A Guide On Motorbiking by Yourself Around Vietnam

So, you want to motorbike around Vietnam ey?

Hey there, fellow adventurer! Thinking about motorbiking through Vietnam? I don’t blame you. It’s an epic journey filled with stunning landscapes, vibrant culture, and a few heart-pounding moments. So, sorry, parents, that you had to find out like this. I didn’t know how to tell you!

Back in early 2013, my then-boyfriend Matt and I decided to take on this wild adventure—cue Top Gear references. We didn’t really have a set route; our starting point was Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), and our endpoint would be either Hoi An or Hanoi, depending on how far we got.

I know there are a lot of you out there dreaming of doing this trip, so here are a few things you ought to know before riding a motorbike around Vietnam. Trust me, this info will save you a lot of hassle!

Know what you’re getting yourself into.

Riding a motorbike through Vietnam is an amazing experience, don’t get me wrong. I would recommend it to so many people. But realize that the roads are dangerous, and the road rules are different. It’s thrilling, but it’s not for the faint of heart.

Know how to ride a motorbike, obviously.

Don’t be naive. Vietnam is probably the worst place to learn how to ride a motorbike, in my opinion. Since I didn’t want to risk it, Matt drove the majority (okay, all) of the way. While we were there, we didn’t get questioned about our licenses.

My tip? Don’t do anything stupid, always ride with a helmet, and hopefully you won’t get pulled over. DRIVE SAFELY, GUYS

The road rules you are used to back home, forget them.

Road rules in Vietnam are really different from what you’re probably used to. Learn and observe how the traffic flows and road etiquette. The quicker you learn this, the easier you’ll find driving the busy roads or major highways. It’s all about the rhythm and flow here.

You will hate National Route 1A (Highway 1).

This is the main highway linking the whole country. Passenger buses, trucks with massive loads, and large vehicles are a common sight. They are pretty ruthless. It’s intimidating when most of the roads are single-lane and these vehicles are trying to overtake one another. Not an ideal situation to be in.

There are cheap motorbikes for sale but they can break down at any time.

Sure, you can find 100cc bikes for USD 100-150, but if you’re unlucky, you can count on them breaking down in the middle of nowhere. Due to our time constraint, we decided to splurge and bought it from an Easy Rider. A 150cc Sun Bonus with extremely comfortable seats, a backpack rack, and two helmets. 3 weeks on this bad boy with no breakdowns (except a loose clutch, which was fixed).

Try not to sell your motorbike elsewhere aside from Saigon and Hanoi.

We took our time riding around and ended up having to sell our bike in Hoi An—which isn’t ideal. Most backpackers buy their bikes from either Hanoi or Saigon. So try to aim for these cities. We ended up selling our bike back to the Easy Rider we bought it from.

Make sure you get the bike ownership card.

Especially if you buy the bike! This little yellow card essentially states that you own the vehicle and makes it a little easier to cross borders into, say, Laos or Cambodia. A lot of the bikes don’t come with this card, which is fine if you’re just staying in Vietnam, but if you’re planning on heading elsewhere, I’d recommend having one!

Enjoy it, relax and don’t forget to take pit stops in random places. You have the freedom to go ANYWHERE.

You have the freedom to go ANYWHERE. The scenery is gorgeous. The roadsides are dotted with little wooden houses, shops, cafes, and locals just going about their lives. Go slow. You don’t want to miss out on the little things on your journey that will make it memorable.

So, are you ready to motorbike around Vietnam? This adventure isn’t for everyone, but if you have a taste for excitement and don’t mind a bit of risk, it’s one of the most rewarding ways to see this beautiful country. Remember, the journey is just as important as the destination. Embrace the chaos, enjoy the freedom, and make memories that will last a lifetime.

Now, go forth and experience the beauty that Vietnam has to offer! Safe travels, and don’t forget to share your stories!