Are you planning to buy or rent a motorbike in Vietnam? And do you want to ride the entire length of Vietnam on a motorbike or take a short drive through the city or countryside? Then it is good to first find out what you need to know before you buy or rent a motorbike. Read this comprehensive guide so that you can set off safely and wisely. This can read about buying or renting a motorbike in Vietnam:
Traffic rules and laws of VietnamBasic rules
Can I drive with an international driver’s license in Vietnam?There are conflicting reports about this, but an international driver’s license is not valid in Vietnam. You can only drive with a valid Vietnamese driver’s license. Why do tourists ride a motorbike any way?There seems to be a kind of tolerance policy for motorcycling tourists. Police almost never stop foreigners, probably also because they are insecure because they speak poor or no English. So don’t ruin it for others and behave in traffic. Vietnamese driver’s licenseYou can only apply for a Vietnamese driver’s license if you have a Vietnamese business visa, a work permit and / or a residence card. With a normal tourist visa you cannot apply for a driver’s license. Foreigners living in Vietnam can have their national driver’s license translated into Vietnamese and get a Vietnamese driver’s license without passing an exam. If you cannot drive a motorbike with your driver’s license, you must pass a simple test. Fines
Do it or not?Are you planning to buy or rent a motorbike in Vietnam? If so, the first question you should ask yourself (seriously) is whether you can drive well. There are few rules when it comes to traffic in Vietnam. You must always be extremely reactive and be able to properly anticipate changes. If you have no experience at all, then Vietnam is not the right country to learn to drive. If you are not very self-assured, you can probably also look for an alternative better. Why:
Why not:
The alternativeIf you don’t like driving alone, but still want to get some of this experience, there are a number of alternatives: Rent a scooter and explore the region: You can of course choose not to see the whole of Vietnam with a motorbike, but only a certain region. From city to city you take the bus or train and once at your destination you rent a scooter to explore the region. Tip, check out the best motorbike routes in Vietnam to determine where you can best do this. Motor tour with guide: There are a number of tours that you can do where you can drive yourself, but with an experienced guide that helps you. With this option you are not concerned with navigation either. Easyrider: An easyrider is a local guide who takes you on the back of the motorbike to visit sights. This is the best and safest alternative. You still have freedom, but you don’t have to drive and navigate yourself. The best thing about an easyrider is that this local guide can show you places you would otherwise never come to and he can put you in touch with the locals, giving you a unique insight into the culture. Rent or buy a motorbike?If you are certain that you can drive, you must decide whether you want to rent or buy a motorbike / scooter. Renting: advantages and disadvantages
Buying: pros and cons
What are the costs?Costs for renting a motorbike in Vietnam
Costs for buying a motorbike in VietnamThe costs for a scooter / motorbike are around $ 250 to 1500 (eg Honda Wave, Future, Blade, Yamaha …). Low prices from advertisers or street vendors (can be copies of motorbikes), higher prices from certified suppliers. Some companies offer redemption, for example you buy a motorbike for $ 1 000 and when you return, you get $ 800 back. You can sell your motorbike when you leave Vietnam through advertising websites, social media and sellers, usually at a lower price. Where can you rent and buy a motorbikeYou can buy or rent a motorcycle, especially in the center of major cities and tourist towns. Outside the store are a row of motorbikes and scooters with the inscription “Motorbike for sale / to rent”. In Vietnamese – “Xe máy” = Motorbike, “Cho thuê xe máy” = Motorbike rental. Recommended companies:
Hanoi, Ha Giang, Da Nang: rentabikevn.com You can also take over a motorbike from another backpacker, read “how do I sell my motorbike” to see a number of websites where this is possible. How do I sell my motorbike?If you have chosen to purchase a motorbike, you must resell it at the end of your journey. There are a number of options for doing this. First of all you can try to sell your motorcycle in the hostel where you stay. Some hostels have a notice board where you can hang something to sell your motorbike. Another option is via a website or social media:
ChecklistBefore you rent or buy a motorbike, it is necessary to carefully check and test the motorbike. Some companies offer cheap and used motorcycles and scooters of dubious quality. Other official and certified commercial companies rent and sell a good quality motorbike.
What kind of motorbike can you buy or rent in Vietnam?There are many different motorbikes that you can buy or rent, from various brands, but also many poor Chinese ones. The cheap Chinese copies of Honda Win (called the “Chinese Win”) are well known, many travelers buy or rent this motorbike. This motorbike is very cheap (you can buy it from around $ 200), but what is very cheap is often not very good. Cheap often also means more breakdown and repairs while traveling. The most popular brands:
Honda
Yamaha
Suzuki
Minsk Best motorbike routes in Vietnam
Motorbike tips
What to bring:
Apps
What do you do if your motorbike breaks down?Many travelers are not experienced motorbike technicians. Problems with the very cheap motorbike (eg the Chinese copy of Honda Win) often occur. If you get into such a situation, you can take your motorcycle to a repair shop or technicians. You find them everywhere along the road in Vietnam and are happy to help you. However, if such a place cannot be found, try asking the locals. Make sure you have a translation app on your phone or copy standard phrases in Vietnamese in advance. |