A commercial attitude has always been part of Vietnamese
culture. So it's no miracle that after the years of isolation, Vietnam
quickly changed into a unique mix of communism and capitalism. As soon
as you will arrive in Vietnam, you will be offered all kinds of
services, including postcards, shoe shine, and different Vietnam tours.
Independent
adventure travelers, however, do not fancy organised tours in buses
with many tourists. But the lack of public transport almost requires
taking such a tour. Unless, of course, you have your own means of
transport. In that case, try to reach the following exciting Vietnam
destinations on your own.
Northern hill tribes
In the mountainous regions of North Vietnam, several different hill tribes still live their traditional lives. The village of Sapa
and the valleys around it are great for exploring. For independent
travelers, it can be reached by train and mini bus, but it is also great
for touring around on a motorbike. Make sure, though, to make a
trekking, too.
Tours from Hanoi
From
the capital of Hanoi, different tours can be made. Before exploring by
yourself, however, take into account that for instance Halong Bay, but also the Perfume Pagoda, require boat transportation as well.
Central Vietnam
In
the centre of Vietnam, between the cities of Hue and Hoi An, lies a
small mountain range, causing a change in climate, especially in winter.
Where Hue is the wettest place in Vietnam, and still pretty cold in
winter, Hoi An sees a lot of sun, and is warm year-round.
In
these regions, there are a lot of interesting sights. Independent
travelers, however, need to take care since a lot of landmines are still
around. This is the area of the former demilitarized zone, and a lot of
fighting took place here. The remnants of the once flourishing Champa
kingdom at My Son has suffered from it, but is still worth a visit.
While on the road, you can see more sites with Cham towers, though.
Around Dalat
Moving
south, it's best to move away from the coastal road into the central
highlands around Dalat. This area is well suited to visit with your own
means of transport, visiting waterfalls, hill tribes, nice scenery,
etcetera. Without transport, you are stuck to another Vietnam travel guide to visit those sites.
Mekong Delta
The
most challenging area for independent adventure travel is in the south
of Vietnam. The Mekong Delta area mainly has waterways. The roads
alongside the water are connected over the water by monkey bridges. The
Vietnamese take their motorbikes over these bridges, but can you?
So
many places in Vietnam are worth a visit. But visiting those
independently is often a challenge. For some regions, you may want to
stick to a Vietnam Tour. For others, consider having your own means of
transport for the best adventure travel. The choice is up to you.
Patrick
van der Meer is the creator of Adventure Travel Tales and Tips, a
website composed of his experiences during a 15 month world journey and
other trips. Visit his website for exciting travelogues, tips on
preparations, means of transport, a wide range of destinations and much
more.
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