Easy Riders

If you have read much about how to get around Vietnam..... Chance are you have come across the easy riders.

What is this?

Easy riders are motorbike based tours to anywhere!
Originally, "Easy Rider" was a company name. This original easy riders actually dissolved and split into a number of other groups. So there is no single "original easy rider". The problem then becomes that we have potentially hundreds of individuals or groups of guides calling themselves easy rider, and it is almost impossible to work out which one is which when you are reading reviews on trip advisor!

This is made more difficult by the fact that trip advisor doesn't easily accept multi-day travel companies onto their site (you have to make sure you put "private tours" into the name of the attraction) so lots of people have reviewed an easy rider on trip advisor.... but under the wrong section or company name. ARGH!

So, use trip advisor to try to find someone who seems good, but pay more attention to the names of guides or any reviews that supply you with a direct email or phone number, because they might not be reviewing the same company as the heading suggests!

Should I use them?

Absolutely!

Yes, it is more expensive than getting a bus or train from point a to point b. But most E.R.s will take you through back roads and countrysides instead of just trundling along the  highway. You can choose to do a round trip (some easyriders will have a discount if you start and end in the same or very close cities)- plus this would mean you can leave most luggage with them or a hotel and only carry a backpack. Or you can go one way for as long as you want. So you can see the countryside and get to your nexxt destination.

They stop at various farms and explain the process of making rubber/pepper/coffee/rice wine/ whatever you happen to pass. You can also stop at local cafes and talk to locals with a translator. I found, because of my white skin and red hair, locals were always starting conversations with the guide (where is she from, how old is she, look how white her skin is). So if you learn how to say your age and where you are from..... everyone will be very entertained! Plus they tend to know the secret local spots - we went to a beautiful hot springs one day for a swim and a soak, just a quite pool in the middle of nowhere, not some giant resort like most hot springs I have seen.

These tours are totally custom, and tailored to your interests - so make sure you tell them what you want! Plus, motorbikes only take one passenger anyway - so as a solo traveller you wont be paying more for the tour! - hurrah!!!!

Also great if you are short on time, am easy rider trip means you spend the day getting from a to b, but with so much site seeing on the way. This jotted far more efficient than getting a bus to the town, then organising taxis or tours to the sites you want to see.

How?

Just find someone you think you like.... then email of phone. If you are staying in a city for a few days, try to arrange to meet them for coffee to discuss tour options. Then, if you don't like the vibe, or think you wont click.... just dont book with them. I haven't had any issues, and I know they would always try to make you feel comfortable - but spending 8 days sitting behind, talking to, and eating all your meals with someone you don't really get on with -> that wont be so fun!

Remember, the more you tell them about what you want to do, or are interested in seeing, the better they can make the tour.

Maybe you are a war buff, and even though you think, it's not the dmz, so there wont be anything interesting...... TELL THEM. chances are, they had an uncle or father or brother or themselves fought in the war and they can tell you interesting stories. Or take you to some out of the way museum or site of particular importance - they may be totally boring to other tourists (so usually they would avoid) but you will love it!

Maybe you don't care so much about museums and beaches and just want to talk with local people. They can stop off at houses of people they know will be happy to talk with a foreigner, or linger at the sweet corn stall after you buy a snack so you can introduce yourself and have a talk.

What do I need to do?

Basically nothing, The tour price includes accommodation costs and often entry into sites along the way (although, some won't cover the cost of entry prices.... which leaves you free to decide for yourself what you do and dont want to see). All you have to do is relax and take in the sights! You guide will also find a quality local restaurant and eat with you.... so no worries about being ripped off there either!

Tips
Some people take advantage of the outside travel to work on their tan and wear bikini or boob tubes. This is craziness to me! But each to their own. Please do think about where you are going and ask the driver. If you ate heading into small villages our really isn't acceptable to wear minimal clothes!

I actually found, to avoid sunburn the best possibly thing is to get your guide to take you to buy one of the light long sleeve shirts locals wear. When the bike is moving the wind keeps it plenty cool enough, and the shirts have special flaps that cover your hands to stop your fingers getting sun burnt! Seems crazy, but i hoi sunburn fingers on my first multi day trip. It isn't fun! As a red head who gets sunburnt way too easily i actually went for long pants too.... back of the calf sunburn when you ate diving away from the sun  - also unpleasant!

The face masks are also very useful for keeping dust and insects out of your throat!

If you are interested in the detailed story of my 4 days with Mr Uyen  go here: http://physio-overboard.blogspot.com/2014/03/adventures-to-country.html

Mr Uyen - Easy Rider based in Danang / Hoi An
get his details here: http://uyeneasyrider.blogspot.com/