Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh

[ClutchITUP]

Inspired by the Top Gear idiots!
I now have a Chinese copy of a Honda Win and will set out south from Hanoi on Monday
Any specific tips of great roads to explore in NAM would be grouse
Thanks KB

[FJRider]

Don't venture too far off the roadways ... they're not sure the've found ALL the mines ...

[yachtie10]

Have a great trip
Wish I was going (maybe I will do this later in the year)

dont know how the wee bike will go but
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ngang_Pass is worth it if the weather is clearish (tunnel would be easier but boring)

havnt been for a while but I liked Hoi ann and would be a must see when I go back

Saigon will be lunatic on a bike but what a great city

Have fun

[Blackbird]

I haven't ridden in Vietnam but was there for 3 weeks last year and it's probably the best holiday I've had anywhere. Lovely people, cheap as chips and fantastic things to see and do. My only observation is that in the main cities, especially Hanoi; the traffic is nuts and we saw more than a few bike accidents but none of them serious. Between the cities, the traffic is lighter but don't expect trucks and other vehicles to stay on their side of the road - they do what is convenient at the time

If you're interested in general background on the place, there are photos and narrative on my blog, travelling from north to south:

http://geoffjames.blogspot.co.nz/201...re-part-2.html
http://geoffjames.blogspot.co.nz/201...re-part-3.html
http://geoffjames.blogspot.co.nz/201...re-part-4.html

Hope you have a ball

[Jay GTI]

Did 2 1/2 weeks in Vietnam with an organised week long bike tour there a couple of years ago, up around the northern parts above Hanoi. Also saw a fair share of bike accidents, but they were all by the Westerners on the tour (not me though, those MX skills coming in handy). By far the best experience of my life, so I am very much jealous. I love that country and I still haven't recovered from my pho addiction...

[ClutchITUP]

Made it to Hue JUST!! nearly left the chinese heap of bolts on the side of the road and caught a taxi but Here I AM I made it half way!
Parts replaced so far Back brake light switch Front brake line Gas line to carb front sprocket Chain adjuster x 2 Gear sifter Running a 40;1 premix of oil and gas(ITS A FOUR STROKE!) Cush drive

Have had an amazing time. those buckets think they small bike fun come here and there are 10million people all racing buckets It is a fucken ball
so dangerous its unbelievable!! HCM hi-way is awesome but not on a choinese piece of crap wish I brought a honda!!!

[sgtp]

Please post pics! I and my girlfriend are going in july and I might just rent a vespa to putt around HCMC or Hanoi....cant wait to go, never been to asia.

[yachtie10]

Please post pics! I and my girlfriend are going in july and I might just rent a vespa to putt around HCMC or Hanoi....cant wait to go, never been to asia.

may be there myself by then

Seriously if you havnt been to asia its hard to explain how crazy they can be
Saigon has over 8 million motor scooters and most roads a single lane each way
It can be crazy and usually is

Even crossing the road is a new experience (many foriegners get hit just doing that) usually the foriegners fault as its "done" dfferently than most other countries

Make sure you have great riding skills as i wouldnt want to be riding there and figuring out where to go.
Plenty of motorcycle taxis and cyclos to use to get around

Hire a scooter in the smaller areas

Have a great trip its a great place to visit

[yachtie10]

Made it to Hue JUST!! nearly left the chinese heap of bolts on the side of the road and caught a taxi but Here I AM I made it half way!
Parts replaced so far Back brake light switch Front brake line Gas line to carb front sprocket Chain adjuster x 2 Gear sifter Running a 40;1 premix of oil and gas(ITS A FOUR STROKE!) Cush drive

Have had an amazing time. those buckets think they small bike fun come here and there are 10million people all racing buckets It is a fucken ball
so dangerous its unbelievable!! HCM hi-way is awesome but not on a choinese piece of crap wish I brought a honda!!!

Sounds like an adventure
Hue to me felt most like a communist city (hanoi would have been second) but great place to visit. I toured there on the back of a motorbike for a day down all the back alleys great fun but bloody crazy.

Did the far south last time I was there
http://www.vietnamtour-guide.com/201...n-vietnam.html
great fishing village with almost no english hired a scooter and explored the countrside for a few days
A local hooked us up on a dodgy ride on a local boat to
http://www.vietnamtour-guide.com/201...d-vietnam.html
hired scooters there and if you want basix but idealic this has it

[blackdog]

Please post pics! I and my girlfriend are going in july and I might just rent a chongwang to putt around HCMC or Hanoi....cant wait to go, never been to asia.

Fixed right there.

[ClutchITUP]

Thanks for the tips everyone, And I cant post pics as the set up here is weird and I dont have a laptop obviously. will do when get back to Auckland
The one thing I have to mention 1 the people are so friendly and willing to help 9Honestly I am ashamed to be a kiwi when I think about how we treat asians in Auckland) it is so cheap here and the food is so good. the cheapest bottle of beer I brought in a resturant was 50 cents
I had a 5 course meal tonight in a flash resturant with 2 big tiger beers total was 7$
oh and a packet of smokes will set you back 2$ max

[Pedrostt500]

Waiting to see your pic s when you get back, I would like to see the plain of jars in Laos.

[ClutchITUP]

Found a gem of a road in Dânang if anyone is interested http://maps.google.com/maps?q=danang...en&sa=N&tab=wl

That whole green bit above Son Tra is an awesome scooter race track, Someone could start a hill climb over there and make millions!!

Raining at the moment in Hoi An heading for the hills (Plakeiu) tomorrow rain or shine

had an accident! I dont know who was at fault but it cost me 2 days and 100$ US. It cost the speed racer alot of skin and a tooth. Ride safe folks
I think Im more of a hazard after the accident because Im now TO cautious

Oh yeah did some trail riding through coconut trees today EPIC!