My Vietnam adventure continues at full speed! After starting from the breathtaking landscapes of the North and traveling east with my loyal companion Lucy, the journey has finally brought me to the southern megacity of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). But there’s no stopping just yet. This time, I’m turning my handlebars west, heading straight toward the Cambodian border.
Leaving behind Ho Chi Minh’s world-famous, mind-boggling motorbike traffic, I hit the road on my trusty scooter for a challenging 200-kilometer journey. Destination: The vibrant border towns of Western Vietnam!
Dusty Roads, Narrow Lanes, and the First Pit Stop
As soon as I left Ho Chi Minh City, I was greeted by the real face of rural Vietnam and some seriously tough road conditions. The weather was incredibly hot, the lanes were narrow, and the roads were completely broken. By the time I cleared the first 100 kilometers, the warm smiles of the locals and their spontaneous invitations “Hey friend, come have a beer!” marked my first pit stop. No matter how exhausting the roads get in Vietnam, the hospitality of the people instantly makes you forget the fatigue.
A Border Town Adventure: Searching 3 Hours for a Hotel!
After a long and grueling ride, I finally arrived in a border town that was completely illuminated with colorful LED lights. Luckily, my trip coincided with the New Year (Tet) season, so the entire place had a festive, vibrant energy. However, this celebration brought along a major challenge: Finding a place to stay.
Due to the New Year rush and the usual strict regulations regarding foreigners in a sensitive border zone, I was turned away from four different hotels. I was almost at the point of spending the night out on the street when, as a last resort, I went to the local police station. Thanks to the incredibly helpful police officers, they found a room for me to stay in. I was way too exhausted to explore the town that night and crashed immediately, but the real adventure was waiting for me the next morning at the local street markets.
A Truly Unique Experience: Fertilized Quail Eggs and Specialty Quail
The street food markets of Western Vietnam are a true test of flavor—and courage! While exploring the food stalls for breakfast, I came across one of Vietnam’s most famous delicacies: Whole-roasted quail with a specialty glaze, served alongside fertilized quail eggs (similar to Balut).
How is it served? The quail is roasted whole, including its head and internal organs. It is served with a uniquely Vietnamese, sweet-and-savory glaze, accompanied by a special seasoned salt and pepper dipping mix.
To be completely honest, looking at the dish for the first timewith the head intact and eyes visible can be a bit intimidating. While I chose to skip the internal organs like the liver, the quail meat itself was incredibly tender, perfectly cooked, and packed with flavor. The harmony between the savory meat and that sweet, sticky glaze was absolutely spectacular.
The real test of courage, however, was the fertilized quail egg. When you peel the soft shell, you can actually see the tiny veins inside. But once you dip it into the seasoned salt and take a bite, it tastes almost exactly like a rich, creamy hard-boiled egg. There is barely any difference in taste, and it’s genuinely delicious!
What made this culinary adventure even better was the kindness of the locals. One person showed me exactly how to eat it, while a vendor from the neighboring stall rushed over to bring me napkins. And hold onto your seats: this entire feast cost only 15,000 Dong (roughly $0.60 USD / 20 Turkish Liras)!
The Ritual of Vietnamese Coffee and Iced Green Tea
Right after breakfast, I immediately ducked into a local café. I have always been a huge fan of Vietnamese coffee culture, but the local baristas here truly have it down to a science. Vietnamese coffee delivers a remarkably bold, natural, and rich aroma that hits you from the very first sip.
There is also a wonderful local tradition here: whenever you order a coffee, it automatically comes with a side teapot filled with ice-cold Vietnamese green tea on the house. Alternating between the strong, robust coffee and the refreshing, crisp iced tea is an absolute game-changer.
Nightlife: Sticky Corn and the Karaoke Craze
When the sun goes down, the streets of Western Vietnam transform into a completely different energy source. There is one golden rule you need to know about this country: Every single house has a karaoke machine! Regardless of talent or vocal pitch, everyone completely surrenders themselves to the music. As you walk down the streets, you just have to adapt to this loud, joyous, and hilarious atmosphere.
During my night stroll, I found another street vendor selling sticky corn, a local favorite I had previously fallen in love with up in the North. Cooked over open charcoal embers, they brush the corn with a special savory sauce made of green onions and oil. It’s a smoky, chewy, and highly addictive snack you must try.
Festival Vibes at the Border
The final stop of the night was a massive New Year fair set up right in the center of town. The atmosphere was pure electricity! There were carnival rides for kids, large stages featuring local Vietnamese singers, and a massive crowd of adults passionately playing traditional raffle games. Watching locals intensely compete in games where the grand prizes were household essentials like laundry detergent and cooking oil offered a beautiful, authentic glimpse into the daily life and festive culture of Western Vietnam.
Leaving the chaotic rhythm of Ho Chi Minh City behind to dive into this welcoming, surprise-filled border town was an incredible experience. My scooter is safely parked right next to the hotel, and I’m heading up to my room to map out the next leg of the route.
Stay tuned for more adventures from the hidden corners of Vietnam! See you in the next post!
Leaving behind Ho Chi Minh’s world-famous, mind-boggling motorbike traffic, I hit the road on my trusty scooter for a challenging 200-kilometer journey. Destination: The vibrant border towns of Western Vietnam!
Check out my full YouTube vlog to experience this journey step by step!
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