'''Vietnam''' is a country in [[South-Eastern Asia]], with borders with [[Cambodia]], [[Laos]] and [[China]].
There is no word for Hitchhiking in Vietnamese but hitchhiking in Vietnam is generally easy, especially if sticking to the QL.1 road that runs from the Chinese border in Lào Cai to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). QL.1 forms the Vietnamese part of AH1 (Asian Highway 1) from Hanoi to Saigonso some maps show it as AH1. The hitching method is to use the flat palm sign, like in China or using a sign. Using the thumb alone is less likely to work. On the sign it's best to write "đi nhờ xe đến" followed by the name of the city (đi - to go, nhờ - ask for a favor, xe - car, đến - to arrive). This could be translated as hitchhiking to.
Vietnamese people will often tell you that hitchhiking is impossible, but in almost any road in the country pedestrians are offered to hop in various vehicles. Generally people are expected to pay, but the concept of a free ride is accepted if you are a strange foreigner. Inside of the cities or when in a bad spot, a universal "2km" sign works very well. On countryside roads you will not see a lot of cars, but you do see a lot of motorcycle. So a good idea is to buy a helmet once (costs like 5 dollars) and than hitchhike with it everywhere. The Vietnamese will be happy to stop for you, they just don't want to be cought by police, becouse riding without a helmet is forbidden. It also means that your bag should be light enough, because it's going to be on your back for many kilometres.
Using a sign with "Xin Xe" ("please drive me to") followed by your destination works well. Expect every bus and van to stop as well, even if you don't have your hand stretched out. Most of the time they will charge, but you may get a free ride. Ask before entering by saying "Miễn Phí?" ("free?"). The Vietnamese can be very generous. If you want to be clear you want a free ride, make a sign that says "Cho tôi đi nhờ" in the north or "Cho tôi quá giang" in the south, it means "give me a ride". Some minibuses will still stop and ask for money though.
If In cities traffic lights are common, so you're staying with Vietnamese people can approach cars directly when they are standing and leave asking them with hitchhiking where they may go. That makes it more likely to be worried about your safetytaken by (faster) cars than by trucks. It would be polite then to consider paying a short bus ride or at least heading to the bus station Generally approaching them, when you leave them so they are not too worriedentering their cars, increases the chances immensely to be taken by a car of choice.
=There are also toll gates on the QL.1 called "Tram Thu Phi" (say tram too phee), ideal places especially at night. == Speed ===
If you can ride around 50km/hr you can consider it a good average in Vietnam. If you want to visits some places and hitchhike at the same time try to not ride more than 300km a day as the roads are slow and streets are dark at 6pm.
Highway AH1 QL.1 is very busy, getting a ride is easy with a sign and a good spot but riding is slow.
Secondary roads can be quite empty but if you get a car you can go quite fast (like on Ho Chi Minh highway).
On some small roads, you can have to wait a while before seeing any car or truck. An option is then to be light enough to be able to hitchhike with moto.. Unintentionally ending up in cities should be avoided since there are very few trucks in them and very many buses and motorbikes.
In rural areas hitchhiking == Cities ==[[Hanoi]]<br/>[[Saigon]]<br/> == Links == [http://marcandoelpolo.com/viajar-a-dedo-autostop-vietnam/ Information, tips and personal experiences of hitch-hiking in Vietnam. A 1433 km journey on 27 vehicles (only in spanish)], by Marcando el Polo == Personal Experiences == '''gonzalo''' '' has successfully hitchhiked from Nha Trang to Hanoi without any inconvenient, the expression Xin đi nhờ is clear for everyone, is easierrecommended to 'use it every time a car or motorbike stops. Trucks have no problem stopping The waiting time for youmotorbikes were between one or three minutes (a sing saying 2KM helps), for cars the waiting time was around 20 minutes. The cities in Vietnam stretch for many kilometers before reaching the countryside so it is better to hitchhike motorbikes rather than walking. Using It can be tough to ride on a sign bike with "Xin Xe" followed by a heavy backpack, if that is the case be sure to let you backpack loose so the seat will hold it instead of your destination works wellback. Expect every bus He found only friendly and helpful people, definitely a good country to stop as well, even if you donhitchhike in. ''t have your hand stretched out Hitchhikernick - hitched from border of Cambodia to china in 2 weeks (1week in Hanoi to get china visa) in September 2016. Most Hitching was pretty easy, but 90% of the time they will charge, but it was a motorbike (you may get must wear a free ridehelmet in Vietnam-biker gave me his spare one). Only difficulty I found was when stuck in big cities, otherwise easy. Hardly ever asked for money, if at all. Ask before entering by saying "Miễn Phí?" ("free?")Average waiting time 10 mins. The Vietnamese can be Be very generouscareful where you camp as a local cut open bottom of my tent and stole my GoPro, tried to comeback and get my wallet, but i shouted like a mad man at him and he didn't come back, that was in a temple grounds of all places in Ha-Long bay.
When traveling alone, it's highly suggested you get yourself a helmet, as most of your ride offers will be from scooters, and it's the law to wear a helmet when on a motorized bicycle. Being a foreigner, you may not be bothered by the cops, but the fine is heavy.
[[User:Nonsờ|Nonsờ]] has barely ever waited more than 30 minutes with over 50 rides in the country.
There Onlyexperiences: I hitchhiked from HO chi Minh to Hanoi February 2024 and it was super easy ! never waiting more than 30 minutes! A big advice is a substantial problem with police corruption. This is usually no problem for hitchhikers. However your driver may request that you pay the "fine". Drink driving is also common. It is up to the hitcher to use their discretion in these situations. Big trucks have an enforced limit on the number of passengers, drivers can ask a sing ( Xin Di Dho ) it will help you to leave quickly or hide in the cabin if they see a police checkpoint ahead.avoid taxis and people who want money
You may even try to get a boat ride on the Mekong.== Nomadwiki & Trashwiki ==
=== Cities ===* [[Hanoi]]* [[Saigon]]{{nomadwiki}}
== Experiences ==
* [http://marcandoelpolo.com/viajar-a-dedo-autostop-vietnam/ Information, tips and personal experiences of hitch-hiking in Vietnam. A 1433 km journey on 27 vehicles (only in spanish)], by Marcando el Polo
{{IsIn|South-Eastern Asia}}