If you haven’t been to Vietnam I would say it is a bucket-list country. Stretching 900 miles from top to bottom you can meander through its mountains and coasts for months. Vietnam is a skinny country, yet mountainous and coastal, giving it a diverse climate. Monsoon seasons make the country very lush and alive. It has such a family-oriented culture often with four to five generations of families living under one roof. Their family values make them the most accommodating and generous people I have come across in my travels.
A great way to see the country and really become immersed in the culture is via motorbike. This is very much a “choose your own adventure” type of excursion, but there are a couple things you shouldn’t miss along the way.
How to Purchase a Motorbike for Your Vietnam Trip
There are actually a couple companies that have capitalized on tourists doing this journey and have set up shops in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to buy and sell bikes specifically for one-way journeys. They have recommended routes, safety tips and extra gear should you need it. One company that has a reputable reputation among westerners is Hiep Motorbike Rental and Sales. You can purchase or rent from him.
I did this trip nine years ago so I asked some locals where to purchase my 196-something Minsk — a Russian built bike used during the Vietnam war (mine still had the remains of the machine gun mount on the handle bars). She was one of the most unreliable vehicles I have ever owned, but made for a great adventure. My advice in purchasing a bike would be to definitely test ride it and see if they have any history of maintenance. If you do break down along the way, the Vietnamese are very mechanically inclined and eager to help you fix your rig.
Vietnam is a Big Country, Which Route Should You Take?
I started in the city of Hanoi — it was easier to buy a bike in a big city like this. They call Hanoi “the city of 1000 motorbikes” so it makes sense to start here. I kid you not, at any one given stop light in the city there are no less than 200 motorbikes all carrying anything from live pigs to families of seven — a real culture shock from the rules and regulations in the United States.
From Hanoi you can head North and do a northern loop to the Chinese border and meander through the mountains with stunning views of mountains and valleys along the whole trip. You would end back in Hanoi to refresh and start heading south. This could also be a cool trip on its own.
From Hanoi you can also head south. There is the coastal route which has a lot more travel along highways. We opted to go inland through the mountains on the Ho Chi Mihn trail to avoid excessive highway riding. This was extremely scenic and remote. We stopped frequently in small towns for minor motorbike repairs and to spend the night at small hotels or with locals who opened their doors to us. Since we were off of the tourist track, there was no english menu at restaurants and we frequently weren’t sure exactly what we were eating. In a country where they eat dog, it would be nice if you could be sure.
If you find yourself in the south first, not a problem, do the reverse and head north. Ho Chi Mihn City is a bustling city with a colorful cityscape, markets to wander and some warmer weather. You can check out this guide for the main cities in Vietnam to hit along the way and what to do while you’re there.
What to Bring and How to Pack it
When I did this trip, I was on a two year backpacking trip, so all I had was a backpack and not nearly enough warm gear. I used a trash bag to cover my bag, bought some bungee cords and strapped it to the rack on the back of my bike. My travel companion didn’t have a rack so he wore his most of the time, which I don’t recommend.
Definitely know what type of clothing you will need based on the weather that time of year. The most basic requirements are a rain jacket and good shoes. Try and waterproof as much of yourself as you can for rainy weather because you won’t find a dryer along the way and once you’re wet, you’re wet.
For an all around guide of how to do this trip, this adventurous blogger covered the trip in detail. Read up for more tips and tricks. This is one of the best adventures that I have had. It got rough a few times and it definitely wasn’t smooth sailing but I wouldn’t have traded a day of it. You will have to have some thick skin and a desire to get lost. Have fun out there!
