Road trips in Vietnam

Vietnam is a Southeastern Asian Gem for Adventure !

Vietnam’s geography creates a host of landscapes that offer beauty, wonder, and plenty of opportunities for Vietnam adventure tours. From the massive and powerful Mekong river to the jungles and rare animals of Cat Tien and Ba Be National Parks, there is no shortage of nature to be enjoyed! For example, Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kontum offers a relaxed atmosphere home to several ethnic minority tribes, you can lounge on the beaches of Nha Trang, and the Ban Gioc Waterfall is one of the four largest waterfalls in the world. The country’s history, while deeply affected by war, conflict, and colonization, has a rich depth that has created a special culture, which is well worth experiencing! One absolutely fantastic way to see the country is on a Vietnam motorcycle tour. Cruising down highways and backroad on two wheels with only a helmet between you and the new world before will make memories that last forever!

Throughout the country you’ll find plenty to do in the cities as well. Explore the museums, architecture, and wartime history of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, or even the tunnels of Cu Chi. You could also get some exercise at the indoor climbing gym, VietClimb, or do something that might be even more adventurous, like taking a cooking class!

The Tet holiday (New Year celebration) has the entire country buzzing with activity and excitement. this makes for both a great and terrible time to visit. On one hand, you’ll get to experience the cheer and jubilation of the celebratory, almost chaotic atmosphere, but on the other, you’ll be forced to deal with sometimes insane traffic and shops that are closed for an entire week.

Other Need-to-Know Information about Vietnam

The natural beauty offered by the country’s geography is worth a Vietnam road trip by itself, but there is much more to see and do in this country!

Vietnam stretches about 1,650 kilometers from top to bottom, which presents several distinct climate zones throughout the country. The north has the typical four seasons that north America and western Europe would expect, with hot, wet summers, relatively cold winters, and a mild, pleasant spring and fall. Towards the central portion of the country, one can expect, essentially, two seasons. The north east monsoon brings massive wind and rain from September through February, and the remainder of the year is generally hot and dry. Lastly, southern Vietnam generally has three seasons – a hot and dry period from March through May, a very rainy period from June through November, and another dry, but cooler season from December through February. These differences can affect the ideal timing of a Vietnam road trip, depending on destination, but Planet Ride features tours nearly year round.

Chinese and French influence, combined with traditional Vietnamese foods, have created a unique cuisine with quite a bit to offer. Throughout the country you will find an abundance of fresh vegetables and seafood, and a variety of noodle dishes. Pho is the national dish, and features a broth soup with rice noodles and some sort of meat, along with fresh herbs, limes, hot chiles, and other additions. As mentioned, the French occupation introduced coffee, baguettes, and pastries, which have remained quite popular. Bahn mi are an excellent example of the culinary fusion that exists throughout the country; French bread sandwiches that typically feature Vietnamese ingredients can be found in every city and many villages.

If arriving by plane, you’re likely to find yourself in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, or Da Nang, all of which feature international airports and flights from Australia, Europe, or even the United States. Overland entry is also an option with trains arriving from Nanning and Beijing, or cars, buses, and motorcycles crossing from Cambodia, Laos, or China. Lastly, ferries travel from Phnom Penh to the town of Chau Doc on a regular basis, but the trip takes several hours. Once in the country, air, train, bus, and car travel are all very convenient. Boats and ferries are also an integral part of Vietnamese transportation and should be experience at least once during any Vietnam road trip.

Citizens of several European countries can enter visa-free for up to 15 days, while those same countries, along with the U.K., U.S., and others can stay for up to 30 days simply by obtaining an e-visa in advance of arrival through the Vietnamese Immigration Department. The process is relatively simple, cheap, and quick. Of course, always check the immigration laws far in advance of your Vietnam motorcycle tour and take care of visas or any other requirements far in advance!

One last important thing to know – be wary of scams and petty crimes, but otherwise Vietnam is fairly safe.

What Planet Ride offers for adventures in Vietnam

Planet ride has a number of Vietnam adventure tours for you to enjoy. We currently feature both 4×4 and motorbike tours that are sure to get your blood pumping. If you want to keep your adventure on four wheels, check out our 4×4 raid along the mighty Mekong river. You’ll load up in a Toyota Land Cruiser, or something similar, and head out for 21 days of fun and excitement. With excursions into Laos and Cambodia along the way, you will have the chance to experience numerous different cultures along the way. After long days of sightseeing and driving, you’ll get to relax and rest up in quality local hotels.

With a Vietnam motorcycle tour, you have several options. With durations of anywhere from eight to fourteen days, you will have plenty of opportunities to immerse in the local culture. Experience life in rural villages, bustling cities, and everything in between. You’ll be riding a Minsk 125cc, or similar enduro bike, in order to handle paved city streets and knotty, rutted, dirt back roads. Regardless of which tour you choose, expect to be overwhelmed by the natural beauty along the way. We even offer some tours over the Tet holiday to really get your excitement cranked up! Ride hard, rest well, and have no fear! Our local guides will take care of you the entire way and the only thing you’ll have to worry about, is how much fun you’re having!