I still can’t believe that we have successfully finished our motorcycle trip from Cambodia to Vietnam! 2 countries, 19 cities, over 3000 km in 8 weeks, feels like such a life accomplishment! Travelling by motorcycle is a more intimate way of knowing a country, you’ll experience everything first-hand!

You’re gonna be able to visit amazing places, see a lot of scenic views  and meet some awesome people along the way. Likewise, the joy that we always felt each time we have reached another city, knowing that we are getting closer to the finish line. 

Part of the journey would also be moments where you’ll get fed up with some awful situations or you might not be able to appreciate some places that you have tried to drive for long ass cramping hours.

But this trip has taught us is to appreciate every little thing and try to avoid overthinking about some unpleasant moments, for the most important thing is the whole journey itself. We can’t believe we survived!

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PURCHASING A MOTORCYCLE

In Vietnam, purchasing a motorcycle is as easy as buying a sandwich. So most travelers starts their motorcycle trip in Vietnam. However in Cambodia, it would take you a little bit longer.

Few days before leaving for Cambodia, my boyfriend started looking for a second-hand motorcycle over the internet, at khmer24.com. He also sent emails to the sellers so that when we arrive, we’ll just meet up right away.  My boyfriend checked out about 4 motorcycles to compare before purchasing one. The price range are $200-$300. We got a Honda Win, which costs $250.

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THE ROUTE

We did not really plan for our route, so we are not sure if this is the best one. Our only aim was to drive to Cambodia’s tourist areas and to drive along the coast of Vietnam. We also considered crossing the border of Laos, but we decided to skip it due to the condition of the motorcycle.

Below is our actual motorcycle route:
[googlemaps https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=13Ab1C8L4a7S8Ul6yZzYLYorLFlw&w=640&h=480]

Legend: RED A-G (Siem Reap to Prek Chak Border), GREEN A-F (Ha Tien Border to Vung Tau), PURPLE A-I (Mui Ne to Hanoi)
*Map may not be precise, for only major roads were clearly shown. Some small roads we used for shortcuts may not be shown in the map.

CAMBODIA

1. Siem Reap 

2. Phnom Penh (via National Road 6) 321km

3. Kampot (via National Road 3) 146km

4. Sihanoukville (via National Road 3 then National Road 4) 95.4km

5. Kep (back to NH 3 then exit to Route #33) 125km

Prek Chak Border (via 33A then 1332) 32.7km

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VIETNAM

Ha Tien Border 0.87km

6. Rach Gia (via QL80) 94.2km

7. Can Tho (via QL61 then QL61B) 124km

8. An Binh, Vinh Long (via QL1A) 49km

9. Ho Chi Minh City (via Duong Cao Toc then QL1A) 140km

Note: Motorcycles are not allowed in Highway CT01, Duong Cao Toc is a parallel road with CT01.

10. Vung Tau (via QL52 then QL51) 110km

Note: Motorcycles are not allowed in Highway CT01 so we took the longer route QL52 and QL51

11. Mui Ne (via QL55 then QL1A) 174km

One of my favorite city!

12. Nha Trang (via DT716, DT716B then QL1A) 219km

DT716 is one of the nicest road to travel to! And Nha Trang is my second favorite city!

13. Quy Nhon (via QL1A then QL1D) 221km

The nicest road to travel to!

14. Hoi An (via QL1A) 292km

Who skips Hoi An?

15. Hue (Pass by Da Nang then take Nguyen Van Cu then exit to QL1A) 138km

Nguyen Van Cu (Hai Van Pass) is the best road to travel to!

16. Dong Hoi (via QL1A) 168km

17. Than Hoa (via QL1A) 402km

18. Ninh Binh (via QL45 then QL1A) 104km

A very nice city to drive around!

It’s a good thing we have include Ninh Binh on our list the last minute before heading to Hanoi, now it’s one of my favorite places in Vietnam!

No need for captions.

19. Hanoi (via QL1A) 106km

Not the city you would want to drive around but walk around!

Check out GA Hostel by clicking here!

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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE HITTING THE ROAD 

1. ESSENTIALS

a) Sunblock. LOTS OF SUNBLOCK!
b) Headscarf – very useful as sun and dust cover-up!
c) Bungee Cords – to attach your things on the motorcycle
d) Raincoats. Also wrap all your things with plastic, you’ll never know when it’s going to rain or getting splashed with rainwater by a bus
e) Extra Patience and Attentiveness. See number 6.

2. MAP

Download a good offline map (we recommend the app Maps Me) We just knew about this app a month after we finished the trip, we used it in India. What we actually used during the motorcycle trip was an app called WAZE, for it was the only map we knew during that time.

It isn’t an offline map though. So before disconnecting from a WiFi, set the your current location and the end point to save as a history. While on the road, WAZE still works perfectly with just the GPS on. But if you got a mobile data, you are good to go! But, WAZE assumes you are driving a car, and there are roads in Vietnam where motorcycles were prohibited..

3. GETTING PULLED OVER BY POLICE

a) Western people who drives motorcycles are eye catching to the police. If you are being pulled over and asks to pay for a fine, negotiate as low as $2. Do not keep all your money in the same wallet, so that police wouldn’t see you got some few cash with you.
b) In Cambodia, driving Vietnamese bikes is also a ground for getting pulled over. Do the same as in letter a.
c) But if the roads are clear, pretend you did not see them and just continue to drive straight. Don’t worry, they will not chase after you.

4. COMMUNICATING WITH THE LOCALS

Most of the locals outside the big cities are shy to speak to foreigners for they completely do not understand or speak English. Be kind and try to make them comfortable talking with you. Try to speak short simple sentences and use exaggerating gestures for them to easily get what you mean.

You could also list down some important questions in their native language, such as asking for directions or the nearest fuel station. By showing the list, they will  promptly point to the direction you were asking whereto. Likewise, if you got some mobile data or internet use google translate. I had a conversation with a receptionist once with both of us typing our responses on my phone.

And of course, it is always polite to greet the locals “hello” before asking something and saying “thank you” after they try to help you out, both in their native language
Khmer:  Hello = Chomreabsor ; Thank you = Arkoun
Vietnamese: Hello = Xin Chao ; Thank you = Cam on

5. MOTORCYCLE MAINTENANCE

Always check your fuel level, motor oil and chain condition. Well not all of us are motorcycle experts here, so if anything does not feel right or sounds unusual with your motorcycle do not hesitate to have it checked to the nearest local garage and have it fixed. Very quick and cheap!

6. HOW LOCALS DRIVE

a) Fast and loud! They always speed up and honk 99.9% of the time.
b) They counter flow. Always pay attention what’s in front of you!
c) Recklessly overtake you. Frequently glance to your side mirrors!
d) They do not stop or wait when they merge with the traffic flow. Pay attention and decelerate when passing by an intersection or a merging lane. Honk (a lot!) to catch attention that you are coming. Also, use hand gestures if you would turn left or right.

7. CURRENCY

In Cambodia, you transact with US Dollars and Cambodian Riel ($1 = 4000KHR). Then Vietnamese Dong in Vietnam, but some hostels do accept US Dollars.

There are no ATMs at the border so better change your money before crossing. Locals does not accept US Dollars or KHR in Vietnam.

8. CROSSING THE BORDER

When you reach the border (Cambodia), similar to airports, head to the immigration counter to have your passport (exit) stamped. Remember, you will not pay for anything.

Then, hop onto your motorcycle then head to the next border (Vietnam) for the entry stamp. Don’t forget your visa! 

The weird thing is neither the Cambodia nor the Vietnam border did not ask us for the fee of crossing by a motorcycle. But I have read some blogs that they paid around $7. Just try not mentioning anything at the border of crossing by a motorcycle 😛

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THE VISA(IMPORTANT!)

There are two (2) things you need to remember about your visa:
1. When does it expires?
2. Do you need to apply for a visa before crossing the border?

Below is a list of visa free countries for Vietnam:

VIETNAM EMBASSY IN CAMBODIA:

Phnom Penh: 436 Monivong Blvd, Phnom Penh
Sihanoukville: 310 Ekareach Blvd, Khan Mittapheap, Sihanoukville
Battambang: Road No. 03, Battambang
For more information about the visa (Click here)

CAMBODIAN EMBASSY IN VIETNAM:

Hanoi: 71A Tran Hung Dao Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Ho Chi Minh City: 41 Phung Khac Khoan, Da Kao, Quan 1, Ho Chi Minh
For more information about the visa (Click here)

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OUR VISA EXPERIENCE

*Must read! Lots of infos about the visa.

We are Filipino and French passport holders which are both considered as visa free passport holders for Vietnam, so we went straight to the border to receive a stamp then just go. Our plan was to extend the visa before it expires, but when we were trying to apply for visa extension, they told us that we are NOT ALLOWED to extend because we entered Vietnam visa free. What we must do is to exit Vietnam then apply for a Tourist Visa before entering again. With a tourist visa, you are allowed to extend 1 more month (if your current visa is 1 month) and 3 more months (if your current visa is 3 months)

We were f*cked because we have already traveled 517km from the border when we knew about the visa rules. We decided to leave the motorcycle then took a bus going back to Cambodia. It usually takes 7 working days for the visa to be released after submitting all requirements. But we wouldn’t want to stay in Cambodia that long, so the agency provided us a Visa Letter, which by showing at the border (on the exact day of the date written in the visa letter of ENTERING Vietnam), the visa will immediately be released. The visa letter cost us $25, plus $35 each for the tourist visa which you will pay at the border.

The visa will be released in about 30 minutes or more (depending on the number of applicants) at the border after submitting all the requirements: Visa letter, application form, passport, ID Photo and payment.

The bus’ protocol is when all of the passengers’ passport gets their arrival stamps, the bus will wait for no one and will immediately leave. And since it took us more time for the release of our visa, the bus left us at the border (another f*cked up moment). Hence, it’s really better to have the visa with you prior to crossing the border by bus.

Another important reminder while at the border:
When someone tries to offer you help with your visa application process (i.e. write your details down on the application form) IGNORE THEM. When it’s time to pay for the visa fee, they will ask you about $10 more or even try to negotiate. Visa fees are fixed price!

Do it yourself, head straight to the counter, ask for an application form and then submit all the requirements listed above.

And if ever your bus needs to leave, ask the the bus company for their next bus that will be arriving at the border. They will board you for free.

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SELF-REWARD

We left the motorbike in Hanoi then took a day tour in Halong Bay and a 2 day trek in Sapa 😀

HALONG BAY

 

SAPA, LAO CAI

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HAPPY TRAVELS!