It can’t be denied that Vietnam is not only a paradise for leisure holidays but also a good place to explore wild nature. That’s why many travellers choose to spend their holidays on the motorbike and chase the wind on the road of mountainous areas.
Why motorbike tour?
Motorbike is regarded as the best transportation mode to travel to highlands for its convenience and flexibility. With a motorbike, you can go anywhere you want, stop whenever you like. Thereby, you can control your holiday instead of following the plan of a tour guide. More than that, you will completely connect with nature. If choosing a car, people are likely to waste their time in sleeping or get car sick. Riding on the motorbikes gives you a chance to live on every single kilometre.
Which kind of motorbike?
100 cc-or-more semi-automatic motorbikes are recommended for the itinerary to Northern Vietnam’s mountainous area. A good motorbike must satisfy the criteria: strong engine, gasoline-saving and flexible packing space.
When to travel?
Weather is one of the most important factors affecting the trip. If it is good, your trip will be perfect and it is bad? Your trip will get a lot of difficulties. Hence, there is no reason for you not to choose the appropriate time to travel. The best time for exploring the beauty of mountainous areas is from late September to the beginning of December or after the Tet holiday. During this period, there is almost no rain and the temperature is cool.
Be well-prepared
There are must-have things that you are required to bring when travelling to remote areas. For example specialized clothes and shoes, contact information, personal effects, map and medical bags. However, they are not enough for a motorbike trip. You must be well-equipped with a standard helmet and a motorcycle repair tool kit. Remember to maintain the whole motorbike before starting the trip. Fill up your motorbike and know the location of the gasoline station.
On the way
It would be better if you travel in a small group of two or three motorbikes with one experienced leader. All members of the group are required to stay close and know the itinerary to avoid getting lost.
Slow down when coming to the bends. Sometimes, there may be animals like buffaloes, cows, dogs or even pigs crossing the road, so you should pay attention when riding and decrease your speed so as not to crush into them. At night or on foggy days, the vision is limited; you should not stop to rest and only continue the trip when the weather gets better.
Notes:
Do not ride when you feel tired, sleepy or after drinking alcohol.
Obey road traffic laws
Bring your identity paper and driving license
Be careful when crossing the stream
Protect the environment.
Follow the rule of the ethnic minority groups and respect their distinctive culture.
[…] Riding a motorbike can be the best thing you would experience in Vietnam. Mountainous regions in Vietnam have both beauties and adventures. There are roads for both beginners and experienced riders. If you have just started riding, head south. A 1-month trip from Hanoi to Hue or Danang and around the Central Vietnam seems very attractive to those who love riding motorbike and want to enjoy the beauties of nature; 3-month trip to Ho Chi Minh if you have gained confidence and experience. The national highway 1 and Ho Chi Minh Trail are in good condition and easy to ride. National Highway 1 is congested at all time and therefore more dangerous. However, the historical 1000-mile HCM Trail in opposition runs through many empty hamlets, fields, forests with surprisingly high quality roads at most parts. To experienced riders, riding to Northwest or Northeast provinces of Vietnam can be very much of a challenge but at the same time very rewarding with magnificent views of the nature especially when you travel at rice seasons. However, the roads to some remote areas such as Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Ha Giang, Lao Cai… are quite dangerous and very steep at some parts. Avoid riding in rainy season, best time for riding is the winter from September to February. There are 4 legend passes of the north, famous for both beauty and especially danger you need to be aware of: Ma Pi Leng (Ha Giang), O Qui Ho (Lao Cai – Lai Chau), Khau Pha (Yen Bai), Pha Din (Dien Bien). Do prepare carefully before riding. […]