Best guide to ride motorbike in Vietnam for beginner 2023

25 Nov

Best guide to ride motorbike in Vietnam for beginner 2023

Are you planning to ride motorbike in Vietnam ? But what should you prepare for your journey ? Don’t worry, check out BigBoy Getaway post about “Best guide to ride motorbike in Vietnam for travelers”.

Riding motorbike in Vietnam is one of the best ways to explore this amazing country. You will have the freedom and flexibility to travel at your own pace and preference, and discover hidden gems and scenic routes that are not accessible by other means of transportation.

However, riding motorbike is not without its challenges and risks, you will need to prepare well, follow the safety tips, and overcome the obstacles that you may encounter along the way. In this blog post, we will guide you through the benefits, challenges, preparation, safety, and itinerary of riding motorbike in Vietnam. By the end of this post, you will have a clear idea of what to expect and how to plan your motorbike trip in Vietnam.

Challenges of riding motorbike in Vietnam

Riding motorbike in Vietnam is not a walk in the park. You will face many difficulties and risks that can make your trip challenging or even dangerous. Here are some of the challenges that you need to be aware of and prepared for:

Traffic congestion and chaos: Vietnam is notorious for its traffic congestion and chaos, especially in the cities and highways. You will have to deal with millions of motorbikes, cars, buses, trucks, bicycles, and pedestrians, all competing for space and honking their horns. You will also have to cope with the lack of traffic lights, signs, and lanes, and the frequent violations of traffic rules and customs. You will need to be alert, patient, and confident to navigate the traffic in Vietnam.
Road conditions and hazards: Vietnam’s road conditions and hazards vary greatly depending on the location and season. In the rural and mountainous areas, you will encounter unpaved, narrow, bumpy, and slippery roads that can be affected by landslides, floods, or construction. You will also have to watch out for animals, potholes, rocks, or branches, that can cause accidents or damage your motorbike. You will need to be careful, cautious, and adaptable to drive on the roads in Vietnam.

Challanges when riding motorbike in Vietnam ( Source: BigBoy Getaway )

Weather and climate variations and extremes: Vietnam’s weather and climate are also very diverse and unpredictable across the country. You will experience different seasons, temperatures, and precipitation, depending on the region and time of the year. You will also have to deal with extreme weather conditions, such as heavy rain, strong wind, or fog, that can reduce your visibility and stability. You will need to be prepared, flexible, and resilient to cope with the weather and climate in Vietnam.
Legal and technical issues: Riding motorbike also involves some legal and technical issues that you need to be aware of and comply with. You will need to have a valid driver’s license and an international driving permit, or a temporary Vietnamese license, to drive legally in Vietnam. You will also need to buy or rent a motorbike that is in good condition and has the proper paperwork, such as registration, insurance, and ownership. You will need to be responsible, informed, and honest to avoid legal troubles and fines.

Legal and technical issues for riding motorbike ( Source: BigBoy Getaway )

Preparation for riding motorbike in Vietnam

Before you start your motorbike trip in Vietnam, you will need to do some preparation to ensure a smooth and successful journey. Here are some of the steps and factors that you need to consider:

Choosing a starting and ending point: The first thing that you need to decide is where to start and end your motorbike trip in Vietnam. The most common and convenient options are either Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, depending on your direction and duration of travel. These two cities are the main hubs for transportation, tourism, and business in Vietnam, and have plenty of options for buying, renting, or selling a motorbike. You can also find many attractions, activities, and services in these cities, such as museums, temples, markets, restaurants, and hotels.
Finding a travel buddy or a group to join: The next thing that you need to consider is whether to travel alone or with someone else. There are pros and cons to both options, depending on your personality, preference, and budget. Traveling alone can give you more freedom and flexibility, but also more loneliness and risk. Traveling with a buddy or a group can give you more safety and fun, but also more compromise and cost. You can find a travel buddy or a group to join, either online or offline, through websites, forums, social media, or word-of-mouth.

Finding a travel buddy or a group to join in your motorbike trip ( Source: BigBoy Getaway )

Renting a good motorbike: The most important thing that you need to prepare is your motorbike. You can rent a motorbike, depending on your budget, duration, and preference. Renting a motorbike can give you more convenience and flexibility. To have good motorbike trip, you have to choose a motorbike carefully because it involves your journey in Vietnam directly.
Planning your route and itinerary: Another thing that you need to prepare is your route and itinerary. You can either follow the popular Ho Chi Minh Highway or explore the alternative backroads and trails, depending on your interest, time, and skill. The Ho Chi Minh Highway is the main road that connects Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and passes through many famous and beautiful destinations, such as Phong Nha, Hue, Hoi An, and Da Lat. The backroads and trails are the secondary roads that branch off from the Ho Chi Minh Highway, and lead to some of the most remote and stunning places, such as Mai Chau, Son La, Dien Bien Phu, and Sapa.
Choose a good and specialized guide: A guide can help you navigate the roads, find the best spots, and avoid any trouble. Because of the importance of the guide, you should be careful to choose and find a reliable companion, the guide must be a person with high expertise in motorbikes, routes and roads, as well as know how to deal with sudden situations on the way, so your trip will be complete and safe.

Planning your itinerary before riding motorbike in Vietnam ( Source: Bigboy Getway )

Packing your gear and essentials: The last thing that you need to prepare is your gear and essentials. You will need to pack light and smart, and bring only the things that you really need and use. Some of the gear and essentials that you will need are:
- A helmet: This is the most important and mandatory item that you need to wear when riding a motorbike in Vietnam. A helmet can protect your head and brain from injuries and accidents, and also shield your eyes and ears from dust and noise. You should choose a helmet that fits your head, has a visor, and meets the safety standards.
- A raincoat: This is another essential item that you need to have when riding motorbike in Vietnam. A raincoat can protect you and your belongings from getting wet and cold, especially during the rainy season. You should choose a raincoat that is waterproof, breathable, and covers your whole body.
- A map: This is a useful item that you need to have when riding motorbike in Vietnam. A map can help you navigate your way, find your destination, and avoid getting lost. You should choose a map that is detailed, updated, and easy to read.
- A phone: This is a handy item that you need to have to ride motorbike in Vietnam. A phone can help you communicate with your travel buddy or group, contact emergency services, and access online information. You should choose a phone that is durable, has a good battery life, and has a SIM card with a data plan.
- A toolkit: A toolkit can help you fix minor problems or malfunctions that may occur when riding motorbike in Vietnam, such as a flat tire, a loose chain, or a broken light. You should choose a toolkit that has the basic tools, such as a wrench, a screwdriver, a pliers, and a patch kit.

Packing right items when riding motorbike ( Source: Vietnam Biker Mates )

Safety tips for riding motorbike in Vietnam

Riding motorbike can be a lot of fun, but also a lot of danger. You will need to follow some safety tips and best practices to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip. Here are some of the safety tips that you need to follow:

Getting a valid driver’s license and an international driving permit: This is the first and foremost safety tip that you need to follow when riding motorbike in Vietnam. Having a valid driver’s license and an international driving permit, or a temporary Vietnamese license, can help you drive legally in Vietnam, and avoid legal troubles and fines. You can get an international driving permit from your home country, or a temporary Vietnamese license from the local authorities, depending on your eligibility and availability.
Wearing protective clothing and equipment: This is another important safety tip that you need to follow when riding motorbike in Vietnam. Wearing protective clothing and equipment, such as a helmet, gloves, sunglasses, and boots, can help you prevent injuries and accidents, and also protect you from the sun, rain, and wind. You should wear clothing and equipment that are suitable for the weather, terrain, and distance of your trip, and that fit you well and comfortably.
Following the traffic rules and customs: This is a crucial safety tip that you need to follow when riding motorbike in Vietnam. Following the traffic rules and customs, such as giving way to larger vehicles, using signals and horns, and avoiding overtaking and speeding, can help you navigate the traffic in Vietnam, and avoid collisions and conflicts. You should learn and observe the traffic rules and customs in Vietnam, and respect the other drivers and pedestrians on the road.
Being aware of the road conditions and hazards: This is a vital safety tip that you need to follow when motorbiking in Vietnam. Being aware of the road conditions and hazards, such as animals, potholes, landslides, and construction, and adjusting your speed and distance accordingly, can help you drive on the roads in Vietnam, and avoid accidents and damage. You should check the road conditions and hazards before and during your trip, and use your common sense and caution when driving.
Checking the weather forecast and avoiding driving in extreme weather: This is a helpful safety tip that you need to follow when riding motorbike in Vietnam. Checking the weather forecast and avoiding driving in extreme weather, such as heavy rain, strong wind, or fog, can help you ensure your visibility and stability, and also avoid delays and detours. You should check the weather forecast before and during your trip, and plan your route and itinerary accordingly. You should also avoid driving in extreme weather, or seek shelter and wait until the weather improves.

Check the weather forecast before riding motorbike in Vietnam ( Source: Vietnam Biker Mates )

Suggested itinerary for riding motorbike in Vietnam

If you are ready to start your motorbike trip in Vietnam, you may wonder where to go and what to see. There are many possible routes and itineraries that you can follow, depending on your interest, time, and skill. However, if you are looking for a sample itinerary that covers some of the most popular and beautiful destinations in Vietnam, you can follow this one:

Day 1: Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam: Discover your own first impressions of Vietnam
Day 2: Hanoi – Ha Long: Enjoy a fresh and local seafood lunch while cruising to explore the magic Bai Tu Long Bay. Stop for kayaking through the wonderful limestone shapes. Later return back to the boat just in time to watch the beautiful sunset from the top deck before enjoying the bay’s freshest seafood dinner.
Day 3: Bai Tu Long Bay – Hanoi : Early risers can enjoy the sunrise and the quiet breath-taking beauty of Bay’s landscape with towering limestone or start the day with Tai-chi and explore the well-hidden Thien Canh Son cave.
Day 4: Hanoi – Pu Luong (145 km): Walk around Mai Chau village to learn more about daily life and culture of Thai People.
Day 5: Pu Luong – Pho Chau ( 300 km ) : Driving 300km down to the South for Pho Chau in Ha Tinh province and the beauty of Ma River will appear on motorbike riders.
Day 6: Pho Chau – Phong Nha (200 km) : Visiting Dong Loc T-Junction and listening to the story about ten female young volunteers who sacrificed their lives for the country’s independence. Continue visiting traditional Cu Do candy village, historical Giat airport, explore the most magnificent and brilliant caves: Phong Nha Cave and Paradise Cave.
Day 7: Phong Nha – Khe Sanh (186 km) : Visiting Hien Luong bridge, Vinh Moc Tunnel and Truong Son Martyrs’ Cemetery. Arrive Khe Sanh in the late afternoon, check-in a local guesthouse.
Day 8: Khe Sanh – A Luoi – Hue (180 km): Ride to Hue, pause to visit Khai Dinh tomb and learn about Vietnam’s penultimate emperor from 1916 to 1925.
Day 9: Hue – Hai Van pass – Hoi An: Take the dragon boat to the first place, Thien Mu pagoda (Heaven Fairy Lady Pagoda) – the oldest pagoda in Hue city. Later on, visit The Citadel – Imperial city is the home of Vietnam’s last royal dynasty – the Nguyen Dynasty.
Day 10: Hoi An – free and easy: Half of the journey, so it is your free time to relax.
Day 11: Hoi An – My Son – Kon Tum (280 km) : Ride to visit My Son sanctuary and learn more about the height of architectural achievement by Cham people.go through some tribal villages of Bana people, Indochina Junction in Ngoc Hoi district.

Suggested itinerary for riding motorbike in Vietnam ( Source: Vietnam Biker Mates )

Day 12: Kon Tum – Buon Me Thuot (225 km): A trip to the coffee metropolis (Buon Me Thuot)and ride along the battlefield of the La Drang valley before arriving at Buon Me Thuot in the afternoon.
Day 13: Buon Me Thuot – Nha Trang: Visit Dray Nur waterfall, Dak Lak minority museum, Coffee Museum and Buon Don community-based tourism where tourists can ride elephants to visit the village.
Day 14: Nha Trang – Free and easy: Relax at Nha Trang with sea, sun, sand.
Day 15: Nha Trang – Mui Ne (220 km) : Visit mysterious Cham towers in Phan Rang and ride through the grape farm before we get to Mui Ne in the late afternoon.
Day 16: Mui Ne – Long Tan – Ho Chi Minh city ( 244 km) : Ride along the farm of Durian and Dragon Fruit. It is considered as the best Durian in Vietnam. Arrive Long Tan and pay a solemn visit to the Long Tan Cross Memorial, the site of Horseshoe FSB and the Long Phuoc Tunnels.Here, you’ll have time to gather and look back on one of the most well-known Australian engagements of the Vietnam War – the Battle of Long Tan.
Day 17: Departure at Ho Chi Minh city

Conclusion

This is some information about the guide to ride motorbike in Vietnam for tourists. Vietnam Biker Mates hopes that after reading this post above, it will help you have a detailed and clear view of the things to prepare before the trip, don’t forget we always accompany you on every journey in Vietnam. Have a wonderful and safe trip !