It was some summers day in the early 2000s, when my father grabbed my small frame and lifted me onto the back of his motorbike. It was my birthday, perhaps my sixth or seventh. My friends and I had been playing on a rock, as it was tradition we had done for years before and many after, when all of a sudden my father arrived on his rumbling Dragstar.
His helmet gleamed red, the bike a navy blue. He slowly made his way towards the rock. Where he parked it and sat back in the scorching summer heat.
Me and my friends looked at him as though he was James Dean in the flesh. A real life superhero and tough guy. “Who wants a go then?” he said as he removed his helmet to reveal the face I had always and will always admire.
My friends took in turn on the back of the bike, a spare helmet was give to them by my dad. The size of the helmet made them look like bobble heads.
Then it was my turn. Looking back it was clear my dad didn’t dare drive over 10/15 miles an hour with us on the back. But to me, then, I was in a rocket ship. “There’s no other way to travel than by bike son, its pure freedom”.
Ever since that day, dad has made sure to not promote motorbikes, warning me often of their dangers. For me, I never really forgot that feeling. The warm summers air rushing through my shirt, the vibrations of the engine and the sense of freedom, that even as a child, I had never truly felt before.
Fast-forward twenty or so years and I am flat on my back, torn up hands and looking up at a Asian sunrise as my bike chokes softly on the ground behind me.
When it comes to motorbiking Vietnam, here at Uncharted Thoughts we have you covered. From bikes, to prices, to hiring or buying, or routes and safety. Don’t start your Vietnam biking trip without reading this article first.
- North to South or South to North or something else? Where to start and when?
- Hire or Buy a Bike?
- Buying a bike
- Safety and travel tips
North to South, South to North or something else? Where to start and when?
You may be thinking. North to South, South to North, its the same thing, and you’d be right. It just depends on how long you have to do the trip, and what time of year it is.
Personally, and I think it goes for the majority of Vietnam adventurers, the North is by far the best part of Vietnam. Although its the same country, the Vietnam war had a massive impact on Vietnamese society and this is clear as you wonder their often wet and tropical streets.
It takes roughly 2 weeks to do the entire length of the country by bike, 3 if you want to be more realistic and not spend every waking moment on a bike. If you have a month, I’d say do South to North, if you had six weeks, I’d say the same. Anymore than that, it doesn’t matter in the slightest.
I suppose a large amount of it depends on where you land. Landing in Hanoi means there’s only one way to go, same for if you land in Ho Chi Minh.
From my experience, if you are in the North, be sure to explore and do as much as possible before heading South. Don’t leave without seeing Ha Long Bay or Sapa, and don’t miss the tropical paradise of Cat Bah island. A perfect place to explore while learning to ride a bike. (Here).
Hire or Buy a Bike?
Well, I did both. I hired my first bike in Hanoi. It was stolen the first night and I had to buy a new one the following day.
I think this is a much simpler question than the last. I think, it is economically more practical and you don’t have to stress about the damages, or worry its going to get stolen from outside your hostel at 3am.
If you buy a bike in Ho Chi Minh or in Hanoi, you can sell it to someone or give it away following the journey. Maybe make some money back for a last meal, or a ticket into a temple.
Buying a bike.
Now, I can’t remember exactly how much I paid for my bike and I expect it varies from shop to shop, plus, the white man tax is exceptionally used across the country. But, I do remember how much the entire 3 weeks cost me and from this I can guess, roughly the price.
I spend £450, give or take, this included accommodation, eating out every meal, beer most evenings, transport, plus a rented bike and a purchased one, entrance fees and tour-guides and treasures and trinkets I picked up along the way. I was in Nam for just over three weeks and lived, ate and drank like a king.
In my blog ‘My top five countries to visit before returning to the universe’ HERE. I go on at lengths about the financial superiority of this great nation, giving it a 5/5 on value for money.
Now, like most things in all countries, the price of anything can vary. If you want a Harley Davidson, then guess what, it’ll cost you more than a 50cc scooter. Goes without saying.
A 50cc bike is what I rented in Hanoi, and was eventually stolen. It was a trashy, white moped that struggled turning any corners. I had a top speed of 40mph, and a much lower speed on inclines . It cost me (roughly) £30 for a six day hire.
My next bike, the one featured in most the pictures, was the Honda Wave 110. I think it was 100cc, so it was better on the hills and the handlebars managed to rotate at an angle that allowed me to turn corners. I purchased it for roughly £75, and to tell you the truth I did fall in love with it.
Obviously I did sell this back to a shop when I arrived at my final destination, but I got barely £10 for it. However, this allowed me to go on a massive piss-up and have a full dinner before leaving Vietnam for home.
In my opinion, it is better to buy, its not a massive pay out, and there is a chance of selling it one later down the line. Additionally, you don’t have to be fearful of loosing it, damaging it or having it stolen. BUY BUY BUY.
Hiring A bike.
Hiring a bike is simple, and affordable. Simply go onto google maps and type in Bike Hire. Boom, you’ll see a array of of shops available to you. Be sure to look at the reviews of the shop before going there and starting you search.
There is no end to the amount of bike shops you can find in Vietnam. If you are starting up North I would recommend
Depending on the shop, and the bike. You really shouldn’t be paying more than $10 (250,000) a day for a rental.
If you are setting off from Hanoi, I would recommend looking at Hanoi Motorbikes and 123 Go Motorbike Rental Hanoi. Both in walking distance from the Mad Monkey Hostel.
Safety and travel tips.
I zoomed through the tropical landscape, never having learnt how to use a motor bike. Looking back now, it was possible the dumbest thing I have ever done, and there were some really close calls.
But, as we all know, warnings on cigarette packets don’t stop smoking. So, to keep Uncharted readers safe these are the top safety procedures we can give you.
Well, I fell off my bike twice. The first time I was attempting to start it, the second I almost collided with a Vietnamese farmer who was carrying enough hay or whatever it was on the back to feed the all the kings horses. So for these reasons I would recommend buying a bike helmet.
To my mothers infuriation, I was born with a large head. People in South East Asia tend to be on the smaller side. So, unfortunately I had to settle for a Pikachu one (fluffy ears included). To be honest, I probably could have shopped around for a little longer and found a better one, but why bother, I’m on holiday after all.
So safety tip one, buy a helmet, don’t be a helmet.
Although my crash was minimal, I came away relatively unharmed. This was all because I purchased a very cheap bike jacket. My hands were cut up a bit, but my shoulders and elbows lived to fight another day.
Which brings me on to hands… gloves.
Less for safety, but a bit of advice. Don’t park your bike on the street, it will be taken away. Find a locale car park and pay the quid it costs and save you from the shock of a hangover surprise.
Finally, insurance. I don’t want to sound like an old man, but do not go on a trip like this without some protection. Every year loads of tourists end up injuring themselves in crashes across Vietnam. Costing them and their families thousands in health care. It doesn’t cost a lot, don’t be a tool.
Uncharted Thoughts. 
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