Your Guide to Backpacking Vietnam (and some tips!)

Vietnam is easily one of my top recommended places for solo backpackers, with its friendly locals, cheap food and accommodation that you can get easily no matter which part of the country you are at.

I have visited Vietnam twice, and can safely say that I have covered most of the country already. (Except for Ninh Binh which I really regret not having the time to visit)

First things first, you have to decide where you want to start your journey.

Backpacking Tip #1: Travelling within Vietnam (South to North or vice versa)

For the uninitiated, Vietnam's geography is like an elongated S-shaped land that stretches vertically and bordering China, Laos and Cambodia. All backpackers choose either route: (1) South to North (Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi), or (2) North to South (Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City).

It depends on where your previous destination was. For most backpackers travelling South East Asia, they easily spend a minimum of 5 months to cover this vast region. If your previous destination was Laos, it would make more sense to plan your trip North to South. For myself, I came overland from Cambodia, thus I started my journey from Ho Chi Minh northwards.

Backpacking Tip # 2: Transportation (+ Cost Saving Tips!)

Within The City:

(1) Motorbike - This is the easiest way to move around, where there are tonnes of motorist asking you if you need a lift somewhere. However, always request for a helmet for safety. Most of the riders will have a spare helmet for their pillion rider. But again, if you are up for some YOLO experience, try not to wear it (crossing your fingers there are no police nearby)

(2) Public Bus - You need to do some research on Google or check with locals before trying. I did try this with the help of Hanoi Free Tour Guide (A social non-profit organization run by students)

(3) Private Hire (Uber/Grab) - Uber and Grab are aplenty in Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi. The prices quote will ALWAYS be 30%-50% cheaper than what a motorist quote you on the street. Also, getting an Uber or Grab car ride is often cheaper than a motorcycle. You are able to ride in comfort, and not be at the mercy of paying more as a tourist.

Overnight Sleeper Bus

Source: https://2sardiontheroad.wordpress.com

To Other Cities:

(1) Buses - This is the most common mode of transport i used. To book, i usually head down to my hostel reception and ask for a quote. I then walk around town to check different travel agencies, and you will almost always be greeted with a 15%-20% lower quote. However, there are many dodgy agencies around, which may provide you a good price, but engage a poor bus company.

(A) Sleeper Bus - Always opt for a sleeper bus if your journey is more than 5hours long. Most bus companies will provide you a 160 degree inclined chair, which sucks for people who need a flat area to sleep, but its better than nothing.

** BEWARE!!!

ALWAYS ASK FOR THE BUS COMPANY NAME and do a google search on its reputation. This is especially important if you are taking rides longer than 5 hours or overnight rides, which will cause a lot of discomfort and safety issues if you do not have a trusty bus operator.

ALWAYS KEEP YOUR TICKET WITH YOU, for there are many people who may randomly sit (in your seat), and you do not want to be bumped out the bus or sleep on the walkway (true story) for the overnight ride.

(2) Trains - Again, this can be booked by your hostel reception or agency. This is the easiest method because the staff can usually speak English, and you do not need to make a trip to the train station (Not knowing about the correct counter to purchase from and language barrier). On the other hand, you can now book online at Vietnam Rail Way.

(A) Hard Sleeper: You get a decent sized bed (1.8-1.9m) in a private cabin (4-6 pax). Although the bed is usually just a piece of thin mattress laid across a metal or wooden frame, this will provide you decent rest if the ride is more than 8hrs long.

(B) Soft Sleeper: This is basically a seat where you have to sit upright for the entire journey. I don't recommend this if you are travelling for long distances. (>5hrs)

(3) Motorbikes - This is for the more adventurous. Buy a bike from one city and sell it off in another. Ask around your reception and locals, and there will be tonnes of people willing to sell you their bike. Make sure you get it checked with a mechanic before purchasing, for you wouldn't want to risk it breaking down halfway. Depending on the model and year, you shouldn't pay more than USD$175 to USD$250 for your bike.

**PRO TIP! Try to get a cheap price by buying from other desperate travelers who have a flight to catch. Search on Facebook or check around in your accommodation for any such person.

(4) Airplane - There are several low-cost carrier covering the major cities and towns in Vietnam. Try VietJet, their local budget airline that has the most extensive internal flight network. However, I wouldn't recommend taking a plane because it always cost double or triple the land travel price. But more importantly, you lose out on the adventure of being ON THE ROAD.

Backpacking Tip #3: How long should I backpack for?

Set aside 1 month to get the full Vietnam experience!

1 month is needed if you want to take your time to travel the country, and all your journey is by land. I highly recommend this because this is how you get to explore the country side, squeeze with the locals during the long arduous journeys, and experience the occasional swindlers and pickpockets.

Backpacking Tip #4: Accommodation (Backpacker's Abode or Luxury Living)

Hostel: Mooka's Home (Best hostel I stayed so far. Service, Staff, Comfort)

Location: Dalat

Source: Booking.com

(1) Hostels - They definitely rank the top spot for accommodations. You can get really decent hostels at absolutely jaw-dropping prices. $5USD/night including buffet breakfast. CAN YOU BEAT THAT! Really, staying in hostels help the average backpacker, very often students, stretch their dollar a little more, which provides you more leverage to travel just that few extra days.

I personally do not book way in advance when I am backpacking. I usually book the accommodations the day prior to my stay. The pros is that it gives you the liberty to stay in your current location longer, if you enjoy it. The cons is that many popular hostels are fully booked if you leave it to the last minute, thus you have to settle for the second tier. Nonetheless, fret not that you can almost always get a bed if you are willing to pay more. It's usually the mixed dorms (6 - 8 bedders) selling at $5USD that gets sold out the fastest. But frankly, you shouldn't pay more than $8USD for a mixed dorm (6 - 8 bedder)

(2) Hotels - For those who prefer to have your personal space, good service and a comfortable environment, fret not. Vietnam has numerous boutique hotels with rates starting from as low as US$15. You can get a relatively good hotel room at less than US$50, and that can provide you a King Size bed with full amenities that a normal hotel room offer, probably less the swimming pool.

(3) Resorts - Travelling out of the 2 main cities, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh, most of your travel destinations will be beside the South China Sea. Thus, plenty of resorts are present for you to choose from.

Hostel World and Booking.com are my usual sites to make my reservations.

Backpacking Tip #5: Grab a stool and eat like a Local!

"Eat where the locals eat, and you won't go wrong". This is what I tell myself whenever I visit a new or foreign place. This gives you the opportunity to not only taste authentic Vietnam cuisine, but the experience of sitting on a small stool by the roadside is like no other. Not to forget the very friendly locals who often because of the language barrier, could only greet me with a smile. Despite that, there is more than one occasion where the locals just offered me some of their food.

Backpacking Tip #6: Forget all you know about crossing roads

Typical traffic junction in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)

Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jkjohnson/3298451423

It is impossible to wait for the traffic to clear before crossing the road. Motorbikes will zoom past you in all directions, against the traffic and also onto the pavements. PRO TIP WHEN CROSSING VIETNAM ROADS: Be confident and just walk across the road, putting your hand up and signal a 'stop' sign for them to slow down while you are crossing. Most of them will skirt around you. If you are afraid of crossing a junction, start with a small alley first, before proceeding to a greater challenge. In no time, you will cross the road like a pro! Just remember to stop this habit when you leave the country!