FINAL THOUGHTS ON VIETNAM
Vietnam reflection. Phil (a friend from home) and I are en route to Hong Kong. After booking the correct date but the wrong month, I was lucky to get a seat! I also received good news about my luggage, which has been AWOL for three weeks, but more on that in the Hong Kong Series.
Phil was always planning to come out for a few weeks, and we decided on Vietnam. I was confident that Vietnam would be a highlight because the company was always going to be great.
I ACTUALLY FELT GUILTY AT HOW NICE THE VIETNAMESE PEOPLE WERE
That was until I arrived and my bag didn’t. This was either a sign of things to come or a blessing in disguise, meaning I wouldn’t have to carry my backpack around Vietnam.
I’m past the stage in my life where I care that my luggage is missing. I had too many things to look forward to, especially the Castaway Cruise around Ha Long Bay with Vietnam Backpackers Hostel. This is the original party boat, known by many as the highlight of Vietnam.
WHERE IS VIETNAM?
Vietnam
GREAT CROWD
Here we met a group of Swedes, an English couple, an Irish lad, and a South African. I’m not exaggerating when I say we got along like lifelong best friends. The bond was insane and the click was instant, which is rare even in the backpacker world.
The few days are highly focused on the social aspect, but there are also options for two activities. We chose rock climbing before the cruise and wakeboarding after but, in hindsight, should have dropped the latter for a go on the donut boat. Honestly, Phil should have dropped both!
CASTAWAY CRUISE
The party boat followed the activities, and everyone was in great form. With only around 30 people, everyone was included. It didn’t start well as the anchor rope jammed on the propeller. After Dylan and Reece pretty much sacrificed themselves for everyone else, we were good to venture around one of the natural wonders of the world, singing songs and having the best time!
RATINGS….
- PEOPLE – 9/10, warm, polite, helpful and generous
- BACKPACKING – 8.5/10
- WEATHER – 8/10, colder up north, great down south
- THINGS TO DO – 8/10, Plenty to do and see; activities, history, beaches, nightlife
- FOOD – 7.5/10, I love asian food, try the Vietnamese coffee!!
- VALUE – 8/10. Cheaper than most but no longer what it used to be
CRASHING
After the wakeboarding it was back to Hanoi and the next few days were spent trying to catch our breath and waiting for my baggage! It was then time to buy a pair of bikes were it would take no length of time for me to learn and even less to crash….TWICE! That night was spent with some of the most hospitable people I have ever met where we were given unlimited beer and oysters!
Here the real adventure started as we drove over the Hoi Van Pass, made famous by Top Gear a few years before. Later we arrived in Hoi An, the tailoring capital of the world, where we enjoyed our Castaway Reunion and a few wild nights with the old crowd!
It was also the place where I reunited with my bag, which turned out to be someone else’s. The chances of seeing mine again were dwindling, to say the least!
HELPFUL
On our way to Quy Nhon, we stopped at the scene of the My Lai massacre, where some rogue members of the US Army murdered 500 innocent Vietnamese. Then, in a day of huge contrast, we experienced some of the most insane superclubs, with fruit bowl shisha and first-class service included!
The roads to Nha Trang took us along the best beaches in Vietnam. We kept bumping into locals. One helped us find a local mechanic and gave us his only pineapple to share – what a place to try your first one.
SUMMED UP….
- HIGHLIGHT – The Castaway Cruise, followed by the raw beauty and interesting history
- LOWLIGHT – The Stabbing, my missing bag doesn’t come close!
- MVP – The Vietnamese people
- VISIT AGAIN – Absolutely
- RATING – 9/10
BROKEN BIKES, AK47S & A STABBING
For the longest day driving of the trip we had almost 15hrs to do on the road through the mountainous Da Lat. This wasn’t great for the bikes but it was equally problematic as it was stunning. That was until Phil’s bike just fell apart.
We then drove through the night to Nui Ne where we could finally rest up before another long day tomorrow. Visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels were mind blowing and another unforgettable experience were we explored the entire complex and then tried our hand at some AK47s! Our final stop was Ho Chi Minh were we sold our bikes and witnessed a stabbing happen right in front of us.
THE PEOPLE
There is no doubt Vietnam is a special place, but its USP is unique. Due to the large number of motorbikes, buying a bike is actually feasible! The shape of the country also lends itself well to being explored via the main spine road with only short detours.
What really surprised me was the attitude and how welcoming the local people are. Considering what the western world (America) put them through during the war, I didn’t notice any ill feelings. They were clearly trying to move on, which would be more difficult if it had been the other way around.
VALUE
As visitor numbers continue to increase, Vietnam is no longer the cheaper alternative to Thailand. However, if you are willing to get off the beaten path, you’ll experience the value everyone talked about in the past, not to mention the authentic experiences also on offer.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Who should go to Vietnam? If you are looking for something a little more off the beaten path than Thailand, more value for money and if you are a little (I mean a little) more adventurous. Even if you are on your own you cannot go wrong with taking a bike and driving it south. Does the thought doing this on your own scare you? Don’t worry the Vietnamese people will look after you, I can assure you!
If you do end up going, make me a promise; do the Castaway Cruise and talk to the locals when ever the opportunity arises!
NEXT UP
Myself and Phil are currently on our way to Hong Kong to catch his flight home. I’ll be staying to try the food, apply for my Chinese visa and do the Worlds Highest Bungy jump! Click to read.
SAFE TRAVELS, DS x
27/229
This post is part of the Vietnam Series, click to explore
To watch the video of my trip, head to my highlights on my Instagram.
Question Time
- Did you ever visit Vietnam
- What were your highlights
- Any recommendations for me if I was to return?
Let me know in the comments below . . .
