Vietnam

[jokerpoker81]

Haha that's just the tip of the iceberg bro. I'm in Hoi An after 5 days on the road from Dalat. While leaving Dalat they stopped at the major tourist places for kicks, since it's along the way. But once we hit the road you don't see the places they take you to. I didn't see any tourists at Lak Lake and most of the countryside where the views were splendid. We also hit the HCM trail on the western central highlands to Ngok Linh with an altitude of 2600m. Surprisingly it wasn't freezing like Sapa though. These were the best 5 days of my time in Vietnam off the beaten track. Now that I'm in Hoi An on the beaten Sinh Cafe open bus routes again, I really missed the time I spent with my rider.

To anyone wanting to visit Vietnam, I highly recommend you to contact Xuan (xuaneasyrider@yahoo.com). Say Michael referred you and ask for a good rate. If you simply hit the major cities and open bus routes stops, you haven't been to Vietnam. It will be very steep to do North - South or vice versa all the way from Saigon - Hanoi as it takes about 20 days. 5 days from Dalat to Hoi An is enough. If you liked the ride and have spare cash later on, he can go on further to Hue and take you go see Hamburger Hill (if you are into war and history stuff).

From Hoi An you can continue north to Hue and then Hanoi by open bus. Or bus to Hue and then take a train to Hanoi. The train would be quite an experience.

There are about 60 easy riders at any one time spread throughout Vietnam but their 'base' is in Dalat. The 'original' easy riders hang out at Peace Cafe. They were recommended by Lonely Planet and due to their popularity many people are now masquerading as an 'Easy Rider'.

must be damn ex....5 days? he quoted you hw much? USD200?

 

[zichuan]

abit off e price.. based on US its too pricey bro.

 

[ComTruise]

must be damn ex....5 days? he quoted you hw much? USD200?

65++/day bro, took a huge chunk out of my budget, but i never looked back.

Used to be 45 - 50 a day about 3 years ago but due to inflation and the fact that his petrol prices quadrupled over the years. Truth is they don't really get much customers especially in the low season like now.

Talked to him over the course of 5 days. The average degree holder in a govt job earns about 400 - 450 USD a month. So I asked him 'wow so easy rider good money? You take me 5 days 300++'. But he said customers don't come by easy of course, and every 10 people he approaches, only 1 agrees to go. And that 1 person, most of the time only agrees to a 1-day tour or max 3 days.

Most of the time people find the fee too steep to do anything beyond 5 days. Most opt for a one day tour around Dalat for 25USD (more ex than Sinhcafe tours which cost about 10USD), but can see more stuff. Or the most people go for 3 day rides from Dalat to Nha Trang.

He has been doing this for 11 years, and during this time he has taken people on an all out hardcore 20 day ride from north-south or vice versa less than 5 times.

The price is definitely a turn-off for most. I am the first Singaporean he has taken for a 5-day ride. The few previous Singaporeans did 1 - 3 days. That said, I'm not loaded, but I have decided to go for the experience since this is sort of like a grad trip for me. There is a trade off of course. The 300+ USD, you can drink and party like siao in HCMC / Hanoi, eat expensive food, stay moderately luxurious hotels. It really depends on what you want to get out of your trip IMO.

To be honest when I paid the 100USD deposit in Dalat and was waiting for him to pick me up the next morning, I had thoughts of

'WTF did I just do? 65USD/day I can do so many other things, drink, party, eat good food, stay a better hotel, extend my stay, tailor a few more suits in Hoi An'

But once we hit the road these thoughts vanished.

If I were with a group of friends, chances are I would rather hang out in a fixed place than zoom all over the place.

 

[jokerpoker81]

Maybe nice but too ex. Budget can be better use elsewhere, can even haf $ to tk domestic flight to hanoi liao.

 

[ComTruise]

Maybe nice but too ex. Budget can be better use elsewhere, can even haf $ to tk domestic flight to hanoi liao.

Yea like I said it really depends on what you want out of your trip and how much you are budgeting.

Domestic flights in my opinion aren't worth it. Do you just want to get to Hanoi in the shortest possible time? Then take a plane. But anyway why the rush? You are better off taking an overnight train ride which saves you a night of hotel. You also save total almost half a day of transport to the airport and the flight time itself.

 

[jokerpoker81]

Yea like I said it really depends on what you want out of your trip and how much you are budgeting.

Domestic flights in my opinion aren't worth it. Do you just want to get to Hanoi in the shortest possible time? Then take a plane. But anyway why the rush? You are better off taking an overnight train ride which saves you a night of hotel. You also save total almost half a day of transport to the airport and the flight time itself.

yea. to each his own....u feel it's justified, but i think many ppl would feel it is seriously overpriced....

 

[BlackCube]

Would like to check if HCMC has any place that sells Diving stuff and fishing stuff?

If anyone knows, please let me know the address and shop name.

Thanks.

 

[BlackCube]

Wha, bo lang knows?

 

[natas]

Wha, bo lang knows?

Cos bo lang interested, so bo lang keep a look out for it

 

[BlackCube]

Cos bo lang interested, so bo lang keep a look out for it

Wha, cannot be la.

 

[natas]

Wha, cannot be la.

I been to HCMC countless times but didn't notice any shop selling.

 

[tmfwy]

hi guys, need your help once again.

Does anyone know any good+ cheap massage around HCMC?

Pref in district 1.

Oh, clean one please.

TIA

There are plenty of massage places in Vietnam, clean or otherwise.

The one i would recommend for newbies is Regency Hotel @ Ba Thang Hai

Full service Spa. Affordable and decent massage without being pestered for extras.

 

[tmfwy]

Wha, bo lang knows?

Bo Lang knows coz no one will dare to go diving in ho chi minh city!

LOL.

The better place is Nha Trang for these sort of stuff

 

[BlackCube]

Bo Lang knows coz no one will dare to go diving in ho chi minh city!

LOL.

The better place is Nha Trang for these sort of stuff

Not diving there la.

Going to HCMC, and my friend into diving and fishing. So wanna see if there's anything to shop there.

 

[tmfwy]

Yea like I said it really depends on what you want out of your trip and how much you are budgeting.

Domestic flights in my opinion aren't worth it. Do you just want to get to Hanoi in the shortest possible time? Then take a plane. But anyway why the rush? You are better off taking an overnight train ride which saves you a night of hotel. You also save total almost half a day of transport to the airport and the flight time itself.

Domestic flights versus overland transport, to each his own.
One trades time vs scenery.

For the overnight train, it is nice for a first-timer, but after one sees the loo, they will have second thoughts on the next trip.

Personally, i'd take an overland tour for a first time visit, or for budget purposes but other than that, a domestic flight will be preferable to save time.

 

[JustOneOfUs]

Just wondering if there are any casinos in HCMC, particularly District 1?

 

[natas]

Just wondering if there are any casinos in HCMC, particularly District 1?

Yes in some of the 5 stars hotel.

 

[jokerpoker81]

Just wondering if there are any casinos in HCMC, particularly District 1?

To go casino, bring your ID or passport along.. you need to register, only foreigners are allowed into the casino under the law. Need US Currency. non hotel guests can go in as well, as long as you are a foreigner....food / drinks very ex....

eg: New World Hotel near Benh Thanh market in HCMC

 

[JustOneOfUs]

To go casino, bring your ID or passport along.. you need to register, only foreigners are allowed into the casino under the law. Need US Currency. non hotel guests can go in as well, as long as you are a foreigner....food / drinks very ex....

eg: New World Hotel near Benh Thanh market in HCMC

Yes in some of the 5 stars hotel.

Thank you for yr quick replies.

Will be heading to HCMC fr 6th to 8th July.

My 2nd visit there, didnt do much the last time. Hope this 2nd trip is going to be more eventful.

 

[justyn05]

Hi guys,

I'm planning to go HCMC for the 1st time at the end of this aug. 4D3N.

I was wondering if anyone would help a 1st timer in hcm?

Which budget hotel is good and value for money? Beautiful Saigon Hotel? Or which ever one you guys been to?

During time, what are some of the places or activities that are must-trys?

Night time, where could we go for a chill out drinking session or something?

Thanks guys!