From Tigit Jon’s perspective –

Most of Vietnam’s coast has a party of some sort going on. The party cities appear to change year to year as well which makes deciding hard.

If I had to choose one party it would be Nha Trang!

• Sailing club is one of the few true “on the beach” dance clubs.
• Nha Trang has a party for everyone. From Dive bars, to cocktail bars, to beach bars, to Vietnamese clubs. The atmosphere all round is lively.
• Nha Trang’s party spirit doesn’t just stay on the land. Parties continue out onto boat tours.
• The sea in and around Nha Trang is mostly blue, trash free and the entire vibe of the place is all in the name of the party spirit.

From Tigit Jon’s perspective –

There is no right or wrong answer to this question. Both are amazing for their own reasons. Choosing one, I would have to go with Ho Chi Minh to Danang.

• Ho Chi Minh to Danang has consistent weather, also hot weather. I love the heat!
• We get to see both the mountains and the coast. The variation of driving style and scenery is inspiring.
• The South (if knowing where to look), really provides that “stuck in Nam’s Jungle”, feeling. Tropical forests, heat, mud and off-roading!
• I enjoy meandering roads which also throw in open straights. I find the “more extreme mountains”, to have a little bit too much turn left, then turn right, then turn left again.

From Tigit Jon’s perspective –

I am going to have to throw in one location and one activity. These are controversial choices! Keep in mind, I have lived here for 9+ years and I am definitely a “cynical Expat”.

Mui Ne:

• Mui Ne beach is mostly eroded away unless paying a premium for resorts with private beaches. Even so, I don’t consider this perfect coastline.
• It is a small location that focuses on kite surfing, the other tours there are mostly gimmicky.

The Hai Van Pass:

• Short (only 3 hours of actual driving)
• The views are great, but nothing compared to other areas Vietnam offers.
• The alternate route is one of the best in the country, yet everyone is on the Hai Van Pass.
• Full of cheap throw away and dangerous scooters run by backstreet cowboy rental companies.
• Full of backpackers that can’t drive and shouldn’t be on the road.
• The notoriety of this route minimizes what Vietnam actually offers to an adventure seeker.
• The Hai Van Pass is not the pinnacle of Vietnam and so the acclaimed fame of this road is not beneficial to the industry.

From Tigit Jon’s perspective –

There are so many great places in Vietnam. It is a place to come back over and over again. In reality, as a young family man, I am stuck in the house. I have not even touched the surface of this great country!

If I had to choose one spot:

DALAT would be it.

Dalat does appear to be a love/hate city. I fall firmly on the love side, and here is why.

• I can escape the roasting heat of Saigon for a few days.
• A city with all the restaurants in the world, but it takes 5 minutes to escape into the beautiful countryside.
• Stunning scenery all around, from the French architecture to the farmland and hills.
• Canyoning tours, coffee tours, hiking tours, gardens, greenery, flowers. Dalat has lots to do!
• The waterfalls are amazing. From touristy, to run down and broken, to stampedes of flowing water.
• The people are quiet in relation to the rest of Vietnam.
• I don’t often share this with new arrivals to Vietnam but Dalat has some of the best off-road motorbiking in the world!

From Tigit Jon’s perspective –

Vietnam may be known for its coastline. But unfortunately, extreme trash problems and over development from a tourist standpoint has ruined a lot of the coastline. In my opinion, come to Vietnam for the mountains, not the coast! There are fewer tourists in the inland areas and the locals are warmer and un-spoiled too.

• Chronic Trash problems throughout the country at naturally stunning locations.
• Restaurants are unable to deliver what you order. It will always be a lottery. I recommend carrying paper and pen and writing for the waiter. They will still get it wrong somehow 🙂
• Mattresses in cheap hotels are usually uncomfortably hard.
• After a long and hard day of driving, to be welcomed by the hotel with no greeting other than. “PASSPORT”.

From Tigit Jon’s perspective –

Vietnam is famous for beaches, but it will eventually become famous for its mountains. Vietnam is a mountain country at heart, and that is what us bikers are here to see.

• Phong Nha, its caves and turquoise rivers are stunning. Paradise Cave, Dark Cave.
• Ha Giang for amazing mountain roads, or “The North West” for amazing off-road mountain roads.
• Ban Gioc Waterfall in the North East.
• Dalat and all its waterfalls.
• Nha Trang and its mega beach parties (sailing club).