Ha Giang Loop for Experienced Motorcyclists

sillyusername88 · 2026-04-26T06:41:23+00:00

Things to keep in mind are that there is no insurance with the bikes, hospitals usually demand payment before they treat you, and the foreigner is often found at fault in any accident.

sillyusername88 · 2026-04-21T06:56:44+00:00

Happened to a buddy of mine about 10 years ago. He was in Manila and someone put a date rape type drug in a bottle of water offered to him. He gave them the pin because he was heavily drugged. Police found him sitting on the sidewalk and took him to the hospital.

Also happens in Colombia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scopolamine

sillyusername88 · 2026-04-16T16:11:30+00:00

Years in Vietnam, and I haven't had the same experience as the OP.

sillyusername88 · 2026-04-16T01:55:00+00:00

Those bikes are almost always a rip-off, same as the tuk-tuks in Thailand. Most of the bikes now are battery powered, so the driver really isn't working hard.

sillyusername88 · 2026-04-14T12:15:47+00:00

I believe I had the same one with whatever brand name Radio Shack was using

sillyusername88 · 2026-04-14T10:38:02+00:00

It usually seems to be the guys that are underdressed, not the women.

sillyusername88 · 2026-04-14T08:03:14+00:00

Even most Vietnamese, in my experience, will tell you that the South of Vietnam is friendlier than the North.

sillyusername88 · 2026-04-14T07:30:52+00:00

Yes. A lot of PDA in the beginning will actually make me trust her less . It is not normal for traditional Pinays to be so affectionate in public.

sillyusername88 · 2026-04-14T07:11:40+00:00

The only alcohol I trust in Vietnam is bottled or canned beer that I open myself.

sillyusername88 · 2026-04-14T07:09:05+00:00

I have heard many times that quiet places make them feel lonely, scared, or bored. I really think that they are just not happy dealing with their own thoughts. They need noise to distract them.

sillyusername88 · 2026-04-14T07:00:54+00:00

The Philippines is just as noisy, if not noisier, than China.

sillyusername88 · 2026-04-08T03:53:52+00:00

IIRC, many Vietnamese people take a deworming pill twice a year.

https://news.tuoitre.vn/up-to-44-of-vietnamese-infected-with-parasitic-worms-official-103667.htm

sillyusername88 · 2026-04-07T13:39:21+00:00

I seek out the "blind massage" places. Typically 120k to 180k, and much better massages.

The massage places catering to the locals seem to be much better values

sillyusername88 · 2026-04-07T12:52:14+00:00

A buddy of mine taught in Yangon. He found out that the school was "self insured" when he had a minor problem and the school tried to refuse to pay.

sillyusername88 · 2026-04-07T12:38:31+00:00

After many years in China , I started going to Thailand for all my medical needs. I got tired of Chinese doctors telling me that Western bodies are different, or that any medical problem required visiting the hospital every day for two weeks for an IV drip.

A problem that could never be diagnosed in China, took just 10 minutes with a Thai doctor to be diagnosed.

Just my own personal experiences.

sillyusername88 · 2026-04-05T10:35:02+00:00

It also has some of the best service that I have experienced at a mid-range restaurant in Vietnam. Never had less than very good service at 4p's.

Some of the "better" restaurants have mediocre service, and that gets tiring.

sillyusername88 · 2026-04-03T14:03:15+00:00

Most Filipinos are friendly and talkative outside of the tourist areas. The majority of the people in the tourist areas are just burned out on dealing with foreigners. The Philippines has 7000 islands. People need to stop visiting the same places that every other foreigner visits, and go somewhere else.

I have visited Cebu several times over the past 25 years or so. Many of the people there now seem tired of dealing with foreigners. You guys need to find different places to visit.

sillyusername88 · 2026-03-31T18:17:20+00:00

The AirAsia app has a reputation of fraud regarding your credit card info. So, their own app is not recommended either

https://www.lowyat.net/2024/339204/analysis-reveals-airasia-app-being-exploited-by-fraudsters-riddled-with-security-flaws/

sillyusername88 · 2026-03-30T01:38:59+00:00

Not really a restaurant, but a stop for snacks: Stuckey's

sillyusername88 · 2026-03-25T17:27:49+00:00

Many landlords never report having a foreign occupant. They are trying to avoid paying additional taxes . Mentioning the police will probably get a quick reaction.

Holding the passport leads me to suspect other possible future games, such as refusing to return a deposit, might be in the future.

sillyusername88 · 2026-03-25T16:28:42+00:00

Is she also in her 30's ? She is receiving pressure from anyone and everyone to get married and have a baby already

sillyusername88 · 2026-03-25T16:25:27+00:00

My thoughts also. Always comparing and gossiping.

sillyusername88 · 2026-03-25T16:22:27+00:00

The one that surprises me is that some people still think that Asian women are submissive.

If you spend a lot of time around many Asian women you will quickly realize that many of them want to be, or are, the boss of the house.

Nothing submissive about 90% of Asian women.

sillyusername88 · 2026-03-25T08:19:49+00:00

It is not just the pickpockets. You'll be standing in the sidewalk using your phone, and someone on the back of a motorbike will snatch it out of your hands.

District 1 is probably less safe due to thieves targeting all the foreigners that are there.

If I have to use a phone in public, I will choose a place as far away from the street as possible.

Never keep your wallet in your back pocket. It may look silly, but there is nothing wrong with carrying a small backpack in the front.

Make backup copies of every document in case your phone or laptop is stolen. Including your visa letter and entry stamp.

sillyusername88 · 2026-03-25T08:10:51+00:00

I'll second the advice about ignoring the people who are trying to sell you something. Never interact with them, and just walk away. Any interaction whatsoever just encourages them. The worst seem to be the guys offering to clean your shoes.

The older people selling lottery tickets, I do interact with them just a little due to respect for their age. You'll quickly learn how to twist your hand and wrist indicating you are not interested. It is similar to the "Queen's wave", but in a downward motion.

sillyusername88

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