Vietnam transport: motorbikes and more motorbikes! In Hanoi, motorbikes have taken over the rules of the roads and dominated most of the transport in Vietnam. Around 80% of traffic is motorbike traffic and that is not set to change any time soon.
Motorbikes are cheaper, faster, easier to park and have access to more roads than cars. As either a resident or a tourist you have several options to choose from when considering how to use a motorbike in Hanoi to get around.
Traditionally, there was the cyclo/pedicab but now these are generally relegated to use as a tourist attraction around Hanoi’s old quarter. Then, with the introduction of motorbikes came the ‘Xe Om’ / motorbike taxi. This was simply someone with a motorbike that would heckle for your business and take you where you needed to go. Nowadays, with the introduction of technology, and ride-hailing (uber, grab bike, etc) services, the ‘xe om’, for better or worse, is not as popular because of Grab bike.
Rentabike feels that there is no better option than renting your own bike to get around the city, except when you plan to have a drink or two. So, here are a few pros and cons, between your own bike, a xe-om, and a grab bike service. This information will hopefully help you make the choice between services and the level of responsibility.
Having your own motorbike or rental motorbike means you take more responsibility, however, that comes a greater level of freedom.
Naturally, we at Rent A Bike think that renting offers the perfect blend of safety and economy. However, we can understand why you might want to own your own bike. Taking a Grab / Xe Om is just too much hassle and once you have your own bike it is hard to go back. Don’t forget there are strict rules about parking your bike in Vietnam. Look at our article about parking in Vietnam to avoid any issues.
We can help you to manage all of the above aspects as the rental fee is low and we take care of maintenance and repairs. You are required to pay for punctures or anything you break but we cover all other maintenance costs. As well, we ask to see the bike regularly, so, we will spot any work that needs to be done. This keeps the bike as safe as possible for you.
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Xe (vehicle) Om (hug) so ‘vehicle hug’ was the natural progression to the Cyclo, when the motorbike began to populate the streets of Hanoi. The same revolution that has taken place with Grab taking over the streets took place back in the Nineties. Anyone with a motorbike and some free time could offer to take you where you wished to go for an agreed price. These drivers still exist and you will see them hanging out of street corners, heckling for business.
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Grab, and several other services similar to it, are on-demand, app-based ride-hailing services. They will show the location of a driver and via an app on your phone and allow you to hail a ride.
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There are stark differences between all of the choices above. You are likely to have occasion to use more than one or all of them depending on the situation. You may be long term renting in Hanoi and then visiting another city. Did you know that we offer 5 days of a free holiday rental to all of our long term customers when they visit one of our other shops? Hanoi, Danang, Ho Chi Minh City.
So, think about your circumstances. Then, weigh up the pros and cons to make the right decision for you.
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)
Daily
Total
Rider (CRF 300)
$200
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.
