Something that was always on my bucket list was cruising the length of Vietnam on a motorbike. I was able to tick this off my list in 2019 even though when I arrived in Vietnam, I had no idea how to ride a bike with gears.
Know How to Ride (Seriously)
Now, this might sound obvious but you should probably know how to ride a motorbike before committing to a journey that spans the length of an entire country. That said, I didn’t, at least not properly. I’d owned a scooter for a few years, so I was no stranger to two wheels. But gears? Clutches? Downshifting? That was all new territory.
Vietnam is not the place to learn from scratch. The roads, especially in cities like Ho Chi Minh, are absolutely mental. Imagine a swarm of bees trying to organise a parade, that’s the traffic. I once had to hop up onto the pavement because my turn was blocked, rode right past two police officers, and they didn’t even blink. Business as usual, apparently.
If you’re not confident handling a bike in unpredictable traffic, you’ll find yourself overwhelmed fast. There are “rules” on the road here, but they’re more like… suggestions. Strongly optional ones.
So, bottom line: get a bit of practice before you show up, especially if you’ve never touched a manual bike. It’ll save you a lot of stress, some bruises, and probably a few Vietnamese swear words from fellow drivers
Join a Backpacker Group on Social Media
One of the smartest things you can do before buying a bike in Vietnam? Join a few backpacker groups on Facebook or other social media. These groups are absolute goldmines not just for finding bikes, but for getting real, honest advice from people who’ve already done the trip.
Now, I’m not saying every shop is shady, or every backpacker is a saint but many of the bike shops in the big cities are known for slapping a new coat of paint on a battered bike, tightening a few bolts, and selling it for twice what they paid. It’ll run… just long enough to get you out of the city and into trouble.
I bought my bike, Grace, through one of these groups. She was secondhand, battle-worn, and already a legend in her own right. But most importantly, she was solid and had a bit of a story behind her, like any good road trip partner should.
Before you hand over any cash, take the bike to a mechanic. A quick once-over could save you a heap of issues down the road. And while you’re in the group, don’t be shy, post questions, ask for recommendations, and read up on what others have learned the hard way. You’ll find plenty of tips on routes, mechanics, places to avoid, and spots you’d never find in a guidebook.
A Little Bike Knowledge Goes a Long Way
If you know even a tiny bit about bike mechanics, it’ll go a long way, not just when you’re buying your ride, but for keeping it alive once you hit the road.
Let’s be honest, if you end up buying the classic knock-off Honda Win, it’s not if it breaks down… it’s when. These bikes have been patched together more times than a travel backpack. That’s not to say they can’t get you from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi but they definitely come with “character.”
You don’t need to be a full-blown grease monkey or know how to rebuild an engine from scratch. Just knowing how to check the carburettor, change a spark plug, or spot a dodgy chain can save you a load of hassle. Before buying, give the bike a proper once-over and if you’re unsure, take it to a local mechanic. It’ll cost next to nothing, and could save you from buying a lemon.
I lost count of the number of times I ended up at a mechanic for something simple I could have fixed myself. And while repairs in Vietnam are dirt cheap, having to stop mid-ride for a fix is a pain, especially when you’re halfway up a mountain, sweating buckets, with no town in sight.
Don’t Even Think About Buying Without a Blue Card
If there’s one golden rule when buying a bike in Vietnam, it’s never hand over cash unless the bike comes with a blue card. This little slip of paper is basically the bike’s birth certificate it’s registration document. No blue card? No ride. Simple as that.
If you ever get stopped by the police (and chances are, you will at some point), this is the first thing they’ll ask to see, right after your license. And if the serial number on the card doesn’t match the one on the bike, you’re in trouble. Best case, they confiscate the bike. Worst case? You’re left explaining why you’re riding what looks like a stolen motorbike.
Take the time to check that the numbers match. If you’re not sure where to find them, ask the seller or do a quick Google search, it only takes a minute. And if the seller starts fumbling or making excuses about why there’s no card, walk away. No bargain is worth the risk of losing your bike or worse, your freedom.
Think About What You Wear
Whenever I was setting off on a long or even semi-long drive, I always made sure to gear up properly, helmet, gloves, boots, and jeans. Yeah, it was hot. Sometimes boil-an-egg-on-the-road hot. But I’d rather arrive sweaty than spend a month picking gravel out of my leg.
Let me share a cautionary tale I heard straight from the source. I crossed paths with another backpacker while riding through Vietnam, he was headed north, I was going south. He told me about an accident he had not long before. Nothing too dramatic, he wasn’t even going that fast, but he came off the bike and dragged his foot along the concrete. The catch? He was wearing flip-flops. The result? The entire top layer of skin was gone.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, his insurance refused to cover the hospital bills because he didn’t have the proper paperwork to be riding in Vietnam in the first place. So not only did he leave a chunk of his foot somewhere on Highway 1, he also left a small fortune at the hospital reception desk.
So yeah, it’s tempting to hop on your bike in a tank top and sandals but just remember, the asphalt doesn’t care how relaxed you look. Better to overheat than overpay
Plan a Little, Wander a Lot
Sometimes, I’d just jump on the bike with no destination and see where the road took me. It’s one of the best feelings in the world. But when it came to longer journeys, I quickly learned that a bit of planning goes a long way especially if you want to avoid taking a wrong turn and ending up at a police checkpoint with no license and a slightly suspicious-looking blue card.
Backpacker Facebook groups and travel blogs are goldmines for route advice, where to go, what to skip, and which “shortcuts” are actually just glorified goat tracks.
One trick I often use is zooming in on the satellite view on Google Maps to scout for interesting spots along the way. Waterfalls, coastlines, rice terraces, you’d be amazed at what’s hiding just a few kilometers off the main road. Trust me, the fastest route is rarely the best. Main highways can be dull, noisy, and kind of soul-sucking. The backroads? That’s where you find real Vietnam, tiny villages, lush landscapes, and more buffaloes than you can count.
The good news is that you’re never far from a place to refuel yourself, not the bike. There are endless roadside coffee stands and food stalls where you can stop for a bite or a cup of cĂ phĂŞ sữa đá (Vietnamese iced coffee that’ll wake the dead). Also, do yourself a favour and try nĆ°á»›c mĂa, fresh sugarcane juice that tastes like summer in a glass.
One more thing: always aim to reach your destination before dark. Driving after sunset, especially on bigger roads, is a gamble. Truck drivers don’t mess around. They fly past like they’re late for a rocket launch, and visibility isn’t exactly a strong point in rural Vietnam. Play it safe and call it a day when the sun does.
Yes, You Need an International License (Even If You're a Pro)
Let’s clear up one thing real quick: just because your license back home says you can ride a bike doesn’t mean you’re off the hook in Vietnam or most of Asia, for that matter. If you get stopped by the police (which happens more often than you’d think), having only your home country’s license isn’t going to cut it. You’ll likely end up with a fine, or worse, riding illegally without even realizing it.
That’s why it’s worth sorting an International Driving Permit (IDP) before you travel. It’s cheap, quick, and saves you a whole lot of hassle. I used this website and it only took a few minutes to apply. You’ll thank yourself later, especially if you get pulled over by an officer who’s having a bad day or you’re involved in an accident.
And while we’re on the subject, make sure your travel insurance actually covers you for riding a motorbike. Some policies do, some don’t, and many only cover you up to a certain engine size or if you have the correct license. Double check the fine print before you hit the throttle.
For me, it was all about peace of mind. I rode through Vietnam for three months, was never stopped and never had an accident but just knowing I was covered took a load off. Because let’s be honest, ending up in a Vietnamese hospital with a broken collarbone and a $5,000 bill isn’t the souvenir anyone wants to take home.
Start Re-selling Early
One of the most common rookie mistakes I saw in Vietnam? Panic selling. I lost count of how many people were throwing up desperate posts in backpacker groups trying to offload their motorbike days before their flight out. I even ended up selling someone else’s bike for them after they’d already left the country, yep, just handed me the keys and said, “Good luck, mate.” It’s lucky I am an honest guy.
Here’s the move: start listing your bike about a month before you plan to leave. Just be clear about when it’ll actually be available for pick-up. That way, you can field some interest early and (hopefully) avoid fire-sale prices.
If you wait too long, your only real option might be to sell to a local shop and trust me, they’ll know you’re desperate. Expect a lowball offer and a bit of a smirk. It’s still better than nothing, but not ideal if you’re trying to recoup some cash.
Alternatively, some rental shops offer one-way rentals or guaranteed buy-back deals at the other end of your journey. Just know that the longer you’ve had the bike, the less they’ll give you on return. They’re running a business, after all.
Want some motivation? I bought my bike for $180 in northern Vietnam, rode it for six months across Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, and ended up selling it to a local garage in Laos for $230. Not too bad for something that rattled like a tin can full of bolts.
Final Thoughts: More Than Just a Ride
Cruising down Vietnam’s winding mountain roads, dodging cows and potholes while being serenaded by honking horns and the smell of roadside pho, it’s the kind of chaos that sticks with you. Buying a motorbike in Vietnam isn’t just about getting from A to B. It’s about freedom, spontaneity, and turning a 3-hour bus journey into a week-long adventure.
Sure, there are hiccups along the way, dodgy mechanics, sketchy road conditions, and that one moment when you question if your brake pads are more suggestion than function. But those challenges are half the fun. Every breakdown becomes a story, every detour a memory.
If you’ve made it this far through the blog, you’re probably seriously considering it and you absolutely should. Just do your homework, ride smart, get that international license, and don’t skimp on the helmet. Trust me, Vietnam is best seen from the seat of your own bike, wind in your face and no fixed plan.
And hey, if you’re still unsure, just think about all the people you’ll pass on their tour buses staring out the window while you’re out there living it.
