Vietnam 2017

A 16-day adventure by Pack My Back, Steffi & René Read more

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Trip start
August 7, 2017
Vietnam 2017
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Day 1
Monday, August 7, 2017 at 5:50 PM
⛅ 31 °C
Altitude: 13 m
Vietnam Tan Son Nhat International Airport 10.815818, 106.66417710°48’57” N 106°39’51” E
Let's go to Vietnam
August 7, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C
Our flight starts from Munich via Berlin, Abu Dhabi to Ho Chi Minh City.
Our first flight from Munich to Berlin was 15 minutes late so we really had to hurry since we only had 1 hour transit.
The second flight from Berlin to Abu Dhabi via Airberlin was really bad. The seats were very close to each other an the woman in front of me pushed hear seat back all the way as soon as we took off. I could hardly see the inseat TV and getting out of my seat was a circus act.
On the flight from Abu Dhabi to Ho Chi Minh we were really lucky! Our seats were double booked so we received two upgrade to business class. Never slept that good on a plane!
In about hour we will be landing. Looking forward to this new Country!Read more
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Day 2
Tuesday, August 8, 2017 at 1:15 AM
⛅ 26 °C
Altitude: 7 m
Vietnam Quận Ba 10.767128, 106.69086410°46’2” N 106°41’27” E
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First evening in Saigon
August 8, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
After arriving at the Airport we chose to take the public bus. As preparation we checked out which bus number to take and found the yellow bus with number 190 quite fast. For only 20.000 VND per Person, the Bus took us in only around 20 minutes to Ben Tanh Market. From there, we had a short walk to our Hostel Giang Son 2.
The room is clean, quiet and really cheap. Furthermore cameras everywhere are giving us a secure feeling.

Afterwards we had a walk and dinner through the Backpacker your party area next to the hostel. Loud Music, people, colours and fun everywhere. Again we felt very comfortable and never had a problem with getting the wrong change or being traded in a bad way. Attention: Shishas are quite expensive ( 225.000 ) and the restaurants shows prices without tax sometimes ( which will be added afterwards ).

It was an amazing first evening. Looking forward to seeing the rest of the City!Read more
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Day 2
Tuesday, August 8, 2017 at 11:19 AM
⛅ 31 °C
Altitude: 16 m
Vietnam Rạch Cầu Bông 10.778695, 106.70010310°46’43” N 106°42’0” E
Ho Chi Minh city walk
August 8, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C
From our Hostel we started to Ben Tanh Market. The Market is colourful and you can get nearly everything. Starting with T-Shirts ending with living water snakes. Compared to other asian countries I found it refreshing that a friendly smile and a no was accepted. In other countries people keep trying to sell you something which is annoying. Be aware that there is nearly no circulation inside. So the heat stays in the hall.

Afterwards we went on to Notre Dame. Unfortunately Notre Dame was closed due to renovation. Nevertheless it is worth a visit.

Directly opposite to Notre Dame you find the old postal office. The Office is still productive an the Architecture is great. It is nice to watch the people coming and going and you will find a mixture of locals and tourists.

After Notre Dame we made a stop in the Restaurant Au Parc - highly recommended and went on to the War Museum. In the beginning it says that you should have a good stomach. An indeed the history is made up quite well and many of the pictures will make you feel bad and feel sorry for what mankind is able to do.

After a sleeping break - jet lack is saying hello - we had a short walk to the river, watched a ceremony at the city hall and finished the great time with a beer on The View Rooftop Bar which is another recommendation!Read more
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Day 3
Wednesday, August 9, 2017 at 3:50 PM
⛅ 27 °C
Altitude: 10 m
Vietnam Ấp Bốn 11.147317, 106.46038811°8’50” N 106°27’37” E
Cu Chi Tunnels
August 9, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
Today we decided to visit the famous tunnels of Vietnam in Cu Chi area. As we found out there are two locations: the location most tourist busses and booked tours go to and a second place not that crowded and reachable via public bus.
We chose the second one by taking the bus Nr 13 from District 1 Bus Terminal to Cu Chi. Unfortunately the traffic was quite bad so it took us about 1:45 to Cu Chi. There you switch to Bus 79 to Ben Duoc. Better tell the driver to kick you out in Ben Duoc, near the tunnel!

From there it is only a few meters to the area including the tunnels, the Tempel, a paintball are and a shooting Range. I did not quite get the last two.

We payed 90.000 entry per person and the guide was included. The tour starts with a movie, a showboard and an explanation of what and how and ends with the highlight: the tunnels. You will have the opportunity to walk trough some including entering through one original hole which is insanely small.

The way back was the same in reverse order. There is a nice lady selling fruits and water directly at the street in front of the tunnel area. She told us how long we will approximately wait until the bus arrives and also offered some benches to wait on.Read more
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Day 4
Thursday, August 10, 2017 at 1:02 AM
⛅ 26 °C
Altitude: 15 m
Vietnam Ấp Thiện Sơn 10.95265, 108.24731210°57’10” N 108°14’50” E
Sleeper Bus to Mui Ne
August 10, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
From Ho Chi Minh we took a sleeper Bus to Mui Ne tonight. The bus ride took nearly 4 hours but the ride was amazing. Sleeper busses should be used in Europe too. Especially for this amazing price of only 150.000 ( booked directly in our Hostel )Read more
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Day 4
Thursday, August 10, 2017 at 7:13 PM
⛅ 28 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Vietnam Ấp Thiện Sơn 10.950937, 108.24622310°57’3” N 108°14’46” E
Lazy day in Mui Ne
August 10, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
After the Bus travel we decided to spend a lazy day in Mui ne with relaxing at the pool, doing a walk on the beach and having a dinner in a food court near our hotel.

The beach of Mui Ne is not really nice at the place we are. Quite dirty, not much fun to walk along and always interrupted by new built hotels.

So there are not many news for today. Stay tuned. See you tomorrow.Read more
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Day 5
Friday, August 11, 2017 at 6:00 AM
⛅ 26 °C
Altitude: 77 m
Vietnam Ấp Nhơn Hòa 11.07107, 108.42780311°4’16” N 108°25’40” E
Sunrise in the White Sand Dunes
August 11, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
We booked our tour one day before in a small office next to little Mui ne. The tour price for the private tour was 500.000 VND. Our tour started at 4:30 in the morning. We decided to go for a private tour since we wanted to have enough space and time to enjoy everything.
The first stop was the white sand dunes some km behind Mui ne. The reason you start so early is that you are supposed to see the sunrise from the dunes. And so did we.
It was an amazing fireball coming up behind the sea and we - together with 100 other tourists - enjoyed the sunrise.Read more
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Day 5
Friday, August 11, 2017 at 6:49 AM
⛅ 26 °C
Altitude: 58 m
Vietnam Mui Ne 10.94832, 108.29225210°56’54” N 108°17’32” E
Red Dunes
August 11, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
The red dunes where our thirst stop on the tour. It is nice to stand in a small field of red dunes. Well... we have been to Abu Dhabi before which is something completely different. Nevertheless: Interesting.Read more
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Day 5
Friday, August 11, 2017 at 7:18 AM
⛅ 26 °C
Altitude: 6 m
Vietnam Mui Ne 10.94078, 108.27897610°56’27” N 108°16’44” E
Fishing Village
August 11, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
The second stop on our tour was the fishing village of Mui Ne. At the first moment - looking down from the street - one does not recognize how amazing it is to watch these people. You definitely have to go down, see ales lying all over the beach, seeing fisherman bringing new fish in their families sorting, cleaning and selling the amazingly fresh fish.
Definitively something you should not miss.Read more
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Day 5
Friday, August 11, 2017 at 8:02 AM
⛅ 26 °C
Altitude: 18 m
Vietnam Ấp Khánh Phước 10.95478, 108.25836910°57’17” N 108°15’30” E
Fairy Stream
August 11, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
Last stop of our tour was the Fairy Stream. Honestly we imagined something different under this. So, we where surprised in a good way. The Fairy Stream is actually a Stream with only a few centimetre depth running through some colourful and mystic rock formations. Walking through the Stream is really refreshing and the view is nice. Make sure not to miss it.Read more
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Day 5
Friday, August 11, 2017 at 6:13 PM
⛅ 30 °C
Altitude: 13 m
Vietnam Thôn Điền Hạ 12.25008, 109.18019112°15’0” N 109°10’49” E
Arrived in Nah Trang
August 11, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
It started confusing. The lady from the travel agency came to our pool and told us the bus will leave at 1:00 instead of 1:30 pm and that it will be picking us up.
Then she came again telling us we will have to go to the street. Be there 12:50 because the bus will be early.
So we waited until 1:45 pm... sweating, waiting, calling the Agency.
In the End the Bus picked us up ( after another bus just left us standing there which made us go crazy ).Read more
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Day 6
Saturday, August 12, 2017 at 2:39 PM
☀️ 35 °C
Altitude: 35 m
Vietnam Thôn Điền Hạ 12.251495, 109.1805212°15’5” N 109°10’50” E
Long-Son Pagode
August 12, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ☀️ 35 °C
There are some nice things to do in Nha Trang but in the end, 1 day is enough unless you want to relax at the public beach. But since we are in Hoi An now and since we have seen the beach here my advise is: Move on.

Anyway, first stop was the Long-Son Pagode with its giant Buddha on top of the small hill and the lying Buddha directly behind the temple. Definitly a must see. Oh, there is no entrance fee and the taxi ride took us around 55k from the Night Market Area to there.Read more
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Day 6
Saturday, August 12, 2017 at 3:43 PM
⛅ 33 °C
Altitude: 19 m
Vietnam Tháp Bà Pônaga 12.265188, 109.19523712°15’55” N 109°11’43” E
Po Nagar Temple
August 12, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 33 °C
The second temple in Nha Trang is Po Nagar. A Hindu temple reminding us of Prambanan in Yogya last year.
Here you have to pay a fee of 22k per person and at the moment we have been there it was completely overcrowded by tourist... Amazing to see but a hassle with all these people.

Drive was again around 50K from Long-Son pagode to here.Read more
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Day 7
Sunday, August 13, 2017 at 9:46 PM
🌙 30 °C
Altitude: 7 m
Vietnam Hoi An 15.877058, 108.32625515°52’37” N 108°19’35” E
Day one in Hoi An
August 13, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌙 30 °C
After 10 hours in the sleeper Bus we reached Hoi An in the early morning. Not having booked anything we trusted a local woman who called her self 'Flower' to follow her into her Hostel for a breakfast and a shower. Indeed the homestay was not far away, the breakfast was not too expensive and we wondered when she told us that she had no room free at the moment but we could use her WIFI to search online.

In the end we found a really nice place in a distance of roundabout 1,5 km from the City. The girls of Countryside Garden Homestay gave us a very warm welcome. They are really sweet and friendly so you always feel traded as if you are someone special.

After a little bit of relaxing we took the free bikes offered by the homestay and rode to the beach. The best beach so far. Even so good I totally forgot taking pictures. There are so called private beaches where each restaurant has its own lies at the beach. If you eat your lunch in the restaurant you are free to use the lies. So we stopped at Hon Restaurant and also enjoyed a great lunch.

In the evening we went into the village of Hoi An. Famous for the lanterns you will find a romantic and relaxed atmosphere with a lots of lanterns, markets, small shops. An outstanding place to be! And if you feel like having good Italian Icecream go visit Dailo. Best icecream I had so far.Read more
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Day 8
Monday, August 14, 2017 at 12:41 PM
⛅ 33 °C
Altitude: 8 m
Vietnam Sông Dò 15.8825, 108.3683715°52’57” N 108°22’6” E
Cycling around Hoi An
August 14, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 33 °C
If you come to Hoi An get a bike. And start. Where to? Doesn't matter. We took the bikes, packed same swimming clothes and started cycling along the river. From there it went through small streets along the palms, we saw old graveyards, water buffaloes, and pretty rivers.Read more
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Day 9
Tuesday, August 15, 2017 at 12:01 PM
☀️ 33 °C
Altitude: 36 m
Vietnam Mỹ Sơn 15.762837, 108.12401615°45’46” N 108°7’26” E
Scootertrip to My Son
August 15, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C
Today we decided to visit the ancient Cham temple of My Son.

The Temple was originally build the 9th century and later forgotten and taken over by the jungle. In the beginning of 1900 the temple was rediscovered by a French expedition and they started rebuilding the fragments. Unfortunately the American bombed nearly everything away.

When you stay in Hoi An there are many tours offered by local agencies but our recommendation is to get a scooter and drive there on your own. We started at 8:po am and The traffic was not too bad. Furthermore the way is quite easy if you have google maps. It took us about 1 hour per way and the moment the early tourbusses left was priceless. We were nearly alone there.Read more
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Day 10
Wednesday, August 16, 2017 at 12:37 PM
☀️ 33 °C
Altitude: 8 m
Vietnam Hoi An 15.868925, 108.34954115°52’8” N 108°20’58” E
Bye Bye Hoi An - Hard work
August 16, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C
We booked a train ticket from Danang to Hue. In order to reach Danang we booked a driver with Anh Travel from Hoi An picking us up at 12:30. A driver that did not appear. So we tried to reach the agency and in the end, after 1 hour of waiting, 18 times calling the agency and much too late for the train it figured out they just forgot us. So they sent a taxi which brought us to a sleeper Bus instead. All this was only possible by the help of Kim and her friend from CountrySide Garden, our Homestay of the last few days. Thanks Girls!!
After saying Goodbye we were brought to the Bus and left Hoi An at 2 pm.
Looking back at the last days we will remember Hoi An for a long time. Had some nice moments here and really loved the hospitality in our homestay and the great pancake for breakfast!!Read more
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Day 11
Thursday, August 17, 2017 at 9:30 AM
⛅ 32 °C
Altitude: 9 m
Vietnam North Central Coast 16.46784, 107.57917816°28’4” N 107°34’45” E
The Hué Citadel
August 17, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C
Since we arrived in Hué yesterday we decided to do some sightseeing today. We checked out the sights and realised that 1/2 day is enough if you go by motorbike.

So we rented a motorbike and started with the giant citadel of hué. It took us around 2 hours of time and 5 litres of sweat to walk around this really big old palace. For refilling your energy we can recommend Highland Coffee situated opposite of the exit.
Get some iced coffee for 35.000 VND and a Banh Mi ( 19.000 VND ) and enjoy the aircon.Read more
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Day 11
Thursday, August 17, 2017 at 1:17 PM
⛅ 34 °C
Altitude: 14 m
Vietnam Lăng Minh Mạng 16.387671, 107.56886316°23’16” N 107°34’8” E
Tomb of Minh Mang
August 17, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 34 °C
Next stop in Hué was the Tomb if Minh Mang. A giant Graveyard just for the last rest of the second Vietnamese Emperor. We already asked google what to do, to get such a graveyard once we leave this world. Seems to be a little too expensive.Read more
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Day 11
Thursday, August 17, 2017 at 2:31 PM
⛅ 33 °C
Altitude: 27 m
Vietnam Thôn Châu Chữ 16.398947, 107.59006516°23’56” N 107°35’24” E
Tomb of Khai Dinh
August 17, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 33 °C
Another amazing graveyard is the tomb of Khai Dinh, the 12th Vietnamese emperor.
The tomb is situated on a hill with lots of stairs and an amazing artwork made of Glas and Ceramics around his coffin. As our travel book says this emperor was amazed by the French architecture and art. This is why it reminds of French castles in many aspects, just like Herrenchiemsee in Germany does. Go there, It was really amazing.Read more
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Day 12
Friday, August 18, 2017 at 9:52 AM
⛅ 28 °C
Altitude: 93 m
Vietnam Huyện Bố Trạch 17.54162, 106.24180617°32’30” N 106°14’31” E
Simply amazing : Paradise Cave
August 18, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
New day new adventure. Today we visited the longest dry cave in the world. We left the hotel at 8:00 am after a sleepless night for Steffi since she found an information in her travel book 'Stefan Loose' that the Ho Chi Minh Highway is extremely dangerous. We decided to find it out on our own with a motorbike for 100.000 and in the end the street was excellent and the traffic was basically not existing.

When we arrived at the caves we had to pay 250.000 VND each. 10 Euros are really expensive for Vietnam. But the money was worth it. After 570 meters walking up the hill we found our selves in front of the entrance to the cave that was discovered only 12 years ago in 2005.

The atmosphere in there is amazing. A one of a kind experience one can not describe and one can not freeze in pictures. This was one of the most intense moments here in vietnam so far and therefore a MUST SEE in Vietnam!

When we left the cave we saw that tourbusses over tourbusses where just arriving. So if you go there start between 7 and 8 in the morning by motorbike to get the best experience.Read more
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Day 12
Friday, August 18, 2017 at 4:02 PM
⛅ 30 °C
Altitude: 27 m
Vietnam Hà Lời 17.608868, 106.30130817°36’32” N 106°18’5” E
Boat trip into the Phong Nha Cave
August 18, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
Directly from the Center of Phong Nha you can rent a boat and enjoy a boat trip into the Phong Nha Cave. The cave is also a stalactite cave and was used by the Vietcong during war as hideout.
In order to get a good price for the boat it is mandatory to gather some people and share the boat since one will always pay 350.000 VND per boat. We where lucky that day and found a nice German group just attaching to a family from the netherlands and so did we. Nogmaals bedankt!Read more
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Day 12
Friday, August 18, 2017
⛅ 30 °C
Altitude: 1 m
Vietnam Phong Nha 17.61027, 106.31677217°36’37” N 106°19’0” E
Around Pho Nang
August 18, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
Taking a scooter is in our opinion the best way to get closer to the country and to the nature. Stop when you see something interesting, take small pathes and trails and enjoy the Impressions around you. So did we and the area around Phong Nha is really breathtaking. You feel like in undiscovered nature but with a street going through.Read more
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Day 13
Saturday, August 19, 2017 at 5:02 AM
⛅ 14 °C
Altitude: 16 m
Vietnam Thành Phố Ninh Bình 20.258642, 105.97149720°15’31” N 105°58’17” E
Arrival & Market in Ninh Binh
August 19, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
We arrived Ninh Binh after long 10 hours on the bus at 4am. Well stop... we did not arrive Ninh Binh but the bus stopped in Tam Coc. 7 km away from the City. No taxis at this time and we were really tired. So we took our luggage and walked through a dark Tam Coc. Interrupted by barking wild dogs on our way we slowly turned and stopped at a small Homestay where an old cleaning lady invited us to sit down. She started cleaning a room, the owner arrived in her PJ and offered a room for 16 $. At 5 am in the morning. And we said yes. Happy for some sleep.

Again Vietnam surprised us. After we got up at 11:00 am - good sleep - the owner offered us to only pay 8 $ instead because we stood this short.

After this experience we took a driver to the city and arrived at the amazing and brand new Golden Bell Hostel in Ninh Binh as their first customers ever. Awesome people, awesome style!

In a walking distance we found a local market and once again we where the only non-Vietnamese people here and discovered interesting and disturbing things. Take care when taking a closer look to the pictures.Read more
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Day 14
Sunday, August 20, 2017 at 9:49 AM
☁️ 28 °C
Altitude: 72 m
Vietnam Vũ Lâm 20.229446, 105.93394520°13’46” N 105°56’2” E
Hang Mua Panorama
August 20, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C
Near Ninh Binh you can find a place called Hang Mua easily reachable via Bike or Motorbike.
At this place you will find some caves and a trail up a small hill. On top of this hill you will be sweating as hell but you will also be rewarded with a great view to the 'Dry Halong Bay'.Read more
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