{"id":1046,"date":"2017-04-27T22:42:53","date_gmt":"2017-04-27T22:42:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.tripfuser.com\/blog\/?p=1046"},"modified":"2024-08-06T03:14:53","modified_gmt":"2024-08-06T03:14:53","slug":"vietnam-motorbike-tours","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/vietnam-motorbike-tours\/","title":{"rendered":"Complete Guide to Vietnam Motorbike Tours"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>Insane, risky, but a lot of fun. That\u2019s what you\u2019ll hear about any Vietnam motorbike tour. But, how else will you carve out your own adventure, connect with the countryside and people plus really get to know this amazing yet frantic country? Start with a bucket load of courage and get ready for an exhilarating ride of your life!<\/p>\n<p>One in four people in Vietnam has a registered motorbike (that includes scooters). So, you\u2019ll be in good company with 37 million such registered vehicles in this South-East Asian country of around 91 million. Plus, there are more than 330,000 square kilometres of land to explore. If the guys from the <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Top_Gear:_Vietnam_Special\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">TV show Top Gear<\/a> could do it, maybe you can too?<\/p>\n<p>Without further ado, here&#8217;s everything you need to know to begin your Vietnam journey!<\/p>\n<h2>Staying Safe Whilst Travelling Vietnam on a Motorbike<\/h2>\n<p>If you hail from Australia, make sure you are tuned into Vietnam travel updates from the government\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/smartraveller.gov.au\/Countries\/asia\/south-east\/pages\/vietnam.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Smart Traveller<\/a> website. You can even set up a free account and register your travel plans to give your loved ones back home peace of mind. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/vietnam\/local-designers\">Our Local Designers on the ground in Vietnam<\/a> can design your trip and use their expertise to keep an eye on everything you need to know about travelling to Vietnam before and during your trip; with our Local Designers, you&#8217;ll always be informed.<\/p>\n<p>Be on the alert for petty theft in tourist areas and markets on your Vietnam motorbike tour. There\u2019s also the risk of aggravated theft in major cities such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang. It\u2019s worth a reminder, too, that Vietnam has severe penalties for drug offences. Don\u2019t add to the 30-plus Aussies serving long sentences for drug trafficking in Vietnam.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1110 size-full lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Vietnam2.jpg\" alt=\"Vietnam motorbike tours\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Vietnam2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Vietnam2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Vietnam2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Vietnam2-585x390.jpg 585w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1000px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1000\/667;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1110 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Vietnam2.jpg\" alt=\"Vietnam motorbike tours\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Vietnam2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Vietnam2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Vietnam2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Vietnam2-585x390.jpg 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>Another travel risk is, you guessed it, traffic accidents, which Smart Traveller says happens often in Vietnam. For some reason, accidents draw huge crowds, too. Driving standards, vehicle and road maintenance are \u201cgenerally poor\u201d, says the site, but that\u2019s not going to stop you going there, is it?<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">[vc_row css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1509035681059{background-color: #f2f2f2 !important;border-radius: 5px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1509350069266{margin-bottom: 10px !important;}&#8221; el_class=&#8221;post-cta&#8221;]<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>Don&#8217;t Miss Our Exclusive Offers! Subscribe Today!<\/b><\/h4>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For the ultimate travel inspiration, local insight straight from our expert Local Designers and exclusive offers you won&#8217;t find anywhere else from Designer Journeys, sign up today! Don&#8217;t miss out.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">[\/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=&#8221;Subscribe&#8221; style=&#8221;flat&#8221; color=&#8221;pink&#8221; align=&#8221;center&#8221; link=&#8221;url:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/subscribe&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Planning Your Vietnam Motorbike Tour<\/h2>\n<h3>When to Travel<\/h3>\n<p>You probably don\u2019t think of yourself as a fair-weather-only rider, but the rainy season from June to December will really dampen your motorcycling spirit. That\u2019s the time for flooding, flash flooding and typhoons. Considering some of the roads and infrastructure might be a bit worse for wear already, you wouldn\u2019t want to risk getting stuck. Check out our comprehensive <a href=\"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/vietnam\/travel-guide\">Vietnam travel guide<\/a> or this handy <a href=\"https:\/\/www.selectiveasia.com\/vietnam-holidays\/weather\">weather map<\/a> to see when is the best time of year to head to Vietnam.<\/p>\n<h3>Getting a Visa<\/h3>\n<p><em>*Please note, this information may have changed since the time of writing so it is always best to check your government website or connect with our expert Local Designers in Vietnam who can help you when planning your trip*<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Check out our guide for a full introduction to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/guide-getting-vietnam-tourist-visa\/\">getting a Vietnam visa<\/a>!<\/p>\n<p>First things first, head for your nearest Embassy or Consulate of Vietnam to get your visa. If you opt for private online visa services and applications through travel agents for \u2018visa issued on arrival\u2019 approval letters, you risk your private information going public, says Smart Traveller. Make sure your passport is still valid for another six months when you apply for your visa.<\/p>\n<p>Got a US passport? Your starting point is\u00a0the <a href=\"https:\/\/travel.state.gov\/content\/passports\/en\/country\/vietnam.html\">US Department of State\u2019s site for international travel<\/a>. Regarding your passport, it will need to be valid for at least six months from when you arrive in Vietnam, you\u2019ll need a page for entry stamp and you\u2019ll need a tourist visa.<\/p>\n<p>For Canadians, you&#8217;ll also need to <a href=\"https:\/\/vietnamvisa.govt.vn\/canadian-citizens\/\">apply for a Vietnam visa<\/a>. One option is getting a visa on arrival but only if travelling by air to Vietnam. For information about travel risks, safety, security, health, laws and culture, natural disasters, climate and more, visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/travel.gc.ca\/destinations\/vietnam\">Government of Canada\u2019s Vietnam website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>UK citizens, meanwhile, are in good company, with their compatriots making more than 200,000 visits to Vietnam each year. Most visits are trouble-free says <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/foreign-travel-advice\/vietnam\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">the UK Government\u2019s website<\/a>, which also has a dedicated <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/world\/vietnam\/news\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Vietnam and UK <\/a>page. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-asia-pacific-16567315\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">BBC<\/a>\u00a0has their own Vietnam page as well.<\/p>\n<p>If you have a British Citizen passport, you may be able to enter Vietnam visa-free, however, you should check this with your government website or one of our trusted <a href=\"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/vietnam\/local-designers\">Local Designers in Vietnam<\/a> when planning your trip. However, if you\u2019re planning to ride a motorbike in Vietnam, you\u2019ll need to secure an international driving permit.<\/p>\n<p>[vc_row css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1509035681059{background-color: #f2f2f2 !important;border-radius: 5px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1509350069266{margin-bottom: 10px !important;}&#8221; el_class=&#8221;post-cta&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #131f3b;\">Planning a Vietnam Motorbike Tour?<\/span><\/h4>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip can be a little overwhelming so take the stress out of it and let our Local Designers in Vietnam plan your extraordinary experience using their expert knowledge and local insight!<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[\/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=&#8221;Design Your Trip&#8221; style=&#8221;flat&#8221; color=&#8221;pink&#8221; align=&#8221;center&#8221; link=&#8221;url:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/vietnam-tours&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<h3>Licence to Ride<\/h3>\n<p>It used to be that to ride a motorbike or car in Vietnam, you were required to have a Vietnamese driving license (which weren&#8217;t issued to tourists). However, since 2014, Vietnam has recognised International Driving Permits which can be obtained in your home country before travelling to Vietnam. This makes planning your Vietnam motorbike tour a lot easier!<\/p>\n<p>However, be aware, some motorbike hire companies in Vietnam will loan you a bike even if don\u2019t have a licence claiming \u201cthe police rarely stop you unless you do something wrong\u201d. Feeling lucky and thinking about riding your motorbike without a licence? Not worth the risk of being fined.<\/p>\n<h3>Travel Insurance is a Must!<strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>There are plenty of reputable insurance providers, but check the fine print for whether they\u2019ll cover you while travelling by motorbike. Make sure to double-check it. Most policies say they\u2019ll cover motorcycles as long as a licensed driver is legally riding them. Get it sorted before you hop on your bike!<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1111 size-full lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Vietnam3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"707\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Vietnam3.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Vietnam3-300x212.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Vietnam3-768x543.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Vietnam3-585x414.jpg 585w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1000px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1000\/707;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1111 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Vietnam3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"707\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Vietnam3.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Vietnam3-300x212.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Vietnam3-768x543.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Vietnam3-585x414.jpg 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>The policies you\u2019ll need are personal medical insurance \u2013which covers you in accidents and when you\u2019re injured\u2013 and third-party liability insurance \u2013which covers others and things you injure\/damage. Medical facilities and care vary in Vietnam even in the foreign private medical clinics in the main cities of Hanoi, Cho Chi Minh City, Vung Tau and Da Nang. Expect to pay the doctor or hospital a fee before they treat you including in emergencies. Health issues that happen occasionally in Vietnam include water or food-borne diseases, parasitic and other diseases including HIV\/AIDS, hepatitis, rabies, typhoid, tuberculosis and meningitis, says Smart Traveller. Protect yourself from mosquitoes as they can spread the Zika Virus, dengue fever, malaria and Japanese encephalitis.<\/p>\n<p>[vc_row css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1509035681059{background-color: #f2f2f2 !important;border-radius: 5px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1509350069266{margin-bottom: 10px !important;}&#8221; el_class=&#8221;post-cta&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #131f3b;\">Plan Your Vietnam Motorbike Tour with Designer Journeys!<\/span><\/h4>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Designer Journeys&#8217; network of trusted, talented and knowledgeable Local Designers will use their skills, expertise and local insight to design, build and deliver your extraordinary experience. What are you waiting for?<\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=&#8221;Design Your Trip&#8221; style=&#8221;flat&#8221; color=&#8221;pink&#8221; align=&#8221;center&#8221; link=&#8221;url:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/vietnam-tours&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<h3>Where Not to Go and What Not to Do<\/h3>\n<p>The authorities get a bit touchy if you travel near <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tripadvisor.com.au\/Attractions-g293921-Activities-c47-t23-oa20-Vietnam.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">military bases<\/a> (don\u2019t take photos either) and there\u2019s also travel restrictions in some parts of the Central Highlands and some border areas, says <a href=\"https:\/\/smartraveller.gov.au\/Countries\/asia\/south-east\/pages\/vietnam.aspx#local_travel\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Smart Traveller<\/a>. For good reason as there are unexploded landmines and ordnance in former battlefields!<\/p>\n<p>Steer clear of gambling dens as gambling is illegal except in government-licensed casinos. Speaking of money, you\u2019ll get a better conversion rate if you exchange your currency into Vietnamese Dong before you leave home. Let your bank know, too, that you\u2019re travelling to Vietnam so they don\u2019t stop your card inadvertently.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re on prescription medication, don\u2019t expect to be able to stock up in Vietnam. Check out the <a href=\"https:\/\/smartraveller.gov.au\/Countries\/asia\/south-east\/pages\/vietnam.aspx#entry_and_exit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Smart Traveller website<\/a> for info about carrying medications into that country, too.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Staking Out a Route<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>How long are you planning to tour Vietnam? You could do the whole country comfortably in a month, but if you\u2019re short of time, consider focusing on one particular section. Wherever you go, you want to zero in on the mine-free roads and paths \u2013 these are well marked. <a href=\"https:\/\/vietnamcoracle.com\/which-maps-to-use-for-a-motorbike-trip\/#resources\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Vietnam Coracle Motorbike Guides and Maps<\/a> are great to get you dreaming about the ride. You may not get mobile phone reception on your travels, so beforehand cache the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/viewer?mid=1F6YVjlAud6tec6VW6OPnIcuPxPo&amp;hl=en_US&amp;ll=11.36777760860641%2C107.54207300000007&amp;z=10\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Google maps<\/a> you\u2019ll need for the trip as a handy reference.<\/p>\n<p>There are plenty of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/motorcycling-tours\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">motorcycle touring<\/a> companies vying for your business whether you\u2019re going solo or keen to hook into a guided tour. Most motorcycle touring companies offer standard private tours, premium tours and special event tours which are a great, fun way to take in the many sights and sounds of Vietnam. However, you can save the hassle of worrying if they are trusted or not and design your trip through Designer Journeys, we&#8217;ll connect you to one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/vietnam\/local-designers\">trusted Local Designers in Vietnam<\/a> who will be able to plan your motorbike trip tailored to you!<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1112 size-full lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Vietnam4.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"664\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Vietnam4.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Vietnam4-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Vietnam4-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Vietnam4-585x388.jpg 585w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1000px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1000\/664;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1112 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Vietnam4.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"664\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Vietnam4.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Vietnam4-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Vietnam4-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Vietnam4-585x388.jpg 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>When starting from one of the big cities, be prepared for traffic jams, a chaotic pace and overwhelming fumes. In Hanoi, day tours ranging from one to four days are a good idea to help you navigate the city as locals do. A great option for novices to take in just the city or explore the surroundings such as the <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/B%E1%BA%AFc_Ninh_Province\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bac Ninh province<\/a> or the world heritage <a href=\"https:\/\/wikitravel.org\/en\/Ha_Long_Bay\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Halong Bay<\/a>. You\u2019ll see pagodas, 300-year-old villages, waterfalls and experience winding mountain roads. A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/trip-gallery\/tours-by-locals-ho-chi-minh-city-1791991501\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ho Chi Minh City motorbike tour<\/a> you can do in half a day takes in French colonial buildings, the wet market, alleyways and China Town.<\/p>\n<h3>What to Bring With You<\/h3>\n<p>Whilst you can buy and hire them, it is recommended (for quality) that you bring your own helmet, riding gloves, decent protective boots and summer-weight riding jacket (with padded elbows), eyewear, smartphone and all-weather backpack as a minimum. For starters, you have to wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle in Vietnam \u2013that\u2019s the law\u2013 including when you\u2019re a passenger. If you don&#8217;t want to bring your own one, once you\u2019re in Vietnam it is recommended that you visit a motorcycle dealership to find an Australian, US or European safety certified helmet, particularly a full-faced one. Lightweight trousers that breathe and have padded hip and knee areas are handy, too. If you\u2019re joining an organised tour, their support vehicle can carry the gear you won\u2019t need while on your bike. If you plan your trip with one of our Local Designers in Vietnam, they can also arrange for your luggage to be transferred from one place to the next so you don&#8217;t have to give it a second thought.<\/p>\n<p>Once you get a motorbike in Vietnam, invest in a chain and padlock as well as some octopus straps\/bungee cords to secure your backpack. Think about getting emergency lighting like a powerful bicycle light \u2013 you never know if you\u2019ll be caught out and your lights fail.<\/p>\n<p>[vc_row css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1509035681059{background-color: #f2f2f2 !important;border-radius: 5px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1509350069266{margin-bottom: 10px !important;}&#8221; el_class=&#8221;post-cta&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #131f3b;\">Ready to Plan Your Vietnam Motorbike Tour?<\/span><\/h4>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Use Designer Journeys to design your ultimate experience, and let our Local Designers in Vietnam make your dream motorbiking trip a reality!<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[\/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=&#8221;Browse Customisable Vietnam Tours&#8221; style=&#8221;flat&#8221; color=&#8221;pink&#8221; align=&#8221;center&#8221; link=&#8221;url:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/vietnam-tours&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<h2>Choosing Your Bike<\/h2>\n<p>Firstly, decide if buying or hiring a motorbike suits you. This decision will depend on the amount of time you have to spend in Vietnam; hiring is often easier as you don&#8217;t have to worry about selling the bike at the end of your trip. The most popular bikes are the Honda Win and Russian Minsk \u2013 both old models. You\u2019ll see a lot of 100cc or 110cc Honda-badged bikes but they may be Chinese copies and could cost just US$250. Make a beeline for the Vietnamese-made <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=sufat+win+image&amp;hl=en-US&amp;tbm=isch&amp;tbo=u&amp;source=univ&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=0ahUKEwiY5-jt1KjTAhWksFQKHS3-DjUQsAQIJA&amp;biw=1680&amp;bih=944\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sufat Wins<\/a>, they\u2019re locally made using Honda designs and more reliable. You could pick up one for about US$450. For more details, check out Chris Brinlee Jr\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gizmodo.com.au\/2015\/03\/im-riding-a-450-motorcycle-across-vietnam\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Gizmodo Australia\u2019s post<\/a>. He also suggests visiting the backpacking areas of the main cities for \u2018bike for sale\u2019 fliers. It is recommended that you opt for a 250cc which will give you decent grunt yet be nimble enough to negotiate through water over roads and along unpaved roads.<\/p>\n<p>Most riders start their trip in Ho Chi Minh City and try to sell their bike in Hanoi. However, you should consider going the opposite way so you\u2019ll have a buyer\u2019s market to get your set of wheels in Hanoi and sell them in Ho Chi Minh City. Keep in mind, Hanoi\u2019s roads have five million motorcycles, which could be why the <a href=\"https:\/\/time.com\/4417357\/hanoi-vietnam-motorbike-downtown-ban\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">government is looking to ban bikes there from 2025<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1113 size-full lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Vietnam5.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Vietnam5.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Vietnam5-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Vietnam5-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Vietnam5-585x390.jpg 585w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1000px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1000\/667;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1113 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Vietnam5.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Vietnam5.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Vietnam5-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Vietnam5-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Vietnam5-585x390.jpg 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/noscript><\/p>\n<h2>Tips When On the Road<\/h2>\n<p>You\u2019ll be able to fill up when you need to and you&#8217;ll get about 40 kilometres to each litre of fuel. If your bike needs tweaking or more serious repairs, hunt down a \u2018Xe May\u2019 sign or the Honda Motorcycle logo. Keep your machine running smoothly by oiling the chain every 300 kilometres, checking the tyre pressure, and changing the oil every 1000 kilometres.<\/p>\n<p>Supposedly, vehicles drive on the right sight of the road but their concept of a \u2018lane\u2019 might be different to yours. Make sure to give trucks, army jeeps and buses right of way. The top speeds you\u2019ll be able to do are 100 kilometres per hour along some stretches of highway but arrive with the mindset that travelling in Vietnam can be really slow and you should take your time anyway. A good yardstick, particularly when you\u2019re in urban areas, is to assume you\u2019ll be going about 30 kilometres per hour. You may think it\u2019s optional for drivers to obey traffic lights \u2013 that\u2019s the way Vietnamese drivers operate. Try to reach your next destination before nightfall and avoid driving in the dark as there are obstacles you may not see such as potholes.<\/p>\n<p>When travelling, ask locals about the condition of the road ahead. On the open road, there\u2019s plenty of food options along the way (but stock up on bottled water) and reasonably priced accommodation where you can keep your bike and belongings safe.<\/p>\n<h3>In Case of Emergencies<\/h3>\n<p>If there\u2019s an emergency, call 113 for police, 114 for fire and 115 for an ambulance, but have a translator handy if you\u2019re reporting a crime.<\/p>\n<h2>More Tips on Vietnam Travel<\/h2>\n<p>Vietnamese is the country\u2019s official language, but French, Chinese, English and Khmer are also spoken. For many more tips on Vietnam travel and the best places to visit when travelling to Vietnam, check out our comprehensive <a href=\"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/vietnam\/travel-guide\">Vietnam travel guide<\/a>!<\/p>\n<p>[vc_row css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1509035681059{background-color: #f2f2f2 !important;border-radius: 5px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1509350069266{margin-bottom: 10px !important;}&#8221; el_class=&#8221;post-cta&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #131f3b;\">Let&#8217;s Plan Your Vietnam Motorbike Tour!<\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Now you&#8217;ve read everything you need to know, there&#8217;s no time to waste. Browse our gallery of customisable Vietnam tours and connect with one of our trusted Local Designers in Vietnam by answering a few simple questions. Next, they&#8217;ll design your itinerary based on your requirements and you&#8217;ll work together to build your dream trip! To experience Vietnam in extraordinary ways, book with Designer Journeys!<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[\/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=&#8221;Design Your Trip&#8221; style=&#8221;flat&#8221; color=&#8221;pink&#8221; align=&#8221;center&#8221; link=&#8221;url:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/vietnam-tours&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"kk-star-ratings kksr-auto kksr-align-left kksr-valign-bottom\"\n    data-payload='{&quot;align&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;1046&quot;,&quot;slug&quot;:&quot;default&quot;,&quot;valign&quot;:&quot;bottom&quot;,&quot;ignore&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;reference&quot;:&quot;auto&quot;,&quot;class&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;count&quot;:&quot;7&quot;,&quot;legendonly&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;readonly&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;score&quot;:&quot;4.3&quot;,&quot;starsonly&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;best&quot;:&quot;5&quot;,&quot;gap&quot;:&quot;5&quot;,&quot;greet&quot;:&quot;Rate this post&quot;,&quot;legend&quot;:&quot;4.3\\\/5 - (7 votes)&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;24&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Complete Guide to Vietnam Motorbike Tours&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:&quot;122.2&quot;,&quot;_legend&quot;:&quot;{score}\\\/{best} - ({count} {votes})&quot;,&quot;font_factor&quot;:&quot;1.25&quot;}'>\n            \n<div class=\"kksr-stars\">\n    \n<div class=\"kksr-stars-inactive\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"1\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"2\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"3\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"4\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"5\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    \n<div class=\"kksr-stars-active\" style=\"width: 122.2px;\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n                \n\n<div class=\"kksr-legend\" style=\"font-size: 19.2px;\">\n            4.3\/5 - (7 votes)    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Insane, risky, but a lot of fun. That\u2019s what you\u2019ll hear about any Vietnam motorbike tour. But, how else will you carve out your own adventure, connect with the countryside and people&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":1270,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"faq_json_schema":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[96,105,106,123],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v23.4 (Yoast SEO v23.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Complete Guide to Planning Your Vietnam Motorbike Tour<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Check out this comprehensive guide to learn everything you need to know before embarking on an absolutely epic adventure with a Vietnam motorbike tour!\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/vietnam-motorbike-tours\/\" \/>\n<meta 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