Difference between revisions of "Vietnam"
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|hitch = <rating country='vn' /> | |hitch = <rating country='vn' /> | ||
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| − | '''Vietnam''' is a country in [[South-Eastern Asia]], with borders with [[Cambodia]], [[Laos]] and [[China]]. | + | '''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 AH1 (Asian Highway 1) from Hanoi to Saigon. The hitching method is to use the flat palm sign, like in China or using a sign. Using the thumb is less likely to work. |
| − | + | === Mentality === | |
| − | + | In almost any road in the country pedestrians are offered to hop in various vehicules but are expected to pay. It's very cheap to use transportation in Vietnam, you can go from Hanoi to Saigon for 20$ so you should not hitchhike here to save money. If you're looking for adventure and want to meet the nicest Vietnamese then wave your hand! | |
| + | |||
| + | Vietnamese people will often tell you that hitchhiking is impossible, [[User:Nonsờ|Nonsờ]] has barely ever waited more than 30 minutes with over 50 rides in the country. | ||
| + | The concept of a free ride is accepted if you are a strange foreigner but if you are Vietnamese people will ask you 'why you don't do like everyone else?'. | ||
If you're staying with Vietnamese people and leave them with hitchhiking they may be worried about your safety. It would be polite then to consider paying a bus when you leave them (even for a short ride) so they are not too worried. | If you're staying with Vietnamese people and leave them with hitchhiking they may be worried about your safety. It would be polite then to consider paying a bus when you leave them (even for a short ride) so they are not too worried. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Remember to smile in any situation! | ||
=== Speed === | === Speed === | ||
| − | If you can ride around 50km/hr you can consider it a good average in Vietnam. If you want to | + | If you can ride around 50km/hr you can consider it a good average in Vietnam. If you want to visit 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. |
| + | On the [[Hanoi]] - [[Saigon]] highway hitching with trucks is very easy. Be prepared to go very slowly, the speed limit is often 80km/hr. It took user [[User:Worldhitch|Worldhitch]] 5 days while going mellow. | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Signs === | ||
| + | |||
| + | 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. | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | === Law === | ||
| + | |||
| + | Vietnamese insurances only allow some tourist transport companies to transport foreigners. Any other vehicule (moto, local bus, car..) will not be covered in case of a problem. | ||
| + | There 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. | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Hitchhiking === | ||
| − | In | + | In the cities, the endless stream of motorbikes can be annoying, and many will stop, even if you have luggage. However most will expect payment and state this beforehand. You can get free rides with them though. This is most effective when travelling into a town from its outskirts. Unintentially 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 is easier. Trucks have no problem stopping for you. | |
You may even try to get a boat ride on the Mekong. | You may even try to get a boat ride on the Mekong. | ||
Revision as of 10:02, 5 October 2011
 Vietnam | |
|---|---|
| Information | |
| Language: | Vietnamese |
| Capital: | Hanoi |
| Population: | 87,375,000 |
| Currency: | Dong (VND) |
| Hitchability: | <rating country='vn' /> |
| Meet fellow hitchhikers on Trustroots | |
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 AH1 (Asian Highway 1) from Hanoi to Saigon. The hitching method is to use the flat palm sign, like in China or using a sign. Using the thumb is less likely to work.
Contents
Mentality
In almost any road in the country pedestrians are offered to hop in various vehicules but are expected to pay. It's very cheap to use transportation in Vietnam, you can go from Hanoi to Saigon for 20$ so you should not hitchhike here to save money. If you're looking for adventure and want to meet the nicest Vietnamese then wave your hand!
Vietnamese people will often tell you that hitchhiking is impossible, Nonsờ has barely ever waited more than 30 minutes with over 50 rides in the country. The concept of a free ride is accepted if you are a strange foreigner but if you are Vietnamese people will ask you 'why you don't do like everyone else?'.
If you're staying with Vietnamese people and leave them with hitchhiking they may be worried about your safety. It would be polite then to consider paying a bus when you leave them (even for a short ride) so they are not too worried.
Remember to smile in any situation!
Speed
If you can ride around 50km/hr you can consider it a good average in Vietnam. If you want to visit 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. On the Hanoi - Saigon highway hitching with trucks is very easy. Be prepared to go very slowly, the speed limit is often 80km/hr. It took user Worldhitch 5 days while going mellow.
Signs
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.
Law
Vietnamese insurances only allow some tourist transport companies to transport foreigners. Any other vehicule (moto, local bus, car..) will not be covered in case of a problem. There 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.
Hitchhiking
In the cities, the endless stream of motorbikes can be annoying, and many will stop, even if you have luggage. However most will expect payment and state this beforehand. You can get free rides with them though. This is most effective when travelling into a town from its outskirts. Unintentially 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 is easier. Trucks have no problem stopping for you.
You may even try to get a boat ride on the Mekong.
