Vietnam forum

KazAussie

Its going to cost you around US$60/day. But, you'll get great value. They may offer a discount for many days - I don't know.

There are recommendations to riders here on Travelfish (with their email details).

Try here and here.

Personally, I'd make contact, with some/all/one and take their advice as to itinerary.

I'd then alert them to when you plan on being there - give or take days - and keep them up to speed by email along the way (ie weekly). Then, when you are closer to the mark, get them organised to meet you at your preferred destination.

Essentially, I'm saying: choose rider/s, commit yourself, be on a one-to-one email contact, keep in touch, then when all's ready to go, enjoy yourself.

Cheers

Hmmm that's a big discrepancy -- I'm waiting to hear back from the researcher who did that section to find out what he was talking about -- perhaps daytrips out of Da Lat...not sure.

That research was done just over two years ago, but even taking that into consideration seems like a huge rise -- will report back when I hear from him.

Somtam

It's been in that price region for ages. About 3 years ago it was US$45, Last I knew (late last year) it was US$60. Now US$65. Appears inflation in Vietnam is still ongoing - despite the GFC. Maybe Dalat has yet to catch the global cold.

Cheers

Thanks very much Skimonkey that does explain it and I think the costs are reasonable. How did you find your day tour? How helpful was the guide? Did you supply a fixed itinery or did they have some suggestions which took you to interesting places that you wouldn't normally have gone to.

Experiences in China were that some of the day tours obviously revolved around taking you to places with with they had a reciprocal arrangement. For example on the trip out to see the terracotta warriors half the time was spent in shops and the tour guide didn't really add much value when we were at the warriors.

I am not going to be concerned if there is a bit of that, as I realise that these people have to work very hard to make ends meet but don't want to spend all my time in and out of shops.

I would be very grateful for your comments.

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you on this. I heard back from the researcher concerned and he said that from memory, the price was for a day tour heading out from Da Lat to a couple of waterfalls and what not -- he wasn't talking about the longer duration/overnight trips.

Note he was there a couple of years back now so the prices mentioned by skimonkey sounds about right. I'll put through an update on the Da Lat section to better reflect this later today - apols for any confusion.

Posted from within Vietnam.

Kaz

I was not taken to any hard sell places throughout the day, although we did go to a silk factory, where there was a small shop outside selling the products it manufactured. There was also free tea, so not to shabby in my books.

The best part of the whole day for me was being on the bike riding through the country side. I would say that my guide knew his stuff and was good company.

Violets, the cost that I was given included the riders return trip, if this comes up as an extra then I would suggest that you may not be in the company of a genuine EasyRider.

Posted from within Vietnam.

Just back from an Easy Rider countryside tour round the sites of Da Lat today. It cost the two of us $22 but if you are less rubbish at haggling and shop around a bit, you can get it for $18. We were 'got' by an easy rider the second we stepped outside our hostel on the first day in Da Lat and really should have waited a bit longer before being enlisted as we later saw Easy Rider's advertised for $18 for the day trip... That said, it was brilliant and no regrets for doing it. There was a bit of a hard sell on taking a longer tour taking in whatever we wished to see on route. The price quoted was initially $70 per day (inc hotels and entrance fees) which was a bit rubbish considering the recommendations we were reading in their books said it was $50 per day in 2007. After some squirming, $60 per day was offered for a 2 day (one night trip) inc Lake Lak. We left it but in all honesty, had we not had a full year of travelling still ahead of us, we would have blown the budget on it as it was a great experience.

Hi,

I have a question regarding deposits:
I have been corresponding with one over email prior to my departure to Vietnam, who seems highly recommended (judging by internet forums), but he is asking for a deposit upfront via Western Union and I am wondering if that is the norm.

Thanks!