
When considering a motorbike tour in Vietnam, it can be hard to know what to bring. It’s even harder when you’ve never visited the country before! Tempted travellers arrive from all over the world to experience traveling Vietnam by motorbike. Some are very experienced drivers and others have never been on a motorbike before. Much like me, full of questions about what to pack, I ended up drastically overpacking. Something you really don’t want to do when you already have very limited space.
Let’s face it, your brain isn’t something you really want to leave behind on your first motorbike tour in Vietnam. Accidents happen, a lot. Not surprisingly, they often happen to travellers who’ve just arrived in a new country and driven a bike for the first time.
Don’t let this put you off, however. It’s easy to be sensible and safe here; you just need to know-how. A small accident is often inevitable and can be seen as a necessary reminder of how dangerous being on a bike can be.
A good helmet can be a lifesaver…literally. Deciding what to bring on your motorcycle trip can be tough, but the first thing to cross off your list should definitely be a helmet: we have high-quality motorbike helmets at our shop if you can’t travel with one from your country. Pop in anytime.
It’s no lie that it rains in Vietnam, and it rains a lot!
Depending on your location and the time of year, you’re likely to be faced with one of the countries’ epic downpours at some point. Trust me, you don’t want to be caught short.
Nobody enjoys wearing a wet pair of pants.
Check out our extra information on how to deal with the wet roads of Vietnam. We have learned our lessons the hard way.
The roads in Vietnam can become very dusty, particularly in the summer. If you don’t wear a pair of glasses, you can often find yourself feeling as though you’ve got sand in your eye. Also, insects tend to enjoy a swim in your eye and it can be the most irritating thing.
It’s a good idea to wear a pair of glasses for as little as 50,000VND ($2) just to save your sight. Eye drops are also a good idea to clear your eye out when you find yourself tearing up on the side of the road.
Similar to your brain, your lungs aren’t something you want to be damaging on a motorbike tour in Vietnam.
Driving through cities and busy towns can be seriously harmful to your lungs. If you ride a bike through Hanoi for just 20 minutes on a hot day you’ll know what I mean. Not only can you see it in the air, but you can also literally feel it in your throat.
Pollution masks can be cheap or expensive. It’s a good idea to buy one from a reputable store or brand. Depending on the brand and style of mask they can range from 120,000VND ($5) to 900,000VND ($38).
Don’t worry; it doesn’t always rain when you’re on a motorbike tour in Vietnam. You will often find yourself blessed with glorious blue skies.
It’s important to pack a strong sunscreen to protect yourself from those damaging rays. Sunscreen can be found in Vietnam, just be wary as some can have a whitening agent in.
As the summer evenings roll in, mosquitos are very much at large. It’s important to do everything in your power to avoid getting bitten. If your motorbike journey takes you to somewhere rural, then mosquitos can be a real annoyance.
Google Maps is an excellent tool and one that’s saved us during a motorbike journey in Vietnam many times. Before you set out on your day’s travel, it’s always a good idea to double-check the route you’ll be taking.
Before relying on Google Maps to get you to your destination safely, there are a couple of things you should always remember. Firstly, bear in mind that the shortest or quickest route is not always your best option.
These things considered, it’s always worth talking to someone who knows the route before you leave. As a pair of idiots fumbling through life in Vietnam, we always make an effort to discuss our planned adventures with our rental company.
At Rent A bike, the team is always on hand to help you out with all of your route planning. With a wealth of experience to share, they will ensure that you don’t find yourself up shit creek without a paddle.
Rentabike has also teamed up with Nomads RTW to give you 10% off their ebook, Vietnam by Motorbike. This extensive ebook is filled with some of the most countries’ most sought after destinations. Giving you advice on where to stay, routes to take and vital information about traveling Vietnam by motorbike!
It’s extremely important to have a working phone during your motorbike journey. Not only for maps but to get in touch with the outside world in the event of an emergency. When you’re on a long drive, it’s easy to forget how long you’ve been using your phone for. Sadly the battery often won’t last the length of your journey.
A battery pack will ensure that you’re not left sitting at the top of the mountain with a flat tire and no help in sight. Just remember to charge it before you leave!
You’ve heard the phrase ‘Water everywhere but not a drop to drink?’
Make sure you’ve always got access to water whilst you’re on your journey. Some stretches of road can be long and desolate. Don’t find yourself in 35-degree midday heat without a drop to drink.
Plan in regular stops to pick up resources such as water, food, and coffee.
You might be wondering what on earth does that mean. Well, you’d be right to think that, but in Vietnam, a second stash can save you a lot of cash!
The police in Vietnam (check out our guide for more info) have a tendency to pull bikes over for no reason what so ever and demand 5,000,000VND. Or even more, if there’s a holiday like TET coming up.
Often they will claim you are doing over the speed limit or you are in the wrong lane (you most probably aren’t). They will ask you to empty your purse/wallet and your pockets and cough up whatever cash you have on you.
This is where the second stash comes in. Only carry a small amount of cash for food and petrol in your pocket. Around 300,000VND should do it.
Hide the rest in a second wallet or secret pocket where the police aren’t likely to check. It’s already saved me around $200!
A simple but effective trick!
The 10 above essentials are a great way for you to prepare for a long-distance motorbike tour in Vietnam. All things considered, you just need to give it a bash. You can prepare yourself in every way possible, but you never really know what you might encounter. Vietnam is a huge country with a diverse culture and stunning natural beauty.
If it’s a new country, a new culture and a new way of traveling, embrace it! I promise you won’t regret it.
86B Đ. Trần Phú, Phường 4, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam (appointment only)
Tax Code: 0105306316
International Tour Operator License: 01-2010/2022/TCDL-GP LHQT
15a Ng. 12 Đ. Đặng Thai Mai, Quảng An, Tây Hồ, Hà Nội 100000, Vietnam
© 2025 Rentabike Vietnam. This site is subject to copyright. No unauthorised reproduction is permitted.
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)