Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > West and South Asia
West and South Asia From Turkey to Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Ladakh and Bangladesh
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 2 Aug 2010
maria41's Avatar
The franglais-riders
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 1,175
Northern Vietnam - Lonely Planet road atlas and tips

We're off to Hanoi in a month time and we will be renting bikes for about 12 days to visit the northern region. We would need a detailed road atlas to complement the 1:600,000 road map I bought from Stanford.
Has anyone used the Lonely Planet road atlas that is on sale in Amazon? It's got very mixed reviews.
Alternatively we could get a road atlas in Hanoi. The problem with that is that we arrive on Saturday evening and we will leave 1st thing in the morning on Monday. Is it possible to buy a road atlas on Sunday? Or are all book shops closed?
We plan to do:
Hanoi
Xuan Mai
Tuan Giao
Dien Bien Phu
Sa Pa
Depending on time, continue further east before getting back to Hanoi.
Any tip/ location not to miss, village etc let me know!
It seems all companies rent bikes from 20USD /Day I am currently contacting few of them for bikes availability.
Cheers,
__________________
Maria

www.franglais-riders.com
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 2 Aug 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Scotland
Posts: 28
Where are you getting the bikes from? Most of the bike rental places are around hoan kiem lake. If you collect the bikes around there you can go to a book shop on trang tien - to the south-east of hoan kiem. They have good atlas's there. The place you rent the bikes from will be able to tell you where it is... Hope that helps.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 2 Aug 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Scotland
Posts: 28
I know it's not quite in the area you have planned to visit but i would highly recommend ha gaing province. I explored a lot of northern vietnam and ha giang is absolutely stunning... i think you are supposed to have permits and a guide to visit but i had neither and had no problems.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 2 Aug 2010
maria41's Avatar
The franglais-riders
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 1,175
Hi Lambshop!
Thanks for the feedback.
We will be probably renting the bikes from Flamingo as I found it mentioned here in the HUBB and in ADVRider with very good reviews.
We wil be staying in the centre near the cathedral and lake.

We will get a couple of little YBR 125cc, they have a big fuel tank for such small bikes (12l!) and the renting company strongly recommends those. They're good bikes.

In term of itinery I am still working on it.

I'm thinking to start by the south (of the North!) via Mai Chau, Son La, Muong Lai, SaPa. With 12 or 13 days on the bikes, I don't want to be over ambitious. Maybe push to Ha Giang and Bac Me. But it might be a bit ambitious because from ther there might be few long riding days to go back to Hanoi.

If not do the Muong Kuong / Bac HA loop and then south to Hanoi. but this is the thing that need to be booked well in advance and I don't like to prebook anything!
Another alternative is spend more time in the Hoang Lien son mountains of Sapa, and come back by train from Lao Cai.

I remember last time I went to vietnam, traffic is slow and we won't be gettings peed anywhere!

Cheers,
Maria
__________________
Maria

www.franglais-riders.com
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 5 Aug 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Scotland
Posts: 28
i used flamingo a few times... they are good. have a good trip..
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 7 Aug 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Schwaigern
Posts: 91
you should not have any issues finding a map on sale. I was quiete pleased with the green roadmap sold in all stores for 30.000 Dong. And cause of Sunday - doesn't matter, almost everything is open anyways.

If you're looking for recommended roads the minskclub site had good recommended rides for the north.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Bolivia and Its MOST DANGEROUS ROAD ON THE PLANET gusonopa SOUTH AMERICA 5 10 Jan 2010 19:34
Vietnam atlas in Saigon mark manley West and South Asia 0 25 Dec 2009 10:47
Lonely Planet Mexico to swop for SA guide book jc Central America and Mexico 0 27 Jan 2009 00:31
Lonely Planet Guide books stevesawol Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road 68 4 Jun 2008 08:08
General Route Planning tip re:Lonely Planet Champps Route Planning 4 21 Feb 2008 14:18

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 12:48.