How to ride motorcycle in Vietnam

Vietnam is a bike rider’s country. The most preferred mode of transport  are the 110-cc motorbike for the Vietnamese masses, and the large cities swarm with them. It's common to see whole families of four cruising along on a single motorbike.

Two main categories of motorbike are: scooters (automatic transmission); and four-speed motorbikes, the gears of which you shift with your left foot. The ubiquitous Honda Super Cub is a common 4-speed bike that has a semi-automatic gearbox i.e. no clutch so is relatively easy to ride. Motorcycles of 175cc and above are only legal to ride if you make a connection with a Vietnamese motorcycle club or you take a guided tour from a tour-operator.

If you are thinking that you will rent a bike and travel by your own, you should be aware that it is illegal for foreigners to ride a motorbike in Vietnam unless they are in possession of a temporary Vietnamese motorcycle license, which in turn requires you to have a current license issued by your home country/country of residence or an International Driving Permit.

To convert your license or International Driving Permit into a temporary Vietnamese license you must hold a Vietnamese residence permit of at least three months' validity or a three-month tourist visa. In Hanoi you should apply to the Centre for Automotive Training and Mechanism. However, if you take a guided motorcycle tour from a tour Operator, they will take care of this problem; they just need your riding experience.

When you make a tour with us, your safety becomes our primary concern and we will endeavor to make your trip as safe and enjoyable as possible. We provide traffic lesson, local laws and various conditions which you will not have seen before in Vietnam.

Our tour leader will always be at the front of the group and our support vehicle ( if included in the trip ) at the rear, so noboby will be left to their own devices.

Tips for new riders when using clutch bikes for touring.

Motorcycle trips demand far more planning than the equivalent journey in a car. Though riding provides an inherent sense of freedom, practical limitations require motorcyclists to think ahead when choosing to hit the open roads

Learn to use the clutch:

Motorcycles are almost always equipped with manual transmissions requiring the coordinated use of a manual clutch. The clutch is usually on the left handgrip. You to learn to release the clutch slowly while you apply gas using the right handlebar. This take practice, but smooth starts are safe starts. Once you are underway, you can change gears by squeezing the clutch and changing gears with your left foot. Once you are in the correct gear, release the clutch and add gas.

Understand the transmission:

Different motorcycles have different transmissions, but the setup is generally the same. They are operated by the left foot. The lowest position is first. One click up is traditionally neutral. Above this is second, third, fourth, fifth, and on some street bikes, sixth gear.

Braking:

Good riders who have had motorcycle training are experts at quick and efficient braking. should an emergency arise. You must learn to use appropriate pressure on both the front and back brakes when slowing down. Like cars, most of the braking action is provided by the front brakes. When it's time to slow down, apply both the front and back brakes at the same time. It takes some practice, but you should learn to use the brakes to slow down quickly. Be careful that you do not allow either tire to lock up and skid, as these could lead to a loss of control.

Turning

There are different techniques for turning, depending on how fast you are driving and the type of curve or corner. Slow turns and fast turns require slightly different methods when riding. You'll need to be proficient at both before driving on a highway. Turning around curves while driving down the road is very simple when you ride a motorcycle. Just lean in the direction you want to go, and the bike will follow. The more you lean into the turn, the higher the rate of turn. When making a slow moving turn such as when you are pulling into a driveway, you'll want to sit straight up and turn the handlebars in the direction you want to go.