Hi!
Well i want to hear from anyone who has bought a motorcycle in Vietnam and ridden it through SE asia. We have about 6 weeks there starting in August. I've romanticised about it for years and top gear reignited the flame! (now I just need to convince the wife it's a good idea). I know it's illegal but apparently it can still be done. If you've done it tell me how it worked out!
Cheers,
J.
Reply to this I don't know who told you it can be done but be careful. I think even pigs would be uncomfortable in a Vietnamese prison...it is a third world country!
Usually it is very difficult for a Vietnamese citizen to buy a motorbike because they have to provide ID and details of their Housebook. The housebook is where they live and registered with the government.My brother in law who is Vietnamese has just bought a motor bike and the dealership checked with his parents because he is registered in their housebook. This is a communist country as well.
Reply to this If it's difficult for a Vietnamese citizen I don't know how you as a foreigner will get away with it. Don't get stopped by the police at anytime or your stay in Vietnam may be unexpectedly lengthened.
Reply to this my wife, who is Vietnamese says that you can buy it (sort of legallY???) and have the papers in a local Vietnamese friend's name who you can trust and then you drive it. Bit risky if the local decides to claim a free motorbike but no other option. Don't have an accident!
Reply to this Ha ha, no worries. Guess I'll just suss it out when I get there. Cheers.
Reply to this Interestingly enough my brother in law went out last night at 11pm with his new motorbike.It doesn't have license plates yet (takes one week believe it or not to get plates once you buy). The police stopped him and he had to give them the equivalent of half a months wages bribe to let him drive it home. Otherwise they take the bike to the police depot strip the good parts , put in dud parts and fine as well. My wife says they don't bother if someone drives an old bike without plates!
Reply to this true... a lot easier than a new one! If you keep your ears open someone will sell you one of them but the papers will remain in the sellers name. If you buy it cheap enough and you have a problem you can always leave it on the side of the road!
Reply to this jazzyJase some bad news my friend...now the VN gov expects ALL foreigners to have a Vietnamese driving license for car or motorbike. The International Drivers license is not sufficient. THey are stopping foreigners on motor bikes everywhere and fining and impounding bikes.
Unfortuately for Vietnam not a very tourist friendly move!
Reply to this Ha ha ha. Looks like we'll be getting the bus or train then! Cheers.
Reply to this Easier option! Now some foreigners wear a wrap around helmut and a polution mask. Hard to see if they are a foreigner then!
Reply to this I rode a motorbike around Vietnam for a month last year, although the major rides between cities were done on airplanes. Some vietnamese people I befriended talked me out of long distance riding after taking me to the local hospital to show me the 90 % of patience in there from motorcycle accidents.
The 'Top Gear ride' was done with a truck in front of them and behind them at all times. (For protection).
I was run off the road on Phu Cuoc Island once by a truck. There is a company called Easy Riders that will take you between major cities on bikes.
If you want to by a bike there will be plenty for sale and $1000 should secure a decent one. I never had trouble with police and wouldnt expect you too either as long as you dont be stupid. Try riding around Saigon or Hanoi for a couple of days before you decide to buy one. Make sure you buy a big wheel bike and not a small wheeled bike or you will regret it.
Reply to this Have a look at the video on my travelblog for Saigon. You will get the idea of an average street corner.
http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Vietnam/Southeast/Ho-Chi-Minh-City/blog-289103.html
Reply to this jazz maybe blonk is on the plonk!...especially if he thinks you won't have trouble from the police.
Over recent months many foreigners, (mainly drunk), have been killed on Motorbikes.
NOW THE POLICE STOP ANYTHING THAT LOOKS LIKE A FOREIGNER. IN SAIGON THERE IS NOW A BIG BLITZ AND IF YOU DON'T HAVE A VIETNAMESE LICENSE THEY WILL TAKE THE BIKE FOR AT LEAST 30 DAYS AND FINE YOU ACCORDINGLY AND ALSO CHARGE HOLDING COSTS PER DAY FOR THE BIKE.
Now the police get 25% of each booking so they are very alert and hard working!
If you rent the bike from a hotel maybe the hotel charges rental until you bring the bike back!...hmmm30days rental would add up a bit!
Reply to this Ha ha blonk that is f*%!k(MISSING)ing mad!!! think I'd prefer riding between cities! You didt get over the border into Laos by any chance eh??
Reply to this No I only rode around cities and from Na Trang to Danang Hoi An and Wui.
SPeak to foreigners and locals with a good grasp of english.. I just spoke to freind whom is the editor of the english speaking paper in Saigon and he says MrMook is on the wacky tabbaccy..
Lots of foreigners including our own Foreign Affairs minister ride bike, to tour and to work..
For long distance rides, contact Easyriders once you get there. They will provide a safe journey on at least a 250cc motorbike not a 125cc scooter. Mostly the police leave tourist alone because they encourage tourism, it appears to be dragging their country into the 21st century and they know it. I owuld also suggest learning a few words of Vietnamese because Viet police will not speak english and respect you a lot more if you can say a few simple phrases.
These are essential -
Choa Em - Hello brother / Sister
Chao Ahn - Hello Uncle / Untie
Khong - No
Vung - Yes
Sin Loy - Sorry
Cam on - Thank you
Hang Gap Lai - See you later
Em Dap Plum - You are a very beautiful girl (not to be said to police)
Heading to China in 5 days and will travel across to Laos in this time (By Motorbike!)
Will be on here when possible... Have fun!
Reply to this I rode from hanoi to saigon last winter - bought the bike in a bar for $120 with no licence or indeed any bike experience. Was given a licence to prove ownership of the bike - it was in a vietnamese woman's name. Probably spent another $150 on various repairs along the way. Got stopped once but the police didnt seem to mind.
Reply to this Hi
people in Vietnam are in general friendly! I rode Vietnam trough for a month ago. Bought my 'Minks' in Saigon for 350$ and wrote it up to the Lao's border, where I gave it to a farmer! ' pay it foreword' I encounter no problem at all!
I see that many have written on you log, and most have had bad experience... I wounder if they have ever done it? I meet lots of people doing the same trip as me! I just came from India where I'm doing the same. And I tell you mate, Vietnam is a piece of cake!
frode
Reply to this Hi All
Last month I did travel to Vietnam for 10 days with my wife & I did use a travel agent named
And fuctually We are so satisfied with what they provided. As far as I know they are also organizing motorcycle tour in some spots in Vietnam. Probably you might get some clues from them.
Have a nice time
Your friend Reply to this 
