What road map for around Sapa (Vietnam)?

Hi there,

The question’s in the title—should I buy a map locally or bring a detailed one from France? If so, which one?

Thanks! 😉

a SIM card, Google Maps.

Hi there,

A paper map, whether bought in France or locally, is likely to be out of date, unlike online maps like Google Maps. Not to mention the scale is often too small.

So happy to be back! Google Maps isn't reliable for distances. Every hotel gives you one, or you can buy a more complete map covering the whole region on the street

there’s nothing better than Google’s apps for traveling— everything’s in there.

Everything is included, even the completely wrong travel times, like you could drive at 50 km/h in the mountains!!!!

All the roads are shown on Google, unlike your paper map.

How do you even figure out where you are on a paper map?

You're totally behind the times—it's 2024, and we've been using GPS for ages!

I’m taking this opportunity to say hello, Jacques. Still enchanted by our trip back in 2012, for which we benefited from your invaluable advice—something you definitely won’t find on Google Maps or anywhere else.

Online maps do have their downsides. The shortest route is rarely the most scenic. Still, you wonder how you’d manage without this tool at your fingertips. In some cases, the independence it gives us is huge. Maps are mostly good for figuring out how to surround the enemy 😛

Us old-timers sometimes struggle with tech updates—it can be tough to stay zen! 🙂

What can I say, my friend, I'm getting older, just like you.

Hello,

I also owe you a debt of gratitude for your famous Grandes boucles du Vietnam Nord, which were incredibly helpful during our 2013 trip. An amazing journey, thanks to your expert advice!

As for physical maps, I always have at least one in my luggage, even if they’re outdated by technology and can sometimes be wrong or even misleading in certain countries! For example, before our last trip to Greece, I bought large-scale maps from Le Vieux Campeur. Well, Google Maps showed me brand-new mountain roads that didn’t exist on my maps, saving me a lot of time. Or real-time updates on roads closed due to flooding.

Still, maps remain a passion of mine.

Hi everyone,

I’m replying here to thank all of you for your answers and to wish you a good return to VF... after the interruption of the image and sound...

True, even with the GPS technology on our phones, I still always need a paper map. Go figure! 😛 I think I just like it, and I get my bearings much better in space. Old-school method 😉