Riding Vietnam during Tet? You’ve chosen the most chaotic yet culturally rich time to visit. It’s a mix of Christmas and New Year’s, meaning closed shops and spiked prices are the norm. To survive, you need a plan. Start with our Ultimate Guide to Riding Vietnam During Tet for routes and logistics, then read on for your essential survival tips.
The biggest misconception about Tet is that the country “shuts down.” While this is true for commerce, it is the opposite for transport. The country is in constant motion, which impacts your ride.
In the week leading up to Tet, millions of people leave major cities (Hanoi, Saigon) to return to their rural hometowns. The highways out of the cities become clogged with motorbikes carrying families and gifts. If you are planning to leave a major city, try to do so at least 5 days before Tet or wait until the first day of the New Year.
Conversely, during the actual days of Tet (Days 1-4), the big cities become ghost towns. This is a dream for motorcyclists. You can ride through the usually gridlocked streets of Hanoi’s Old Quarter or Saigon’s District 1 with zero traffic. It is the best time for urban photography.
If you plan to put your bike on a train or take a bus to skip a section of the route, you must book weeks (or months) in advance. Tickets sell out instantly. Do not assume you can just “show up” at a station during Tet.
Motorbike rentals also face high demand. Many travelers want to escape the city during the holiday. At Rentabike Vietnam, our fleet is often fully booked weeks in advance. Secure your bike early to avoid being left without wheels.
Where you sleep—and how much you pay for it—changes drastically during this festive week.
Be prepared for price hikes. Many hotels and guesthouses will add a surcharge (usually 20-50%) during the holiday period to cover staff overtime. This is standard practice, so factor it into your budget.
While cities empty out, tourist destinations (like Da Lat, Nha Trang, and Sapa) fill up with local Vietnamese tourists on holiday. If your route takes you to these popular spots, book your accommodation at least a month in advance.
For a truly authentic experience, try to book homestays in smaller villages. You might be invited to join the family’s Tet dinner—a massive feast of traditional foods that you can’t buy in restaurants.
Many family-run hostels close so the owners can visit relatives. Always message the property directly (via WhatsApp or Facebook) to confirm they are actually accepting guests, even if the booking platform says they are open.
The most common complaint from tourists during Tet is, “I’m hungry, and everything is closed.” Don’t let this be you.
From the afternoon of New Year’s Eve to the 3rd day of Tet, the vast majority of local restaurants close. You will not be able to find your usual Pho or Banh Mi street stall.
Before the holiday starts, go to a supermarket and stock up on essentials: water, snacks, instant noodles, and toiletries. Supermarkets also close for the holiday, so don’t get caught empty-handed.
When you do find food, it will likely be Tet specialties. Be open to trying Banh Chung (square sticky rice cake with pork) in the North or Banh Tet (cylindrical rice cake) in the South. These are calorie-dense and perfect for long days of riding.
Ironically, high-end Western restaurants and fast-food chains often stay open to cater to tourists and expats. If you are desperate for a meal, look for the nearest KFC or a hotel restaurant.
When the infrastructure slows down, small problems can become big emergencies if you aren’t careful.
Banks close for a full week. While ATMs remain operational, they often run out of cash due to high withdrawal demand, and they aren’t refilled until the holiday ends. Withdraw a large stack of cash before the holiday starts. Cash is king in rural Vietnam.
Most pharmacies close. If you have prescription needs or just want a basic first-aid kit for the road (painkillers, stomach meds, bandages), buy them beforehand. Riding a motorbike without a basic medical kit during Tet is risky.
If you do need medical assistance then hospitals will be open. There is usually a pharmacy connected to these so they can be a good place to find medication.
Tet involves a lot of drinking. “Mot, Hai, Ba, Dzo!” (1, 2, 3, Cheers!) is heard everywhere. Be hyper-aware that drunk driving rates skyrocket during Tet. Avoid riding late at night, and never drink and ride yourself. Police checkpoints are strict during this period.
It is a good idea to learn how to drive leagall in Vietnam and how to deal with the police.
If you visit temples or flower markets, the crowds are dense. This is prime time for pickpockets. Keep your phone and wallet in a zipped jacket pocket or a secure bag strapped to your chest, not in your back pocket.
You are a guest at the biggest party of the year. Knowing how to behave will open doors and earn you smiles.
There is a superstition about the “first guest” to enter a home in the New Year determining the family’s luck. Do not enter a Vietnamese home on the first day of Tet unless explicitly invited. You don’t want to be blamed for a year of bad luck!
A little Vietnamese goes a long way. Instead of “Hello,” say “Chuc Mung Nam Moi” (Happy New Year). For a deeper connection, say “An Khang Thinh Vuong” (wishing you peace and prosperity).
If you are staying with a family or interacting with guides, it is a nice gesture to have small red envelopes with a nominal amount of money (20k or 50k VND) to give to children or the elderly. It’s a sign of respect and benevolence.
Tet is not just a holiday; it is a complete reset of the country’s rhythm. The chaos of the city melts into the quiet of the countryside, and the usual noise of commerce is replaced by the sounds of family celebrations.
For the motorbike rider, it presents challenges, certainly. But it also presents an empty open road, a festive atmosphere, and a chance to see Vietnam in its most authentic, joyous state. With a little preparation and a lot of patience, your Tet ride will be the highlight of your travels.
Ready to start your New Year adventure? Check our availability for Tet Motorcycle Rentals or join a Guided Tour to let us handle the logistics while you enjoy the ride!
Daily
Total
Rider (CRF 300)
$220
Pillion
$120
Damage Waiver
$20
Private Room
$40
Support Vehicle*
$150
* All prices given are in USD and apply per rider except for the support vehicle. The support vehicle is free for groups of 7 or more, otherwise the cost is shared across the group.
Daily
Total
Rider (XR 150)
Rider (CRF 300)
Rider (CB 500X)
Rider (GS 1250)
Pillion
$120
Damage Waiver
$20
Private Room
$40
Support Vehicle*
$150
* All prices given are in USD and apply per rider except for the support vehicle. The support vehicle is free for groups of 7 or more, otherwise the cost is shared across the group.
Daily
Total
Jeep (1 PAX)
$210
Jeep (2 PAX)
$120
Jeep (3 PAX)
$90
Jeep (4+ PAX)
$80
Rider (Easy Rider)
$115
Rider (Self-Drive)
$105
Private Room
$15
* Our jeep tour prices operate on a sliding scale. The larger your group, the less each person pays—each member of your group will pay the lowest daily rate shown. For example, if you have a group of 4 or more, you will each only pay $80/day. All prices are given in USD.
Engine Type
air-liquid cooled, twin cylinder, DOHC, boxer engine
Displacement
1255 cc
Bore X Stroke
102.5 mm x 76 mm
Ignition
FI
Fuel System
fuel injection
Compression Ratio
12.5:1
Starter
electric
Gearbox
6-speed
Front Suspension
BMW Motorrad Telelever; stanchion diameter 37 mm
Rear Suspension
single-sided swing arm with BMW Motorrad Paralever
Front Brakes
dual disc brake, floating brake discs, diameter 305 mm, 4-piston radial calipers
Rear Brakes
single disc brake, diameter 276 mm, double-piston floating caliper
Front Tyres
120/70 R19
Rear Tyres
170/60 R17
Wheelbase
1514 mm
Seat Height
850 mm
Ground Clearance
790 mm
Kerb Weight
249 kg
Fuel Capacity
20 litres
Dimensions
2207 mm (L) x 952.5mm (W) x 1430 mm (H)
Engine Type
air cooled, OHC, single cylinder
Displacement
149 cc
Bore X Stroke
57.3 mm x 57.8 mm
Ignition
CDI
Fuel System
20 mm piston valve carburettor
Compression Ratio
9.5:1
Starter
electric with kick starter backup
Gearbox
5-speed
Front Suspension
telescopic fork, 180 mm axle travel
Rear Suspension
single shock swing arm, 150 mm axle travel
Front Brakes
dual piston caliper, 240 mm disc
Rear Brakes
mechanical drum
Front Tyres
90/90 19
Rear Tyres
110/90 17
Wheelbase
1362 mm
Seat Height
825 mm
Ground Clearance
243 mm
Kerb Weight
129 kg
Fuel Capacity
12 litres
Dimensions
2091 mm (L) x 811 mm (W) x 1125 mm (H)
Engine Type
liquid cooled parallel-twin four stroke
Displacement
470 cc
Bore X Stroke
67 mm x 66.8 mm
Ignition
PGMI – FI
Fuel System
fuel injection
Compression Ratio
10.7:1
Starter
electric
Gearbox
6-speed
Front Suspension
41 mm SFF-BP USD Forks
Rear Suspension
Prolink Mono with 5 stage pre load adjuster
Front Brakes
dual 296 mm discs with 4 piston calipers; ABS
Rear Brakes
240 mm disc; ABS
Front Tyres
110/80R19M/C (59H)
Rear Tyres
160/60R17M/C
Wheelbase
1445 mm
Seat Height
830 mm
Ground Clearance
180 mm
Kerb Weight
199 kg
Fuel Capacity
17.7 litres
Dimensions
2,155 mm (L) x 830 mm (W) x 1,410 mm (H)
Engine Type
single cylinder, DOHC, liquid cooled
Displacement
286 cc
Bore X Stroke
76 mm x 63 mm
Ignition
Full Transistor Digital
Fuel System
PGM-FI electronic fuel injection
Compression Ratio
10.7:1
Starter
electric
Gearbox
5-speed
Front Suspension
43 mm telescopic upside down
Rear Suspension
Prolink Mono with 5 stage pre load adjuster
Front Brakes
Rear Brakes
220 mm disc, single piston caliper
Front Tyres
80/100 21
Rear Tyres
120/80 18
Wheelbase
1455 mm
Seat Height
880 mm
Ground Clearance
285 mm
Kerb Weight
142 kg
Fuel Capacity
7.8 litres
Dimensions
2230 mm (L) x 820 mm (W) x 1200 mm (H)
