Eight years ago I came to Vietnam to do a TEFL course in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). On the first day of the teacher training course I met lots of new and interesting people. One of them, Sam, became one of my closest friends. Sam left Vietnam after 7 months, but now he’s back for three weeks to finish what he started eight years ago: riding the length of the country on a motorbike: Saigon to Hanoi!
Our journey will be just shy of 2,500km. The vast majority of the roads will be quiet and scenic: from dry, sandy, coastal back-roads in the south, to meandering mountain passes in the central provinces, and the increasingly famous limestone landscape along the Lao border on the Ho Chi Minh Road, near Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park. Only 200km of the entire route will be on the notoriously dusty, dirty, and busy Highway 1: most of the time – if all goes according to plan – we’ll have the roads to ourselves.
I’ll be adding photos to this post over the next couple weeks as we make our way from Saigon to Hanoi. You can also follow our road trip on my Twitter, Facebook and Google+ pages, where I will be posting updates, photos and videos along the way. Below are a map of our route and a video of some of the places we are going to see. (Thanks go to the ever-efficient staff at Rent a Bike Hanoi for providing us with one of our bikes).
Questions, updates and trip reports are all welcome. However, please keep comments polite and on-topic. See commenting etiquette for details.
Surinder Mannsays:
January 28, 2018 at 11:16 AM
Hi Tom,
Just this morning I thought of traveling to Vietnam for three weeks coming March, and was lucky to hit your site which is very informative and useful, though I still need to go through all the emails and your responses to them,
I intend taking a road trip and have the following queries please and seek your assistance.
1. Which route covers the maximum ‘must see places’ in Vietnam; as well as covers the mountains as well as the beaches.
2. I am quite comfortable riding a bike, but is there any chance of getting a car or a camper for the trip.
3. Is it convenient to find home stays, back packers hostels along the route, or is hotels the only option. I prefer these to hostels.
4. I would be traveling solo, how safe would that be.
5. Is there a possibility to find like minded travel partners for the road trips,.
6. What kind of comfortable budget must one be planning on a three week trip.
7. Which bike would you recommend which is stable on the road and has power as well.
8. Does one need an international driving licence for riding a bike.
My apologies , if that was too much to ask, may have some more as well 🙂
Thank you for the good job you are doing in assisting the travellers with your experience.
Cheers,
Mann
Reply to Surinder Mann:
➥ Tomsays:
January 29, 2018 at 3:09 AM
Hi Mann,
For a choice of routes take a look at my 5 Suggested Routes from Saigon to Hanoi. Some of them cover the mountains and the coast. And then for the northern mountains, take a look at my Northern Routes Archive.
At the moment, foreigners are not allowed to rent cars.
In the bigger towns and cities you can always find lots of hotels and hostels, but in smaller places you can find ‘nhà nghỉ’ – these are local Vietnamese guest houses – you can read more about them here.
Yes, travelling solo in Vietnam should be fine. It is still a very safe country to travel in. Just take all the normal safety precautions you would when travelling in any other country and you should be fine.
You will probably meet other riders on your road trip and in the towns you stop at. You can also post on the Vietnam Back Road Facebook page if you want to find other people to travel with.
I’ve written a guide to expenses for a motorbike road trip in Vietnam here.
There are lots of bikes to choose from. Personally, I use an automatic scooter, which is fine for all the routes on this website. But some people prefer a semi-automatic, or a bigger bike that can also go off-road. Try contacting some of the trusted and reliable motorbike rental companies listed in the right sidebar and bottom of every page of my website to see what bikes are available. Try Rent a Bike Vietnam, Tigit Motorbikes, and Dragon Bikes. You can mention Vietnam Coracle if you like, they know me.
Technically you need a local driving license to ride in Vietnam, but in reality very few foreigners riding in Vietnam have one. You can ask for more information about this from the rental companies too.
I hope this helps,
Tom
Reply to Tom:
Laurasays:
October 3, 2017 at 9:50 AM
Hello,
That looks so amazing what you did! I’m going to Vietnam tomorrow and thought about doing a bike tour as well…
Do you think this route is okay for a solo female traveler ?
And did you rent the motorbikes there or are those yours ?
Cheers Laura
Reply to Laura:
➥ Tomsays:
October 3, 2017 at 9:56 AM
Hi Laura,
Yes, doing this kind of trip as a solo female is fine – and you’ll definitely bump into other travellers along the way.
This is quite an old post now, so for much more recent route advice and information take a look at my 5 Suggested Saigon-Hanoi Routes.
I own two bikes, but renting is easy and efficient these days. Check out the links in the right sidebar and bottom of this page (and all my pages) for my recommended and trusted bike rental companies. Just email any of them for more information. You can mention Vietnam Coracle if you like, they know me.
Laura i wish you all the best! i plan doing that in february and am now collecting informations. can‘t wait to do this trip. enjoy jour time and good luck & great memories.
cheers, sandro ??
Reply to sandro:
Davidsays:
September 18, 2017 at 8:35 AM
Hi Tom —
For first time visitors to Vietnam, do you recommend taking the direct coastal route from Nha Trang to Mui Ne or the inland route from Nha Trang to Dalat to Mui Ne?
Thanks.
Reply to David:
➥ Tomsays:
September 18, 2017 at 10:51 AM
Hi David,
Both are good for first time visitors, but I’d probably choose the coastal route, because the roads are generally in good condition, fabulously scenic and fairly quiet. However, it depends more on what you’re looking for: beaches galore, or mountain scenery and a beach at the end.
I hope this helps,
Tom
Reply to Tom:
➥ Davidsays:
September 18, 2017 at 2:55 PM
Thanks!
Reply to David:
Marksays:
March 26, 2017 at 11:44 PM
Hey, you say that your friend came back to Vietnam to finish what he started. Does this mean he failed the first time? Or did he come back and pick up where he left off?
Reply to Mark:
➥ Tomsays:
March 28, 2017 at 12:25 AM
Hi Mark,
No, he started all over again, because the first time he tried to ride the length of the country his bike broke down and so he ran out of time.
Tom
Reply to Tom:
Gavinsays:
December 13, 2016 at 5:15 AM
Hi Tom,
Website has been very helpful, originally with my 27 day trip i planned to do 10 in Cambodia but now im thinking do all of it in Vietnam by bike and skip Cambodia, especially since i go from Jan to Feb through the spring festival so i think it would be good for me to shack up somewhere for a few days over that and take my time with the whole trip. Unless you have any alternate suggestions, maybe you think I could do both? I start HCMC finish in Hanoi 27 days later but would need days either side to buy and sell bike.
Unfortunately none of your maps work on my computer. When i click them and sign in google says ‘admin.google.com is for G Suite accounts only. Regular gmail accounts cannot be used to sign in to admin.google.com.’ Dont really know that that means but maybe its down to me being in China and having to use a VPN, could you please privately email me all of your recommended routes if its not too much trouble: gavin.bray@hotmail.co.uk
Secondly, how easy are road signs to follow in vietnam? are they numbered or are they in vietnamise which would be more difficult to follow.
Any maps you recommend buying beforehand?
Weather across Jan- Feb looks dry and mild, so just some warm clothing for on the bike?
Also any apps you recommmend for any aspect of being in Vietnam but particularly for maps, as i saw previously you mentioned google maps is not perfect.
Thanks in advance
Gavin
Reply to Gavin:
➥ Tomsays:
December 15, 2016 at 12:56 AM
Hi Gavin,
Yes, I think you should spend all 27 days in Vietnam, but of course I’m biased. There’s plenty to keep you busy in Vietnam for a 27 day road trip. But you should be aware that the weather will be progressively colder and wetter as you move from south to north at that time of year. Take a look at my Weather Guide for more details.
Strange about the maps, but yes maybe it’s because you’re in China. I have emailed you links to the 5 route maps.
Road signs are not too difficult to follow in Vietnam, but don’t rely only on them to find out if you’re going in the right direction. If you constantly cross-reference my routes maps, the GPS on your phone, a paper map, road signs, and your own instinct and sense of direction you should be absolutely fine. My favourite paper map is the Travel Map of Vietnam, it’s updated every year. More details about that here (note: the road atlas is now out of print)
You’ll definitely need cold weather clothing in the north at that time of year – don’t trust the weather forecasts for Vietnam, they are generally unreliable.
Maps.me is another good map app to have, but Google Maps is better now than it was before – just don’t put you’re faith in any one map – always cross-reference.
If you’re planning on buying a motorbike and then selling it at the end of your trip, I recommend you contact Tigit Motorbikes. There are links to their website in the right sidebar and bottom of all my pages. You can mention Vietnam Coracle if you like, they know me. For a bit more information about buying/renting motorbikes read this.
I hope this helps,
Tom
Reply to Tom:
Nynne Munksays:
October 28, 2016 at 12:21 PM
Hey,
Awesome post about your trip – sounds absolutely amazing! I’m planning on doing the same trip from December 21st till January 13th – do you think that would be fine for a timeframe? Also, I really wanted to spend a couple of days at Ha Long Bay, but don’t know if I can fit it into the trip – would that require extra time, or do you think it’s doable? Last question – do you know if there are any particular places to find a travel buddy? I don’t mind doing parts of it alone, but would also like company (especially if the bike breaks down and I panic 😉 ).
Thanks for all your advice!
Nynne
Reply to Nynne Munk:
➥ Tomsays:
October 28, 2016 at 1:14 PM
Hi Nynne,
2-3 weeks is a decent amount of time to do it, but the more time you have the better your trip will be. How long it takes depends on which route you choose. For a more south to north route ideas and details about the time it takes, have a look at my 5 Suggested Routes from Saigon to Hanoi.
You could do a quick day/night tour of Halong Bay direct from Hanoi if you really want to fit that in.
For finding travel buddies, you can try posting on the Vietnam Back-Roads Facebook page.
You might also want to think about the weather at that time of year (it’s better in the south in December), and take a look at my Expenses guide too.
I hope this helps,
Tom
Reply to Tom:
Charline Moreausays:
October 13, 2016 at 9:14 AM
Hello!
Thank you so much for the info and your posts!
In december during christmas and NYE I plan to do a motorbike ride in the south of vietnam, wanting to start from Da Nang/Hoi, ride to Saigon, maybe explore some outlaying islands if I have enough time and take my return flight directly from Saigon
Is there any possiblity to give the bike back in Saigon??
Also, I am a girl and 24 years old. Do you think it is an issue to travel alone? I will make overnight stops at backpacker hostels most probably.
Any recommended routes along the coast?
Thanks a lot for your help in advance!
Charline
Reply to Charline Moreau:
➥ Tomsays:
October 13, 2016 at 12:25 PM
Hi Charline,
Travelling as a solo female in Vietnam shouldn’t be a problem. Vietnam is still a very safe country in which to travel. Take all the usual precautions that you would when travelling to any other country and you will be fine.
Yes, you can arrange a bike from Danang and give it back in Saigon. Try contacting Rent a Bike Vietnam (they have an office in Danang) and Tigit Motorbikes in Saigon – there are links to both of them in the right sidebar and bottom of this page. For a bit more information about renting motorbikes read this.
For coastal route ideas from Danang to Saigon, take a look at the relevant parts of my Beach Bum route. Also, browse through my Coastal Routes Archive to see what appeals to you. Definitely don’t miss the superb Ocean Road from Nha Trang to Saigon.
I hope this helps,
Tom
Reply to Tom:
Lukesays:
September 23, 2016 at 5:06 AM
Hi Tom,
Very impressed n interested these your trail stories, also I have a plan to motorbike trip during 10days from HCMC till Hanoi.
Every your pictures makes me happy and fun.
Is it possible to ride this trail within 10days? I’m opened with any your tip or comment.
I’m really lookin forward to flight Vietnam on next week. XD
Thanks for these your stories.
With only 10 days it is possible to ride from HCMC to Hanoi but you will be riding a lot every day, and with 10 days you should only do it if you have experience riding a motorbike.
If you do a shorter ride you will have more time to enjoy it. There are lots of good rides in the south that are easily accessible from HCMC. Take a look at my guides to road trips in southern Vietnam HERE.
I hope this helps,
Tom
Reply to Tom:
Alexsays:
August 23, 2016 at 6:46 PM
Nice Layout Tom.
Gonna Be In Vietnam from Sept 20-0ct 25
Considering doing your Classic Route.
Just wondering how weather will be riding this time of year.
Foresee any problems?
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Reply to Alex:
➥ Tomsays:
August 23, 2016 at 11:19 PM
Hi Alex,
September is a good all-round time of year to do it – it’s hot, sunny, wet and humid across the country. If you’re unlucky then you might run into a typhoon in the north-central provinces, but there’s not much you can do about that except wait it out for a couple of days.
For more detailed information about conditions, take a look at my Weather guide.
I hope this helps,
Tom
Reply to Tom:
Davidsays:
July 24, 2016 at 3:53 AM
Hey Tom
Just started to look into doing a road trip from South to North Vietnam and your blog is a great way to start when it comes to excellent information.I havent had time to read all the comment to see if someone else has asked or not ,but when on your motorbike in the hills and more rural routes how often are there stops to fill up with petrol? I have problems and worry in the Highlands of Scotland sometimes ,is it the same as Thailand/India where there are random stalls with Evian bottles filled up?
Hope you can help and many thanks for saving me a lot of time.
Plus answering all of the comments !!! in this busy world so very commendable!
Cheers
David
Reply to David:
➥ Tomsays:
July 25, 2016 at 12:25 AM
Hi David,
For the vast majority of areas in Vietnam, getting gas is not a problem at all. Just as you say, either there’s a gas station or a rudimentary gas ‘station’ in the form of a small pump or bottles of gas. In most of my guides, if there’s a section of road that has limited gas stations on it then I will mention it. In particular, the Western Ho Chi Minh Road between Khe Sanh and Phong Nha is very isolated. However, there is a gas station under construction there right now which will probably be finished by the time you visit.
I’m glad you like the site. If you’re riding Saigon to Hanoi, don’t forget to have a look at my 5 Suggested Routes. I hope this helps.
Tom
Reply to Tom:
Ross Chandlersays:
June 12, 2016 at 7:22 AM
Hi Tom,
This is a great resource. Thank you!
I’m organising my first bicycle tour for Dec-Jan riding from HCMC to Danang. I’m looking at taking this route. From my research a lot of people have commented that the ride from Dalat to Nha Trang is very nice. I’m wondering if I should head straight for the coast from HCMC as you describe or head North-east first till I hit Danang and then get on the coastal route. Have you done both of these routes?
Reply to Ross Chandler:
➥ Tomsays:
June 12, 2016 at 8:09 AM
Hi Ross,
Assuming you haven’t already seen it, please take a look at this guide first, and then get back to me if you need any more details.
I hope this helps,
Tom
Reply to Tom:
Nascisays:
May 17, 2016 at 4:04 AM
Hi again Tom.
The recent news about ex-HCMC trains to Da Nang now leaving from Bien Hoa has made me slightly nervous, as I was planning on taking the train, along with my bike on it, back to Da Nang in mid-July after coming down the coast from Da Nang.
I was wondering if you’ve heard of tix being hard to get bc of the station change, or if you would know when tix for July would be on sale, if there is any system like this for tix?
Tix for passengers can be bought online in English I see, but I was wondering what can be done to get a tix for the bike ahead of time, perhaps from overseas. I’d be stuck if I was not able to put my bike on the train when I arrive at the station in Bien Hoa sans tix for the bike.
Any advice?
Thanks in advance.
Reply to Nasci:
➥ Tomsays:
May 17, 2016 at 5:04 AM
Hi Nasci,
According the the government, the bridge should be fixed by July.
Anyway you can still send your bike by train from Saigon to Danang, it just takes a bit longer than usual. You should probably allow at least 2-3 days for your bike to be transported from Saigon to Danang by train. Alternatively, you should be able to transport it by bus – in which case you will be travelling on the same bus as your bike (when you go by train, your bike will not be travelling on the same train as you).
As far as I know, it is not possible to book bikes on the train online. However, you should be able to book your passenger and your bike tickets at Danang train station before you ride south to Saigon. The bike transportation company is called Door to Door – look for their office at Danang station – they are usually very efficient and have all the prices listed. Or you could ask your hotel in Danang to book it for you.
I hope this helps,
Tom
Reply to Tom:
Tommysays:
April 28, 2016 at 12:08 PM
Hi Tom,
Thanks so much for all of the information on your website. It is beyond helpful. I’ve been living in HCMC for the past year and have yet to visit the rest of the country so I’m planning the motorbike trip.
The part I’m unsure about is Pu Mat National Park. I’ve just calculated my route and distance at about 270 kilometers from Phong Nha National Park. I’m using your route from Phong Nha to Pu Mat. Were you able to drive there in one day? And was accommodation available at Pu Mat National Park? I read briefly about Thai or Dan Lai Village on their website, but I can’t seem to find more on it.
There wasn’t much at Pu Mat National Park when I was there. But there are guesthouses in the towns on Highway 7. Yes, if you wanted to you could ride from Phong Nha to Pu Mat in one day, or you could stop for the night in Pho Chau instead.
Last time I was in the area, some homestays were starting up around Con Cuong but I couldn’t find information online about it.
If this is your first road trip out of Saigon Pu Mat is fairly off the beaten path.
I’m currently on the road in order to update my Ho Chi Minh Road Guide (which includes Phong Nha and Pho Chau). It should be finished in the next few days – if you want to get a notification when it’s published you can subscribe to my posts here.
I hope this helps,
Tom
Reply to Tom:
Tomsays:
April 20, 2016 at 3:59 PM
Great article, thanks for taking the trouble. I am planning to do this next year in two weeks, i see from some other comments that this is do-able providing we are happy to ride every day. Is it generally easy to walk stright into accommodation when you arrive or is it better to try to book the next night’s stay in advance? there will be 6 of us traveling.
Thanks in advance
Tom
Reply to Tom:
➥ Tomsays:
April 21, 2016 at 1:40 AM
Hi Tom,
Yes, two weeks is OK for this route, but as you mentioned, you’ll be riding every day. For much more about routes, time and distances from Saigon to Hanoi take a look at my most recent guide here.
It’s not really necessary to book accommodation in advance unless you are travelling on a national holiday. However, with 6 of you in the group and with a relatively short amount of time for the trip, it might be a good idea to book at least some of your hotels in advance. If you do decide to book any in advance it would be great if you started your hotel search from the Agoda search box (in the right sidebar of this page and all my pages) as I will receive a small commission from Agoda if you end up making a booking – which is, of course, much appreciated.
Have a great trip,
Tom
Reply to Tom:
Richsays:
March 25, 2016 at 4:34 PM
Hey Tom,
Trip had been fantastic so far, but I have another question for you.
I’m currently in Hue and want to make it to Khe Sanh to pick up the Ho Chi Minh Road. I know I can take highway 1, but I could also take a more indirect route of rt 49 to the HCMR south of Khe Sanh and work my way north. Is there any reason, aside from the extra hour of travel time, that I might not want to do that (bad roads perhaps)? Is the drive significantly nicer? don’t mind the extra time, just want your opinion on which would be the better route. Thanks!
Reply to Rich:
➥ Tomsays:
March 26, 2016 at 12:04 AM
Hi Rich,
Yes, Road QL49 is a better option, however a couple of readers have mentioned that there is some construction on that road at the moment. Another option is to take the coastal back-roads from Hue to Dong Ha and then head up to the Ho Chi Minh Road at Khe Sanh on Road QL9 – zoom in to the relevant section of this map to see the coastal back-roads from Hue.
I hope this helps,
Tom
Reply to Tom:
➥ Richsays:
March 29, 2016 at 10:04 AM
Tom, this was great. Thanks so much.
If you had three days of riding between Photo Chau and Hanoi, what would your ideal route be? Doing my planning now and would love to hear your thoughts.
Reply to Rich:
➥ Tomsays:
March 30, 2016 at 2:15 AM
Hi Rich,
I’d head north on the Ho Chi Minh Road to Hanoi, but with some detours and stops along the way: If time allows, I’d go up west on Road QL7 to the limestone landscape, rivers and waterfalls around Con Cuong; I’d ride at least some of the Limestone Loop; I’d spend a night somewhere near Cuc Phuong National Park (the Quang Duc Homestay, if it’s still there), or take a look at Ho Citadel.
I hope this helps,
Tom
Reply to Tom:
Richsays:
March 18, 2016 at 6:37 AM
Hey Tom
I’ve been following your route the past few days and it’s been truly wonderful. Thank you so much for all the work you put into the site. Its been my primary resource. I bought the day pass at the Ho Tram Resort and Spa yesterday and really enjoyed it. Unlike anything I could ever afford in the states.
Anywho, I have a question for you. Right now I’m in Mui Ne. Do you think, provided I start at dawn, that I could get to Nha Trang before dark tomorrow and still be able to properly enjoy the beauty of the coast? I’ve read the three guides between the two cities and there seems to be a ton of beautiful spots. If I were to stop for some pictures, a few bites to eat and a dip or two, is getting to nha trang by sundown doable? I lost a few days of my trip due to visa issues, so I’m looking to make up some ground where I can. I have a friend in Nha trang who I’d like to spend 2 nights with while still reaching Hanoi by April 3rd.
Thanks again for the guides and appreciate any insight you might have.
Reply to Rich:
➥ Tomsays:
March 18, 2016 at 9:59 AM
Hi Rich,
Great to hear you’ve been using my site and that you’re having an awesome time!
Yes, the ride from Mui Ne to Nha Trang is very scenic indeed. And yes you can do it in a day including stops for photos, food and swims.
However, make sure you follow the exact route laid out in this map. Almost the entire route is on excellent, new, beautiful coast roads (only a total of 50km is on Highway 1). So whatever anyone else says, follow that map! 🙂
I did it again just a couple of days ago. Enjoy!
Tom
Reply to Tom:
➥ Richsays:
March 18, 2016 at 11:38 AM
Tom! The map is perfect. Thank you!
Reply to Rich:
Patsays:
March 5, 2016 at 9:14 AM
Hi Tom
First of all, thanks for writing such a damn good guide for motorbiking round Nam. Most of the routes you have detailed have made their way into my own 2 month itinerary from Hanoi to HCMC. I’m sure you’ve probably been asked this before but do you know of any contacts in Hanoi that would help us buy a bike for myself and my partner. We are looking for a quality bike but one that won’t break the bank. I’ve had a look at Tigit and other rental companies but they look quite expensive with most of their prices being well over our budget. We were looking more for someone honest and reliable who would for a fee help us in choosing our bikes.
Cheers!
Reply to Pat:
➥ Tomsays:
March 5, 2016 at 12:49 PM
Hi Pat,
Yes, it’s a common question but with no easy answer. The bikes at Tigit are relatively expensive but they are in good condition and Tigit guarantees they will buy back the bike at the end of your trip for around $200 less than the price you bought it for – so it works out as a pretty good deal. At least try contacting them to ask.
Your other options are Cuong’s Motorbikes in Hanoi (I think he still sells bikes), or Flamingo Travel – you can mention Vietnam Coracle if you like, they know me.
Or you could scan the noticeboards in backpacker hostels and cafes in Vietnam, or join the Expats Ho Chi Minh Facebook page – there’s a lot of bikes get advertised for sale on there.
I hope this helps,
Tom
Reply to Tom:
➥ Patsays:
March 5, 2016 at 2:56 PM
Much obliged!
Reply to Pat:
Tom Randonsays:
March 2, 2016 at 1:00 PM
Hi Tom,
Me and friend of mine of travelling around SE Asia in May for 3 months. I’m so excited to be undertaking the route around May time and it took some convincing for my friend to try this adventure but I think you’ve convinced him just as much as me. We’re looking a buying motorbikes in Ho Chi Minh and riding along the same route as you towards Hanoi. As we are backpackers, ideally, we wouldn’t want to be carrying additional weight such as tents etc.
Along this route, is there a variety of places to stay overnight or is buying a tent recommended? Would 3 weeks be enough time to undertake this journey but also explore places such as Mui Ne, Halong Bay and Nha Trang?
Any additional advice would be extremely helpful.
Thanks,
Tom
Reply to Tom Randon:
➥ Tomsays:
March 3, 2016 at 1:14 AM
Hi Tom,
No, it’s not necessary to take a tent with you, it’s just fun to camp sometimes when you get the opportunity. There are hotels and guesthouses everywhere – even in remote areas you will always find at least one nhà nghỉ – this means local guesthouse in Vietnamese – read more about that here. The only part of the Scenic Route that you won’t find a nhà nghỉ is on the Western Ho Chi Minh Road – the 240km stretch from Khe Sanh to Phong Nha (read more about that in Day 4 of this guide and check the comments at the end of the guide as some readers mention a new guesthouse on this route).
3 weeks is a good amount of time to have for the Scenic Route. You should be able to fit in a couple of nights at Mui Ne, Nha Trang and Ha Long as well.
If you’re looking to buy bikes in Ho Chi Minh City then try Tigit Motorbikes (there’s a link to them in the sidebar and bottom of this page) – they sell reliable bikes and will guarantee buying them back at the end of your trip.
I hope this helps,
Tom
Reply to Tom:
➥ Tom Randonsays:
March 3, 2016 at 8:29 AM
Hi Tom,
Thank you very much your advice! Overall, which do you think would be the most cost effective? Buying or renting bikes?
Thanks again,
Tom
Reply to Tom Randon:
➥ Tomsays:
March 3, 2016 at 12:57 PM
Hi Tom,
Well there are a few factors to consider in making that decision: the longer you have in Vietnam the easier it is to buy a bike – this is because it can take a while to find a bike to buy in the first place and then it can take a while to find a buyer to sell it to at the end of your trip. Also you may have one or two technical hitches along the way which might set you back a day or two. However, Tigit Motorbikes guarantees buy-back at the end of your trip – so that’s a good option.
Renting a bike is better in the short term because the bike will be in good condition so you shouldn’t have any technical problems (and even if you do Rent a Bike gives you a number to call in such situations), and you can secure you rental bike in advance so you don’t have to go around trying to find one when you arrive in Vietnam.
Time effective=rent one. Cost effective=buy one (if you have a long time in Vietnam). In your case, with three weeks, either option is good. Try contacting Rent a Bike and Tigit and see what they can offer you.
I hope this helps,
Tom
Reply to Tom:
➥ Tom Randonsays:
March 3, 2016 at 4:23 PM
Hi Tom,
Thank you so much for the information! I’ve just spoken to my parents about this (obviously they don’t sound too keen), but is there any possible way to say this is safe?
Thanks again,
Tom
Reply to Tom Randon:
➥ Tomsays:
March 4, 2016 at 2:34 AM
Hi Tom,
Well, road rules – if you can call them that – are very different (and often perplexing) in Vietnam and the traffic in large cities and on Highway 1 can be terrible. However, the whole point in all my motorbike guides is to stay away from busy roads and therefore avoid the traffic and dangers usually associated with riding in Vietnam. In fact, for most of the Scenic Route traffic is extremely light. Obviously, you should be very cautious and ride with care. The bottom line is that there is simply no better way to experience Vietnam than on a motorbike. If you don’t feel comfortable riding yourself then you can always contact Easy Riders and go on the back on one of their bikes instead.
Tom
Reply to Tom:
JTsays:
February 12, 2016 at 8:54 AM
Hey, I’m going to vietnam and looking for a way to ride a motorcycle from HCMC to Hanoi. Ill be going from the 20th of March to the 10th of April. Was wondering if two weeks is enough time plus a couple days extra just in case. My flight leaves from HCMC so I would like time to get back. Do you recommend flying back or train back? Is it possible in that small time frame /w sightseeing as well?
Reply to JT:
➥ Tomsays:
February 12, 2016 at 4:07 PM
Hi John,
Two weeks is possible to ride this route, but you will be driving pretty much every day. You should fly back because this will save you time and the flights are usually the same price as the train anyway.
March/April is a good time of year to do this ride. Try to roughly plan your route – day by day – before you get here, because with only two weeks you don’t have that much room to maneuver. However, with some planning, you should be able to have a really good trip.
I hope this helps,
Tom
Reply to Tom:
Jeremy Kempsays:
February 11, 2016 at 9:44 PM
Hey Tom!
Some friends and I are planning on doing a trip similar to yours this May-June. Rent-A-Bike Hanoi seems to only have pickup locations in Hanoi and in Da Nang. How did you get yours in HCMC? Any other advice for doing this kind of trip during that time of the year?
Thanks!
Jeremy
Reply to Jeremy Kemp:
➥ Tomsays:
February 14, 2016 at 8:24 AM
Hi Jeremy,
I’m pretty sure Rent a Bike do pickups in HCMC too – email them to be sure. If not, you can try Flamingo Travel too.
May-June is a good time of year to do it – hot, sunny and with some tropical downpours all over the country.
Hi Tom,
Just this morning I thought of traveling to Vietnam for three weeks coming March, and was lucky to hit your site which is very informative and useful, though I still need to go through all the emails and your responses to them,
I intend taking a road trip and have the following queries please and seek your assistance.
1. Which route covers the maximum ‘must see places’ in Vietnam; as well as covers the mountains as well as the beaches.
2. I am quite comfortable riding a bike, but is there any chance of getting a car or a camper for the trip.
3. Is it convenient to find home stays, back packers hostels along the route, or is hotels the only option. I prefer these to hostels.
4. I would be traveling solo, how safe would that be.
5. Is there a possibility to find like minded travel partners for the road trips,.
6. What kind of comfortable budget must one be planning on a three week trip.
7. Which bike would you recommend which is stable on the road and has power as well.
8. Does one need an international driving licence for riding a bike.
My apologies , if that was too much to ask, may have some more as well 🙂
Thank you for the good job you are doing in assisting the travellers with your experience.
Cheers,
Mann
Hi Mann,
For a choice of routes take a look at my 5 Suggested Routes from Saigon to Hanoi. Some of them cover the mountains and the coast. And then for the northern mountains, take a look at my Northern Routes Archive.
At the moment, foreigners are not allowed to rent cars.
In the bigger towns and cities you can always find lots of hotels and hostels, but in smaller places you can find ‘nhà nghỉ’ – these are local Vietnamese guest houses – you can read more about them here.
Yes, travelling solo in Vietnam should be fine. It is still a very safe country to travel in. Just take all the normal safety precautions you would when travelling in any other country and you should be fine.
You will probably meet other riders on your road trip and in the towns you stop at. You can also post on the Vietnam Back Road Facebook page if you want to find other people to travel with.
I’ve written a guide to expenses for a motorbike road trip in Vietnam here.
There are lots of bikes to choose from. Personally, I use an automatic scooter, which is fine for all the routes on this website. But some people prefer a semi-automatic, or a bigger bike that can also go off-road. Try contacting some of the trusted and reliable motorbike rental companies listed in the right sidebar and bottom of every page of my website to see what bikes are available. Try Rent a Bike Vietnam, Tigit Motorbikes, and Dragon Bikes. You can mention Vietnam Coracle if you like, they know me.
Technically you need a local driving license to ride in Vietnam, but in reality very few foreigners riding in Vietnam have one. You can ask for more information about this from the rental companies too.
I hope this helps,
Tom
Hello,
That looks so amazing what you did! I’m going to Vietnam tomorrow and thought about doing a bike tour as well…
Do you think this route is okay for a solo female traveler ?
And did you rent the motorbikes there or are those yours ?
Cheers Laura
Hi Laura,
Yes, doing this kind of trip as a solo female is fine – and you’ll definitely bump into other travellers along the way.
This is quite an old post now, so for much more recent route advice and information take a look at my 5 Suggested Saigon-Hanoi Routes.
I own two bikes, but renting is easy and efficient these days. Check out the links in the right sidebar and bottom of this page (and all my pages) for my recommended and trusted bike rental companies. Just email any of them for more information. You can mention Vietnam Coracle if you like, they know me.
For more helpful bits and pieces, browse my Resources Archive.
I hope this helps get you started.
Tom
Laura i wish you all the best! i plan doing that in february and am now collecting informations. can‘t wait to do this trip. enjoy jour time and good luck & great memories.
cheers, sandro ??
Hi Tom —
For first time visitors to Vietnam, do you recommend taking the direct coastal route from Nha Trang to Mui Ne or the inland route from Nha Trang to Dalat to Mui Ne?
Thanks.
Hi David,
Both are good for first time visitors, but I’d probably choose the coastal route, because the roads are generally in good condition, fabulously scenic and fairly quiet. However, it depends more on what you’re looking for: beaches galore, or mountain scenery and a beach at the end.
I hope this helps,
Tom
Thanks!
Hey, you say that your friend came back to Vietnam to finish what he started. Does this mean he failed the first time? Or did he come back and pick up where he left off?
Hi Mark,
No, he started all over again, because the first time he tried to ride the length of the country his bike broke down and so he ran out of time.
Tom
Hi Tom,
Website has been very helpful, originally with my 27 day trip i planned to do 10 in Cambodia but now im thinking do all of it in Vietnam by bike and skip Cambodia, especially since i go from Jan to Feb through the spring festival so i think it would be good for me to shack up somewhere for a few days over that and take my time with the whole trip. Unless you have any alternate suggestions, maybe you think I could do both? I start HCMC finish in Hanoi 27 days later but would need days either side to buy and sell bike.
Unfortunately none of your maps work on my computer. When i click them and sign in google says ‘admin.google.com is for G Suite accounts only. Regular gmail accounts cannot be used to sign in to admin.google.com.’ Dont really know that that means but maybe its down to me being in China and having to use a VPN, could you please privately email me all of your recommended routes if its not too much trouble: gavin.bray@hotmail.co.uk
Secondly, how easy are road signs to follow in vietnam? are they numbered or are they in vietnamise which would be more difficult to follow.
Any maps you recommend buying beforehand?
Weather across Jan- Feb looks dry and mild, so just some warm clothing for on the bike?
Also any apps you recommmend for any aspect of being in Vietnam but particularly for maps, as i saw previously you mentioned google maps is not perfect.
Thanks in advance
Gavin
Hi Gavin,
Yes, I think you should spend all 27 days in Vietnam, but of course I’m biased. There’s plenty to keep you busy in Vietnam for a 27 day road trip. But you should be aware that the weather will be progressively colder and wetter as you move from south to north at that time of year. Take a look at my Weather Guide for more details.
Strange about the maps, but yes maybe it’s because you’re in China. I have emailed you links to the 5 route maps.
Road signs are not too difficult to follow in Vietnam, but don’t rely only on them to find out if you’re going in the right direction. If you constantly cross-reference my routes maps, the GPS on your phone, a paper map, road signs, and your own instinct and sense of direction you should be absolutely fine. My favourite paper map is the Travel Map of Vietnam, it’s updated every year. More details about that here (note: the road atlas is now out of print)
You’ll definitely need cold weather clothing in the north at that time of year – don’t trust the weather forecasts for Vietnam, they are generally unreliable.
Maps.me is another good map app to have, but Google Maps is better now than it was before – just don’t put you’re faith in any one map – always cross-reference.
If you’re planning on buying a motorbike and then selling it at the end of your trip, I recommend you contact Tigit Motorbikes. There are links to their website in the right sidebar and bottom of all my pages. You can mention Vietnam Coracle if you like, they know me. For a bit more information about buying/renting motorbikes read this.
I hope this helps,
Tom
Hey,
Awesome post about your trip – sounds absolutely amazing! I’m planning on doing the same trip from December 21st till January 13th – do you think that would be fine for a timeframe? Also, I really wanted to spend a couple of days at Ha Long Bay, but don’t know if I can fit it into the trip – would that require extra time, or do you think it’s doable? Last question – do you know if there are any particular places to find a travel buddy? I don’t mind doing parts of it alone, but would also like company (especially if the bike breaks down and I panic 😉 ).
Thanks for all your advice!
Nynne
Hi Nynne,
2-3 weeks is a decent amount of time to do it, but the more time you have the better your trip will be. How long it takes depends on which route you choose. For a more south to north route ideas and details about the time it takes, have a look at my 5 Suggested Routes from Saigon to Hanoi.
You could do a quick day/night tour of Halong Bay direct from Hanoi if you really want to fit that in.
For finding travel buddies, you can try posting on the Vietnam Back-Roads Facebook page.
You might also want to think about the weather at that time of year (it’s better in the south in December), and take a look at my Expenses guide too.
I hope this helps,
Tom
Hello!
Thank you so much for the info and your posts!
In december during christmas and NYE I plan to do a motorbike ride in the south of vietnam, wanting to start from Da Nang/Hoi, ride to Saigon, maybe explore some outlaying islands if I have enough time and take my return flight directly from Saigon
Is there any possiblity to give the bike back in Saigon??
Also, I am a girl and 24 years old. Do you think it is an issue to travel alone? I will make overnight stops at backpacker hostels most probably.
Any recommended routes along the coast?
Thanks a lot for your help in advance!
Charline
Hi Charline,
Travelling as a solo female in Vietnam shouldn’t be a problem. Vietnam is still a very safe country in which to travel. Take all the usual precautions that you would when travelling to any other country and you will be fine.
Yes, you can arrange a bike from Danang and give it back in Saigon. Try contacting Rent a Bike Vietnam (they have an office in Danang) and Tigit Motorbikes in Saigon – there are links to both of them in the right sidebar and bottom of this page. For a bit more information about renting motorbikes read this.
For coastal route ideas from Danang to Saigon, take a look at the relevant parts of my Beach Bum route. Also, browse through my Coastal Routes Archive to see what appeals to you. Definitely don’t miss the superb Ocean Road from Nha Trang to Saigon.
I hope this helps,
Tom
Hi Tom,
Very impressed n interested these your trail stories, also I have a plan to motorbike trip during 10days from HCMC till Hanoi.
Every your pictures makes me happy and fun.
Is it possible to ride this trail within 10days? I’m opened with any your tip or comment.
I’m really lookin forward to flight Vietnam on next week. XD
Thanks for these your stories.
Luke
Hi Luke,
Firstly, please take a look at my 5 Suggested Routes from Saigon to Hanoi.
With only 10 days it is possible to ride from HCMC to Hanoi but you will be riding a lot every day, and with 10 days you should only do it if you have experience riding a motorbike.
If you do a shorter ride you will have more time to enjoy it. There are lots of good rides in the south that are easily accessible from HCMC. Take a look at my guides to road trips in southern Vietnam HERE.
I hope this helps,
Tom
Nice Layout Tom.
Gonna Be In Vietnam from Sept 20-0ct 25
Considering doing your Classic Route.
Just wondering how weather will be riding this time of year.
Foresee any problems?
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Hi Alex,
September is a good all-round time of year to do it – it’s hot, sunny, wet and humid across the country. If you’re unlucky then you might run into a typhoon in the north-central provinces, but there’s not much you can do about that except wait it out for a couple of days.
For more detailed information about conditions, take a look at my Weather guide.
I hope this helps,
Tom
Hey Tom
Just started to look into doing a road trip from South to North Vietnam and your blog is a great way to start when it comes to excellent information.I havent had time to read all the comment to see if someone else has asked or not ,but when on your motorbike in the hills and more rural routes how often are there stops to fill up with petrol? I have problems and worry in the Highlands of Scotland sometimes ,is it the same as Thailand/India where there are random stalls with Evian bottles filled up?
Hope you can help and many thanks for saving me a lot of time.
Plus answering all of the comments !!! in this busy world so very commendable!
Cheers
David
Hi David,
For the vast majority of areas in Vietnam, getting gas is not a problem at all. Just as you say, either there’s a gas station or a rudimentary gas ‘station’ in the form of a small pump or bottles of gas. In most of my guides, if there’s a section of road that has limited gas stations on it then I will mention it. In particular, the Western Ho Chi Minh Road between Khe Sanh and Phong Nha is very isolated. However, there is a gas station under construction there right now which will probably be finished by the time you visit.
I’m glad you like the site. If you’re riding Saigon to Hanoi, don’t forget to have a look at my 5 Suggested Routes. I hope this helps.
Tom
Hi Tom,
This is a great resource. Thank you!
I’m organising my first bicycle tour for Dec-Jan riding from HCMC to Danang. I’m looking at taking this route. From my research a lot of people have commented that the ride from Dalat to Nha Trang is very nice. I’m wondering if I should head straight for the coast from HCMC as you describe or head North-east first till I hit Danang and then get on the coastal route. Have you done both of these routes?
Hi Ross,
Assuming you haven’t already seen it, please take a look at this guide first, and then get back to me if you need any more details.
I hope this helps,
Tom
Hi again Tom.
The recent news about ex-HCMC trains to Da Nang now leaving from Bien Hoa has made me slightly nervous, as I was planning on taking the train, along with my bike on it, back to Da Nang in mid-July after coming down the coast from Da Nang.
I was wondering if you’ve heard of tix being hard to get bc of the station change, or if you would know when tix for July would be on sale, if there is any system like this for tix?
Tix for passengers can be bought online in English I see, but I was wondering what can be done to get a tix for the bike ahead of time, perhaps from overseas. I’d be stuck if I was not able to put my bike on the train when I arrive at the station in Bien Hoa sans tix for the bike.
Any advice?
Thanks in advance.
Hi Nasci,
According the the government, the bridge should be fixed by July.
Anyway you can still send your bike by train from Saigon to Danang, it just takes a bit longer than usual. You should probably allow at least 2-3 days for your bike to be transported from Saigon to Danang by train. Alternatively, you should be able to transport it by bus – in which case you will be travelling on the same bus as your bike (when you go by train, your bike will not be travelling on the same train as you).
As far as I know, it is not possible to book bikes on the train online. However, you should be able to book your passenger and your bike tickets at Danang train station before you ride south to Saigon. The bike transportation company is called Door to Door – look for their office at Danang station – they are usually very efficient and have all the prices listed. Or you could ask your hotel in Danang to book it for you.
I hope this helps,
Tom
Hi Tom,
Thanks so much for all of the information on your website. It is beyond helpful. I’ve been living in HCMC for the past year and have yet to visit the rest of the country so I’m planning the motorbike trip.
The part I’m unsure about is Pu Mat National Park. I’ve just calculated my route and distance at about 270 kilometers from Phong Nha National Park. I’m using your route from Phong Nha to Pu Mat. Were you able to drive there in one day? And was accommodation available at Pu Mat National Park? I read briefly about Thai or Dan Lai Village on their website, but I can’t seem to find more on it.
Thanks,
Tommy
Hi Tommy,
Take a look at my more recent article: 5 Suggested Routes from Saigon to Hanoi. You’ll find more information on routes there.
There wasn’t much at Pu Mat National Park when I was there. But there are guesthouses in the towns on Highway 7. Yes, if you wanted to you could ride from Phong Nha to Pu Mat in one day, or you could stop for the night in Pho Chau instead.
Last time I was in the area, some homestays were starting up around Con Cuong but I couldn’t find information online about it.
If this is your first road trip out of Saigon Pu Mat is fairly off the beaten path.
I’m currently on the road in order to update my Ho Chi Minh Road Guide (which includes Phong Nha and Pho Chau). It should be finished in the next few days – if you want to get a notification when it’s published you can subscribe to my posts here.
I hope this helps,
Tom
Great article, thanks for taking the trouble. I am planning to do this next year in two weeks, i see from some other comments that this is do-able providing we are happy to ride every day. Is it generally easy to walk stright into accommodation when you arrive or is it better to try to book the next night’s stay in advance? there will be 6 of us traveling.
Thanks in advance
Tom
Hi Tom,
Yes, two weeks is OK for this route, but as you mentioned, you’ll be riding every day. For much more about routes, time and distances from Saigon to Hanoi take a look at my most recent guide here.
It’s not really necessary to book accommodation in advance unless you are travelling on a national holiday. However, with 6 of you in the group and with a relatively short amount of time for the trip, it might be a good idea to book at least some of your hotels in advance. If you do decide to book any in advance it would be great if you started your hotel search from the Agoda search box (in the right sidebar of this page and all my pages) as I will receive a small commission from Agoda if you end up making a booking – which is, of course, much appreciated.
Have a great trip,
Tom
Hey Tom,
Trip had been fantastic so far, but I have another question for you.
I’m currently in Hue and want to make it to Khe Sanh to pick up the Ho Chi Minh Road. I know I can take highway 1, but I could also take a more indirect route of rt 49 to the HCMR south of Khe Sanh and work my way north. Is there any reason, aside from the extra hour of travel time, that I might not want to do that (bad roads perhaps)? Is the drive significantly nicer? don’t mind the extra time, just want your opinion on which would be the better route. Thanks!
Hi Rich,
Yes, Road QL49 is a better option, however a couple of readers have mentioned that there is some construction on that road at the moment. Another option is to take the coastal back-roads from Hue to Dong Ha and then head up to the Ho Chi Minh Road at Khe Sanh on Road QL9 – zoom in to the relevant section of this map to see the coastal back-roads from Hue.
I hope this helps,
Tom
Tom, this was great. Thanks so much.
If you had three days of riding between Photo Chau and Hanoi, what would your ideal route be? Doing my planning now and would love to hear your thoughts.
Hi Rich,
I’d head north on the Ho Chi Minh Road to Hanoi, but with some detours and stops along the way: If time allows, I’d go up west on Road QL7 to the limestone landscape, rivers and waterfalls around Con Cuong; I’d ride at least some of the Limestone Loop; I’d spend a night somewhere near Cuc Phuong National Park (the Quang Duc Homestay, if it’s still there), or take a look at Ho Citadel.
I hope this helps,
Tom
Hey Tom
I’ve been following your route the past few days and it’s been truly wonderful. Thank you so much for all the work you put into the site. Its been my primary resource. I bought the day pass at the Ho Tram Resort and Spa yesterday and really enjoyed it. Unlike anything I could ever afford in the states.
Anywho, I have a question for you. Right now I’m in Mui Ne. Do you think, provided I start at dawn, that I could get to Nha Trang before dark tomorrow and still be able to properly enjoy the beauty of the coast? I’ve read the three guides between the two cities and there seems to be a ton of beautiful spots. If I were to stop for some pictures, a few bites to eat and a dip or two, is getting to nha trang by sundown doable? I lost a few days of my trip due to visa issues, so I’m looking to make up some ground where I can. I have a friend in Nha trang who I’d like to spend 2 nights with while still reaching Hanoi by April 3rd.
Thanks again for the guides and appreciate any insight you might have.
Hi Rich,
Great to hear you’ve been using my site and that you’re having an awesome time!
Yes, the ride from Mui Ne to Nha Trang is very scenic indeed. And yes you can do it in a day including stops for photos, food and swims.
However, make sure you follow the exact route laid out in this map. Almost the entire route is on excellent, new, beautiful coast roads (only a total of 50km is on Highway 1). So whatever anyone else says, follow that map! 🙂
I did it again just a couple of days ago. Enjoy!
Tom
Tom! The map is perfect. Thank you!
Hi Tom
First of all, thanks for writing such a damn good guide for motorbiking round Nam. Most of the routes you have detailed have made their way into my own 2 month itinerary from Hanoi to HCMC. I’m sure you’ve probably been asked this before but do you know of any contacts in Hanoi that would help us buy a bike for myself and my partner. We are looking for a quality bike but one that won’t break the bank. I’ve had a look at Tigit and other rental companies but they look quite expensive with most of their prices being well over our budget. We were looking more for someone honest and reliable who would for a fee help us in choosing our bikes.
Cheers!
Hi Pat,
Yes, it’s a common question but with no easy answer. The bikes at Tigit are relatively expensive but they are in good condition and Tigit guarantees they will buy back the bike at the end of your trip for around $200 less than the price you bought it for – so it works out as a pretty good deal. At least try contacting them to ask.
Your other options are Cuong’s Motorbikes in Hanoi (I think he still sells bikes), or Flamingo Travel – you can mention Vietnam Coracle if you like, they know me.
Or you could scan the noticeboards in backpacker hostels and cafes in Vietnam, or join the Expats Ho Chi Minh Facebook page – there’s a lot of bikes get advertised for sale on there.
I hope this helps,
Tom
Much obliged!
Hi Tom,
Me and friend of mine of travelling around SE Asia in May for 3 months. I’m so excited to be undertaking the route around May time and it took some convincing for my friend to try this adventure but I think you’ve convinced him just as much as me. We’re looking a buying motorbikes in Ho Chi Minh and riding along the same route as you towards Hanoi. As we are backpackers, ideally, we wouldn’t want to be carrying additional weight such as tents etc.
Along this route, is there a variety of places to stay overnight or is buying a tent recommended? Would 3 weeks be enough time to undertake this journey but also explore places such as Mui Ne, Halong Bay and Nha Trang?
Any additional advice would be extremely helpful.
Thanks,
Tom
Hi Tom,
No, it’s not necessary to take a tent with you, it’s just fun to camp sometimes when you get the opportunity. There are hotels and guesthouses everywhere – even in remote areas you will always find at least one nhà nghỉ – this means local guesthouse in Vietnamese – read more about that here. The only part of the Scenic Route that you won’t find a nhà nghỉ is on the Western Ho Chi Minh Road – the 240km stretch from Khe Sanh to Phong Nha (read more about that in Day 4 of this guide and check the comments at the end of the guide as some readers mention a new guesthouse on this route).
3 weeks is a good amount of time to have for the Scenic Route. You should be able to fit in a couple of nights at Mui Ne, Nha Trang and Ha Long as well.
If you’re looking to buy bikes in Ho Chi Minh City then try Tigit Motorbikes (there’s a link to them in the sidebar and bottom of this page) – they sell reliable bikes and will guarantee buying them back at the end of your trip.
I hope this helps,
Tom
Hi Tom,
Thank you very much your advice! Overall, which do you think would be the most cost effective? Buying or renting bikes?
Thanks again,
Tom
Hi Tom,
Well there are a few factors to consider in making that decision: the longer you have in Vietnam the easier it is to buy a bike – this is because it can take a while to find a bike to buy in the first place and then it can take a while to find a buyer to sell it to at the end of your trip. Also you may have one or two technical hitches along the way which might set you back a day or two. However, Tigit Motorbikes guarantees buy-back at the end of your trip – so that’s a good option.
Renting a bike is better in the short term because the bike will be in good condition so you shouldn’t have any technical problems (and even if you do Rent a Bike gives you a number to call in such situations), and you can secure you rental bike in advance so you don’t have to go around trying to find one when you arrive in Vietnam.
Time effective=rent one. Cost effective=buy one (if you have a long time in Vietnam). In your case, with three weeks, either option is good. Try contacting Rent a Bike and Tigit and see what they can offer you.
I hope this helps,
Tom
Hi Tom,
Thank you so much for the information! I’ve just spoken to my parents about this (obviously they don’t sound too keen), but is there any possible way to say this is safe?
Thanks again,
Tom
Hi Tom,
Well, road rules – if you can call them that – are very different (and often perplexing) in Vietnam and the traffic in large cities and on Highway 1 can be terrible. However, the whole point in all my motorbike guides is to stay away from busy roads and therefore avoid the traffic and dangers usually associated with riding in Vietnam. In fact, for most of the Scenic Route traffic is extremely light. Obviously, you should be very cautious and ride with care. The bottom line is that there is simply no better way to experience Vietnam than on a motorbike. If you don’t feel comfortable riding yourself then you can always contact Easy Riders and go on the back on one of their bikes instead.
Tom
Hey, I’m going to vietnam and looking for a way to ride a motorcycle from HCMC to Hanoi. Ill be going from the 20th of March to the 10th of April. Was wondering if two weeks is enough time plus a couple days extra just in case. My flight leaves from HCMC so I would like time to get back. Do you recommend flying back or train back? Is it possible in that small time frame /w sightseeing as well?
Hi John,
Two weeks is possible to ride this route, but you will be driving pretty much every day. You should fly back because this will save you time and the flights are usually the same price as the train anyway.
March/April is a good time of year to do this ride. Try to roughly plan your route – day by day – before you get here, because with only two weeks you don’t have that much room to maneuver. However, with some planning, you should be able to have a really good trip.
I hope this helps,
Tom
Hey Tom!
Some friends and I are planning on doing a trip similar to yours this May-June. Rent-A-Bike Hanoi seems to only have pickup locations in Hanoi and in Da Nang. How did you get yours in HCMC? Any other advice for doing this kind of trip during that time of the year?
Thanks!
Jeremy
Hi Jeremy,
I’m pretty sure Rent a Bike do pickups in HCMC too – email them to be sure. If not, you can try Flamingo Travel too.
May-June is a good time of year to do it – hot, sunny and with some tropical downpours all over the country.
I hope this helps,
Tom