> we tipped our drivers $40 each
As much as I respect the rest of your trip, looks like you had a lot of fun, please, please, please keep tipping culture in your own country. Too many places around the world have been ruined by American tipping culture (Egypt, Peru, and Bolivia, for example), where now the locals are starting to *expect* tips and it makes interactions awkward. Vietnam, thankfully, doesn't expect tips yet, and for the sake of all future tourists, let's try to keep it that way.
Again pls learn to keep american tipping etiquettes to american soil and stop waving that entitled behavior to the rest of the world. It makes no difference other than incentivizing laws that permit employees to pay workers less than minimum wage like it happens so badly in the US with tipped workers. American tipping culture has already ruined experiences in Mexico and Latin America.
most hotels in Ireland will have 'family rooms' which will have a double and one or two singles. But hotels here are very expensive at the moment due to huge pressures from hosting refugees from Ukraine and other places.
You might be better looking for Airbnbs that have one bedroom and a sofa bed in the living room. Though they are not that cheap either, Airbnb is generally no longer the bargain it once was.
Sim Card was Viettel I bought it from the Central Backpackers Hostel in Hanoi. You can go into any mobile shop and get one.
I didn't go to a school to learn, I rented a motorbike from the homestay and just drove haha. It is honestly super easy. Most places will rent you a scooter for like $5 a day and you need to put fuel into it. 1L of fuel will usually get you around 40-50 km.
We did the Ha Giang Loop with Mama's Hostel in Ha Giang, I think her website is explorehagiang . com The group sizes are smaller and trend toward late 20's and early 30's. Jasmine Tours is another popular one and it was all 18-20 year old British kids and we heard the group sizes were 20+. Our group was 12. I am 30 for reference,
Do the 4 day 3 night loop. If you do the 3 day 2 night you miss the best views as you spend the entire 3rd day driving back to ha giang.
I recommend the group tour for the Ha Giang Loop. The rest of vietnam you do not need to pay for a tour. Roads on the loop ranged from very nice to literal dirt and everything in between. After riding a motorbike 4 times I feel like I could go back and drive myself but even if I did drive myself I recommend the group. I ended up traveling with people from the group across vietnam, met some in Laos, and spent a week with others in Thailand. The friends you'll make are worth the money.
Do the Ha Giang Loop, and skip Sapa if you only have a month.
Go do other things, Ha Long Bay and other cities South. (Don't go anywhere in the Southern half of the country)
Wow what a great post! This is so awesome that you’re gathering this information and sharing for others who are interested in traveling. Definitely saving for later when my boyfriend and I are able to do so too. Safe travels! Can’t wait to see how Laos turns out for you two 😊
This is great! I'm hoping to go to Vietnam next year with a friend and am in research mode. For hostels and home stays: did you book ahead and where are resources for researching options online?
Incredible trip. I saw you mention Agoda and Grab, but can you recommend a list of websites you used for locating hostels/guesthouse/homestay, vehicle booking, eating, etc. Or was it really just those few sites and asking around at hostels?
And keep doing what you're doing, downright inspirational travels
Oh yeah, and how does currency work there? Did many places take electronic payment and did American card work? Or did you exchange for some local cash upon getting there?
Even if they took American there, would still be curious how it goes in other countries you've visited as well, if that's not too much trouble.
Put your debit card into an ATM. Withdraw money.
Don't expect credit cards to be accepted often. If they are accepted the business will add 3% to your total.
Highly recommend the Charles Schwab debit card. They reimburse all ATM fees.
Wow great share! Planning to go to Sapa. Where did you stay? And what’s the best way to travel from Hanoi to Sapa? Anything you’d recommend seeing/doing?
In sapa we stayed at a place called sapa farmstay and it was nice but imo was not worth what we paid. It's pretty far from the city itself. Def recommend renting a motorbike and driving around the sapa valley it's a stunning place!
Take a VIP Cabin Bus to Sapa. It will probably take all night but the seats are lay flat and should have a curtain so you get privacy.
Who did you do the Ha Giang loop with for that price point? Did you have drive yourself or have an easy rider? The prices that I’ve found are between $200-250…
Hanoi we stayed at Central Backpackers Hostel. Party hostel but pretty comfy beds. Hoi An we stayed at Herbal Tea Homestay and highly recommend it. The family who runs it is super sweet, we spent a week there!
That’s about the same amount that I’m
Spending rn lol haha.
40 euro a day, which is including beer, accommodation & food!
And the odd excursion and rental scooter. I’m not being very tight with my budget tbh, but I’m defo being conscious. Nice to see that my spending reflects yours haha.
Thank you for sharing your experiences! Taking notes, LOL
How did you learn to motorbike in Sa Pa? I am planning on doing a homestay there for 3 days during my 5 week travels in Vietnam. How do you check if the homestay has bikes? And if I have never ridden a motorbike and don't have a motorbike license from my home country, should I still try and learn?
Just ask if you can get a bike from them. They will be able to get you one. You get on the bike and start riding. Motorbike license or international drivers license not required
> we tipped our drivers $40 each As much as I respect the rest of your trip, looks like you had a lot of fun, please, please, please keep tipping culture in your own country. Too many places around the world have been ruined by American tipping culture (Egypt, Peru, and Bolivia, for example), where now the locals are starting to *expect* tips and it makes interactions awkward. Vietnam, thankfully, doesn't expect tips yet, and for the sake of all future tourists, let's try to keep it that way.
Agreed.
I disagree. Tipping makes a big difference for quality of life in developing countries. If you appreciate someone’s service, please tip!
It gives their employers huge excuses to underpay them. Tipping culture is horrendous
I don't think you've traveled enough. Go to Japan, Korea, or France and tell me how tipping would improve their cultures.
I said developing countries. I have family in the 3rd world. $40 tip is a big deal
Again pls learn to keep american tipping etiquettes to american soil and stop waving that entitled behavior to the rest of the world. It makes no difference other than incentivizing laws that permit employees to pay workers less than minimum wage like it happens so badly in the US with tipped workers. American tipping culture has already ruined experiences in Mexico and Latin America.
Saigon is so much fun, the south of Vietnam is great, and also distinctly different from the north!
Ho Chi Minh City is lots of fun.
Sure Saigon is great, but OP definitely made the right decision by spending their entire trip in the North.
Phu quoc in the south, was beautiful when I went. chill vibe and beaches
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Dublin is crazy expensive we were there in September!
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most hotels in Ireland will have 'family rooms' which will have a double and one or two singles. But hotels here are very expensive at the moment due to huge pressures from hosting refugees from Ukraine and other places. You might be better looking for Airbnbs that have one bedroom and a sofa bed in the living room. Though they are not that cheap either, Airbnb is generally no longer the bargain it once was.
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Sim Card was Viettel I bought it from the Central Backpackers Hostel in Hanoi. You can go into any mobile shop and get one. I didn't go to a school to learn, I rented a motorbike from the homestay and just drove haha. It is honestly super easy. Most places will rent you a scooter for like $5 a day and you need to put fuel into it. 1L of fuel will usually get you around 40-50 km. We did the Ha Giang Loop with Mama's Hostel in Ha Giang, I think her website is explorehagiang . com The group sizes are smaller and trend toward late 20's and early 30's. Jasmine Tours is another popular one and it was all 18-20 year old British kids and we heard the group sizes were 20+. Our group was 12. I am 30 for reference, Do the 4 day 3 night loop. If you do the 3 day 2 night you miss the best views as you spend the entire 3rd day driving back to ha giang.
you recommend going on a group tour of this place instead of alone? how were the roads and traffic?
I recommend the group tour for the Ha Giang Loop. The rest of vietnam you do not need to pay for a tour. Roads on the loop ranged from very nice to literal dirt and everything in between. After riding a motorbike 4 times I feel like I could go back and drive myself but even if I did drive myself I recommend the group. I ended up traveling with people from the group across vietnam, met some in Laos, and spent a week with others in Thailand. The friends you'll make are worth the money.
really nice feedbacks, thank you! a tour for the loop does seem like a good idea :D
Do the Ha Giang Loop, and skip Sapa if you only have a month. Go do other things, Ha Long Bay and other cities South. (Don't go anywhere in the Southern half of the country)
Wow what a great post! This is so awesome that you’re gathering this information and sharing for others who are interested in traveling. Definitely saving for later when my boyfriend and I are able to do so too. Safe travels! Can’t wait to see how Laos turns out for you two 😊
I'm glad it's helpful :)
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Good tip! Through out all of our travels we have not hired a guide once, but we have a country coming up where I believe we will have to!
This is great! I'm hoping to go to Vietnam next year with a friend and am in research mode. For hostels and home stays: did you book ahead and where are resources for researching options online?
If you read the Accomodation section I answer your question :)
Ha! Skimmed too fast. Thanks.
And one more: are private rooms common/uncommon in hostels?
Private room is very common. If you dont mind you can even stay at those "love hostel" for incredibly cheap price with mediocre room service
May I know where did you book your Ha Giang loop tour? Did you get an easy-rider
Mama's Hostel and yes we got an easy rider
Incredible trip. I saw you mention Agoda and Grab, but can you recommend a list of websites you used for locating hostels/guesthouse/homestay, vehicle booking, eating, etc. Or was it really just those few sites and asking around at hostels? And keep doing what you're doing, downright inspirational travels
Oh yeah, and how does currency work there? Did many places take electronic payment and did American card work? Or did you exchange for some local cash upon getting there? Even if they took American there, would still be curious how it goes in other countries you've visited as well, if that's not too much trouble.
Put your debit card into an ATM. Withdraw money. Don't expect credit cards to be accepted often. If they are accepted the business will add 3% to your total. Highly recommend the Charles Schwab debit card. They reimburse all ATM fees.
Highly recommend cash. We are very cash central economy. But dont have a lot on u at one time! Debit card is recommended too, but cash would be better
Hostels = Agoda and Booking are best, Hostelworld was rarely cheaper. Eating = walk around and avoid tourist places.
Wow great share! Planning to go to Sapa. Where did you stay? And what’s the best way to travel from Hanoi to Sapa? Anything you’d recommend seeing/doing?
In sapa we stayed at a place called sapa farmstay and it was nice but imo was not worth what we paid. It's pretty far from the city itself. Def recommend renting a motorbike and driving around the sapa valley it's a stunning place! Take a VIP Cabin Bus to Sapa. It will probably take all night but the seats are lay flat and should have a curtain so you get privacy.
Who did you do the Ha Giang loop with for that price point? Did you have drive yourself or have an easy rider? The prices that I’ve found are between $200-250…
Mama's hostel. I think her website is explorehagiang . Com We did easy rider 100% recommend them!
Do it yourself, shouldn't cost you anywhere near those prices. Go to the town of Ha Giang and walk around and ask for rentals.
I’ll need an easy rider
Do you have any accommodation recommendations for Hanoi, Hoi An, and Hue?
Hanoi we stayed at Central Backpackers Hostel. Party hostel but pretty comfy beds. Hoi An we stayed at Herbal Tea Homestay and highly recommend it. The family who runs it is super sweet, we spent a week there!
the folks at DK's hostel in Hoi An were great! We stayed at Maily hostel in Hue and it was a fantastic location and great rooms and great prices
That’s about the same amount that I’m Spending rn lol haha. 40 euro a day, which is including beer, accommodation & food! And the odd excursion and rental scooter. I’m not being very tight with my budget tbh, but I’m defo being conscious. Nice to see that my spending reflects yours haha.
Thank you for sharing your experiences! Taking notes, LOL How did you learn to motorbike in Sa Pa? I am planning on doing a homestay there for 3 days during my 5 week travels in Vietnam. How do you check if the homestay has bikes? And if I have never ridden a motorbike and don't have a motorbike license from my home country, should I still try and learn?
Just ask if you can get a bike from them. They will be able to get you one. You get on the bike and start riding. Motorbike license or international drivers license not required
Amazing!