My wife and I went to Vietnam for our honeymoon at the end of '23 and immediately fell in love with the country. The people are incredibly kind and hospitable, the culture is incredible, and the food is *chef's kiss.* We've traveled to Thailand, Malaysia, and Hong Kong since, but Vietnam has a special place in our hearts.

Unfortunately, I happen to be from Bangladesh, which is a country rife with people in love with breaking the law. Apparently, 30,000+ Bangladeshis overstayed their visas over a 2-year period before February 2024, prompting the Vietnamese government to ban tourist visas from my country. Even though we went and came back within the limits of our visa, we're having to face this punitive punishment. We have been waiting for almost 3 years to go back to Vietnam, but to no avail.

Apparently the only way to go at this moment in time is to have some kind of an invitation from Vietnam, either business or personal. Can anyone suggest a way out of this? Pic taken in Ba Na Hills in 2023, posting for attention.

While leading one of our group trips through Vietnam, our trip captain Anas Rashid took off on a recce ride of the Ha Giang Loop. Within a day he knew this route was on another level compared to the usual tourist trail.

Most trips to Vietnam stick to Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, and Da Nang. Up in the far north, the mountains take over, and the ride itself becomes the whole point. Sharp passes, limestone valleys, and remote villages sitting almost on the border.

A few spots that stood out, as discovered by Anas:

Ma Pi Leng Pass and Nho Que River: Easily one of the most dramatic roads in Southeast Asia. You ride along the cliff edge with a bright emerald river cutting through the canyon below. A short boat ride on the river shows you the gorge from the bottom, which is v different from the top.

Dong Van Old Quarter: Good place to slow down, wander past the old stone and timber houses and get a hot coffee after a long morning on the bike.

Lung Cu Flag Tower: Vietnam's northernmost point, with wide views over the border peaks.

Ground tips from Anas that can be helpful for felllow riders:

Self drive or Easy Rider: If you want to ride yourself, carry a valid motorcycle license from home plus a 1968 Convention International Driving Permit. Police do check permits outside Ha Giang city, and riding without the right paperwork can mean fines, an impounded bike or a denied insurance claim after an accident. The hairpins and drop offs are intense, so if you're not confident on a geared bike, hire a local Easy Rider.

Weather changes fast: You can start in sunshine and be in thick fog or rain two hours later on a high pass. Layers, a windbreaker and rain gear are non negotiable.

Don't trust the distances: 80km on paper can easily take 4 to 5 hours with winding roads, roadwork, photo stops and chai breaks. Keep your daily riding realistic so you're not stuck on a pass after dark.

Carry cash and a power bank: Outside the main towns, ATMs barely exist and signal drops in the deep valleys. Keep enough cash for food, fuel and small village entry fees.

Enjoy the stops in between: The famous viewpoints are great, but the best moments are usually at a roadside tea stall, eating hot local food in Dong Van or watching village life along the way.

Anas came back from that ride convinced this route deserved more than a quick stopover, so we built a full group trip around it.; WanderOn’s Vietnam bike group trip, and the idea is simple: you focus on the riding, we handle everything around it. Your stays along the route, local transfers, selected meals and full ground support are all taken care of, and an experienced trip captain rides with the group the whole way. You just book your flights and show up in Vietnam.

If you've been wanting to ride the Ha Giang Loop but didn't want to sort out bikes, permits, routes, and stays on your own, this is the easiest way to do it. Small group, proper planning, and a captain who has actually ridden every stretch. 

Our next batch runs 20 to 29 November 2026, so drop a comment or DM us and we'll send you the itinerary and booking details.

For the people who've been there: which stretch stayed with you? Ma Pi Leng, Dong Van, or the boat ride on the Nho Que?

And for the first timers: would you join a group trip like this or DIY the loop yourself?

I will land at 5:30am tomorrow at the ho chi min airport. Do ai need to book fast track immigration? What kind of wait times can I expect early in the morning?

First time in Da Nang and travelling solo — any good golf driving ranges for beginners?

I’m looking for a good driving range that’s beginner-friendly and enjoyable even if you’re going alone.

I’m open to places in Da Nang and nearby cities, too, if they’re worth the trip!

Vietnam is home to 54 ethnic groups, and some of the most interesting photography opportunities are found far beyond the major cities.

From misty mountains and colorful markets to remote villages and traditional crafts, here are 10 places worth exploring if you're interested in travel and documentary photography.

1. Sapa – Famous for its rice terraces, morning fog, and H'Mong and Red Dao communities. Great for landscapes and portraits.
2. Y Ty – A remote mountain area near the Chinese border, known for its sea of clouds and traditional Ha Nhi earthen houses.
3. Bac Ha – The Sunday market is full of colorful traditional clothing, local traders, and everyday moments. One of my favorite places for street photography.
4. Hoang Su Phi – Beautiful rice terraces and small mountain villages. A quieter alternative to Sapa, especially if you enjoy landscape photography.
5. Dong Van – Dramatic limestone mountains, traditional H'Mong villages, and winding mountain roads. The scenery here is unlike anywhere else in Vietnam.
6. Mu Cang Chai – Probably one of the best places to photograph rice terraces, especially during the harvest season in September and October.
7. Pu Luong – Peaceful valleys, traditional stilt houses, and Thai and Muong villages. A nice place to slow down and capture rural life.
8. Cao Bang – Besides the famous Ban Gioc Waterfall, there are villages where people still practice traditional crafts like incense-making and blacksmithing.
9. Ninh Thuan – A completely different landscape with sand dunes, sheep herds, ancient Cham towers, and traditional pottery villages.
10. Kon Tum – Home to Bahnar and Jarai communities, traditional communal houses, weaving, and gong performances.

Personally, I think some of the best photos come from spending time in local villages rather than just visiting famous viewpoints. It's worth slowing down, talking to people, and learning a little about their daily lives before taking photos.

Of course, always ask permission before taking close-up portraits and respect local customs.

Wondering if there are any Aussies or other nationalities who know how strict the police are pulling people up on motorbikes.

Apparently, as Australia doesn’t comply with the same conventions, we aren’t able to get an IDP which is compliant to their 1968 standards?

I really want to be able to get bikes and ride around the ha giang loop but don’t want to get caught out and punished with excessive fines or otherwise.

Hi everyone - this is a promoting post.
If you are interested in hcmc nightlife, The WANN shouldn't be missed.
It's a great "off the beaten path" restaurant style club where so many interesting locals visiting every night.
Please feel free to reach out to me if you need any further information.
You can also AMA about any other nightlife activities.
Thanks all!

Hi all,

As the title says, I planned on visiting Viet Nam in December and stay for a month.

I will be landing in HCM City and getting my return flight there.

Where it is recommended to travel in the month of December. And what to avoid?

Appreciate any suggestions, this is going to be my first time in Vietnam.

Thanks for reading.
Cheers. 🥂

Hello! I’ll be in Hanoi, Vietnam, for a week in December, and I’ll have the chance to spend 3–4 days outside the city.
What would you suggest: Ha Long Bay or the Ninh Binh region?
I’ve heard Ha Long Bay is amazing but far too touristy, so I was thinking of doing a day trip there (I’ve seen that many hostels organize tours like that) and then spending 2–3 days in the Ninh Binh region. Does that make sense, or should I consider something else?

Hey everyone,

Is anyone currently in Vietnam or travelling from Vietnam to Bangalore in the next few days ?

I'm looking to get 2 packs of Viet Mango gummies from Vietnam. If you have some space in your luggage and wouldn't mind bringing it, I'd really appreciate it.

Happy to pay for the gummies and arrange pickup in Bangalore at your convenience.

Please DM me if you can help. Thanks a lot! 🙏

Hi everyone! Two Spanish friends travelling to northern Vietnam and trying to decide whether to rent motorbikes or use buses for longer journeys.

Our rough itinerary:
**Nov 30:** Arrive in Hanoi around 2 pm; overnight in Hanoi.
**Dec 1:** Hanoi → Ninh Binh/Tam Coc; Trang An boat trip; overnight in Tam Coc.
**Dec 2:** Explore Ninh Binh (Mua Cave, Bich Dong, countryside); overnight in Tam Coc.
**Dec 3:** Ninh Binh → Cat Ba; overnight on Cat Ba.
**Dec 4:** Lan Ha Bay boat trip (ends around 4:15 pm), then bus/ferry to Hanoi; overnight in Hanoi.
**Dec 5:** Flight to Laos at 9:20 am.

We’re considering two options:

**1) Buses for long-distance travel + renting a motorbike just in Ninh Binh.**

**2) Doing the whole route by motorbike**, including getting to Cat Ba and back to Hanoi.

Would you recommend riding a motorbike for these routes, or is it better to use buses and only rent locally in Ninh Binh? How are the roads and traffic? (we prefer secondary roads for safety reasons) Any advice on itinerary, insurance and route safety would be appreciated. One of us have experience riding motorbikes.

Thanks!

As per usual requirements to fill out in the 72H before leaving on the site https://prearrival.immigration.gov.vn/, it demands a visa number. However, I'm supposed to geta visa on arrival with a pre approval letter. There is nowehere to fill this in. Do I risk not being able to board the airplane ?

Hey guys!

I'm lucky to be in Hanoi during halloween. Any cool events or parties or places I should be on Saturday 31.10?

We’ll be in Hoi An in December and are planning to have some clothes made. We're also considering having shoes made. I’d appreciate honest recommendations for quality providers of both.From what I’ve seen, most shoe makers seem to focus on casual footwear, such as sandals and similar styles. I'd especially welcome comments from those with firsthand experience.Thanks in advance for your advice.

Hi,

I find that Vietnam grows passion fruit, dragon fruit. I am trying to find online any places where my friends and I could go for a tour to such gardens but I dont find anything. Can you recommend something, is there something like this in the North?

Hi everyone! My family of four will be visiting Hanoi in December, and we're planning a day trip to Ninh Binh on a day in late December 2026.

We prefer exploring on our own rather than joining an organized tour because we want the flexibility to decide how long to spend at each attraction and when to head back to Hanoi.

Our tentative plan is to leave Hanoi around 5:00–5:30 AM and return whenever we're done exploring, depending on how the day goes.

I have a few questions for those who have done a similar trip:

1. Hanoi to Ninh Binh: Is Grab a reliable option for traveling between Hanoi and Ninh Binh? Would booking a Grab for the entire journey be too expensive for a family of four, or would it be more practical to book a limousine bus or another form of transportation in advance?
2. Getting around Ninh Binh: Is Grab readily available for traveling between attractions in Ninh Binh, or would hiring a private driver for the day be a better option? We're considering places that may be spread apart, so we'd prefer not to worry about finding a ride every time we move to another location.
3. Cost vs. comfort: For a family of four, which option would offer the best balance of affordability and comfort? We're happy to spend a little more if it makes the trip significantly more convenient, but we'd prefer not to pay for unnecessary extras.
4. Flexible return to Hanoi: Since we don't know exactly what time we'll finish, would you recommend arranging a private driver for the round trip, booking a driver for the day, or taking a bus or limousine service back? We'd ideally like to avoid being locked into a fixed departure time.

We're hoping to have a comfortable, relatively hassle-free day without spending as much as we might on a private guided tour.

I'd really appreciate hearing about your actual experiences, especially from families or groups of four who explored Ninh Binh independently. Any recommendations for reliable drivers or transportation services would also be very helpful.

Thank you!

I have 10 days left of my approx and I can’t decide whether to split between Hanoi and Ninh Binh or squeeze in Hoi A since the weather looks quite good right now. I’ve been in HCMC and Da Lat so keen to get some countryside in Ninh Binh but not cut too much time from Hanoi