FAQ
Have a look at our Frequently Asked Questions about our tours and what to expect on the road. If you have any more questions please don’t hesitate to contact us and we will get back to you with more information.
Before you go
Payments: Full payment must be made by the time we leave on the trip, we accept Visa, Master Card bank fees from 2-3% might apply.
Deposits: We require a deposit of approximate 200US$ to secure a booking. Deposits can be made to our Hanoi bank in local currency ( VND), US$ and by PayPal. Please contact us for full details.
Update!!
Vietnam now accepts international driving permits from most countries, your home motorbike driving license is fine for our tours. Please check with your health insurance provider to make sure they cover driving while in Vietnam
Drivers Licenses: Your home country driving license will suffice if you are pulled over by the police and it generally is not checked. However, if you are involved in an accident that requires police to investigate you will be asked to supply a valid driving license, fines can be imposed and motorbike impounded.
Insurance: We strongly advise all overseas customers to obtain travel insurance before they arrive. You should have your own health insurance coverage that covers driving in Vietnam, while international quality health facilities are available in Hanoi and HCMC, health care services in the countryside is of a lower standard. District towns have health facilities that include emergency, x-ray services and can help you deal with a minor accident, they will accept payment at the end of treatment.
We do not offer coverall liability insurance you will be responsible for the full replacement cost if the motorbike is lost, stolen or damaged beyond repair. If Motorbike has been damaged on One of our tours we will get it back to Hanoi. but, you be liable for its repair. While on tour we accept that there will be normal wear and tear on the bikes or a few scratches. Dropping the bike is part of the experience, we are only concerned with major damage to the bike that would make it not functioning. we have a price list of replacement parts like the radiator, handlebars and smashed plastic bits on request.
We do not offer third party liability insurance If involved in an accident with a local person we will work with them to make restitution in cash on the spot for damages to the other vehicle and if any medical aid is required. Medical care is very reasonably priced and in case of a small accident the cost is minimal. As an example: Trip to provincial town private medical centre with 2 X-rays and doctor consultation 40 $US ( no broken bones to set in this case). Motorbiking is not the safest of activities in Vietnam so we always drive slow and take care.
We are on a tour, not a race.
It is best to avoid problems and drive slowly and safely, if you are in an accident, even if it is not your fault, you must be prepared to negotiate a payment or restitution on the spot.
We have a support vehicle available to follow us on tour to carry luggage and provide transport in-case of injury. Please contact us for details.
Be responsible drive safely.
You must apply for a visa to enter Vietnam that can be done at an Embassy or consulate in your home country. Visa on arrival can be obtained and must be arranged in advance. We can provide a visa on arrival for most nationalities Please bring US$ to pay the visa on arrival fee and (2) 3×4 photographs. It’s better to have the visa before you depart and you don’t have to waste time in another line after a long flight. If you want the visa on arrival, please contact us for more information
Here is the list of Countries that have a free visa on arrival, Please check with your airlines and local embassy for updated information. allowed length of stay in days is shown in parentheses, footnote conditions apply if starred
Belarus (15)
Brunei (14)
Cambodia (30)
Denmark* (15)
Finland* (15)
France* (15)
Germany* (15)
Indonesia (30)
Italy* (15)
Japan* (15)
Kazakhstan* (30)
Kyrgyzstan (30)
Laos (30)
Malaysia (30)
Myanmar (14)
Norway* (15)
Philippines (21)
Russia* (15)
Singapore (30)
South Korea* (15)
Spain*(15)
Sweden* (15)
Thailand (30)
The United Kingdom* (15)
*We take no responsibility of this 3rd party service.
VISA: You should keep your passport or a clear photocopy of your passport and Vietnam visa on you at all times when driving. you will be asked to hand it over to the hotel clerk at night where they will register you with the local police. it will be kept safe and returned to you when you check out of the hotel.
Important notes: Your passport must be valid 6 months from date of entry in Vietnam, Please check to make sure your documents are up to date. A single entry 30-day tourist visa should suffice and varies in cost from country to country.
ASEAN passport holders get a free visa on arrival. Please check with your local embassy before travel.
You can expect the full range of riding conditions on Vietnam motorbike tours — rain, fog, wet roads, rocks, roadworks and other hazards. It’s all part of the adventure! Let us know whether you prefer riding on sealed roads, challenging trails or a combination of both. We will attempt to give you the level of adventure you are looking for, weather permitting! Please contact us if you have any questions.
Vietnamese traffic is chaotic at best, but there’s a method in the madness and it’s easy to navigate through on your motorbike when you know the road rules.
Vietnam is not the place to learn to drive a motorbike. You must have riding experience to join one of our tours.
The traffic looks like a free-for-all, but it’s not. There are fixed rules. They are just a different set of rules than the ones we are used to. Not that drivers don’t sometimes break the rules. The big difference is that in Western countries, a traffic light is just a suggestion and all intersections should be approached with caution.
Our Tours take us out in the mountains and countryside where the traffic is limited, and roads are clear. Be aware at all times there are other vehicles, motorbikes, bicycles and farm animals on the road. Always drive defensively and stay on the right side of the road and slow down when other people are on the road.
Equipment available in Hanoi
(included in tour cost):
BMW Motorrad summer pants ( S-XXL)
IXS motorcycle jackets (S-XXL)
Waterproof rain paints
Waterproof poncho
HJC Helmets Open face helmet with a clear visor and retractable tinted visor (M-XL)
Motocross-style helmet with a tinted visor (S-L)
Dry bag and bungee straps for your luggage
We have a warehouse/office where you can leave extra luggage during your tour. Please don’t leave Cash/cameras/computers in stored luggage.
Vietnam has and enforces helmet law when driving or as a passenger on a motorbike. Regardless if local is wearing helmets we require that you use a helmet at all times. A selection of helmets available (included in tour cost) It is best if you bring your own helmet with you to ensure proper fit and comfort.
Sample Packing List
Here is a list of items that you should bring to make your self comfortable on tour
Personal Items to bring:
T-shirts
Swimming clothes
Long Trousers
Long sleeve shirt
Warm sweater or fleece
Sandals or comfortable shoes
Mosquito spray
Motorbike gloves
Sturdy boots for riding
Passport/money belt or wallet
Toiletries:
Travel shampoo
Toothpaste/brush
Personal medications
Accommodation: Although Vietnam is a developing country and we visit some remote places, the quality of accommodation has improved greatly. In small towns we stay at local private guest houses, each double room will have air conditioning, private bath, hot water and mosquito nets on each bed. In some locations, local homestays are available where the sleeping arrangements are made usually in a house on stilts all in one room. Each person will have a mattress, pillow and mosquito net with a shared toilet/shower in an outbuilding. Silk sleeping sheets are available from Shops in Hanoi.
Some places have proper hotels with International TV, private showers and balconies (depends on location). We always try to take the best hotel or guest in town on our tours. Our tours are based on Single rooms and shared house when we stay with families in local home-stays.
Village Home-stay with mattress and mosquito net, shared bath
Home-stay Ho Chi Minh Trail Tour
Mai Chau Village home-stay
Resort twin share room private bath
Hotel room single with private bath
Meals: We provide quality Vietnamese food on tour and take in the local seasonal specialities where available. Breakfast usually consists of a Pho Bo (noodle soup), My Thom (packaged noodles) or Eggs and bread with Jam. At lunch we provide picnic with bread, imported deli meats and cheese and “special supplies” we bring with us from Hanoi, It’s great stopping on a mountain pass or by a waterfall to take lunch and enjoy the view. Dinner is local fare with rice, tofu, vegetable and meat (pork, beef, buffalo or Chicken)
Please let us know if you have any dietary restrictions we will do our best to accommodate There are rice and vegetables, eggs and tofu for vegetarian diets.