Vietnam Motorbike Tours | Guided Adventures Across Vietnam

Motorcycle Travel Guide

Vietnam: Motorcycle Holiday From Ha Giang Loop to the Mekong Delta

Here we answer all the questions and concerns before deciding to book a motorbike holiday to Vietnam. Pre-travel information such as visa, entry with your own motorcycle, clear driving licence info, best time to ride in Vietnam and many more, covering length of the country from the Ha Giang to the Mekong.

Best time for motorcycle tours through Vietnam

The best time for motorcycle travel in Vietnam is from late September to April where the country experience dry season, during this weather pattern, North Vietnam is dry, with blue sky and temperature varying from 20-25.

Northern Vietnam (Ha Giang, Sapa, Ba Be, Ban Gioc & mountain regions) rides best between September and April where we experience clear visibility, the rice harvest season.

February to April is the second good time to ride, with blossoming peach and plum trees and dry roads. July and August bring the occasional heavy rainfall, but not floods and or typhoon (usually around 450 mm per month).

The central coast (Hai Van Pass, Da Nang, Hue, Phong Nha) has its typhoon season from September to November, with the heavy rainfall around the month of October. The rest of the year, especially February to July, is dry and makes it great for a ride.

The Mekong Delta in the south has also a different weather pattern: rainy season from May to early October, with the highest water levels in September and October.  The dry season from November to April is the most reliable time to travel in the delta region. 

Visa and entry to Vietnam

Visa is included on all our tours (You don’t have to apply it)

Most European such as British, Spanish, Germans, Swiss, Denmark, Italian and many more are eligible to receive free visa on arrival (Not Required to apply) for staying up to 45 days.

American, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, are required to apply for a visa in advance (You won’t be allowed to board your flight without a visa).

Since June of the 2026, a border-area permit applies to tours running around the Ha Giang and specially the districts of Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Dong Van and Meo Vac. The permit costs USD 10 per person and is valid for the length of the trip and we will take care of the permit once your tour is confirmed.

Driving licence and IDP to ride in Vietnam

Vietnam only recognises the International Driving Permit under the 1968 Vienna Convention, the 1949 version from the USA, Canada and Australia, Japan is not valid.

All ASEAN members are also eligible to ride in Vietnam with their own driving license with our a needs of applying for an IDP.

The International Driving Permit issued in UK, Germany, Austria and Switzerland meets this requirement and again, the IDPs issued in the USA, Canada and Australia are based on the older 1949 agreement and are not accepted by the Vietnamese traffic police. Check our How to apply international driving permit

Roads traffic across Vietnam

Generally, Vietnam is home to a large network of mountain passes stretching from far north to the Mekong Delta. There are basically three types of roads;

• Narrow mountain tracks in the North
• Coastal roads in the center
• Flat roads with ferries crossing in the Mekong Delta

In the north, we ride through narrow, winding mountain roads with sharp corners, main rods are often well paved and taken care of.

Daily riding time around the north and specially Sapa, Mu Cang Chai and the Ha Giang Loop are usually 100 to 150 km, that includes Off-road and rest stops, this alone takes around 5-7 hours of ride.

The coastal road over the Hai Van Pass toward Danang and Hoi An and further south toward Nha Trang, is the opposite: well built and wide, barely used by trucks (if following the backroads).

In the Mekong Delta, concrete roads along the river arms take the place of mountain tracks, flat, but narrow, sharing the same lane with water buffalo and bicycle traffic. 

Fuel types in Vietnam

The RON92 and E10 RON 95 are available nationwide at fuel stations, even and the small villages in the far mountain regions making it worry-free for filling the tank during the riding days.

The biofuels (E10) since June 2026 has transitioned in Vietnam toward standardizing eco-friendlier fuel blends like E10 RON 95, which mixes 10% plant-based bio-ethanol with conventional petrol.

At regular fuel stations (Petrolimex, PVOil and others local brands), E5 RON92 E10 is widely available; payment is cash only, and card payment is available only at bigger stations and mainly at Petrolimex. 

Fuel is included on our tours and we fill the tanks once a day and usually right after leaving the accommodation. Check out Fuel Types in Vietnam

Road Safety while riding motorbike in Vietnam

Emergency numbers:

• Police: 113
• Fire station: 114
• Ambulance: 115
• National rescue hotline: 112

Vietnam traffic follows right-hand traffic, though drivers often bend rules. The speed limits are generally limited to 40 km/h in urban areas and up to 60 km/h on rural roads or highways. Local also honk a lot, that is a sign of traffic and passing, not a sign of ignorance.

• Helmets are Mandatory: All motorbike riders and pillion passengers must wear a properly fastened helmet at all times.
• No Phones: Using cell phones or headphones while driving or crossing the street is illegal and dangerous.
• Safe Distances: Keep at least a 35-meter gap when traveling at 60 km/h

Health and insurance in Vietnam

Make sure to carry and or support yourself with an insurance that covers you while riding a motorbike in Vietnam.

No yellow fever and or malaria risk specially in the touring area we ride a motorbike is required. Make sure to carry on a Mosquito protection against.

Money and credit card in Vietnam

The national currency is the Vietnamese Dong (VND). ATMs accepting international cards (Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay) are available across the country, with withdrawal limits between 2 and 10 million VND per transaction (USD 80 to 400) depending on the bank. In rural areas and at small food stalls, only cash counts, carry enough cash to cover your purchases.

WIFI, Mobile network & Sim card

Nowadays WIFI is available pretty much at anywhere in Vietnam, all cafes, foodies, supermarkets, smallest guesthouses and anywhere you can imagine is now offers a free use of WIFI.

For the SIM card, we suggest you to choose between Viettel, Mobiphone and or Vinaphone, while the network coverage of all three are good, we relay best on Viettel for bette coverage in rural areas.

A SIM card cost not more than USD 10 and you can get one on arrival using your passport.

Packing list for Vietnam

Let’s make it simple, bring whatever you may need in a luggage and we only take what essential we need for the bike ride, we support you with a 40L dry bag and we can tighten it behind the bike. We will keep your big luggage in Hanoi till we drive back.

• Your own helmet, riding jacket or boots
• International Driving Permit (IDP) under the 1968 Vienna Convention
• Rain coat (Rain pant and jacket) or get a poncho raincoat once you landed
• Enough cash
• Light jacket for riding during December to February