Travelling by motorbike Hanoi to ho chi Minh

Many many people have done it. Make sure you have good insurance, and make sure you know how to ride a motorbike well. Vietnam is not the place to learn. Thousands die in traffic accidents every year, and your passport won't protect you.

Get a good map and avoid the main highway as much as possible.

Without a licence to ride a motorbike, insurance cover will be almost impossible to get. After all, it would be an illegal activity.

As above, it's done very frequently so you can find a lot of info online or by searching this forum or the gt-rider website.
But, also as above, unless you are a very experienced motorbike rider who's used to all kinds of bad conditions, just don't risk your life, it's really not worth it.

Hey claire..i want to do the same thing
.i will be in Hanoi November 3rd not sure what day I will start the ride...we do not have to hang out all the time but it might be interesting to have a riding partner for some of it.

Thanks for the info. Taking everything into consideration and talking to others!

Hey claire..i want to do the same thing
.i will be in Hanoi November 3rd not sure what day I will start the ride...we do not have to hang out all the time but it might be interesting to have a riding partner for some of it.

Hey Kbdarknight

That would be really cool but planning to be in the south by then as I have already landed in Hanoi! Just for your info, I have found a place called Style Motorbikes in Hanoi that if I decide to get a bike it will be from them. They have great reputation and another base in Ho Chi Minh to return the bike. Check out TripAdvisor they have lots of other feedback which is how I found them. Just in case you need it. Safe trip!

Well, if you rent your motorbike in Hanoi and drop it in Saigon, 1. How are you going to recuperate your passport ? Not by mail, too risky : 2. You will have to pay for returning the moto by train to Hanoi. Conclusion : the people who do that buy a second-end moto (300-500$) in one town and sell it in the other.

This said, long portions of the road are boring. Better rent a motorbike in Hanoi for the North, then go Center and rent another one, then go Saigon and same thing. That's I do all the time

Some tips to rent a motorbike in Hanoi
Not all foreigners can take it easy in renting a motorbike even though they are in front of a genuine rental motorbike shop. That’s the reason why they need some advice on this matter of concern. Let’s see below:
The most crucial thing which should come to your mind before you decide whether a motorbike is rented or not is to check it totally. If necessary, double check turn signals, lock, horn, brakes, wing mirrors, lights, and even take a short test drive around the allowed area of the shop.
Especially, be careful about the bike’s front brakes since traffic in large cities is heavy, or roads are slopping.
Once you must stop at the parking lot, please keep your parking ticket careful as losing it is a big problem in completing procedures to get the bike out. For instance, you must dial the renter’s phone number and ask about the vehicle registration certificate, which annoys you so much.
Check the helmet you get from the rental agency. Keep in mind that it must work well, or you should require a new one. If the renter doesn’t accept, just walk away.
Obviously, the newer the rental bike is, the safer it is. Also, its price will be depending on the state and brand of each vehicle. Hence, a new scooter with the good engine may cost you over $10 per day.
Don’t forget to save the rental agency where you use the service in case the bike breaks down en route.
Before commencing your handlebar trip, ask some detailed information about the nearby gas stations and also the ones along your way.

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