Licences and paperwork
What licence do I need to ride myself?
A licence valid under Vietnamese law for the class of machine you are riding. For foreign visitors: an International Driving Permit under the 1968 Vienna Convention together with your national licence. Permits issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention are not recognised in Vietnam. Machines over 175cc require class A2 or equivalent.
What if I have no licence?
You can still come — riding pillion with one of our riders. A great many of our guests choose this, and honestly, from the back seat you see more than the person on the bars.
Choosing a machine
What is available?
From 125cc semi-automatics through Honda CRF 150 and 250, CB 500X, CFMoto, and the BMW GS range. The full list and prices are in each tour’s price table.
Which one should I take?
Our rule: take a smaller machine than you think you need. The roads here are full of tight hairpins, steep gradients, broken surfaces and places where you have to turn round on the spot. A light 125 or 150 will be more fun and safer than a heavy adventure bike if you do not know this terrain. Big machines suit people with real mountain mileage behind them.
Can I bring my own bike?
Yes. We will store your machine for the duration of the tour if you would rather hire one of ours for the mountain roads, and we also guide groups riding their own bikes.
Skill and fitness
I am a fairly new rider. Can I come?
Yes, but tell us honestly. We hold several route options for the same axis and will choose the right one. What you must not do is overstate your experience and then meet thirty kilometres of broken track.
How far do we ride in a day?
Usually 100 to 180 km. That sounds modest, but 100 km of mountain road here takes more out of you than 300 km on the flat. We leave time for the stops, because the stops are why you came.
Is there off-road riding?
It depends on the programme, and we state the level clearly on each tour page. If the group is not up to it, the guide switches to another option — the right to change the route for safety is written into our policy.
Equipment
Are helmets and protective gear provided?
Yes. Helmets, body armour and gloves are supplied by us, imported from Europe and the United States, checked regularly, and never counterfeit, worn out or damaged. You are also welcome to bring your own.
What footwear?
High-cut boots with a stiff sole that cover the ankle. No sandals, no thin canvas shoes. Motorcycle boots are best.
What about rain?
Bring a two-piece rain suit; do not use a poncho on a motorbike. We carry spares for the group.
On the road
What if the bike breaks down?
The guide carries basic tools and knows how to use them. For anything serious, our operations team sends a replacement machine up — this is why we follow the group 24/7 rather than simply handing over the keys.
Where do we refuel?
There are filling stations in the towns. On the emptier routes the guide plans the fuel stops in advance and reminds the group.
What happens if I drop the bike?
Damage caused by rider error is handled under the hire agreement, which is explained to you before you take the machine. As for you personally, our insurance is in force throughout the trip, and we still recommend additional personal cover that includes motorcycling.
Can I drink and ride?
No. Vietnam applies a zero blood-alcohol limit for drivers and riders, and on a mountain pass that is also a survival rule. Maize spirit is for the evening, once the bikes are parked.