Traveling in Vietnam without a Travel Agency? ☀️

Northern Vietnam
8 min readJan 28, 2016

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Traveling in Vietnam - Lai Chau province

Vietnam without a travel agency! The best option for traveling in Vietnam.

This site I created to encourage independent travelers who want go to northern Vietnam without a travel agency. And it’s the best option, like in many a different countries, really. There is no need to worry if someone will say to you that there is a big danger in northern Vietnam, so I will say that he is not telling the truth. Most people travel primarily in southern Vietnam. Personally, I think northern Vietnam has a lot of to offer and still offers.

Vietnam is a safe and beautiful country is so safe than traveling elsewhere in Europe. But be careful everywhere! Fools, and the rich people who want the convenience pay thousands of dollars for a 14-day trip to Vietnam. Vietnam is for travelers and tourists relatively a low-cost country. Prices increase when you are closer a tourist destination or attraction. Prices for food and accommodation are significantly lower in villages and smaller towns.

Traveling in Vietnam - Son La town

VIETNAM IS A PEARL OF ASIA - another world, different people, different life as we know, a different mentality of the population - but outside the tourist spots!

And best you enjoy it, if you pick up the courage to Vietnam and exploring their own without outside travel agencies and tourist destinations. But first, you need a visa to Vietnam. I recommend a proven online cheapest obtain a visa to Vietnam „Visa on arrival“.

Before arriving in Vietnam, learn some words in Vietnamese language.

If you buy a package tour from a travel agency, so most travel agencies will offer visits to the busiest locations. Yes, you will see the beautiful Ha Long Bay, Sapa and other tourist spots, but in these places you will not find true atmosphere of Vietnam. True atmosphere of northern Vietnam is among those places.

I say honestly - go for 1 month in Sardinia than in Vietnam with a travel agency and you will be satisfied. Or give the money to charity. You make a good thing.

But Sardinia is not Vietnam >>>

Northern Vietnam is probably not for everyone - who is expected luxury accommodation and comfort services outside the tourist spots, will be disappointed!

True Vietnam you will see outside the tourist attractions and places. Villages, mountains, rice paddies, sunken baths outside civilization and friendly people of various ethnic groups. Rent a bike and go out from the city, you will not be disappointed and will return home with wonderful experiences. But be very careful when riding a motorcycle, you will meet a lot of suicides and gamblers there, but a lot of accidents you will not see. First, before you travel in Vietnam on a motorcycle, read the article about transportation in Vietnam.

For traveling to less visited places you need to rent a motorbike!

Conversely, in tourist places you are under constant pressure barkers, those who see in you only a walking bank, and those who are trying different tricks on tourists. And they can do it. These risks are reduced you are away from the city. But again, it is good to note that not all people think only of money.

Traveling in Vietnam - Lai Chau province

Northern Vietnam is not only Hanoi, Ha Long Bay and Sapa.

Hanoi, Ha Long Bay and Sapa are the most visited sites in the north, thousands of tourists and sometimes frustration, but this is not all the time. And these places are hard to earn money - unfortunately. Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam, Ha Long Bay is one of the most beautiful places in the world listed by UNESCO and Sapa one of the northernmost locations in the north, where you can explore ethnic residents who still adheres the old habits in the poor but beautiful country. A good alternative is a visit Ha Giang province, which is still untouched by mass tourism.

Hundreds of tourists you will meet mainly in Hanoi and Ha Long Bay.

Residents up to 54 ethnic groups, but you can see almost everywhere. Some areas with ethnic residents are but far away. Vietnam buses almost run to all places, but in the mountains are limited transport connections. Sapa has a very good access and good services. But ready for a lot of tourists, it also depends on what time period you arrive.

Trekking in Vietnam is fascinating.

Try also different places of northern Vietnam! Moc Chau, Lai Chau, Ha Giang, Lang Son and Cao Bang are good tips.

True north of Vietnam is especially outside the tourist spots and attractions. Everywhere is one rule - to rent a motorcycle and ride out of town. Traffic in Vietnam is often dangerous, and roads in the mountains are not in very good condition. If you are unsure for traveling on a motorcycle in Vietnam, do not borrow it. If you want to see nature, ethnic residents, mountains, traveling on a motorcycle is necessary (when you do not have a taxi).

Where there are not hundreds of tourists is the real charm of Vietnam.

Beautiful places like Moc Chau, Lai Chau and Ha Giang and Lang Son are waiting for you. Tea plantations, blossoming orchards, rice paddies and teracces, stunning panoramas and mountain valleys, combined with ethnic residents are unforgettable. Do not miss these places, traveling to northern Vietnam and visit only Hanoi and Ha Long Bay, simply does not enough. Most travel agencies are going mainly in these places.

Traveling in Vietnam - Moc Chau

Why travel to Vietnam:

  • you will see totally different life as we live
  • you want visit the residents of ethnic minorities in the mountains
  • you love mountains and trekking
  • you love nature and fantastic sceneries
  • you are looking for adventure
  • you are independent travelers without a travel agency
  • you like traveling on motorcycle
  • exceptional culinary experience of vietnamese cuisine
  • and then if you answer the most points below „NO“

Why not to travel to Vietnam:

  • you rolls every year at the sea
  • you need only the luxury vacation
  • you are lazy
  • you stay only at the hotel
  • you are not to friendly
  • you can not see poor villages with rural residents
  • you are going only to the biggest tourist places
Vietnam - river to the Perfume pagoda (Chua Huong)

How to travel in Vietnam, how to move?

As previously was written, the best option for traveling in Vietnam is the use of motorbikes (rent or sale). There are also different qualities buses, trains (north, however, fewer routes), taxi, mototaxi, bike rentals, but also airline connections between large cities.

To find your largest and main train and bus connections in Vietnam, use the search engine Baolau or 12go.asia. You can book tickets easily online.

Traveling in Vietnam on a motorbike

• probably the best option for traveling in Vietnam
• rent costs from 8–15 USD / 1 day (this price applies if you rent a motorbike for example. for 1–4 days, if you rent a motorbike for 1 month, the price is reduced).
• everywhere in the opposite direction, on sidewalks, on bans, etc …it is traffic in Hanoi
• before renting check and try a motorbike, make a picture in front of the dealer
• check registration papers (brand motorcycles)

Traveling in Vietnam by bus

• there are different types of different companies: minibuses, city buses, tourist buses, long-distance night buses
• buses in Vietnam run often and almost everywhere, with the exception of mountain areas, there are some intervals, I recommend asking at the point (Vietnamese language, however, is sometimes necessary)
• cheap option for traveling in Vietnam
• sometimes buses do not comply with the exact time of departure / arrival

Traveling in Vietnam by train

• trains in Vietnam are mostly clean, but not too fast and some types are not very comfortable
• I suggest you buy a ticket at the station - cheaper and more reliable option

In northern Vietnam are currently THESE TRAIN ROUTES:
Hanoi - Lao Cai (visitors heading to Sapa)
Hanoi - Dong Dang (Lang Son province)
Hanoi - Haiphong (Halong Bay)
Hanoi - Quan Trieu
Hanoi - Ninh Binh and to the south - Ho Chi Minh City

Traveling in Vietnam by taxi

• taxi in Vietnam is quite widespread, especially in Hanoi and other big cities
• Hanoi is generally recommended by Mai Linh Taxi or Group
• ask the driver for taximeter, watch the meter while driving

For more information > transportation in Vietnam.

Traveling in Vietnam on a motorcycle

Before you decide to travel in Vietnam, read the following important information:

> How to get a cheapest visa to Vietnam?
> What to watch in Vietnam?
> What to take to Vietnam?
> What vaccines do i need?
> Where to stay in Vietnam?
> How to call and use internet in Vietnam?

Vietnam still offers a place where typical tourists and travel agencies do not travel.

Traveling in Vietnam still has its charm and just hope that it will take some time, the question is for how long. Vietnam without travel agencies is definitely worth a go. You do not have to worry about the unavailability of services, everywhere is almost everything. The quality of the cheap accommodation is good and people are usually helpful.

I hope you enjoy traveling in Vietnam!

Thien Tru - Chua Huong

How to obtain a cheapest visa for Vietnam?
Transportation in Vietnam
Flights to Vietnam
Trekking in Vietnam
Accommodation in Vietnam
Vaccines for Vietnam
Homestay in Vietnam
Ethnic markets in Vietnam
Map of northern Vietnam
Prices in Vietnam
Vietnamese food

HANOI / NINH BINH / HA GIANG / LAI CHAU / SON LA / LANG SON /
HA LONG / YEN BAI / BAC HA / SAPA

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Northern Vietnam
Northern Vietnam

Written by Northern Vietnam

Traveling and interesting places, homestay, trekking, photos from northern Vietnam…🇬🇧 > https://north-vietnam.com/ and 🇨🇿 > https://severni-vietnam.cz

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