Motorbiking in North Vietnam
Feb 24th, 2016, 08:33 AM
#1
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Motorbiking in North Vietnam
Hi everybody!
I'm going to Vietnam for the first time with my girlfriend in April. The first 1.5-2 weeks will be centered around Hanoi. I want to go to both Ha Long bay and Dong Van Karst Plateau Geological park.
Is it possible/a good idea to rent a motorbike and go to both of these places on our own? I really like to be able to go where I want and am not a big fan of tours, which I know are offered. Also, where is a good place to stay near Dong Van Karst park
Thanks
I'm going to Vietnam for the first time with my girlfriend in April. The first 1.5-2 weeks will be centered around Hanoi. I want to go to both Ha Long bay and Dong Van Karst Plateau Geological park.
Is it possible/a good idea to rent a motorbike and go to both of these places on our own? I really like to be able to go where I want and am not a big fan of tours, which I know are offered. Also, where is a good place to stay near Dong Van Karst park
Thanks
Feb 24th, 2016, 10:08 AM
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In short, it is possible but a very bad idea.
Ha long bay is 4-5 hours from Hanoi on a very busy and boring road. Not great in the comfort of a car or bus, a nightmare journey on a bike.
Dong Van and the rest of the Ha Giang is ideally suited to exploration by motorbike, but only if you are an experienced rider, preferably with some off road experience as there are lots of mountain roads to negotiate. Apparently there is a new highway from Hanoi but it will still take many hours to get there (probably better by bus)
Three months in Vietnam and l lost count of the number of traffic accidents involving motorcyclists ( inc. two fatal) that we saw. Also, saw lots of western backpackers bandaged and plastered up.
Ha long bay is 4-5 hours from Hanoi on a very busy and boring road. Not great in the comfort of a car or bus, a nightmare journey on a bike.
Dong Van and the rest of the Ha Giang is ideally suited to exploration by motorbike, but only if you are an experienced rider, preferably with some off road experience as there are lots of mountain roads to negotiate. Apparently there is a new highway from Hanoi but it will still take many hours to get there (probably better by bus)
Three months in Vietnam and l lost count of the number of traffic accidents involving motorcyclists ( inc. two fatal) that we saw. Also, saw lots of western backpackers bandaged and plastered up.
Feb 24th, 2016, 07:28 PM
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From Hanoi to HAlong bay lost 4 -5 hours by bus. so it is a bit far to drive motobike and Ha Giang is also.
You can go to Ha Giang Province by bus, after that from Ha Giang to Dong Van, you can rent the motobike and drive to visit there.
i have some contact to rent motobike and want to suggest you:
- Mr Tuan Anh: (+84)906175363
- Mr Nam: (+84)917797296
Enjoy your trip
You can go to Ha Giang Province by bus, after that from Ha Giang to Dong Van, you can rent the motobike and drive to visit there.
i have some contact to rent motobike and want to suggest you:
- Mr Tuan Anh: (+84)906175363
- Mr Nam: (+84)917797296
Enjoy your trip
Feb 24th, 2016, 07:29 PM
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From Hanoi to HAlong bay lost 4 -5 hours by bus. so it is a bit far to drive motobike and Ha Giang is also.
You can go to Ha Giang Province by bus, after that from Ha Giang to Dong Van, you can rent the motobike and drive to visit there.
i have some contact to rent motobike in Ha Giang and want to suggest you:
- Mr Tuan Anh: (+84)906175363
- Mr Nam: (+84)917797296
Enjoy your trip
You can go to Ha Giang Province by bus, after that from Ha Giang to Dong Van, you can rent the motobike and drive to visit there.
i have some contact to rent motobike in Ha Giang and want to suggest you:
- Mr Tuan Anh: (+84)906175363
- Mr Nam: (+84)917797296
Enjoy your trip
Feb 24th, 2016, 08:03 PM
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Thanks for the replies. I guess I'll be using the bus. I don't want to be bandaged and plastered up.
Is it easy to find lodging in Ha Giang that is close to the park? Also, thanks for those contacts
Is it easy to find lodging in Ha Giang that is close to the park? Also, thanks for those contacts
Feb 25th, 2016, 12:20 AM
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in Yen Minh town I stayed at Thao Nguyen hotel In a "VIP" room--lol!!I
In Meo Vac, I stayed at Auberge de Meo Vac.If you consider either of these, reply here, and i'll tell you more (still haven't got around to writing tripadvisor reviews of these two places.
Don't expect much in the way of hotel quality or tourist services in general, in the entire region once you are out of Ha Giang town and headed up to Dong Van Karst Plateau. Do expect spectacular beauty and mile upon mile of winding road. You don't say at what $ level you want to travel (budget? back packer?"Flash packer" etc) but n matter which, lower your expectations of what you might find elsewhere in the world, and you'll be fine.
There are little inns called Nga Nghi everywhere in VN, including the remote north. Look for the signs that say that in front of the three star building. Definetly budget prices, with varying degrees of cleanliness. My friend calls them "Love Motels" --some give hourly rates
In Dong Van town, don't miss Cafe Pho Co. great coffee (as in all of VN) great environment, in an old traders house, with a little gift shop area as well.It is just across the road fro a covered market area, and a street with several restaurants.
Realize that you are heading into a VERY remote area, with limited services (almost a euphemism) and will be driving hours and hours!!! After that an overnight on a boat on Ha Long Bay will seem like pure luxury.
Below is an interesting article which adequately reflects my general impression of the area:
http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/tra...vices-not.html
In Meo Vac, I stayed at Auberge de Meo Vac.If you consider either of these, reply here, and i'll tell you more (still haven't got around to writing tripadvisor reviews of these two places.
Don't expect much in the way of hotel quality or tourist services in general, in the entire region once you are out of Ha Giang town and headed up to Dong Van Karst Plateau. Do expect spectacular beauty and mile upon mile of winding road. You don't say at what $ level you want to travel (budget? back packer?"Flash packer" etc) but n matter which, lower your expectations of what you might find elsewhere in the world, and you'll be fine.
There are little inns called Nga Nghi everywhere in VN, including the remote north. Look for the signs that say that in front of the three star building. Definetly budget prices, with varying degrees of cleanliness. My friend calls them "Love Motels" --some give hourly rates
In Dong Van town, don't miss Cafe Pho Co. great coffee (as in all of VN) great environment, in an old traders house, with a little gift shop area as well.It is just across the road fro a covered market area, and a street with several restaurants.
Realize that you are heading into a VERY remote area, with limited services (almost a euphemism) and will be driving hours and hours!!! After that an overnight on a boat on Ha Long Bay will seem like pure luxury.
Below is an interesting article which adequately reflects my general impression of the area:
http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/tra...vices-not.html
Feb 25th, 2016, 12:24 AM
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In my oppinion, you should hire motobike to travel around Hanoi and Dong Van only, you should catch bus to Halong. Furthermore, Dong Van will suitable with day tour, you should not overnight at there because as i know that have not or a few hotels or hostel in there.
Feb 25th, 2016, 08:14 AM
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Thanks for all the info
CaliNurse- My budget is maybe 30-50 US dollars a day give or take(I'd be happy to spend less), and I have no interest in amenities, I just would like a place to lay my head, and to be able to get food. I like going to very remote areas.
My main concern is time. I don't want to be rushing around all the time, and I originally miscalculated how far Dong Van is from Hanoi.
how long is the bus to Dong Van, and how many days do you think I would need to get there, experience the geopark, and then get back to Hanoi?
CaliNurse- My budget is maybe 30-50 US dollars a day give or take(I'd be happy to spend less), and I have no interest in amenities, I just would like a place to lay my head, and to be able to get food. I like going to very remote areas.
My main concern is time. I don't want to be rushing around all the time, and I originally miscalculated how far Dong Van is from Hanoi.
how long is the bus to Dong Van, and how many days do you think I would need to get there, experience the geopark, and then get back to Hanoi?
