Bike Touring Vietnam

Vietnam or The Peoples Republic of Laos as it is officially known is perhaps one of the last frontiers of bike exploring for us. The country is more exclusive and less-travelled than Thailand or even more distant Cambodia. Where Cambodia is more open and driven by money, Laos is a degree more selective and choosy in how it allows the foreign riders inside it's borders. Lacking the hedonistic nightlife of Thailand and Cambodia's overt 'bachelor's paradise' on a budget, Laos seems to do things it's own way, partly to do with it being a quasi-communist country.

Bringing your own bike into Laos is doable, but doing so at the Friendship Bridge border crossing is difficult. The border system isn't set up for bikers. Mounting your bike on a pick-up and strapping it down is one way. The other is to use on of the ferry crossings further up / down the mekhong river. Actually buying/owning a bike in Laos is also a problem unless you have a work visa.

Where to go in Vietnam

You have several key locations for traveling to:

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Road Directions in Vietnam

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Laos Road Conditions

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Hazards and Dangers

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Expat Scene in Vietnam

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Visas in Laos

Vietnam Tourist Visa - #

Vietnam Business Visa - In Laos these visas run for 12 months with extensions of 24 months. You must be sponsored by a Laos company for this one.

Vietnam Residency - #

Vietnam Facts

Founded: pre 1000s A.D

Population: 3,600,000 (Approx)

Size (Metropolitan): 91,000 Sq. Miles

Distance from Bangkok by Air (to Saigon): 320 miles

Distance from Bangkok by Road (to Saigon): 390 miles

Legal Tender: Dong (US $ also accepted)