FAQs

Is a visa required to visit Vietnam?

Yes. This trip was in January 2024 and a single entry tourist e-visa, good for 30 days, was obtained via the internet for 25 USD. Allow a week for processing. Things may have changed. Check directly with the government of Vietnam website.

 

Is a motorcycle license required?

Yes. A Vietnam motorcycle license is required for any motorcycle above 50 cc. There are 2 license classes, one for motorcycles 150cc or less and another for motorcycles greater than 150cc.

Alternatively, an International Driving Permit with a Motorcycle Endorsement may be acceptable. These can be obtained from AAA in the U.S. However, the dated international conventions that recognize these permits are different by the U.S. and Vietnam governments. Consequently, the acceptance of the International Driving Permit may be subject to the discretion of the police and the rental agency. In my case, riding a motorcycle of 150cc or less, the police and the rental agency accepted my permit. Your experience may vary.

An International Driving Permit without a motorcycle endorsement is not acceptable when riding a motorcycle and will result in a fine or worse.

When carrying an International Driving Permit, you must also carry your locally-issued driver’s license. One police officer asked to see it.

 

Was the language barrier a problem?

English is found in the big cities with the young people.

In the rural areas, we did not find English. For routine matters like getting something to eat or drink, paying, etc., it was not a problem. In my experience, Vietnamese people show good will, are very accommodating, hospitable, and quick to help if they can – even if we cannot speak to one another. Respect, a smile, and gestures go a long way.

For more complicated matters, Google Translate is wonderful. Smartphones are ubiquitous and everyone is familiar with Google Translate. It is magical. We used it in typing mode, not spoken. It is very common to pull it out and have your counterpart take the phone to translate.

Bottom line, the Vietnamese people I met wanted to communicate and wanted to have a positive interaction with me. I hold the folks I met in the highest regard.

 

Were money exchange and cash a problem?

No. ATMs are abundant and they give approximately the international bank exchange rates. ATM withdrawal limits are modest, so expect to visit them often. Remember things are inexpensive. Most of our best meals for 2 with beers cost less than $10 U.S. Many were $6 U.S. or less. Most businesses, especially food, gas, groceries, operate on a cash basis. Don’t expect to pay with plastic.

Based on recommendations from frequent travelers, I carried a Charles Schwab debit card. Charles Schwab reimburses ATM service fees.

 

How long were you there? Was it enough or too much?

24 days. Two weeks is not enough. I would have liked more time, but then again, what we were doing was hard on one’s body.

If you are riding motorcycles in Vietnam, plan for every 3rd day to be a day of rest. Elements, roads, and in my case, years, take a toll.

Why did you go?

See Why?

 

Did you ever feel unsafe?

Yes, traffic and road conditions can be hazardous.

I never felt unsafe in terms of crimes against persons. In this regard, I felt safer than some places in the U.S. I also did not feel Vietnam was ever unsafe for my daughter. In fact, I observed many young European women traveling alone in Vietnam.

I was cautioned about petty theft and crimes against property, but never experienced or observed it.

 

What did you do to mitigate the motorcycle risks?

I have a motorcycle license and years of experience. In the weeks before this trip, I took a motorcycle safety training course offered by the state of Pennsylvania (free!) to brush up my knowledge and skills and to learn hazard avoidance techniques. I highly recommend investing the time for a safety course.

I did not purposely ride at night. It happened though. Expect it might. Manage your speed – road and weather conditions change fast. We carried compact headlamps in case of motorcycle electrical failure, which does happen.

Considering we were in such remote areas, we rode separate motorcycles figuring we could both ride one out in case of a breakdown. 

I wore good safety gear. See next question.

What safety gear did you use? 

I brought with me a full coverage helmet with visor, boots with ankle coverage,  and padded motorcycle safety riding pants. I purchased motorcycle safety riding gloves in country. I wore elbow pads rented from Tigit Motorbikes.

 

Do you recommend travel medical insurance?

Yes. Our U.S. insurance would be of little or no help. Reputable international insurance companies sell medical insurance that includes medical evacuation and transport out of country if necessary. It is very affordable as long as you do not include travel interruption or cancellation coverage. 

Motorcycle injuries happen and sometimes they are serious.

 

Why did you choose the Honda XR150 versus other bikes? 

My requirements were in order: reliability, availability, fitness for purpose, and comfort.

Vietnam is a huge motorcycle market. However, the brands are relatively limited. Furthermore, most motorcycles are either quality or cheap knockoffs (loosely referred to as Chinese locally). Honda is considered a premium brand and it is ubiquitous with repair shops and parts widely available throughout the country.

The Honda XR150 is considered a dual sport motorcycle suitable for highway and off road use. It has a high ground clearance and a suspension with a large amount of travel. This suspension was the reason it was recommended for me when I asked about long duration journeys with a painful back. 

My Western friends scoff at 150cc as being too small. Speeds are low in Vietnam and 150cc is more than enough for anything we encountered in Vietnam. Moreover, it is light and about the limit of what I can pick up when it falls. If you are adventure riding, plan on falling. Not falling? Not enough adventure.

See the question above about licenses (150cc or less) and discretion with regard to International Driving Permit.

 

Why did  you choose Tigit Motorbikes as your rental agency?

Tigit caters to responsible people, including foreigners, who want a trouble-free experience. Their bikes are newer and very well maintained. They are owned and managed by an expat. I highly recommend Tigit Motorbikes.

Tigit is not the least expensive, but you get what you pay for. Read my story. I was going into remote areas with my daughter. I had plenty to worry about without having to think about being given a poor quality and/or poorly maintained motorcycle for each of us to ride. 

Tigit also produces a lot of YouTube content that was extremely helpful when planning a trip like this – one that is not exactly something you can find in a travel brochure.

 

Did you modify the motorcycles?

No. Our motorcycles had small luggage racks to which we strapped our backpacks with bungee cords. We never lost the backpacks but did lose some lunches from under the straps.

I carried spare innertubes (at Tigit’s suggestion) because the tires on the Honda XR150 are a size not commonly found in Vietnam. This was a strategic win when I had the blowout on the Hai Van Pass.

The motorcycles had smartphone holders already installed on the handlebars. These are a must because of navigation.

 

For the motorcycle part of the journey, what did you pack?

… in the backpack?

2 long sleeve outer shirts, 1 long sleeve tee shirt, 1 short sleeve tee, 2 pants, belt, swim trunks, 3 underwear, 3 pair socks, microfiber towel, toiletry kit (check out the toothpaste tablets – photo below), rain shirt, rain pants, rain booties, 2 neck gaiters, 1 pair warm gloves, warm hat, handkerchief, mini flashlight, and mini headlamp. Laundry service is readily available and inexpensive.

… in the chest pack?

Phone  with Vietnam sim, power bank, journal, travel docs, camera batteries, malaria pills, toilet paper, first aid, laundry detergent sheets, clothesline, action camera, multi tool, insect repellent, sunscreen and U.S. phone. See photo below.

 

How did you convince your daughter to go?

No convincing was necessary. She jumped at the chance.

Where did you not go and why? 

Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon. I wanted to spend my time in the north, which was more of a mystery, and as not as far along the path to become Westernized. 

I also did not go to the Mekong Delta. I understand it to be more crowded and difficult to tour by motorcycle. I could be wrong.

 

Is Vietnam poor and impoverished? 

Not visibly. Vietnam has the look, feel, and vibe of an up and coming economy. Most notable, the children are happy, active, and revered. The living standard is not yet first world in the rural areas (same can be said in parts of the U.S.). Everyone seems engaged and entrepreneurial. There is a lot of activity. From what I saw, people are well-fed. Clothes are not ragged. 

Especially in rural areas, life is pretty simple. People seem happy. The food is fresh and farm-to-table seems to be the norm rather than the exception. 

Vietnam is producing 30% of their graduates with degrees in STEM. This country is going to do very well as the rest of the world de-risks their economies from China. If I had a 30 year investment horizon, I would invest in Vietnam.

 

Did you sense any resentment toward Americans? 

No. I was surprised. Lord knows they might have reason with something over 400,000 citizens killed in the war. I understand that every family it seems lost someone in the war. The majority of the population was born after the end of the war. 

I experienced only friendliness, grace, and hospitality from the Vietnamese people. I tear up when I think of war with these people and the Americans who died in Vietnam.