Planning a grand trip across the southeastern part of Asia? Make sure to put Vietnam at the top of your travel bucket list! This expansive exotic country is a place of undisturbed natural beauty and vibrant multicultural urban scene that is bound to steal your heart and make you fall in love with the sights, the sounds, and the people that permeate the busy streets. Yes, this is one of the most adventurous destinations on the planet.
The best way to see and do it all as efficiently as possible is to learn to ride a motorbike in Vietnam and join its thriving motorbike culture! Here you will find locals and global travelers riding from destination to destination and even taking on cross-country routes on their trusty two-wheelers, simply because it’s a convenient way to make the most of your time. Because remember, the adventures we’re going to mention today are scattered across the Vietnamese map.
Explore the bustling beehive of Hanoi
Let’s assume that you’ve landed straight into the capital itself. Good, this is the perfect place to kick-start your adventure and even get your Vietnamese driver’s license for foreigners that will come in handy when you set sail on cross-country trips. But first, a grand tour of the bustling city is in order!
If you’re partial to a walking tour of two, head over to the historic quarter first. You will be instantly greeted by distinctly familiar colonial architecture lined up all along the narrow streets where people are whizzing by on their scooters and local traders setting up their fruit stalls and corner-side souvenir shops.
Be sure to visit other architectural landmarks as well, such as the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, and the Hanoi Opera House.
Sample the culinary delicacies at every corner
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All of this prolonged walking and exploration is bound to make you work up an appetite, which is an excellent opportunity to sample some of the finest exotic dishes in the land found at every corner. Skip the fancy restaurants or hotel food and instead head back over to the Old Quarter where delicious food vendors await with their affordable yet highly-satiating culinary delicacies. Be sure to try some of the most iconic Vietnamese dishes such as beef or chicken Pho, Bun Cha, Bun Bo Nam Bo, and Bit Tet.
Take an iconic motorbike road trip to Ho Chi Minh
Now that you’ve had your fill of the bustling city life, it’s time to hit the open road and find out just how many motorbikes in Vietnam are constantly blazing from city to city, and across expansive natural reserves. Arguably, the most adventurous road trip you could take on is the journey from Hanoi all the way south to the iconic city of Ho Chi Minh.
While you can acquire a motorbike cheaply, be careful, the procedure can be tricky and you might not even need one unless you’re staying a for a while. For those of you who are staying no longer than a couple of weeks, checking out automatic motorcycles for rent in Vietnam is an option definitely worth considering.
Once you hit the road, you can expect to encounter numerous urban and natural wonders along the way. Be sure to visit the fabled Halong Bay and its spectacular neighbor, Bai Tu Long Bay, and don’t forget to stop in the ancient capital of Hue and even Da Nang. Finally, head into Ho Chi Minh for some well-deserved rest and week-long relaxation.
Visit the floating markets of the Mekong Delta
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While you’re in the region, it would be a shame if you were to miss an adventure into the remarkably beautiful swamps of the Mekong Delta. Here you will cruise along island villages and rice paddy fields that stretch for miles on end, and of course, get the chance to explore the iconic floating markets. Be sure to disembark in the “capital” of the delta, Can Tho, for a chance to explore its vivid waterfront where floating restaurants and bars await.
Parting words
Vietnam is one of the top travel destinations in the world, and for a number of reasons. Whether you are a foodie traveler, a history buff, or an outdoor adventurer, this vibrant multicultural setting is bound to steal your hear and make you fall in love with its exotic charm.
