What are some useful tips for motorbiking Vietnam that first-time travelers often overlook? This article from Rental Motorbike will share 6 tips that you should know before you set off. Read the whole article so you don’t miss any important useful tips for motorbiking Vietnam!
Tip 1: Bring the right driving license to avoid being unfairly fined
One of the most common mistakes tourists make when coming to Vietnam is thinking that renting a motorbike is enough to ride legally. In reality, it is not that simple and this is also the first thing on the list of useful tips for motorbiking Vietnam that you must know.
To legally rent a motorbike in HCM or in any city in Vietnam, you need an International Driving Permit (IDP) according to the Vienna Convention 1968, along with your original driving license from your country. This is a prerequisite for you to be legally recognized as a valid rider.
Without a valid IDP, you can still rent a motorbike in some places, but on paper, you are breaking the law. This can lead to:
- Being fined by the traffic police if checked
- Not being covered by the insurance company if an accident occurs
- Losing legal rights if it involves other people on the road
Tip 2: Choose the right motorbike for your trip
Choosing the right type of motorbike will directly affect your experience on the road. If you plan to go long distances, climb passes or go through complex terrain, a motorbike with insufficient engine power is potentially dangerous. On the contrary, when choosing a motorbike that is suitable for the route and your driving ability, you will feel comfortable, proactive and safe throughout the trip.
That is why, in addition to valid documents, choosing the right type of motorbike is also one of the useful tips for motorbiking Vietnam that you should not take lightly.
- If you are planning on long routes with many steep passes such as Ha Giang, Moc Chau or Hai Van Pass, prioritize manual or clutch motorbikes. Including Honda XR150, Yamaha TFX150, Yamaha XSR155, Honda CB150X,…
- If you only travel within the city like Hanoi, Da Nang or Ho Chi Minh City, then a scooter is a reasonable choice because it is easy to ride, light and saves energy. For example, Honda Vision, Lead, Air Blade,…
NOTE:
- Don’t rent a motorbike just because it “looks cool” or is a few tens of thousands cheaper per day.
- Please consider carefully the length of the journey, the difficulty of the road and your riding ability.
- If you have never ridden a manual motorbike, do not choose it for your first trip.
Tip 3: Learn carefully about traffic in Vietnam
Among the useful tips for motorbiking Vietnam, this is probably the most important thing that determines your safety. You may have ridden in Bangkok, Bali or even India, but trust us that Vietnam’s traffic is a completely different experience.
In big cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, the traffic system is characterized by a dense and mixed flow of many types of vehicles such as motorbikes, cars, buses and pedestrians. Vehicles move closely together, taking advantage of small, narrow spaces in an implicit order instead of following clear rules.
Tip 4: Prepare thoroughly for your backpacking trip
Preparing your luggage is one of the useful tips for motorbiking Vietnam that backpackers need to remember. Below are small but extremely important items you should bring:
- Raincoat: Saves you from sudden rains, especially when crossing Hai Van Pass or mountainous areas.
- Water bottle: Always useful when you stop your motorbike in a remote place, without shops around.
- Sunscreen: Even if it is cloudy, there are still UV rays, don’t let your skin “sunburn” after a few hours of riding.
- Luggage straps: Keep your belongings secure, neat and avoid falling on the road.
- Offline map (pre-loaded Google Maps): One of the most useful tips for motorbiking Vietnam is to always carry an offline map, which is extremely important when going through areas with no signal.
Tip 5: Avoid night riding in unfamiliar areas
When traveling in Vietnam, motorcyclists often choose areas such as Cao Bang, Ha Giang, Sapa, etc. Pass roads, country roads or mountainous areas often lack street lights, which limits visibility at night. Not only that, you are also likely to encounter trucks, container trucks driving fast, with strong headlights and often encroaching on the lane due to narrow roads.
In low light conditions and unfamiliar terrain, the reaction time to handle situations is also slower, increasing the risk of accidents. In addition, at night, repair shops, gas stations or motels are also harder to find, not to mention mountainous areas can be cold and foggy.
A simple but very important advice is to not ride at night in places you have never been to. This is something that is mentioned over and over again in many useful tips for motorbiking Vietnam from experienced people. Prioritize safety by keeping a reasonable schedule, resting early if necessary and saving your energy for the next day’s journey.
>> SEE MORE: Conquer the big loop motorbike tour Ha Giang to Cao Bang
Tip 6: Choose a reputable motorbike rental company as your companion
Of all the useful tips for motorbiking Vietnam, this is the advice you should consider most carefully. Rental Motorbike is a reputable motorbike rental address in Ho Chi Minh City, specializing in serving foreigners and tourists who want to experience Vietnam freely, legally and safely. With clear procedures, a dedicated support team and a well-maintained fleet of vehicles, we help you start your journey more easily.
Rental Motorbike is always committed to providing a transparent, reliable and suitable motorbike rental experience for every journey:
- Vehicles are regularly maintained, suitable for multiple routes
- Clear bilingual contract, transparent about fees and responsibilities
- Support for legal procedures (IDP, insurance, vehicle documents)
- Flexible door-to-door delivery and technical support
- A series of 5-star reviews from the international expat and traveler community
Here are some useful tips for motorbiking Vietnam that every first-time traveler should know. Today’s preparation is the ticket to a perfect journey. Rental Motorbike hopes that you have pocketed enough useful tips for motorbiking Vietnam to start your journey with confidence. And if you are still looking for a reliable place to rent a motorbike, Rental Motorbike is always here to accompany you!
Contact Info
Address:
Location 1: 263/1/42, Le Duc Tho Street, Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City
Location 2: 57, Bat Su Street, Hoan Kiem Ward, Hanoi
Hotline/Whats app: 0911228968
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