The GCW Tour, Vietnam: Homestays

One of the benefits of the motorcycle tour is that we had the opportunity to do homestays. The story, as we were told it, is that back in the day when Vietnam opened up to tourists some motorcycle guy started setting up tours by driving the routes himself, finding the places of interest, and then talking the locals into hosting riders. That infrastructure is largely still in place today.

We weren't exactly sure what to expect from the homestays, but based on our sample of two -- and talking with our guide -- they seem to be pretty consistent. The interested family builds a stilt house like those in the photos below on their property.

The lower floor serves as a garage for the bikes, and the upper floor as a sleeping area. It's basically a big open loft with wires strung between the posts. Curtains can be hung on the wires to create separate bedrooms. Bathrooms can be installed in either or both floors. 

In our first homestay, the family shared the loft with us and food was served in the upstairs. In the second, they occupied a separate farmhouse and used the downstairs as a dining area for riders. 

The best thing by far about the homestays was the food, which was absolutely amazing especially for being cooked in both cases over open fires This was like no camp food I've ever had.

So if you get the chance, try a homestay -- while the option is still available. Vietnam is clearly changing fast and some of what we've experienced may not be available much longer.