After researching flights, accommodations, visas, transport options inside the country, activities, etc., basically everything, I came to the conclusion that it’s too overwhelming for me. I’m taking a retired family friend with me, as he’s not bound by any schedule, so I don’t have to compromise on the length of the trip. Plus, he can drive, so we can rent a car and make the trip smoother. I’ve decided on Vietnam, by the way.
Btw, bring some candy and duty free cigarettes from Switzerland. When a Vietnamese helps you, they’ll usually expect/require cash, but sometimes they help you out of good will, and absolutely won’t accept cash, so you’ll need small gifts.
Someone is going to have to plan the trip, still. Are you planning it? Is the retired family friend planning it?
How are the two of you talking about planning the trip together? Have you two discussed what the two of you want out of the trip? Does your friend know that one of the reasons you picked Vietnam was to drink, meaning they may end up with a hungover roommate?
Also, 45 days is a lot of time to be around someone. Plan activities where you two can be apart.
I never traveled solo, and don’t regret it at all. I enjoy more spending time with friends and acquaintances than doing things “my way”. I still had smaller trips on my own, arriving earlier than the rest of the group, but never enjoyed it much. So, I don’t think it’s dumb, do what you feel you will like.
This just shows how different everyone is though. The only trips I regret are the ones where I have gone with other people. Travelling with other people is the fucking worst for me and it just ruins any trip having another person there with me, no matter the relationship.
OP is gonna need to try both though to get a feel for what they like.
I only travel with my wife, because we’re very in tune where travelling is concerned. I’ve always regretted travelling with other people.
It isn’t dumb to feel overwhelmed, though many people regret the things they didn’t do.
The “overwhelming” part of travel is usually of our own making, while the valuable part of traveling is simply living in a new world.
Don’t plan any activities, don’t rent a car. Watch movies, sleep all day in your comfortable apartment and then visit the markets or cafes when you’re hungry.
Just by being somewhere new, you’ll be learning and living; I tell everybody who asks me about traveling that travel should be slow and easy and as comfortable as you want, especially in the beginning.
Vietnam is a solid pick: the people are incredibly kind and you get to eat pho every day.
I would strongly advise against renting a car in Vietnam. There will be hundreds of motorbikes swarming around you, and you’ll have to constantly be aware of them inches from your car while watching for cows, farm equipment, construction vehicles, 2 old folks sharing 1 mobility scooter, the guy with a washer+dryer+refrigerator on the back of his bike who can barely turn or stop, motorickshaws, etc, where traffic rules are largely vibes-based.
Technically even with an IDP, foreigners cannot legally drive in vietnam so if there is an accident, you are paying.
I would recommend taking a Grab for a few days to get a feel for traffic, then renting or buying a motorbike. You can rent a Honda Wave for 1 month for ~1-1.5 million VND (40-60USD). You can buy for 150-300USD, but you’ll need a Vietnamese friend to pick out a bike that can be resold for nearly the same price when you leave.
Everyone rides slow so even if you have a few beginner accidents, you’ll be fine.
What kinda itinerary are you thinking of?
Agreed that Grab is the best option. Or Gojek if that’s there as another option.
Itinerary-wise, I’m thinking of doing the Hanoi-Hue-Da Nang-Nha Trang-Da Lat-Ho Chi Minh route, plus Ha Long and Phu Quoc, but I want to go with the flow once I’m there, so nothing too fixed.
8 cities is a lot, how much time do you have?
I loved Hanoi, Da Lat (also Sa Pa) up in the mountains are beautiful. Vietnam actually cools off up there. It’s kinda otherworldly when you descend from a foggy 60F mountain top to a 100F, sunny valley.
A lot of foreigners buy a motorbike from HCMC/Hanoi, ride to the other, stopping all the way, and sell the bike.
it’s legal for foreigners to drive in Vietnam with an IDP
OK, so it’s legal under the 1968, not the 1948 convention. But if you’re pulled over on a tourist route, cops don’t really care about documents, they just want a bribe. Ask around to find out what routes are shaking down tourists. Don’t keep all your money in your wallet, just about 2-475Td in case you get pulled over by a cop.
Well, my Swiss passport gives me 45 days visa-free, and I’m planning to max it out. That’s why I need an “unanchored” travel partner.
Yeah, that’s true.
Those are more general considerations rather than location-specific ones.
From what I’ve read, it’s legal for foreigners to drive in Vietnam with an IDP, but in practice most rental agencies won’t rent a car to foreigners unless you also hire a local chauffeur.
Just get a driver. I never drive in countries like Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, etc. It’s a pain and drivers aren’t that expensive.
For $40 a day you can hire a car and driver for the days you want it
$40 a day is insane when Grab exists.
You can always go on a solo trip later in life.
