40 FAQs for Motorcyle Touring in Vietnam

40 Common FAQs for a Vietnam Motorcycle Tour

Embarking on a motorcycle tour in Vietnam is no small feat, so finding out as much as you can beforehand will really help you get the most out of your tour.

These questions listed are the ones that we frequently get asked. Take a look and help yourself be fully prepared. If there is anything else that you need to know, get in touch.

How many hours a day do we drive?

Our tours are designed to offer riding for 4 to 5 hours per day on average with rest stops and lunch added. However, on some days, and on particular tours such as Run to the Sun, we are forced to ride a little harder.

Can I get laundry done on my tour?

Yes, we will be able to get laundry done in several of our overnight stops. Tell the guide that this is what you need and they will advise you when to get it done. It will be done in the hotels we use and there will be a small charge as this is an extra service.

What happens if the bike breaks down?

Our bikes are well maintained, so breakdowns do not happen often. IF there is a problem, A LOT will happen, but you just relax and let the guide deal with this. First, we will attempt to fix the bike in location or at a nearby mechanic. If necessary we will send out a replacement bike.

Is there a mechanic with the group?

Our guides are mechanics and can solve small problems whilst on the road. There are also many nearby local mechanics which the guides can use. If we have a larger group 10+ we will take a sweep rider who is also a mechanic.

Is there a support vehicle with the group?

We offer a support vehicle free of charge with every group that has 7 or more paying riders (pillions count). You are welcome to request a support vehicle at your own expense if you have less than 7 riders.

Will I get left behind?

Emphatically, NO. When in a larger group we will have a sweeper/mechanic as the final rider in the group. Part of their job is to make sure everyone stays together.

We also employ the ‘corner man’ system, which helps everyone stay together.

How far do we drive every day?

We design the tours aiming at an average of around 150-200 km per day of distance travelled. We run a flexible route and so this does vary depending on the group’s choice of route.

What happens if the bike breaks down?

We will do our best to set up Lunch in a local homestay or restaurant and can often do this beforehand. However, on some days there are limited options or if we are behind schedule for some reason we will have to source a local lunch.

So long as we adhere to local eating times, we can usually find good food.

Do we stop for breaks?

Yes, of course. It is unsafe to ride continuously for hours, so we stop for drinks, coffee, cigarettes, and photos. Usually, we will aim to stop every 80-100km unless there is a worthwhile stop before that time.

This does vary depending on weather, route and road conditions.

Are drinks provided during the day?

Yes, we often stop for refreshments along the road. These are included in the daily cost for the tour.

What is the accommodation like on tour?

We can offer many types of accommodation on tour. This ranges from small family run homestays through mini hotels to large chain hotels. There are options for large communal rooms and small twin shares or even single occupancy. All our accommodation will have hot/cold water and often there is aircon available.

What gear should I bring?

Items you may wish to bring are: Helmet, Boots, Gloves and strong durable clothing. We do have some helmets available but cannot offer boots, or riding jackets/pants.

It is possible to buy gear here in places such as Decathlon, Scoyco, Bikers Store, but sizes can be limited.

Are we close to medical facilities?

Generally speaking we will always be within an hour at most of a medical station. This is where we can organise simple triage treatment and then arrange transfer to Hanoi where there are excellent hospitals.

What license do I need?

You need your motorbike licence from your home country and an International Driving permit in order to be legal in Vietnam. If you have a licence issued from an ASEAN member country, you can use this to drive in Vietnam.

Is my ASEAN license valid in Vietnam?

Yes, if you have a licence issued from an ASEAN member country, you can use this to drive in Vietnam.

How much money do I need on tour?

Not very much. Your only expenses will be for alcohol, souvenirs, cigarettes, and extra services such as massage, karaoke. This is usually quite cheap. 10usd will get you roughly 10 beers. We would estimate not more than 20usd per day on average and you will still have plenty of change.

What is covered in an 'all inclusive' tour?

Bike, fuel, guide, mechanic, support, all meals, all snacks, entrance fees, tolls, welcome beers/coffee.

Are there any additional costs to the tour?

You may wish to have a single supplement at 40usd per day, or use our Damage Waiver at either 10 or 20usd per day.

Also, and you may ask us to help you arrange a tour or transfer before or after your tour.

What isn't covered in an 'all inclusive' tour?

Air flights, visas, medical expenses, tips, souvenirs, alcohol.

What is the payment structure: deposit / payment / refund?

We ask for a 30% deposit to be paid at least 90 days before the tour start date so that we can book bikes, hotels, guides, mechanics and support vehicles. Then, we ask for full payment to be made at least 30 days before the tour start date. Full payment must be made before any tour begins.

Refunds of the deposit and any tour costs paid will be made according to our refund policy in the terms and conditions**

How can I transfer money for payment?

We can accept several payment methods. We have Onepay (vietnamese state bank payment gateway), Wise, UK bank transfer, Intl credit card, local credit card. The fees for these services vary greatly and are the responsibility of the customer. We do not pay bank charges.

Can we customise the tour route?

Yes, in fact we do that for ALL of our tours. The itinerary will give the locations of accommodation and how we choose to get there will depend on factors such as: type of bike, rider skill level, distance to cover, weather conditions, road conditions amongst others.

What is the itinerary and mileage?

You can find detailed itineraries on our tour pages along with mileages. These are indicators only and the actual route taken will depend on many considerations such as: weather, rider skill, current road conditions etc…

Can I bring my own gear?

Yes, we actively encourage you to do so. This is for both safety and comfort. Many items are not readily available here or may take time to order.

What happens in case of emergency?

The first priority is to make sure the rider is safe and if injured then treated as quickly as possible. Usually, this means a quick dash to the local medical centre and then potentially transportation back to the major hospitals in Hanoi.

It can be possible for the tour and other tour members to continue and not be affected, however, this is only able to be assessed on the scene.

How likely is an accident?

We have a very good track record because we are cautious and we vet our riders. Our guides are also skilled in determining the ‘real’ ability of our clients and then choose routes accordingly. However, accidents do happen.

To date, nothing too serious other than cuts and scrapes and the odd broken bone has happened.

Can I request private accommodation?

Yes, we offer a single supplement of 40 usd per night on our tours. So, if you would like to have your own room, we can arrange this.

Can we buy motorbike gear in Hanoi?

Yes, it is possible to get motorcycle gear in Hanoi. However, there is limited choice of styles and sizes. If you are quite large (remember, vietnamese are generally small), then it could be hard to get gear.

There are stores such as: Bikers Store, Scoyco and GSports which you can check out online.

What health precautions should I take before the tour?

We advise you to visit your health practitioner before leaving to see if there are any precautions you should take. You need to make sure you have enough medication and that it can be legally brought into the country. Many medications are available over the counter but you need to be wary of fakes and also the storage conditions (extreme heat).

Which company offers the best travel / health insurance?

This depends greatly on your nationality. We have found navigator to be good for UK riders, Allianz for many nationalities and 1Cover good for Australian.

What skill level is required to take a tour?

Our tours can be tailored to any level of rider, so it is best you give us an accurate assessment of your current skill level and preferences. We can then choose the best route for the tour.

Is there any training given before setting out on tour?

Generally speaking, we expect that you can ride and have a licence to do so. We can offer some simple orientation on the bike if you are able to visit us before the tour begins and we are happy to let you borrow a bike for a spin around the lake.

How well are the bikes maintained?

Very well! We check the bikes before they leave and after they return to make sure there are no big surprises whilst on tour. On tour, your guide will check the bikes each evening to make sure they are in tip top condition.

Do we need to drive in and out of Hanoi?

No, not at all. We can arrange for a double cab truck to take you in/out of Hanoi so that you do not need to deal with the extreme traffic. You may decide to only do this for the start or the end of the tour or for both. It is your choice.

The cost would depend on how far you travelled in the truck but we can expect it to be in the region of 150 usd shared between 3 people.

Are meals included?

Yes, we include 3 meals per day when touring. The only exception to this is on REST DAYS where it is logistically difficult to offer this. E.g. different riders may choose to do different things: relax by the pool, go trekking, scale Fansipan. The rest days are in touristic areas where there are plenty of easy options available.

Is fuel included?

Yes! We will fill the bikes on average every other day. The guide will keep track of fuel use and will pay for all fuel when you fill up with him at the gas station. You don’t need to think about this.

Should we tip the guide and hotels?

Yes. It is customary here to tip the guide if you think they have done their job and taken good care of you. They will. We suggest anything from 50-200usd per rider depending on the length of tour and how happy you are.

In all hotels and homestays a small tip for the family or for staff members is welcome.

What is the ratio of riders to guides/mechanics?

We aim for a maximum of 8 riders to each guide/mechanic where possible.

If we take a one way tour like 'Run to the Sun', can you transport our luggage?

Yes, we can arrange to have heavy luggage sent on ahead and stored in our Danang store. We can arrange this for free and you will pay for the transportation fee. It is usually very reasonable.

We cannot guarantee the safety of this luggage but we have not had any issues to date as we use a reputable company.

Note: If you are on a tour with a support vehicle you can put heavy luggage in that free of charge.

Can we pay for a support vehicle if we have less than 7 riders?

Yes, it is your choice. We often use a flat bed double cab such as the Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux… A support vehicle is 150 usd per day and includes the vehicle, driver, fuel, and the driver’s daily expenses.