Renting a Motorbike in Vietnam: The Honest Picture
It looks easy on a friend's photos, so here is what to check before you say yes.
Renting a motorbike in Vietnam is possible, but it is not simple for a Malaysian. Licence rules, insurance and dense traffic all matter, and a rental shop saying yes does not mean you are covered. If you cannot confirm the paperwork, choose Grab, a taxi or a driver.
What do you need to check first?
Check three things, in this order.
- Licence: what Vietnamese authorities accept from a Malaysian rider right now.
- Insurance: whether your travel insurance covers riding and under what conditions.
- Your own ability: whether you have ridden in heavy traffic before.
Rules change, so rely on official sources. The Malaysian embassy in Hanoi lists a general email, mwhanoi@kln.gov.my3, and the Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City has an official page at kln.gov.my/web/vnm_ho-chi-minh-city/home4.
What is the traffic really like?
In big cities, motorbikes fill the road, move in swarms and change lanes without a signal. It is not the same as riding in Malaysia, and a quiet street can turn busy in a minute.
Quieter roads on an island may suit an experienced rider better. See Getting Around Phu Quoc and Getting Around Con Dao.
Who should not ride?
Do not ride if you are new to motorbikes, tired, unwell or have been drinking. Do not ride with young children on the back.
Seniors and anyone with balance or joint problems should choose a car. If friends in your group do ride, agree on rules before you start, and keep the others in a car or Grab.
What should you ask a rental shop?
- Is there a written contract, and what does it say about damage?
- What deposit is held, and how is it returned?
- Are helmets provided, and are they in good condition?
- Is insurance included, and what does it cover?
- What happens after a fall or a breakdown?
Photograph the bike before you leave, and note any scratches. Never leave a passport as a deposit if you can avoid it.
What if something goes wrong?
Vietnam’s emergency numbers are 113 for police2 and 115 for ambulance or first aid1. Save your accommodation address and your insurer’s contact before you ride.
What are the safer alternatives?
Use Grab for short rides, a private car for longer ones and a guided tour for hard terrain. Read Grab in Vietnam and Taxis in Vietnam for the basics. For the famous mountain loop, see Ha Giang Loop: Bus Tour, Car or Self-Ride. More in Getting around Vietnam.
Tell us your route and your riding experience, and we can suggest a safer way to get around that still gives you the freedom you want.
Common questions
Can a Malaysian rent a motorbike in Vietnam?
Shops may rent to you, but renting is not the same as being legally and safely covered. Rules on licences are set by Vietnamese authorities and can change. Check the current requirements with official sources, and do not rely on a rental shop's word alone.
Do I need a special licence?
Do not assume your Malaysian licence is enough. Ask the Malaysian embassy or consulate, and check what Vietnamese authorities and your insurer accept. Get the answer in writing if you can. If you cannot confirm it, choose Grab, a taxi or a driver instead.
Will my travel insurance cover a crash?
Not always. Many policies exclude motorbike riding or require a specific licence. Read the policy wording before you travel, and ask your insurer in writing whether your plan covers riding in Vietnam. If it does not, the safer choice is not to ride.
Who should not ride a motorbike in Vietnam?
Do not ride if you are a first-time rider, have not ridden a motorbike in heavy traffic, are tired or have been drinking. Skip it with children as passengers too. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City traffic is dense, so choose another way to get around.
What do I do in an emergency?
Call the emergency numbers, 113 for police and 115 for ambulance or first aid. Keep your accommodation address and your insurer's number saved. For consular help, contact the Malaysian embassy in Hanoi or the consulate general in Ho Chi Minh City.
Sources
- Vietnam emergency number 115 is ambulance or first aid. Wikipedia
- Vietnam emergency number 113 is police. Wikipedia
- Embassy of Malaysia Hanoi email: mwhanoi@kln.gov.my (general) and han.cons@kln.gov.my (consular matters only). Embassy of Malaysia, Hanoi
- The Consulate General of Malaysia in Ho Chi Minh City has an official page at kln.gov.my/web/vnm_ho-chi-minh-city/home. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia
Keep planning
Tell us your route and your riding experience, and we can suggest a safer way to get around that still gives you the freedom you want.