LAOS or VIETNAM???

Thailand beats both of them hands down

But Laos beats Vietnam, unless you like being ripped off and harassed.

I need to put in a good word for Vietnam.

Last year was the 3rd time there and by far the best. The 1st time by public transport was hard going, as was coming from Laos and the NW of Vietnam.
But after 8 months on the road and coming in from China could not have had a better ending than Vietnam. We cycled Highway 1 and Dalat to HCMC.
We changed our attitude when dealing with them and found it good. Rooms were the best value as was food and colourful people. Go in with a positive attitude smile (or better make the children smile) and pay with small change.
We spent 4 months in SE asia a few years ago and found Thailand and LAos too tame. Laos food was boring at best.

for details
[www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/stan1]

Edited by: onrrbike

You wouldn't go wrong choosing either Laos or Vietnam! Laos is far more laid back, and traffic is easier to negotiate, but much of southern Laos is dull riding unless you detour off the main highway. The people and pace of life in Vietnam are far more energetic. Some visitors have difficulty with Vietnamese people, though I found them nearly always friendly and welcoming. It helps to accept the Vietnamese way of doing things!

I thought HCM to Hue (via Dalat) a great ride, if with a lot of traffic noise, with much culture, sights, and historic places to experience. The northwest and far north have the most spectacular riding. The Mekong Delta even has a hill or two and is interesting culturally.

I've ridden the length of both countries, though south to north. The one in Vietnam from Cambodia to China is at www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/AsiaAgain</a>. A ride in the far north of Vietnam and on to China is at www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/AsianJourney</a>.

An older travelogue of Laos, 2002-03, is at http://arizonahandbook.com/ThaiLao2.htm</a>.

I haven't cycled in Vietnam myself but haven't heard many great first hand reviews by cyclists on the road.
We were in Lao and I must say it was great. In the south turn off the main highway and explore the Konglor cave area, it's beatiful and so relaxed. No traffic, which I think that after china you will appreciate a honking free country.

Check out our route here

http://www.cyclingarchitects.com/route

ride on

i cycled saigon to hanoi.....never again to vietnam.

(almost went back once, but i got better.)
.
laos & thailand are much better for cycling.
less traffic, no freakin' air-horns, nicer natives.
.
you can do northern laos, then across central thighland
to cambodia. there is one border crossing from china
into laos, and perhaps half a dozen from laos into
thailand, so you can avoid the routes you've already taken.
.
nice, hassle-free border crossing into cambodia at o'smach.
i believe the road from there is now paved.

I was in the Mekong Delta over the Christmas break and loved it, mind you I found back roads where I could which made the difference. Being in towns that the tourist had trouble getting to like Go Cong and Tra Vinh was another highlight. I'm going back to the Delta to spend more time there rather than be pressured by itinerary.

http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=1482632

Hey, thanks a lot for the many answers!!
I think we do Laos this time, and Vietnam next time.
Cause there's definatly gonna be a next time for beautiful ,charming China!!

I must chime in here. Go to Laos for the sweet Lao people.
Don't go to Vietnam for the pushy and aggressive Vietnamese.

Me? Well I am presently in Burma. Wonderful people. Hope we can soon cycle easier here.

CAMBODIA!!!
Vietnam was one of the most unfriendly countries I have ever been. I end up sleeping in cemeteries some times, where there was not a rice field.
But if you decide not to go to Cambodia, go to Laos
From Las Vegas, 114,175 kms the biciclown
www.biciclown.com