Backpacking in VietnamBackpacking in Vietnam has only really taken off in the last decade, but has been embraced and now forms a significant part of the Vietnamese economy. As with other parts of South East Asia, Vietnam has shaken off the war torn associations of its past, and is now more associated with its culture, beaches and trekking potential than with the longest and most ill conceived war of modern times. Vietnam has something to meet the needs of every backpacker – from bustling metropolises to the epitome of rural idyll... Its shape and location also make it a perfect country to travel through and to make the leap between Laos and Cambodia.
Where is it and what’s there?Vietnam snakes down the Eastern side of South East Asia, and is bordered to the North by China, to the West by Laos and Cambodia and to the East by the South China Sea. The topography can be summed up in one word: mountainous. Only 20% of the country is flat, with 40% mountains and the remainder hilly. The entire Eastern Coast, however, is mile upon mile upon mile of (generally empty and always perfect ) beaches.
The ClimateDue to the size and shape of the country there are marked differences between the climate as you travel through Vietnam. In general terms the country has two monsoon seasons: the North, between October and March, and the South, from April till September. Although both seasons are generally pretty wet, a logical nuance of the geography means that the northern monsoon can be considered ‘cold’ and the south ‘hot’. This said, temperatures are consistently in the high 20s or low 30s, and it is only genuinely ‘cold’ in the higher northern regions during its monsoon season.Suffice to say that if you are spending much time in Vietnam - or backpacking up or down - then you will need to be prepared to deal with a few soakings!
Return from Backpacking in Vienam to the Home Page Getting there and visasOne of the great things about Vietnam is that it’s easy to get to from anywhere on the Eastern side of South East Asia. Many backpackers don’t plan to go there, but – due to its proximity to other destinations – end up arranging a visa and crossing the border and (in many cases!) spending much longer than they expected in this alluring country.If arriving by plane, there are three major airports: Hanoi, Da Nang and Saigon. Otherwise you’ll be crossing a border to arrive. Internationally travellers can enter the country through one of the five crossings from Cambodia, or one of the six from Laos. You must pre arrange a visa to enter Vietnam. This can be done from neighbouring countries, or from a Vietnamese embassy elsewhere. They are valid from 30 days and can be extended by one month extensions a maximum of three times. Longer visas can also usually be negotiated if you really don’t want to leave...
Getting aroundBearing in mind that Vietnam has essentially had to rebuild its travel infrastructure from scratch: it is doing very well. Indeed in the last 15 years it has caught up with many of its South East Asian and – Thailand excepted – is now on a par with most of them.The train network runs down the coast and at points rivals anywhere else in the area (or the world) for its scenery. The trains aren’t going to break any speed or punctuality records, aren’t cheap (relative to other countries in the region) but are definitely worth making use of. Aside from the coastal lines, the network also branches up to Hanoi – making this a good starting (or finishing) point for your backpacking adventure. You must book well in advance. Buses are also a viable option for medium range journeys. They can be very crowded, however, and don’t always feel particularly safe - check your bus before getting on, and if you’re travelling a long distance: catch the train or fly...
Things to doAs with Vietnam’s climate, the number of different things to see and do in Vietnam are many and varied. Whether your interest lies in the historic (ancient and recent) elements of the country, or the decadent potential (sun and surf on one of the many beaches), there is enough to keep you occupied for as long as your schedule – or visa – allows.• Hue. The ancient capital succeeds in maintaining a genuine sense of the past and it is not difficult to imagine you are still in the feudal Nguyen dynasty as you wander the tightly woven streets. A fantastic antithesis to Vietnam’s other more cosmopolitan cities and a worthwhile and rewarding stop. • Ha Long Bay. 70 miles of coastline and the absolutely stunning Limestone karsts. One of South East Asias genuinely wondrous spots..... • Hanoi. The beginning of many a Vietnamese backpacking adventure and a tantalising taste of what’s to come. A genuinely cosmopolitan city where European cafe culture sits comfortably with historic architecture. • Sapa. A definite ‘destination’, but a worthwhile one...Watch the colourfully dressed workers tend the impossibly terraced rice paddies on the ‘Tonkinese Alps’. The Montagnard hill tribes have lived and worked here for centuries but have adapted well to the advent of tourism! • Ho Chi Minh city. Or Saigon. An impossibly bustling hive. Lose yourself for a few days and let the ambience absorb you. In as far as anywhere is: A South East Asian essential.
• Phu Quoc Island. Reward yourself for making it all the way south and kick back in a hammock on the island for a few days checking out the perfect beaches and staggering array of sea life. Phu Quoc ricals anywhere in the region for tropical perfection and is – for now – a relatively unspoilt slice of paradise. Although maybe not at the top of your list, Vietnam has everything to offer the intrepid backpacker. Plus its location suits a South East Asian backpacking tour perfectly... Very much like the railways in Vietnam – you can hop on, enjoy a sublime and awe-inspiring journey – and then hop off when you’re done...
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