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'''Vietnam''' is a country in [[South-Eastern Asia]], with borders with [[Cambodia]], [[Laos]] and [[China]].
Hitchhiking in Vietnam is generally easy, especially if sticking to the QL.1 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 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 my advice a good idea is to buy a helmet once (cost costs like 5 dollars) and than hitch-hike hitchhike with it everywhere. The Vietnamse 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 (apparently). It also means that your bag should be light enough, becouse because it's going to be on your back for 200 kmmany 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.
In cities traffic lights are common, so you can approach cars directly when they are standing and asking them where they go. That makes it more likely to be taken by (faster) cars than by trucks. Generally approaching them, when they are entering their cars, increases the chances immensely to be taken by a car of choice.
There are also toll gates on the 1A QL.1 called "Tram Thu Phi" (say tram too phee), ideal places especially at night.
== Speed ==
