Top Gear Viet Nam special = Anyone done it ?

[uk_vette]

Hello all,

Has any one repeated the road part of the Top Gear Special, or any part of the road trip they did.
Either on bikes or in a car ? in Viet Nam?
Any one been out to Ha Long Bay ? Thats where they went in the amphibious creations.

Can you tell me your experiences ?

'vette

[camshafted]

I travelled from North to South on sleeper coaches but got a good look at the scenery, it's spectacular. The winding roads are amazing. You can go to Hue which is mid-way up and go on 'Top Gear' trips which should be interesting.

Hanoi's roads are mental, you literally cant move due to all the bikes on the roads. Ha Long bay is one of the most beautiful places I've ever visited; I was there in February and it was freezing so bear that in mind. Did a boat trip, poorly organised with disgusting food but very cheap (around $80 for 3 days 2 nights)

Hoi An is great for food and tailoring and Na Trang is the touristy beach resort. Vietnam is amazing, I loved it.

[GavGav]

I have a friend that is teaching in Ho Chi Minh City, and we stopped off to visit him for a weekend on the way to Oz. He has a 1962 Vespa, so the wife and I renter a scooter (100cc Honda) and spent the day riding around the City. Absolutely petrifying, but the easiest way to get around.

We only saw one "coming together" all day, which was astonishing considering the amount of traffic and the manner in which they ride.

My friend is planning to do the TG trip next year when he leaves the country - he's booked the flights etc so it's pretty concrete. If you have any specific Q's I can ask him, or put him in touch with you.

[uk_vette]

Well, a little more,

After we arrive in Ha Noi, we will rent a motorbike, and head for Ha Long Bay.
The loose plan is to stay in Ha Long Bay for a few days, then motorbike back to Ha Noi, and back home into China by rail.
However, a road trip heading south to Hue, does sound appealing.
About how many days, with out going for hours and hours in the saddle?

Then maybe a few days in Hue, bike it back to Ha Noi from there.

Any one else got any ideas?
Time in Viet Nam, is not really constrained, as we live in China for now.

'vette

[uncinquesei]

before the kids came along (although the first one isn't entirely uncoincidental) we travelled the length of Vietnam. Flew into Ho Chi Minh spent a few days there, flew up to Da Nang, stayed in Hoi An and Had terrifying coach trip over the mountains to Hue, hired scooters went exploring. (petrol Stations !!! - space at the side of the road with people selling petrol in old plastic drinks bottles, without lids or anything and usually with a fag in their mouth) Overnight train up to Hanoi and spent some good time there. Did a couple of nights on Halong Bay - bit touristy but great.
Can't recommend the place enough - for the first and only time in my life i kept a journal so i wouldn't forget anything and it worked.

[minerva]

In 2009, We traveled from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh and then did large swathes of Cambodia. We mostly used those 125cc moped things and also 250cc - 500cc dirt bikes. They were all hired.

To be honest, it was really difficult. They have very little consideration for other road users. We once found ourselves in a tiny village (the map was totally incorrect) and we had to off road for a time. It was then that my wife (sitting on the back) read in her guide book, that more Cambodians are killed by mines in rural areas than on the roads each year. Given the state of their driving, that must take some doing.

The countries were both beautiful, the people friendly, but riding motorbikes on their roads was not that much fun at all.

BTW, the American dollars have started to come into Cambodia and, with most of the country so poor they live 5 to a room, we did see a brand new Bentley Continental driving around the well tarmaced area of Phenom Penh (near the American Embassy).

Edited by minerva on Thursday 30th December 11:45

[g3org3y]

I hired a motorbike in Thailand, riding around town and the motorway. Motorway was absolutely terrifying. There is NO lane discipline there, no indicators. Amazingly however...it works! Just keep your wits about you at all times (and try not to fall off...I did twice!).

[uncinquesei]

g3org3y said:

I hired a motorbike in Thailand, riding around town and the motorway. Motorway was absolutely terrifying. There is NO lane discipline there, no indicators. Amazingly however...it works! Just keep your wits about you at all times (and try not to fall off...I did twice!).

The most exciting thing in Vietnam was crossing the road! we were told to ignore the constant, massive stream of scooters, not try and avoid them just step off the kerb and walk towards the other side without stopping or looking... terrifying first time but it worked! they just pour around you... total leap of faith.

[Herman Toothrot]

Went to Hanoi, Halong Bay, DaNang, HoiAn, Saigon - flew much easier and gives much more time to explore each area, when internal flights are about £30 and involve no more than a 30minute wait it seems a waste if time to do it any other way. Also you will be very much risking your live trying joining in the moped madness, remember top get have a film crew as rolling road blocks. In the two weeks I was there I saw immediate aftermath of two fatal moped accidents