
china!
__________________
Garry from Oz - powered by Burgman
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 18 Jul 2018
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
Posts: 3,982
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jory.davies View Post
I last minute just went to hanaoi and bought a bike. I plan on doing the ho chi minh trail. But before i do does anyone know of any other rides i can do further up north?
As usual, it's hard to tell whether the OP is ever going to return to this thread. A couple of quick ideas:

It's crucial to distinguish between Ho Chi Minh Trail and Ho Chi Minh Highway. The latter is paved, in fine shape, largely great fun with occasional lapses into polluted, crowded, truck-and-bus-clogged insanity. The former is mostly in Laos, difficult to nail down or find information about, and passable only in sections (as far as I could figure out). If you're really headed that way, it's probably a good idea to bear in mind that it was bombed heavily during the American War (as it's known), and therefore remains littered with unexploded ordinance.

For "other rides up north," check out the Vietnam Coracle site. His website is confusing and his maps are frustrating, but the information is pretty solid.

My report, heavy on words and devoid of multimedia, is at http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...otorbike-94861

Hope that's helpful.

Mark
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 30 Nov 2018
Martin_Brons's Avatar
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 5
Hey Man,

So, along the way on the HCM trail you pass Phong Nha Kebang national park. It's a good place to take a peak around, nice caves, good food food and some good s.
In a small place called Bai Xep, just south of Quy Nhon is a little hostel called Big Tree Backpackers. It's a hostel run by an ozzy dude, directly on the beach. Nice place to chill a few days.
For the rest, get drivin, it's amazing around there!

Cheers
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 6 Jan 2019
Registered Users
  
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 0
My advice is to not concentrate on a mission down HIghway 1, but to find nice places and enjoy. I even got as far up as Nin ping or whatever it’s called and thought sod that straight road with dust and watching out for everything. It’s the same all the way pretty much. As in a mission. In the end I emptied the fuel and slid the bike under the bus and did a chunk of the trip over night.the gx125 loaded with 2 of us did well but 8-10 hours a day is a bit much. Although we did just have 3 weeks
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Two Weeks in Vietnam by Motorbike markharf SE Asia 5 13 Jul 2018 20:31
Guide to Buying & Driving a Minsk in Vietnam Kailasgurung TRAVEL Hints and Tips 4 8 Nov 2016 07:01
vietnam trip report vietzay West and South Asia 0 1 Aug 2014 10:06
Vietnam Nov 2013 Citsym Ride Tales 18 22 May 2014 00:38
vietnam tips asked chica diabla West and South Asia 1 10 Jun 2013 02:19

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 00:09.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top