Vietnam Coracle

23/06/2024

The most scenic public ferry in Vietnam & the cheapest way to cruise through the limestone karsts of Ha Long Bay, this boat sails several times daily & you can take your motorbike, bicycle or car too!

The most scenic public ferry in Vietnam

21/06/2024

These striking Khmer temples are among 50 that are connected via the Trà Vinh Temple-Hopping Loop. The area is easily accessible from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) yet feels like another country. See my full guide & map here: https://tinyurl.com/yc2rd2jy

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19/06/2024

This route map has been viewed 2,406,000 times!
It sure is a popular thing to do right now.
The map & all other information you need to do this loop independently is right here 👉 https://tinyurl.com/u44fdryw

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17/06/2024

A rich & exciting cafe culture thrives in the ancient market town of Đồng Văn, a small settlement on the Hà Giang Loop near Vietnam's northern frontier. https://www.vietnamcoracle.com/dong-van-cafe-scene-ha-giang/

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Exciting cafe culture in an ancient market town on the Hà Giang Loop

15/06/2024

Having re-ridden this route twice in the last 2 months, I stand by my quote in the guide: "Nowhere in Vietnam is there such variety of landscape & richness of culture in such a compact area as in the three central provinces covered in the Golden Loop." https://www.vietnamcoracle.com/the-golden-loop-central-vietnam-by-motorbike/

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Central Vietnam road trip rich in landscapes & cultural sites

13/06/2024

This time 10 years ago, I ate at the famous 'Lunch Lady' in Saigon every day for a week to sample all of her different daily soups & write up an illustrated menu for the website. It was a lot of fun & the dishes are beautiful things to behold, let alone eat. Check out the Lunch Lady's Illustrated Menu here: https://www.vietnamcoracle.com/the-lunch-ladys-menu-an-illustrated-guide/

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10/06/2024

A new 425km circuit on rarely travelled backroads through lush landscapes in an historic region of north-central Vietnam, starting & ending at the tomb of one of its greatest warriors. https://www.vietnamcoracle.com/lam-son-loop-motorbike-guide/

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Rarely travelled backroads through an historic region

08/06/2024

Today is the 6-year death anniversary of Anthony Bourdain...

Bourdain loved Vietnam & was a great ambassador for its food, people & culture, making multiple TV episodes showcasing the nation to the world...

Read my personal dedication to Bourdain & a retrospective of each of his 8 Vietnam episodes at this link: https://www.vietnamcoracle.com/anthony-bourdain-in-vietnam-all-8-episodes-reviewed/

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Bourdain filmed 8 shows in Vietnam, a country he deeply loved

06/06/2024

More travellers should do this! Camping in Vietnam is excellent. I've written a bunch of do-it-yourself camping guides here: https://www.vietnamcoracle.com/browse/hotel-reviews/camping-hotel-reviews/

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04/06/2024

The 12th century triple towers at Dương Long is one of the most impressive archaeological sites in Vietnam, yet it remains virtually unvisited. More here: https://www.vietnamcoracle.com/the-cham-towers-ancient-citadel-of-vijaya/

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03/06/2024

Here's my new review of Mai Chau Ecolodge, a comfortable property set amidst shimmering rice fields in a lush valley, great for a weekend getaway or a treat for road-trippers after days of riding in the mountains. https://www.vietnamcoracle.com/mai-chau-ecolodge-independent-review/

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Set amidst shimmering rice fields in a spectacular valley

01/06/2024

These images are from recent research for a new loop in the north-central provinces that'll be published in the next few weeks on Vietnam Coracle. You can subscribe to new posts free here: https://www.vietnamcoracle.com/subscribe/

30/05/2024

Familiarize yourself with these 20 herbs & spices used in Vietnamese cuisine & enrich your culinary exploration of the nation. More here: https://www.vietnamcoracle.com/fresh-herbs-spices-in-vietnamese-food-a-guide/

28/05/2024

Pù Luông Nature Reserve doing its Garden of Eden thing! I've spent 3 weeks in this general area researching for new guides & full updates to old ones. Look out for them over the coming weeks & months on VietnamCoracle.com or click the link in my bio to subscribe.

26/05/2024

This new guide explores the rich food scene of Hoi An, a culinary hub of Central Vietnam boasting some of the best cuisine in the nation.

Exploring the rich food scene of a culinary hub

25/05/2024

It's a great time of year to ride these 5 routes in the northeast: wonderful colours & scenery, great roads & very few other travellers around.

Back-roads & highways through a bucolic corner of Vietnam

23/05/2024

In Saigon? Check out Voilà Bar Chinatown. Occupying a semi-derelict corner of an old house nestled on a vibrant side street, Voilà is empirically beatnik with its chequered-tile floors, crumbling walls, neon signs & discordant furniture. MORE HERE: https://www.vietnamcoracle.com/5-hideaway-bars-in-saigon/

21/05/2024

Having re-ridden this a bunch of times over the last 3 weeks, I can confirm that it is indeed a Great Riding Road. More here: https://www.vietnamcoracle.com/the-greatest-riding-roads-in-vietnam/ #5

20/05/2024

Take a boat trip through the deepest gorge in Vietnam offering spectacular views.

Take a boat trip through the deepest gorge in Vietnam

18/05/2024

This service still works really well for all major stations between Hanoi & Saigon. It's such a convenient system for motorbikers.

Put your motorbike on the train from one destination to another

16/05/2024

Somehow the travel industry has convinced foreign travellers that low season (May-August) is a bad time to visit Vietnam. This is nonsense. And many travel-related businesses suffer as a result. The perception is that the weather is either too wet or too hot - but Vietnam is a tropical country & that's part of its appeal! Some of the best & most beautiful trips I've had were in 'low season', including right now (see photos). So don't listen to the industry rubbish: start planning & travelling Vietnam now. Find hundreds of free guides at this link: https://www.vietnamcoracle.com/

14/05/2024

So, after years of saying so, they've finally started the direct fast boat route between Ho Chi Minh City & Con Dao! Takes 4 hours & sails every other day. The port is out in Nha Be District. Tickets around 700,000vnd. It's the same boat & prices as the Vung Tau ferry, so you can check my guide in the link below for that & you'll also find the link to the boat's website for times, prices & booking tickets: https://www.vietnamcoracle.com/vung-tau-con-dao-express-ferry/

12/05/2024

The beautifully situated village of Long Sơn on the Western Ho Chi Minh Road has two essential conveniences for road-trippers: a hotel & a gas station.

Two essential conveniences on one of the best riding roads in Vietnam

08/05/2024

Q&A with Me: If you have any questions about me or Vietnam Coracle please submit them via DM or email ([email protected]) for potential inclusion in an upcoming Q&A post to celebrate the 12-year anniversary of my website. Thank you, Tom.

05/05/2024

I've just spent several weeks riding thousands of KMs on many different roads from south to north Vietnam & I can count the number of other foreign riders I saw during the enitre trip on one hand! I know the Hà Giang Loop is wonderful & everyone should go there, but there are so many other great riding regions & there's nobody there at all. I've outlined dozens of these rides in my Motorbike Guides Archive on VetnamCoracle.com or click the link in my bio.

05/05/2024

I've just spent several weeks riding thousands of KMs on many different roads from south to north & I can count the number of other foreign riders I saw during the enitre trip on one hand! I know Hà Giang is wonderful & everyone should go there, but there are so many other great riding regions & there's nobody there at all. I've outlined dozens of these rides in my Motorbike Guides Archive here: https://www.vietnamcoracle.com/browse/motorbike-guides/

01/05/2024

This is Kim Liên, birthplace of Hồ Chí Minh & now an interesting, attractive outdoor museum. Check out my guide here: https://www.vietnamcoracle.com/kim-lien-ho-chi-minhs-homeland/

30/04/2024

It's REALLY hot almost everywhere at the moment. Understanding Vietnam's complex weather patterns is key to planning your itinerary. This guide will help:

Month-by-month weather conditions & where to travel

28/04/2024

My motorbike, Stavros, has reached a quarter of a million kilometers on the road! After 17 years of travelling Vietnam together, I am currently on what will probably be our last great road trip together.

A quarter of a million kilometers around Vietnam together

25/04/2024

Tomorrow is the start of a public holiday long weekend: where are you going to go & what are you going to do? Check out my map with direct links to 359 independent guides & reviews!

All my guides, articles & reviews on one map. Click a marker & then click the link in the description to go to the guide. Full details here: http://vietnamcoracle.com/the-vietnam-coracle-map/