Motorbiking, Travel Tips, Vietnam

With little-to-no clear rules, it’s not surprising that the roads of Vietnam have garnered a reputation as one of the most dangerous places to drive. I’m not here to tell you that it’s safe, I have seen my share of accidents, but I have found that with some conscious effort you can make your experience on the road safer. Whether

One of the biggest challenges you will face when moving abroad is making friends and creating a social life from scratch. While hard to begin with, creating a social life from scratch can be extremely rewarding as you chose to connect with those who share similar goals and interests. I have made some amazing, like-minded friends during my time living

Living in Vietnam, Vietnam

Thao Dien has garnered a reputation among the Saigonese as a hotbed for foreigners to live, particularly English-speaking expats. It’s one of the largest expat areas in Saigon, with the other main spot for foreigners to settle being Phu My Hung in District 7. There are many reasons why expats might choose to live in Thao Dien; from the variety

Curious about teaching English in Vietnam? This guide answers questions you might have, including qualifications you need, where to find jobs, when to apply and more.

Picking the right place to call home will shape your experience in Vietnam. No two cities offer the same vibe and with Vietnam being such a long country, the difference between living in the north versus living in the south can be vast. Considering I’m still living in Ho Chi Minh City, 4 years after moving, I think it’s safe

job Teaching English in Vietnam is not a one-size-fits-all kinda business. There are many different types of teaching jobs available and, while most of them still centre around English, there is bound to be one style of teaching which suits you better than the rest. This post shares the types of teaching jobs you can find in Vietnam, with important

Living in Vietnam, Vietnam

With an estimated 45 million motorbikes pumping pollutants out, and unnecessary packing for any and every item, Vietnam isn’t exactly a forerunner when it comes to being eco-friendly. Being eco-friendly in Vietnam can be challenging and needs conscious effort, but I hope that this guide inspires you to make some habitual changes to help you to live a more eco-friendly

Interested in finding a teaching English job in Vietnam? This guide covers job requirements, creating a teaching CV, where to find jobs, and reputable companies to work for.

Living in Vietnam, Teaching English

To legally work in Vietnam, and apply for a temporary resident card (TRC), you require a work permit. While you can find work without a permit, good companies will not allow you to work for them without it as they can get fined by the government. I’ve put this guide together to walk you through the process, so you know

Living in Vietnam, Vietnam

Everyone has a few crazy pipe dreams; daydreams that more often than not stay as whimsical “if only’s”. Well, 2018 was very much a year of going after what I wanted, so I took the plunge and did something with my pipe dream. I wanted to buy a vintage honda cub motorbike. So I found a Saigonese company, The Honda

One of the biggest challenges you will face when moving abroad is making friends and creating a social life from scratch. While hard to begin with, creating a social life from scratch can be extremely rewarding as you chose to connect with those who share similar goals and interests. I have made some amazing, like-minded friends during my time living

Living in Vietnam, Vietnam

Thao Dien has garnered a reputation among the Saigonese as a hotbed for foreigners to live, particularly English-speaking expats. It’s one of the largest expat areas in Saigon, with the other main spot for foreigners to settle being Phu My Hung in District 7. There are many reasons why expats might choose to live in Thao Dien; from the variety

Picking the right place to call home will shape your experience in Vietnam. No two cities offer the same vibe and with Vietnam being such a long country, the difference between living in the north versus living in the south can be vast. Considering I’m still living in Ho Chi Minh City, 4 years after moving, I think it’s safe

Living in Vietnam, Vietnam

With an estimated 45 million motorbikes pumping pollutants out, and unnecessary packing for any and every item, Vietnam isn’t exactly a forerunner when it comes to being eco-friendly. Being eco-friendly in Vietnam can be challenging and needs conscious effort, but I hope that this guide inspires you to make some habitual changes to help you to live a more eco-friendly

Living in Vietnam, Teaching English

To legally work in Vietnam, and apply for a temporary resident card (TRC), you require a work permit. While you can find work without a permit, good companies will not allow you to work for them without it as they can get fined by the government. I’ve put this guide together to walk you through the process, so you know

Living in Vietnam, Vietnam

Everyone has a few crazy pipe dreams; daydreams that more often than not stay as whimsical “if only’s”. Well, 2018 was very much a year of going after what I wanted, so I took the plunge and did something with my pipe dream. I wanted to buy a vintage honda cub motorbike. So I found a Saigonese company, The Honda

Living in Vietnam, Motorbiking

Vietnam is overwhelming for most people. New sights, new smells, new faces, new customs, new language. But one of the biggest things to adapt to is the traffic. The most common form of transport in Saigon, and across Vietnam, is motorbikes. There are lots of them. 8.5 million of them scooting about Ho Chi Minh City every day, to be

When in the land of motorbikes, you have to ride one! Here are the best roads to motorbike in Vietnam, including rentals, routes and Easy Rider tours.

Motorbiking, Travel Guides, Vietnam

Unsure if the Mekong Delta is worth visiting? I promise you it is! This itinerary shares unique things to see, where to stay and how to travel.

Motorbiking, Travel Tips, Vietnam

With little-to-no clear rules, it’s not surprising that the roads of Vietnam have garnered a reputation as one of the most dangerous places to drive. I’m not here to tell you that it’s safe, I have seen my share of accidents, but I have found that with some conscious effort you can make your experience on the road safer. Whether

Motorbiking, Travel Guides

Want to get off the beaten path in the Mekong Delta? This nature-filled 3-day road trip in the Mekong is for you! Here is the perfect itinerary.

Need an escape from Saigon? This day trip to Can Gio island has everything you need for a day of adventure; rivers, forests, monkeys and beaches!

Motorbiking in Vietnam, whether it’s a loop around a region or motorbiking across the whole country, is sure to be a bucketlist adventure. Of course, there are lots of risks when doing a motorbike trip in Vietnam, the foremost being road safety but there’s also smaller things that could happen like running out of gas that can derail your road

Travelling between Dalat and Nha Trang? Ditch the bus and grab a motorbike. You’ll be happy with your choices, trust me! This guide shares routes and rentals.

Looking for a thrilling bucketlist experience in Vietnam? Get the Hai Van Pass on your itinerary! This guide shares how to motorbike the Hai Van Pass.

I guess this is kind of my own “eat, pray, love” episode. Girl has heartbroken, decides to go on an epic adventure and falls back in love with life. Cliche, I know, but this solo motorbike trip across Vietnam literally changed my life. One of the most challenging experiences when living as an expat, or for those backpacking, is a

Whether you’re planning on doing the iconic motorbike tour from southern Vietnam all the way to the north, or a shorter road trip, you’ll want to make sure you’re as prepared as possible to have fun on the road. Aside from the regular kit you need to pack for a trip, there are a few items specific to doing a

Learning to ride a motorbike is one of the best travel skills I’ve gained since moving to Vietnam. Nothing compares to the freedom of being able to scoot around without relying on public transport. As well as allowing me to explore Saigon with a depth I hadn’t realised I was missing, it’s enabled me to explore destinations across Vietnam and Asia without tours. This guide is here to help you learn how to ride a motorbike in Vietnam.

To be fully transparent, learning to ride a motorbike in Vietnam was a scary prospect for me. It took 6 months of living in Saigon before I attempted it. Heck, it was weeks before I was even felt confident getting on the back of a motorbike taxi. Yet through these 4 simple steps, I learned to ride a motorbike in Vietnam and built up the confidence to go on a solo road trip across Vietnam.

1️⃣ Master being a pedestrian

Kinda logical right? If you can’t cross the road, you definitely shouldn’t be driving on it. Vietnam is a nation of unruly motorbikes which makes learning how to cross the road safely an essential first step. If you’re still struggling with the basics, this guide will keep you right.

2️⃣ Take motorbike taxis

Time to get on the back of a motorbike and in the thick of it. Being on a passenger help to familiarise yourself with road hazards and how the traffic flows in Vietnam. Motorbike taxis are called “xe ôm” and while you can sometimes see old-school xe ôm drivers lounging at junctions, I’ve always opted to use ride-hailing apps. As a foreigner, it’s easier to communicate through the apps and better for personal safety.

Three big companies are providing this service (similar to Uber or Lyft):

• Grab (the oldest and most established across the country)
• GoViet (launched in Saigon in 2018)
• Be (newest kid on the block launched in 2019)

The apps all work similarly, providing a set fare based on pick-up and drop-off destinations. As with Uber, the apps share the drivers’ details with you, including contact details and license plates to ensure you get on the correct bike. Grab is a great choice for non-Vietnamese speakers as there is an English version of the app and there is language translation incorporated into its messaging service to enable you to communicate easier with drivers.

You need internet access to use all ride-hailing apps but you need don’t need a local sim card for Grab.

3️⃣ Rent a motorbike and learn to ride it

Now you are familiar with how the traffic flows and spotting hazards, you are ready to learn how to ride a motorbike for yourself. I recommend not rushing to get on a motorbike until you feel confident you can join the traffic.

To start, you will need to get your hands on a motorbike. If possible, it’s best for a friend to take you to a quiet street to practice on their motorbike before renting your own. If this isn’t possible then you can have a rental bike delivered to your accommodation. If you live in a busy area that is not safe for you to practice around, see if the rental agent will deliver the bike to a quieter area where you can practice and get comfortable before driving it home.

Where to rent a motorbike in Saigon

I recommend starting by renting an automatic motorbike. You can find lots of local motorbike rental agents and even find motorbike rentals through expat Facebook pages. Here are some reputable and highly used companies you can arrange a long-term motorbike rental from in Saigon:

• DC Motorbikes
• Tigit Motorbikes (Saigon, Hanoi and Da Nang rentals)
• Saigon Motorcycles
• Phu Scooter
• Rentabike Vietnam (Saigon, Hanoi and Da Nang rentals)

Learn how to operate a motorbike

Honestly, this is what I was most worried about when my rental bike arrived for the first time. Most automatic motorbikes operate the same way, but whoever you rent from should show you how to operate the bike, access the gas tank etc.

• Put the key in the ignition and turn it.
• To start the engine you will need to hold the breaks, push the “start button” (it’ll be on the right-hand side) and gently rev the right handle.
• Let your feet hover above the ground as you accelerate slowly until you are confident with your balance.

Personal motorbike lessons in Saigon

Still not convinced you can learn to drive a motorbike by yourself? DC Motorbikes have a sister company, called Ride With Me Saigon, which provides 1-on-1 motorbike lessons in Saigon that might help you to gain confidence and offer full support.

4️⃣ Practice with a passenger on the back

Finally, you will want to master balancing with a passenger on the back of your motorbike. It takes some practice to adjust to the extra weight, and you’ll also have to figure out how much more acceleration and breaking you’ll need with the additional weight. Try balancing with someone a similar size, before driving with someone bigger than you.

The Lowdown

Learning to ride a motorbike in Vietnam is daunting at the outset. Working slowly through these steps will help you get onto the Vietnamese roads with confidence. If you’re feeling ready, check out my complete guide to motorbiking in Vietnam for tips and routes for planning an epic Vietnamese motorbike trip.

✍ Complete Guide to Motorbiking in Vietnam

Related

Picking the right place to call home will shape your experience in Vietnam. No two cities offer the same vibe and with Vietnam being such a long country, the difference between living in the north versus living in the south can be vast. Considering I’m still living in Ho Chi Minh City, 4 years after moving, I think it’s safe to say that Saigon was the right choice for me! I have fallen head-over-heels for my adopted home. Not everyone suits this vibrant city, and some elements might suit your personality, yet overwhelm others so it’s important to consider what matters for you. We all have different perspectives of what is important, but here is a rundown of the pros and cons of living in Ho Chi Minh City, from my personal experience.

Reasons to live in Ho Chi Minh City

Here are some of the pros to living in Ho Chi Minh City from my personal experience.

1️⃣ Vibrant expat scene

As the largest city in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City offers a dynamic expat scene with lots of opportunities to build a bustling social life. There are hundreds of events happening every month. Whether you’re interested in music, art, sports, comedy, cooking or club nights, you’ll be able to find events where you can meet like-minded friends. I post weekly round-ups of events happening in the Saigon on Facebook if you are in the city and looking for fun things to do.

2️⃣ Vietnamese in the south are notoriously kind

From my personal experience travelling all over Vietnam, I have to agree with the general consensus that Vietnamese in the south are more welcoming and open-minded than in the north. Living among locals who are welcoming of foreigners helps make the experience of living in Vietnam special.

3️⃣ Ho Chi Minh City is well developed

Between the French colonial buildings and the modern skyscrapers, it is easy to adapt to culture shock in Ho Chi Minh City. When it comes to infrastructure, the city is serviced by a network of ride-hailing services and buses (use BusMap to find routes etc) to help you navigate. Saigon is also home to some of the best hospitals and schools in Vietnam. Wifi is available everywhere and there is a huge variety of apps for everything from grocery deliveries, to cleaners and handymen.

4️⃣ An abundance of job opportunities

The teaching English market is booming in Vietnam, and Ho Chi Minh City is no exception. As the largest city in Vietnam, and the most developed, there is a huge push to increase English fluency and as a result, there is a high demand for TEFL qualified teachers in Ho Chi Minh City.

✍️ This guide share how to find a job teaching English in Vietnam

5️⃣ Ho Chi Minh City is a major travel hub

Being close to Vietnams biggest airport makes travelling across Vietnam simple, and often, very cheap. The city is also a major train and bus hub. For me, this is one of the biggest advantages of living in Ho Chi Minh City.

In addition, the city is well connected with bus routes to Cambodia and the international airport has links with most countries in Asia opening up convenient travel across the continent.

6️⃣ Lifestyle to suit every budget

Ho Chi Minh City is a huge city. One of the pros that come with this is that there is a massive selection of accommodation, transport options and general lifestyles you can live. Different districts offer different expat experiences, so whether you’re looking to save money or live it up, you can find it in Saigon.

7️⃣ Amazing and cheap food

Food all over Vietnam is fresh and cheap, but what sets Saigon aside from other locations in Vietnam is the abundance of high-quality international food. From Italian to Mexican, Japanese to Middle Eastern, Ho Chi Minh City offers it all. Plus the majority of restaurants in Saigon offer home delivery through apps like Foodie and Grab Food.

8️⃣ Lots of English is spoken

Vietnamese is a complex, tonal language and very challenging to pick up. Ho Chi Minh city is a youthful city with a relatively high English fluency (compared to the rest of Vietnam). Knowing basic phrases is enough to be able to live without issues.

9️⃣ Year-round warmth

Ho Chi Minh City experiences two seasons: wet/monsoon and dry. However, the weather remains hot throughout both seasons. Hanoi, in the north of Vietnam, experiences 4 marked seasons with accompanying changes in temperature. Some people might not enjoy living in a hot, humid climate but I love having year-round warmth.

Downsides to living in Ho Chi Minh City

These are some of the cons to living in Ho Chi Minh City.

1️⃣ Traffic is busy and can be overwhelming

For many, the busy traffic is a huge con to living in Ho Chi Minh City. Thankfully traffic jams move fast and aren’t a huge issue. The roads are dominated by motorbikes which can be overwhelming and of course, pose safety concerns. When you’re new to Vietnam, crossing the street can be a scary prospect and learning to ride a motorbike is not for everyone though it does make travelling around the city much more efficient.

✍️ Learning to ride a motorbike in Vietnam.

2️⃣ Pollution is high

Living in any Vietnamese city is going to come with air pollution due to the high density of people and motorbikes. Ho Chi Minh City has cleaner air than Hanoi but there are some days where you can feel it. To avoid inhaling polluted air many people wear pollution masks (I recommend the AQ Blue masks which can be ordered online). Personally, I hardly notice the pollution when it comes to breathing. However, I know that some people are more sensitive to it than me. If you find yourself sensitive then getting an air purifier for your house can help.

3️⃣ The city floods in monsoon season

With a large tidal river running through the city, it’s unsurprising that areas of Ho Chi Minh City experience flooding during monsoon season. Often the flood damage isn’t major and, because it is the same streets that flood every-time, locals are somewhat prepared. Normally flooding is gone overnight but it can make it challenging and dangerous to travel around the city in monsoon season.

4️⃣ Easy to fall into an expat bubble

The majority of expats chose to live in District 2 (Thao Dien) or District 7 (Phu My Hung), I think originally because these are where the international schools are. As a result, businesses in these areas cater heavily to expats. For example, you’ll find lots of import stores, gyms with classes in English and lots of luxury accommodation. Living in an area that has lots of western influence will appeal to some and not to others. However, it’s important to note that it is easy to slip into an expat bubble when you live in these areas. By this I mean you only spend time with foreigners and don’t interact with the local population much.

✍️ A Guide to Living in Thao Dien

5️⃣ Not as many day trips as Hanoi

The south of Vietnam doesn’t have the same dramatic scenery as the north of Vietnam and so there aren’t as many interesting day trips to take from Ho Chi Minh City. Some of my favourite day trips are hiking Black Virgin Mountain in Tay Ninh province, and a ride to Can Gio Island. There are lots of overnight trips options like the beach towns of Mui Ne and Vung Tau, or mountains destinations like Bao Loc and Dalat.

6️⃣ Not many parks to relax in

Ho Chi Minh City is dense and many of the parks are surrounded by busy roads and skyscrapers. This can make finding calm areas challenging. Some of the best parks in the city are Vinhomes Central Park, Sala Park, Binh Thanh tourist village and The Crescent Walk (at Crescent Mall).

The lowdown on pros and cons of living in Ho Chi Minh City

While picking a city to move to is an important decision, don’t forget that you can (and should) change base if you arrive and things don’t suit your needs! I hope my personal experience of the pros and cons has offered some insight into what it is like living in Ho Chi Minh City. If you have any more questions be sure to put them in the comments and I can share further insight.

Related

Vietnam is overwhelming for most people. New sights, new smells, new faces, new customs, new language. But one of the biggest things to adapt to is the traffic. The most common form of transport in Saigon, and across Vietnam, is motorbikes. There are lots of them. 8.5 million of them scooting about Ho Chi Minh City every day, to be exact. So it’s not surprising that most newcomers to Vietnam are anxious about hitting the wild Vietnamese roads. Learning to ride a motorbike will transform how you are able to explore the city, while also just being a great travel skill to have. Here is a great resource for motorbike lessons in Ho Chi Minh City.

Learning to ride a motorbike in Vietnam

I taught myself to ride an automatic bike by following these steps, slowly building up from mastering crossing the street to driving by myself. However, for many the idea of learning by themselves is daunting. How great would it be to have a fluent English speaker to guide you at your own pace and help you gain confidence on the roads? Amazing, right? Well, let me introduce you to Ride With Me Saigon.

What is Ride With Me Saigon?

Ride with Me Saigon is a motorbike riding school based in Binh Tan District (between D1 and D2) of Ho Chi Minh city. The motorbike school do small group or private motorbike lessons. They cater specifically to expats who are new to driving a motorbiking with one-to-one lessons in English.

Motorbike lessons in Ho Chi Minh City

Ride With Me Saigon teach you how to ride a motorbike through a simple 3-step process, all done in one lesson. By the end of the 3 steps you should be confident enough to take a new rental motorbike home with you, and if you aren’t then the tutor will suggest you come back for a follow-up lesson. Everything is done at your own pace, with safety kit like protective helmets provided.

Step 1: Getting on a motorbike

A motorbike lesson with Ride With Me Saigon starts in their off-road parking lot. The instructor will teach you how to use the basic controls of a motorbike as well as safety procedures, like how to brake safely.

Step 2: Practice

Now you know how to turn on the motorbike you need to practice riding it. Your first time practising will be done in an enclosed area, free from other motorbikes to allow you free reign of the bike without fear of bumping into anyone. Your instructor is there to guide you and support you throughout this whole stage.

Step 3: Getting out there

The final step of your lesson is getting out onto the road. To ease you into it you are first taken into the quiet streets around Binh Tan district, and you are lead through the traffic by your instructor. The whole of this step is done with the guidance of your instructor, including shadowed driving around a quiet neighbourhood.

The Lowdown

Book a motorbike lesson in Ho Chi Minh City at Ride with Me Saigon via Facebook.

500k for a private lesson ($21)
DC Motorbikes5K2 Đường số 1, Phường 26, Bình Thạnh, Hồ Chí Minh

✍ For more information on motorbiking in Vietnam, including day trip routes, check out my Complete Guide to Motorbiking in Vietnam.

Related

Looking for the best things to do in Phong Nha Ke Bang national park, Vietnam? This guide has you covered; from cave tours, hiking and the best sunset spot!

If you’re looking to experience the stunning nature that Vietnam has to offer, then you better make sure Phong Nha is on your itinerary. The national park is famed as the home of the world’s largest cave, Son Doong, among many other vast caves that come complete with underground rivers, their own microclimates and million-year-old fossils. As the adventure capital of Vietnam, there is no shortage of things to do in Phong Nha, especially for nature lovers and thrill-seekers.

Located in northern-central Vietnam, between Hue and Ninh Binh, Phong Nha is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in Vietnam. The town is tiny, consisting of one main road surrounded by picturesque limestone karsts and icy blue rivers. Perched on the outskirts of the Phong Nha Ke Bang national park, it makes way for an abundance of outdoor adventures.

Despite being one of the most beautiful destinations in Vietnam, many travellers skip Phong Nha. It’s a shame as it is one of the most beautiful and welcoming places in Vietnam. So add it to your itinerary! Plus it’s the perfect place to break up the journey between northern and central Vietnam.

How to get to Phong Nha

Phong Nha is just a short 45-minute drive from the Dong Hoi airport which is perfect if you are planning a trip direct from Ho Chi Minh City, or Hanoi. However, for those travelling across the country, the bus is the best way to get to Phong Nha. You can find bus routes from Hue to the south, and Ninh Binh or Hanoi to the north.

I’ve found the easiest way to book transport in advance is through Baolau*, a search engine that compares all travel options to find the best one for you.

Where to stay in Phong Nha

There are so many cute places to stay in Phong Nha that it can be hard to choose where to stay.

If you aren’t planning on renting a motorbike then I suggest staying within the main part of town, where you’ll find cafes and restaurants to eat with ease. Linh’s Homestay* is a great budget option in the heart of town, with wonderful hosts.

If you’re okay with driving a motorbike or cycling then I recommend staying on the outskirts of town where you’ll be treated to dramatic views of the mountains. On my last trip, I stayed at Restful River Bungalows* which is located right on the river with stunning views and river access, so you can cool off after a day of exploring.

✍ For more details on how to get to Phong Nha, what to eat there and the best time of year to visit, check out my Phong Nha guide.

Paradise cave is one of the largest publically accessible caves to visit in Phong Nha and trust me, it lives up to its name. The scale of Paradise Cave is indescribable; it stretches 31km inside the limestone karst and hits heights of 70m.

If you can drive, I suggest visiting paradise cave without a tour by renting a motorbike, as the roads offer dramatic scenery. The best time to go is early in the morning before the bus tours arrive. If you don’t know how to ride a motorbike, then you can book tours via hotels all over town.

250k (plus 100k for motorbike hire)
⏰ 7:30am – 4:30pm
Paradise CaveKm16 đường HCM Nhánh Tây., Sơn Trạch

Phong Nha Cave is the most accessible cave as the entrance is only a short boat ride away from the town centre. Take a boat down the river and inside the cave, where you’ll be dropped off to wander back out of the cave past century-old stalagmites and stalactites.

Phong Nha Cave was discovered in the 1800s and is known as the longest river cave in the world. Along with other caves in the area, it was used to store supplies and as a hospital during the Vietnam-American war.

The entrance ticket is 150k and the boat price is 550k per boat (12 people). The price of the boat depends on how many people are on your boat at one time.
Phong Nha CaveKm16 đường HCM Nhánh Tây., Sơn Trạch

The Phong Nha botanic garden is somewhat different from what we would typically call a botanic garden in the west, and is more like a national park area with marked walks to explore.

There are 3 different routes to explore the botanic gardens – we opted for route 2 which takes around 1.5hr and stops by a river where you can swim before heading to the waterfall. Route 1 is shorter, going straight to the waterfall, while route 3 is longer.

40k
Phong Nha Botanic Garden on ĐT20, Sơn Trạch, Bố Trạch, Quảng Bình

One of the biggest draws for visitors, and admittedly the best thing to do in Phong Nha, are the trekking and caving tours.

I’ve joined two trekking trips in Phong Nha, both with Jungle Boss and would highly recommend including a guided trek during your trip. Typically these hikes take you into the jungle of the national park, inside caves that aren’t accessible to the public and often include swimming and cliff jumping. The ultimate adventure day!

Take a Trek with Jungle Boss

✍️  Hiking the Abandoned Valley with Jungle Boss
✍️  Hiking Elephant Cave and Ma Da Valley with Jungle Boss (coming soon)

Take a trek with Oxalis

Oxalis is another very highly recommended company running treks in Phong Nha; Oxalis is the only company with permits to explore Son Doong, the largest cave in the world. While this expedition is booked up years in advance and for a hefty price tag, there are many other 1-day and multi-day cave tours you can take with Oxalis.

✍️  Browse trek options with Oxalis

If you’re one for adrenaline-based activities then don’t skip Dark Cave, as it is one of the best things to do in in the national park! Zip-line across a river to access the Dark Cave, take a mud-bath inside before kayaking back down the river and finally try your hand at the aerial assault course.

To do the mud bath and cave exploration you need to join one of the tour groups by signing up at the entrance. Sometimes this means waiting for enough people to join for the tour to start. However, you can do the zipline and swim in the river without joining one of the tours.

40k
Dark Cave Sơn Trạch, Bố Trạch, Quảng Bình

Dark Cave actually extends 6km, all the way through the rock to another entrance that the public cannot access. To see the other entrance, technically the front of the Dark Cave, you can take the Abandoned Valley tour with Jungle Boss.

Hands down one of the weirdest, and funniest experiences I’ve ever had travelling. Duck Stop is somewhat shrouded in mystery so I’ll keep it that way for adventure’s sake, but I highly recommend grabbing a friend to check it out. Don’t worry, there is no eating of duck, but you will need a motorbike or bicycle to visit the duck stop as it’s outside of town.

100k
Duck StopPhong Nha Ke Bang, Hưng Trạch, Bố Trạch, Quảng Bình

The scenery in Phong Nha is amazing, so it pays to grab a motorbike and hit the roads. There’s a loop that takes you from town into the national park, past Dark Cave, Mooc Spring, and Paradise Cave before looping back past the botanic gardens, returning to town from the other side.

If you’re feeling adventurous you can try to take the shortcut. The infamous Phong Nha shortcut was recommended to us by a local and it’s such a fun and unique thing to do. The route cuts out a segment of the highway, replacing it with a ride on a fishing boat. And yes, you have to load your motorbike onto the fishing boat with you! On the other side of the river, you drive through villages, alongside rice paddies, and traverse huge bridges with stunning views of the valley. I highly recommend doing it for a unique Vietnam experience.

See Son River Ferry on the Phong Nha National Park map at the bottom of this page.

Mooc Spring is a great place to relax and cool down while out exploring. The freshwater is a stunning turquoise blue and there are several different activities to do like kayaking, and swimming, as well as floating and hanging assault courses.

180k
Mooc Spring H64P+FM5, Hồ Chí Minh Tây, Phúc Trạch, Bố Trạch, Quảng Bình

This cave is often overlooked by travellers, as it’s not grand in the same way as other caves, but I think that it’s worth visiting to pay respects to the history of the cave.

In 1972, the US dropped a series of bombs in the area, trapping a group of 8 young Vietnamese women inside the cave as they were sheltering. Efforts to rescue them were unsuccessful and they all died while trapped inside the cave. It’s a heartwrenching story, that reminds us to not forget the horrors that Vietnam went through in the not-so-distant past.

When the war ended a temple was built at the site to honour them, and their remains were recovered. While you can’t go inside the cave, you can light incense and visit the pagoda that was built here.

Hang Tám Cô G736+238, ĐT20, Tân Trạch, Bố Trạch, Quảng Bình

With food, cocktails and craft beer on offer, Phong Nha Rooftop Bar in the heart of the town is the best place to watch the sunset behind the dramatic mountains. They also have a selection of games you can play with friends. The perfect place to unwind after a day of exploring.

As a tiny, still developing island, there are some key things you need to know before you travel to Koh Rong. Many of these things are minor and won’t prevent you from having a great trip, but the knowledge can go a long way in helping you prepare for the ultimate island experience.

As with many tiny islands, you have to come prepared that they might not have the same facilities as the mainland and Koh Rong is no exception! There are no ATMs on the island so you have to bring all the cash you need for your trip with you!

We brought a couple hundred dollars with us so we knew that we had plenty to last our time on the island. We also made sure to break up the bills into smaller nominations so we didn’t run into any inconveniences if places didn’t have change for us.

If you find yourself in a pinch and running out of cash, there are a couple of EFTPOS card payment terminals in Khao Touch town, where you can essentially make a card payment and take out cash. However, they do charge a 10% fee so it’s still best to bring enough cash with you.

Get ready to embrace remote island life and all that it comes with! Koh Rong has poor mobile signal, especially if you have a Cellcard4U sim. My boyfriend had slightly more luck connecting with his Smart sim, but we were still disconnected for the majority of our stay in Koh Rong; it was kind of blissful to be forced to put down technology.

Some of the restaurants and hotels have wifi but don’t bet on it being a strong connection, especially not reliable enough to work from the island.

Travelling on a budget and want to save some money on your ferry tickets? Make sure to book an open return! One-way ferry tickets from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong costs $14, whereas you can book a return for $25. The best part, you don’t need to pick a return date as return tickets are open, meaning you can return whenever you please.

When you pick up your tickets at the ferry terminal in Sihanoukville, the staff will give you a Whatsapp number through which you can confirm your return date/time. Alternatively, you ask your accommodation to help you organize your return with the ferry company, or speak to the staff at the main pier in Khao Touch.

📍 Book the ferry in person at Sihanoukville Port Autonomous, or pre-book using Camboticket*.

While Koh Rong is small, it can be tricky to navigate as there are only a few roads that connect the bays of the islands. I highly recommend staying within walking distance of the main village, Khao Touch. As mentioned, this is where you’ll find places to take out more cash if you run out and the pharmacy, as well as restaurants, minimarts, and places to organize tours around the islands.

If staying further afield, be prepared to pay $3+/person for shuttle boats around the island.

Koh Rong is home to one of the world’s most annoying insects; sandflies. These tiny little flies live in the sand and bite similar to mosquitoes, creating itchy swells.

During our trip in monsoon season, we didn’t encounter any issues with these little bugs but during my visit in dry season, I was covered in bites. Apparently, sandflies are most active during the dry season so it’s something to beware of if you are visiting between November to May.

Tips for dealing with sandflies

➡️ If you love to sunbathe, laying on a sunbed rather than a towel in the sand helps create distance from the flies.
➡️ Bring something like After Bite, tiger balm or a Bite Away pen to soothe any bites you get. ➡️ Avoid laying in the sand during dusk/dawn when sandflies are more active.

➡️ Sleep with a mosquito net and be sure to shower right after the beach, especially if you are in a beachside bungalow.

Trust me, you’re best planning to avoid staying in Sihanoukville. In the past, the ferry port town of Sihanoukville where you need to catch the ferry to Koh Rong was actually pleasant to spend an overnight in, with a variety of hostels and a beachfront strip with restaurants… long gone are those days. Sihanoukville is overrun with massive construction from Chinese investors; think building sites and gaudy casinos.

Taking a morning bus/flight to Sihanoukville and catching one of the afternoon ferries to the island is optimal. If this isn’t possible for your itinerary, I recommend spending the night at Onederz Sihanoukville*, before continuing your travels the next day.

As a tiny island, it is important to note that there is no hospital or serious medical care available on Koh Rong, the nearest hospital is on the mainland. There is however a pharmacy in Khao Touch village where you can pick up basic medication and bandages if you do find yourself hurt or sick. The pharmacist can help with wound cleaning but if you have a serious injury you need to get back to the mainland for treatment.

It’s important to have travel insurance, especially for visiting more remote places like Koh Rong where health care is not easily accessible and evacuation is costly.

Cambodia has two seasons; wet and dry. It’s good to know what the seasons are during your trip to Koh Rong so you can be prepared.

Dry seasons last from November to May with reliable sunny weather. This is a great time to visit Koh Rong but be prepared for high temperatures and slightly more expensive accommodation as it is one of the peak times to travel here.

The wet season lasts through the summer with a chance of daily rainstorms. That said, don’t let wet season completely deter you from visiting Koh Rong. We visited Koh Rong in June, at the height of monsoon season, yet there wasn’t a drop of rain or any sign of storms. Travelling in monsoon season, or the shoulder season, often means accommodation prices are cheaper and there is less need to pre-book.

If you struggle with seasickness, the dry season is the best time to visit as monsoon season brings with it rougher sea conditions.

Koh Rong is now firmly on the backpacker trail for Cambodia, which thankfully makes planning a trip to the island much easier in 2022 than when I first visited in 2016.

To get to Koh Rong, you must take the ferry from Sihanoukville. Sihanoukville has an airport that serves both domestic and international flights (currently not international due to COVID 2022).

From Phnom Penh you can take the bus or train but, as the train only runs once a day, the bus is more convenient.

💰 $13+

From Kampot, there are no bus links (I believe due to construction on the route) so you will need to organize a private car/minivan through your accommodation. Karma Traders* in Kampot helped us to organize a shared car for $45.

For travelling from other destinations in Cambodia, check out Baolau*, a search engine that compares all travel options to find the best for you.

How to get to Koh Rong Island

There are five ferry companies operating the route from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong, so finding a time that suits you is no challenge.

💰 Approx. $25 return ⏰ 45 mins

📍 You can book the ferry in person at Sihanoukville Port Autonomous, or pre-book your ferry using Camboticket.

While not a huge island, Koh Rong can be tricky to navigate due to a lack of roads so it’s important to pick carefully where to stay. Kaoh Touch beach or the bottom of Long Set beach are great areas to stay on the island as they are within walking distance of the main village and piers. There are many hotels, resorts and hostels along this stretch, so finding accommodation* isn’t challenging.

➡️ For social backpackers, Nest Beach Club* is the place to be, or the nearby Bunna’s Jungle* if Nest is fully booked.

Take note of these tips for visiting Koh Rong and you’ll be sure to have the ultimate island experience in Cambodia!

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This mini guide shares everything you need to know to plan your trip to Vinh Long, including where to stay and how to get there. Click here to jump to things to do.

The location of Vinh Long means the city is something of a gateway to the Mekong Delta, and as such, it is well-serviced with bus links all over. The most common routes to Vinh Long are from Ho Chi Minh City or nearby Can Tho city. The best place to book buses online is Vexere.

💰 180k from Ho Chi Minh City
💰 50k from Can Tho

We drove the 2.5hr trip from Ho Chi Minh City to Vinh Long by motorbike as part of a road trip, which, once out of the city was a pleasant drive through the countryside. You can find the motorbike route detailed in our Mekong Delta itinerary.

There are lots of accommodation options* in Vinh Long, including lots of beautiful eco homestays. I cannot recommend staying at Mekong Pottery Homestay* as we did; the property is amazing, as is the host Yenni who took us on a tour of the unique pottery factories of Vinh Long.

If you have another night to spend in Vinh Long, I recommend staying on An Binh island, just across the river from Vinh Long city. The island is lush, covered in orchards and farms, and lots of cute homestays like Mekong Riverside Homestay*, where we stayed on a previous trip through Vinh Long. The homestay also offers sunrise boat trips to the Cai Be Floating Market, similar to the Cai Rang Floating Market in Can Tho but less touristy.

I recommend exploring Vinh Long by motorbike, as some of the sites mentioned here are outside of the city and are too far to cycle to alongside seeing the other sites. If you aren’t on a road trip like us, I recommend renting a motorbike from your accommodation*.

Vinh Long holds an ancient tradition of pottery making, and the town is dotted with factories handmaking ceramics. Learning all about how the artisans turn sand from the Mekong River into rich red pots is the perfect introduction to Vinh Long, and one of the best things to do here!

Hidden off the main streets, these pottery factories are impossible to explore without a guide. We stayed at The Mekong Pottery Homestay* and booked a tour where our host, Yenni, showed us the whole process from sand to pots. The highlight was definitely getting up close to the traditional pottery kilns which you’ll see lining the rivers and roads of Vinh Long, billowing streams of smoke into the sky as they fire the ceramics.

Read more ✍️  Exploring Vinh Long Pottery village with Mekong Pottery Homestay

After our morning exploring the pottery factories, we were ready for a snack. So we jumped on the motorbike and headed into the city centre, venturing into the bustling central market to find some street snacks and drinks. To the left of the market, you’ll find a lane full of street vendors rather than people selling fresh produce. Aside from needing some refreshments, this market was bustling and a photographer’s heaven.

Chợ Long Châu📍 Nguyễn Huệ, Phường 2, Vĩnh Long, Vietnam

The countryside around Vinh Long is a maze of rice fields, palm-lined canals and nature parks. It’s worth spending an afternoon driving out of town to soak up the views, and there are 2 nature parks nearby Vinh Long that I recommend checking out:

1️⃣ Nông trại Ông Bà Tư

Nông trại Ông Bà Tư is a farm where during the flowering season, around June time, you’ll find fields of sunflowers and ponds filled with water lilies. Even if you visit during the off-season, which we accidentally did, you’ll be treated to a beautiful drive through the countryside and fields of lush green rice at the farm.

2️⃣ Xẻo Quýt

Alternatively, you could visit Xẻo Quýt nature reserve, which we visited as part of our 3-Day Mekong Delta road trip (pictures below). At Xẻo Quýt you’ll find a forest with lilypad ponds at the heart of it. The wooden walkways that weave through the ponds offer a tranquil place to soak up some nature.

On your way back into Vinh Long, stop by the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, a Buddhist temple complex on the outskirts of the city. The pagoda is fairly typical on the inside but hosts a beautiful central tower on the top. There are a number of other pagodas in Vinh Long, which you can find detailed in my friend Sam’s blog post.

Round off your day in Vinh Long watching the sunset behind the pottery kilns. It took us a little bit of hunting to find the perfect spot, but if you head down street ĐT 907, running adjacent to Rach Cai Tay river, you’ll find a few areas with access to the river where you can watch the sunset from.

📍 ĐT 907, Vinh Long
⏰ 5:30pm or earlier to watch the sunset

There you have it – how to spend a day exploring Vinh Long. This is the perfect first stop if you’re travelling to Mekong Delta with lots of things to do from exploring the pottery village to temples to nature.

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