Tips for Vietnam Motorcycle Tours

Indochinavalue is one of the few tour operators in Vietnam who has experience in organising Vietnam Motorycle Tours.

Where to ride?

A Vietnam motorcyle tour is an excellent way to explure mountain regions that few foreigners have ever been to before, allowing you a unique, face to the wind experience in Vietnam or Laos.

This part of the world is special because of an enormous network of roads, tracks and trails that are interlaced over a region remarkable for its spectacular mountains, deep valley floors, dramatic karst limestone rock formations and vast distant rice fields, not to mention the truly special experience of coming into contact with hill tribe people who are genuinely surprised and joyful to hang out with passing bikers. Take advantage of our enormous knowledge of the open ended routes available, and enjoy an adventure that is unique and flexible.

We offer Vietnam motorcycle tours in all over the northern mountains of Vietnam, down the Ho Chi Minh Trails in Vietnam, cross border trips into Laos

Best destinations for Vietnam Motorcycle Tours

Vietnam is a very beautiful country to ride motorcycle, as the scenery changes fast from one region to another and the road condition is quite good and beautiful. Looking for a motorcycle tour? Vietnam is a right country to do.

Northern Vietnam is paradise for Vietnam Motorcycle Tours where you can see rural life, water buffalo wallow in green rice paddies, elegant women wearing traditional conical headwear cycle along dusty paths, amazing scenery, many different ethnic minorities and their unique habits and customs.

vietnam motorcycle tours 2 min

Can Vietnam Motorcycle Tours be customized?

Yes, we specialize in private and customized Vietnam Motorcycle tours so just tell us how long you want to ride and when, and we will make recommendations appropriate to your riding experience and aspirations.

How we tour?

Vietnam is a bike rider’s country. The most preferred mode of transport are the 110-cc motorbike for the Vietnamese masses, and the large cities swarm with them. It's common to see whole families of four cruising along on a single motorbike.

Two main categories of motorbike are: scooters (automatic transmission); and four-speed motorbikes, the gears of which you shift with your left foot. The ubiquitous Honda Super Cub is a common 4-speed bike that has a semi-automatic gearbox i.e. no clutch so is relatively easy to ride.

Flexible: Our Vietnam Motorcycle Tours offer great flexibilities for riders to enjoy the tour as we customize all kinds of Vietnam motorcycle tour to meet our customer's expectation. During the tour, we can stop where they want, can stay where they like...

Safety: When you take our Vietnam Motorcycle Tours, your safety becomes our primary concern and we will endeavor to make your trip as safe and enjoyable as possible. We provide traffic lesson, local laws and various conditions which you will not have seen before in Vietnam.

Our Guides: our guides for Vietnam Motorcycle Tours are experienced, friendly, responsible... and knowing every route, road condition...

How to make a motorcycle tour in Vietnam?

Below are some types of questions that may help you about what to do before making a motorcycle tour in Vietnam.

What is a motorcycle?

In Vietnam, as defined by law, a motorcycle is a motor vehicle powered by a motor with a displacement of more than 50 cubic centimeters, having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider, and designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, but excluding a tractor or moped.

What skills do I need before I attempt to ride a motorcycle for the first time?

We provide riding lesson for the “first time” riders, to do the lesson, You MUST be able to ride a bicycle proficiently. Some of our customers are avid bicyclists, not only due to familiarity with two wheels, but also because of their fitness level. BRC students who have been "couch potatoes" for many years often find it difficult to ride for ten hours within two days. Riding a motorcycle requires a minimum level of physical strength, coordination, and energy.

How much time will I get to ride?

Each lesson is 3-4 hours of instruction with 1 hour riding time. The lessons are divided between two thirty-minute sessions. Your session starts when you put on your wakeboard and jump into the water. The 5 to 10 minutes traveling to nice water does not count as your lesson time.

vietnam motorcycle tours 3 min

Will I really know how to ride a motorcycle after a course from your company?

The riding lesson course is designed to give you the basics of operating a motorcycle and teach you proper techniques. You will learn how to practice safely. How well you ride will be determined by how often you practice and how well you practice the techniques taught to you during the course

Do I need a license if I want to travel by motorcycle in vietnam?

Vietnamese laws require riders of all motor vehicles from 49cc to have a full licence (under 175cc is A1 and from 175cc is A2, under 50cc needs road rules test certificate). If you have a car licence most of the local insurance companies consider that you can ride a motorcycle. As a result, the authorities also consider this document as acceptable. Driver licence is not a problem in Vietnam. Formally, no licence is fully valid in Vietnam. The question of having or not a motorbiking driving licence mainly concerns your insurance. On the other hand, if you are working in Vietnam under contract for at least 6 months you could easily get a local driving licence.

Traffic police generally don't stop Westerners in Vietnam to check licences simply because they don't speak good English or feel confident to deal with it. In addition, in the same time they can deal with many other Vietnamese people. Mui Ne in Southern Vietnam have been the only exception where they started checking licences.

Informally, many recent international driving licenses which include Vietnam in the country list are accepted by the traffic police on the road.

Is it safe to do motorcycle tours in Vietnam?

Vietnam is one of the safest countries to travel. However, Vietnam motorcycle tours will normally go to the remote and off the beaten paths so booking our guided Vietnam motorcycle tours is the best option.

Can women do motorcycle tours?

Yes, you can. We have women bike and you will find it so easy when riding.

What's the best duration for a motorcycle trip in Vietnam?

The perfect time frame to spend on the road is eight to fifteen days, depending on your riding skills and stamina. The wildest country lies atop the highest mountains, and they tend to be along the Chinese border. Our trips are always wide loops, so the longer the ride, the more chance we have at getting you deep into the most remote locales.

When is the best time to ride in northern Vietnam?

In the north, there's no best time to ride, as there are four distinct seasons, each with their own unique advantages. Summer runs from April to October, winter from November to March. Hottest months are June and July, coldest month is February. Expect the possibility of passing rain from April to August, while winter months are normally dry.

I hear the traffic is crazy in Vietnam. Is it safe to ride there?

Traffic in Hanoi is chaotic to the uninitiated driver. For this reason we always use the easiest roads to get out of town. We can also arrange for riders to be dropped off at the city limits by taxi where the bikes are waiting. Once out in the countryside, the level of traffic drops off remarkably and on some roads it is possible to not pass a single vehicle for the whole day. That said, it must be emphasized that the riding conditions in Vietnam are demanding which means extremely defensive driving is imperative. All riders must be very careful and be fully aware that the purpose of the trip is not to ride performance bikes hard into the bends, but rather to drive along nice and slow and enjoy the sites and sounds of the passing countryside. Motorbiking is just the link between so many facets that make up the touring experience with us – people, scenery, markets, food, drink, historical vestiges, rural life. We will send you an extensive document covering all aspects of driver safety particular to the conditions found in Vietnam. This document and constant support from your guide will make your ride as safe as possible.

vietnam motorcycle tours 4 min

Can you arrange airport pick up and accommodation in Hanoi?

Yes, we can.

Do we carry everything on the bike, or can I leave some of my luggage at "base"?

We provide you with spacious saddle bags which can carry a large amount of belongings. It's also possible to strap a further bag or rucksack onto the bike's back rack if required. Any other luggage may be left safely in storage at your hotel or our office in Hanoi waiting for your return.

What to bring for a trip?

Motorcycle trips demand far more planning than the equivalent journey in a car. Though riding provides an inherent sense of freedom, practical limitations require motorcyclists to think ahead when choosing to hit the open roads. If you are gonna plan a motorcycle tour in Vietnam, you should prepare such necessary belongings as below:

Sandals, Sneaker, boots (if you have them), gloves, hat, earplugs and eyeshade, Socks (3 pairs), T-shirts (3), Underwear (4)

ATM Card/Passport/credit card/Cash/Visa(s)/airplane ticket(s)/Itinerary (print it off the internet before you leave town)

Baby wipes

Backpack (medium size, to wear on a motorcycle carrying all your gear), Zip-lock bags, Sleeping bag liner

Pants, long (2 pairs-- jeans, hiking pants, etc.), Shirts, long -sleeved (2, including one turtleneck, if possible), warm jackets, bandanna, bathing suit, bath towel, small

Basic toiletries (shaving cream, razor, toothbrush, toothpaste, talcum powder, dental floss, toothpicks, aftershave or hand sanitizer, toilet paper, extra razor blade, contact lens cleanser, etc.)

Camera & battery charger w/adapter plugs

Daypack or fanny pack

Duct tape (small amount rolled around a pencil stub)

Medications (aspirin/malox/diarrhea/ etc.)

Money belt or neck pouch to carry cash/documents

Night headlamp or small flashlight, head light

Poncho (heavy weight, that will hold up in wind on motorcycle)

Wrapping sunglasses and lanyard

Toolkit

Most bikes come with toolkits, but you'll want to make sure you're equipped with pliers, wire cutters, and various wrenches (including allen wrenches.) A small, all-in-one Leatherman®-style tool can be a handy complement to a traditional toolkit, and is easily accessible for quick repairs or adjustments.

Key Mechanical Spares & Lubes

Bringing along extra fuses, bulbs, spark plugs, and chain oil can make the difference between traveling securely and limping to the next service station.

Flashlight

Ever been caught in the dark? A flashlight will save you the hassle of trying to use your cell phone for illumination.

Tire Repair Kit

Blowouts are an all-too-common occurrence, and a flat kit which includes C02 cartridges for tire inflation will get you on the road again.

Duct Tape

If it's good enough for astronauts, it should be good enough for you. Unexpected mechanical failures or breaks can sometimes be held together with duct tape, providing a low-tech solution for potentially crippling problems.

First Aid Kit

A first aid kit is something you never want to be without-- whether its poison ivy or an ankle burn from an exhaust pipe, the cliché about an ounce of prevention is absolutely true. Rather than assembling your own supplies, an easier and more thorough solution is to purchase a pre-assembled kit, which will ensure that key items are not missing.

Packing

Packing for a long distance motorcycle ride is a delicate balance between bringing enough items to ensure comfort, and not overloading yourself with unnecessary weight and bulk. After you've planned your route, you'll want to check the weather forecast and get an idea of what to expect in terms the elements.

A good touring suit is an excellent investment, and when choosing your clothes, consider packing several thin layers of clothing, rather than a few thick ones. Flexibility is the key to staying comfortable; it's far better to have the option to stop and shed or add layers as necessary, than to shiver or sweat your way through what would otherwise be an enjoyable, scenic route.

Be sure to bring energy bars or trail mix and water; if hunger or thirst strikes while you're far from convenience stores or gas stations, the nourishment will come in handy and keep your riding skills sharp.

When loading up your bike, always put heavier, more solid items on the bottom and sides closer to the bike (to centralize weight.) Lighter items should go on top. If you don't have saddlebags or tank bags, you should consider using bungee nets to secure loose items. If you must travel with items secured by a bungee net, ensure that they are snug and will not get loosened by winds or g-forces. Again, placing heavier , wider, and more stable items at the bottom will provide an anchor for looser, floppier pieces (like sleeping pads or pillows.)

Finally, equip yourself well. Always wear a full-face helmet for maximum protection-- not only against accidents, but also from the elements. Full-face helmets can provide a shield from rain and cold winds, and if constructed with ventilation, can also provide a certain level of comfort in warm weather. It may feel constricting in heat, but the overall benefits of choosing safety over style are vast when considering your long-term health and well being..

Where do the tours start from?

Most of our Vietnam Motorcycle Tours are starting and ending from/in Hanoi. 

To book our Motorcycle tours please contact us, or to find others style of Vietnam tours here.

 

In association with
Asta  Pata  Vista  vietnamtourism  footprint  Tripadvisor