Individual trip in Vietnam: travelling independently through an open society

The safety of Vietnam as a travel destination

An important factor for a successful individual trip is safety. Vietnam scores incredibly high in this regard. Crime against tourists is rare and is usually limited to minor pickpocketing in the big cities. In the countryside, where you will spend a lot of time during your cycling trip, there is a great deal of social control and hospitality. People are genuinely interested and helpful. Should you get lost, locals will try – often using hand gestures – to get you back on the right track. This safe feeling means you dare to get lost and dare to explore.

The role of the private guide and driver

On most of our individual cycling trips, a private guide and driver accompany you. The driver operates the support vehicle with your luggage and spare parts. The guide cycles along with you. This might sound like you have a ‘babysitter’, but a good guide senses what you need. Do you want to talk and learn? Then they will happily chatter away. Do you want silence and to enjoy the landscape? Then they will cycle at an appropriate distance. The guide is your key to the local culture; they open doors that would otherwise remain closed and translate your questions to the local population.

Independent but supported: How exactly does it work?

The term “independent but supported” might sound contradictory, but at CvA travel we have perfected this concept. It means you have the freedom of a solo traveller (or couple), but the service of an organised tour. In practice, this often means you travel with a private guide and/or driver, or you use a detailed roadbook and GPS, with a local team on standby 24/7.