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Our journey path
From Ho Chi Minh City, we venture to the coast, then head
north towards Hanoi, then from Hanoi northwest to Lao Cai.
Our journey ends in the remote Highlands near the Chinese
border.
On the road
The chinese border
Border disputes with the Chinese meant that until 1992 the
border areas were closed to tourists, making any trans-asian
journey impossible
By bus
Vietnam has a network of buses that reach virtually every
corner of the country. Most of them are at least thirty years
old and are kept running with home made spares. They’re
slow, uncomfortable and unreliable, but incredibly cheap.
By ferry
Just south of the border you can take a ferry across the Great
Red River.
By train
Heading north from Nha Trang into central Vietnam climb aboard
the Reunification Express. After North and South Vietnam united
in 1975 one of the government's first programmes was to replace
the rail system that had been destroyed in the war. Even so,
the service is slower today than it was 50 years ago when
the French finished building it, so expect major delays.
Breakfast is included in the price of the ticket, plastic
colored bowls filled with noodles, pork, egg and greens. When
hot water was added the whole carriage steams up like a soup
kitchen. If you don't like all the food, why not trade with
others on board.
There is a spirit of unavoidable togetherness, with many challenges
and delay, but is an exciting experience for any visitor.
By bike
The young and ambitious are attracted to Vietnam’s economic
capital. Four million people get to work every day on two
wheels. Mopeds and bicycles outnumber cars a hundred to one.
But for the faint of heart, there is a safer, more relaxing
way to experience the city, by Cyclo, a bike taxi. For about
a half hour, the cyclo costs one dollar, or ten thousand Dong,
but agree to a price before you ride or you could pay four
times that amount.
Travelling to Vietnam
Travel to and around Vietnam with Vietnam Airlines
Website: www.vietnamair.com.vn
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