I Traveled 2,100 km Across Vietnam by Motorbike from India

In 2021, I embarked on my first cross-country road trip across Vietnam. However, I only rode from Hanoi to Da Nang before turning back. That unfinished journey lingered in my mind. For five years, I knew I had to return. Vietnam’s easygoing atmosphere stood in stark contrast to the high-stress work life I faced in Dubai.

By February this year, I arrived in Hanoi, booked a homestay, purchased a motorbike, and began living like a local. The capital was bustling. However, I quickly adapted to the traffic flow, the street sounds, and the neighborhood rhythms. Most importantly, I felt truly immersed in daily life.

My ultimate goal was checking off a bucket-list milestone: traversing Vietnam from North to South on two wheels.

I set no rigid start date. When my mind was ready, I hit the road. My name is Ank Bakshi, an Indian filmmaker.

Five Weeks Across the Length of Vietnam

My travel resume spans over 25 countries and a trek to Everest Base Camp. Preparing for long-distance motorcycle travel was familiar territory. I packed light and reserved milestone accommodations in advance.

First, I rode up into the northern highlands of Ha Giang. Nothing compares to winding through deep river valleys, dramatic peaks, and remote hamlets where landscapes shift at every turn. Months earlier, a serious accident had put me in the hospital for four weeks. However, that setback could not stop me from exploring Ha Giang.

Along the loop, I connected with travelers from around the globe. Everyone carried unique itineraries, but we all shared an appetite for discovery.

Next, I pushed on to Cao Bang, attended an ethnic wedding, and witnessed cultural rituals I had never seen before. In Sa Pa, I volunteered at a local school. That experience showed me that a country’s true beauty lives inside the everyday routines of its people.

Exploring the mountain passes of northern Vietnam. Photo: Courtesy of the author

Departing the northern highlands, I rode through Hue and arrived in Da Nang in May.

Da Nang holds special meaning for me. It marked the finish line of my aborted 2021 route, yet it represented the halfway triumph of this completed adventure. When my wheels crossed into the city, I shouted and danced with pure joy.

Da Nang offers pleasant coastal weather, sweeping beaches, mountain backdrops, modern roads, and minimal congestion. I leased an apartment between My Khe Beach and the Son Tra Peninsula for two weeks. Throughout the adventure, I worked remotely to fund my journey.

A typical day in “Vietnam’s most livable city” began with a savory local breakfast, followed by a coastal ride past the Lady Buddha statue and the Dragon Bridge. Fortunately, my visit coincided with the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival, filling the nighttime boulevards with festive energy. I also tried surfing; a minor scrape on my forehead could not dampen the thrill.

Some places you leave behind, yet a part of you stays. Da Nang is one of those places.

My next destination was Hoi An. Traveling with a local guide, I visited rural craft workshops to observe rice wine brewing and artisanal mat weaving, learning that a single handmade mat can take three hours to weave.

Furthermore, I enrolled in my first Vietnamese cooking class. The lesson began in a bustling morning market, where I selected fresh mushrooms, tofu, and greens to prepare vegetarian spring rolls and savory pancakes. Reaching these authentic cultural experiences requires leaving crowded downtown tourist hubs and heading into the countryside.

Visiting the Lady Buddha statue in Da Nang and cruising the coastal roads toward Mui Ne. Photo: Courtesy of the author

Leaving Hoi An behind, a 300-kilometer stretch brought me to Binh Dinh. By then, physical fatigue began setting in. The coastal weather proved unpredictable, flipping from blazing sun to sudden downpours. Nevertheless, I pulled over frequently to admire the turquoise waters and white sandy stretches lining the Central Coast.

Finally, I arrived in Ho Chi Minh City. Compared to my visit in 2019, the southern metropolis had transformed dramatically. At night, towering skyscrapers and glowing digital billboards recalled the urban skyline of New York. Naturally, this rapid expansion also brought heavy traffic.

In the city, I sampled street foods, visited Notre Dame Cathedral, explored Nguyen Van Binh Book Street, and toured the famous vintage cafe apartments on Walking Street. Upon completing the cross-country journey, I chose not to sell my motorcycle. Instead, I shipped it back to Hanoi for my younger brother to maintain, viewing the bike as a loyal traveling companion.

Looking back, the scenery made me realize that Vietnam is more breathtaking than any AI-generated image. Its cities boast modern infrastructure, while its countryside offers unspoiled nature and clean air. Above all, international travelers can easily rent motorbikes, savor street food, and experience rich heritage on a modest budget.

Travel Is About People, Not Just Places

I set out to discover scenic lands, yet the journey revealed a deeper truth along the way. Travel centers on meeting people. Complete strangers who did not share my language welcomed me like family.

In Hue, after I misplaced my helmet, I planned to buy a replacement the following morning. Before I set off, my homestay host handed me a brand-new helmet as a gift and wished me a safe passage.

In Ho Chi Minh City, when my motorcycle tire deflated, neighborhood repairmen inflated it free of charge. During a torrential storm, an elderly stranger walked out and strapped my luggage down securely so my gear would stay dry. I was moved by this pure generosity from people who helped an unfamiliar stranger without asking for anything in return.

Enjoying a homemade hotpot dinner at the homestay in Hanoi. Photo: Courtesy of the author

Reflecting on my earliest days in Hanoi, I found a welcoming home where the homestay owner treated me like a younger brother. We cooked meals together, shared life stories, and played with her children. She even welcomed me into her family’s Lunar New Year celebrations and ancestral traditions. That warmth made leaving Hanoi difficult.

After more than a month on the road, my skin was tanned from sun and roadside dust. Yet Vietnam fundamentally reshaped my outlook. Travel is not simply checking destinations off a map; it is collecting human connections, surprising bonds, and unplanned conversations that endure long after returning home.

I am now studying Vietnamese. Soon, I will return to Vietnam and let its welcoming people write the next chapter of my journey.

(Source: baomoi.com)