Traveling Vietnam By Motorbike: 14 Important Tips To Know

Riding through Vietnam with a motorbike is probably the best way to explore the Land of the Blue Dragon and an adventure you’ll never forget. You might think getting behind the wheel of a racecar is an amazing experience but traveling in Vietnam with a motorbike is on another level. You get the unique opportunity to witness Vietnam’s spectacular countryside, get a glimpse of rural life in different parts of the country, and test your skills on some of Vietnam’s most challenging roads.

Another reason that traveling by motorbike is better than traveling by car is the fact that motorbiking uses way less gas compared to driving a car. I traveled around Vietnam by motorbike for 5 weeks and I learned a few valuable lessons I would like to share with you today.

In this article, you’ll find everything you need to know about traveling to Vietnam by motorbike, from the best maps to use to how to get around the remote countryside roads where no one speaks a word of English. Make sure to check out these tips before you go to make sure that driving through Vietnam will be an adventure rather than a frustration. Let’s start with…

Be Prepared To Spend More Time Than Initially Planned

When planning for a motorcycle trip through Vietnam, most people assume they can cover a lot more ground in a day than actually possible. If you’re using Google Maps, take their estimates conservatively as you’re planning your trip. Their maps don’t take into account the numerous twists and turns in the road and the fact that Vietnamese drivers drive slower compared to their Western counterparts, probably because the roads aren’t that good.

Note that on average, you would need around 8 hours of driving to cover 250 kilometers. If you’re planning to drive 300-400 kilometers in a day, I have some bad news. Perhaps, you will be able to do it but you’ll be exhausted by the end of the day and you won’t have much time to stop for sightseeing. The average traveler needs around 20-25 days to reach Hanoi from Ho Chi Minh or vice versa.

So take your time. Click a lot of photos on the way and don’t be afraid to get lost in the countryside. This is how you’ll see the real Vietnam- through the towns and villages hardly anyone ever stops at.

Be Prepared For Different Weather Seasons

Many first-time visitors don’t know that Vietnam has two different climate zones and most of them assume that the climate is hot and humid throughout the year everywhere. However, Vietnam has a mountain range, a tropical and sub-tropical region, and naturally, these regions have a distinct climate. The best time to drive south-to-north or vice versa is March/April.

In the northern part of Vietnam, the Siberian High penetrates from the Tibetan Plateau. This makes the temperatures drop to as low as 5 degrees in the winter. The northern part of Vietnam has the typical four seasons and you can even see snow in remote mountain settlements in the far north. The coldest months are December and January.

The central part of Vietnam has hot and dry weather between January and August and high levels of rainfall between September and December. During this time of the year, you might even come across a cyclone in Central Vietnam but even if it happens, it usually doesn’t last for more than two days. The south of Vietnam, on the other hand, is hot and dry from November to April and warm and wet between May and October.

With that being said, let’s get down to the major decision.

Renting vs Buying A Motorbike In Vietnam

During this adventure, the motorbike will be the biggest expense on your list. Personally, I think the bike rental market in Vietnam works perfectly and the only real reason to buy a motorbike is if you’re particularly keen on the idea of owning your own motorbike and traveling to other countries with it. On average, you can get a decent automatic or semi-automatic motorbike for around $10 a day. However, if you plan to rent a more powerful motorbike, the prices can get significantly higher. Finally, when renting, stick to reputable companies that provide brands that you know (Yamaha, Honda, etc.) rather than Chinese knockoffs.

If you want to buy your motorbike, the best budget options available would be a 100 cc Honda Wave ($200), a 100 cc Honda Dream scooter ($200), a 110-125 cc Honda Win ($300-400) or a 125 cc Russian Minsk ($400+). Obviously, this might get even more costly than renting a bike and you would have to double-check everything and make sure the bike is fine before making such an investment.

Finally, whether you’re deciding to buy or rent, make sure you go for a proper well-maintained bike. If that’s not the case, the hassle of constantly repairing your bike will soon match the costs of renting a newer and better-maintained motorbike. Vietnamese roads are dangerous enough and a faulty motorbike will make your life even harder.

What about renting a Motorbike Outside of Vietnam?

Don’t think about it. If you try to cross the border with a non-Vietnamese bike, except to pay some hefty bribes or even not cross at all.

Which Bike To Rent

As I previously mentioned, 110 cc to 125 ccs will be completely enough for touring around the country. However, if you plan to pass through the rough Northwest, you might need a more powerful bike. This region is more mountainous and the roads are even more difficult than the rest of the country. But if you’re not heading there, you’ll be completely fine as the speed limits in Vietnam are quite low.

The recommended speed for driving in cities is 40 km/h and 60 km/h on the highway. So, having a powerful bike can even be a detriment when driving in heavily congested areas. I also mentioned that you should buy a well-known brand but didn’t elaborate on why you should do so.

Local bikes are a lot cheaper but if you go for one, you would have to take it to the local repair shop. Now, most Vietnamese know how to repair motorbikes but if you don’t have at least a basic knowledge, it will be hard to estimate if you’re being sold a faulty repair or getting scammed. If you have a Honda or a Yamaha, on the other hand, you can just take it to one of the many official repair shops and be sure you’re charged a fair rate.

With that being said, let’s see…

Is It Legal For You To Drive A Motorbike In Vietnam?

In Vietnam, one does not require a license to ride a motorbike up to 50 ccs. However, this size isn’t suitable for taking a tour across the country. International Driver Permit is legal ONLY if your country signed the 1968 convention. If you’re coming from the US, Canada or Australia, you will be riding illegally.

If you want to obey the law, you would need to have a Vietnamese driver’s license. Most travelers ride without having one and successfully bribe their way out of police stops. But if you get into an accident in which other people are damaged, you will be at the mercy of the Vietnamese justice system and that is never a nice experience in a socialist country.

If you want to make sure this doesn’t happen, you can get a valid license by converting your license in the Office of Traffic and Public Works in Hanoi or the Office of Transportation in Ho Chi Minh. Note that without this (or a Vietnamese license) your travel insurance automatically becomes invalid even if you have a license in your home country.

But What About The Police?

Even if it’s illegal for you to ride a bike in Vietnam, most police officers won’t care but be careful when passing through Mui Ne. There are days in which police officers stop every foreigner they see and try to get as many as they can from them. I know people who ended up paying up to 2 million Dong (close to $100)! If you have the nerve for it, you can pretend not to speak English or convince them you don’t have any money. They’ll probably let you go as the ‘fine’ they are trying to charge you for is technically a bribe.

If you get pulled over anywhere, just turn your motorbike off and keep the key in your pocket. The police officers will try to grab it from you to make sure you don’t get away without paying but they can’t go through your pockets. If you want to avoid this hustle, don’t go in Mui Ne- you can easily circle around it by taking the alternate village roads. Talking about the police, here are some

Common Scams To Look Out For

One of the most common scams includes people who are dressed as police officers and try to get money from foreigners on a bike as they know most of them drive illegally. Their clothes will look almost identical but they won’t even show you a badge unless you ask them to. If you ask them to do that, they’ll try to flip it as soon as possible because all they have is a ridiculously-looking copy. If this happens, just walk away- they can’t do anything to you.

Another common scam which I already mentioned is the dodgy mechanic. As I said, try to avoid going to a local repair shop unless you are stuck in the middle of nowhere and have nowhere else to go. Finally, even though not as common as the other two, always make sure your fuel attendant resets the fuel gauge before putting fuel in your bike.

If you are not fond of riding a motorbike, check out this list of alternative modes of transportation.

Some Basic Vietnam Road Terminology

Just like all countries, Vietnam has different road names and signs and you should know a few basic things before you start this adventure. Let’s start with…

AH1 is the main road that connects North Vietnam to South Vietnam. This highway has a lot of heavily congested sections and you should avoid it if you’re looking for a leisure trip. On the other hand, AH1 is great when you don’t want to enter and exit multiple cities on the way and is generally the quickest way to get from A to Z.

The QL National Roads are administered by the central government and marked by a white milestone with a red top. Most of the QL Roads are well-maintained and in good condition. That’s why most travelers stick to this road when traveling around Vietnam with a motorbike.

The QL**B roads are alternatives to the primary QL roads. Driving on a B road can be nice at times because these roads usually pass through more remote areas and are far less frequented.

DT Countryside are countryside roads administered by provinces that connect two places of relative importance going through some remote areas. Many of the DT roads are in a reasonable condition but you’ll also come across some that need significant repairs.

TL Roads are also managed by provinces. These roads have white milestones with a blue/green top and usually lead to villages or are shortcuts to some cities and are single-track roads. You probably won’t find yourself riding on them anyway.

CT Super Highways are roads where motorbikes aren’t allowed. These roads are only for cars. The only exception is the CT08 section in Hanoi where motorbikes are allowed.

Practice Before You Start

Driving around Vietnam with a motorbike isn’t a breeze and you should get as much practice as you can before you start. Sure, you can complete your route even if you’re a rookie but start with less congested roads first. Also, if you haven’t tried riding a bike before, make sure to start with a shorter distance. Your body will be grateful at the end of the day. I started with a 200-kilometer journey on my first day and it was a real nightmare!

Which Maps To Use For Navigating In Vietnam?

Your most valuable asset here will be Google Maps. However, if you want to explore more remote regions of the country, you should also download Maps.me. With this map, you can download maps of specific regions and navigate around the area even without the internet. This means you can easily get through regions that have poor internet infrastructure.

Even though these apps can be helpful, when you’re not sure- ask the locals. Most of them will be more than happy to help you. However, keep in mind that Vietnam has this ‘yes culture’ and most people will tell you yes even when they aren’t sure of something. You’ll very rarely hear someone saying no when asking for directions. So, be careful- even when their intentions are good, locals can sometimes guide you in the wrong direction. If you want to be sure you’re getting in the right direction, ask a taxi driver. If someone knows the local roads- it’ll be them.

If you’re looking for a cheap flights to Vietnam, this Qatar Airways offer can get you up to 15% off on all flights in the region. I use it when booking my flights too and it saved me a lot of money throughout the years.

Tips For Riding In Vietnam

As I said, the Vietnam road network isn’t great and there will be places with heavy traffic. There are newer roads but unfortunately, most of them are reserved for cars and trucks. However, since these roads have more expensive pay tolls, many drivers still use the old, narrow roads that motorbikes use- so be prepared for it.

In a lot of places, the roadside will be filled with stalls and markets (speaking of which also feel free to check out our guide to shopping in Vietnam) and you can never be too careful when riding on these roads. As you already might be aware, traffic is chaotic and there will be a lot of honking. When someone honks, they usually do it to warn you that they are about to overtake. Honking is also applicable in the tight mountain passages that come with a lot of blind spots. Here, people use the horn to let people coming from the other side that there’s someone behind the corner.

Riding in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh might sound scary but the average traffic speed is relatively low and even when accidents happen, it’s not that serious. Just don’t make any sudden movements and follow the flow.

Avoid riding at night. The roads are bad as it is during the day and Vietnamese drivers make ridiculous decisions even when sober. Keep this in mind.

Never get angry on the road and find your zen. You’ll feel like cursing on many occasions but the truth is the more upset you are, the bigger the probability of an accident becomes.

Finally, if you’re riding during the wet season, get waterproof coats and don’t risk by

Best Biking Routes In Vietnam

Vietnam has an endless supply of beautiful scenic drives and choosing which route to take can be something that requires a lot of research. In this section, I’ll briefly cover the best routes you can take from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi and vice versa.

The Ho Chi Minh Road starts in Ho Chi Minh and passes through the western border until it reaches Hanoi. This road is my personal favorite because it’s less frequented and features some spectacular scenery. I would highly recommend it to all nature lovers who want to experience untouched parts of Vietnam.

The Main Route also connects Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh but passes alongside the east coast. The roads are better than the Ho Chi Minh Road but there’s also a lot more traffic, especially in the bigger cities like Hoi An and its charming countryside, Hue, and Da Nang.

The Ha Giang Loop is another great choice for nature lovers. This route starts at Ha Giang and makes a circle around Northern Vietnam. You can complete The Ha Giang Loop in 3-7 days and see the best of Vietnam’s remote countryside.

Don’t Forget About Maintenance

This is probably the most overlooked thing by many novice drivers. Even the best motorbike you can find will start experiencing aches after days of driving on challenging terrains. If you have a newer bike, you’ll need to change the oil roughly every 1,000 kilometers. However, if your bike is older, you’ll need to change the oil every 300 kilometers. This will cost you $4-$5. Make sure to check your tires before you start the trip and keep an eye on them continuously. But even if you have to change them, that won’t cost you a lot either.

I’d recommend you learn some basic things about parts, oil, and fluids. Some other things you’ll have to (learn to) do on the way are tightening and oiling the chain, checking the breaks, and knowing where to fuel your bike. Filling your bike with cheap street petrol will save you money but it might cause problems with your engine, which needless to say will be expensive to fix. Finally…

Be Prepared For The Remoteness Of The Route You’re Taking

The number of people visiting Vietnam has increased in recent years and there are a lot of places where you’ll find a lot of tourists and good infrastructure. But keep in mind that there are still some places in Vietnam that are still uncharted territory. In my opinion, these are the best roads in the country. If you’re heading up the Ho Chi Minh Route, there’ll be times when you won’t see another person for hours.

My point here is to do all the needed preparations for such a journey. Learn as much as you can about the terrain before going for a long drive. Make a list of good hostels which you can come across on the way. Bring extra fuel, food, water, cash, and, batteries. Even be prepared for camping on the road if the weather isn’t good.

Helpful Tips For Traveling To Vietnam By motorbike

For the cheapest flights to Vietnam, this Qatar Airways offer gets you 15% off on all flights in Asia. I use it for my flights too and it helped me save a lot throughout the years.

If you’re traveling by motorbike, it’s always a good idea to have travel insurance. For my motorbike trip in Vietnam and in fact, for every other trip, my go-to choice is SafetyWing.

To save on accommodation in Vietnam, use this Booking.com code to get discounts on all accommodation rentals in town.

Finally, don’t forget that you (very likely) need a visa if you want to visit Vietnam. You can obtain one super-easy and hassle-free without going to the embassy through Ivisa for only $45 USD. I’ve used their services in the past and warmly recommend them.

Did you ever consider traveling to Vietnam by motorbike? What do you think of this experience? Let me know in the comments!