One of the most popular ways to experience Vietnam, or indeed any of the countries in South East Asia, is by renting or buying a motorbike to travel between points of interest. This is particularly popular among the backpacking community, and is a unique and interesting way to experience the country.
The first thing to consider, if you wish to travel this way, is to ensure that your licence covers you driving in Vietnam. Check with your national automobile association that you are legal and okay to ride, and if not make sure you make the correct amendments to avoid getting caught out by authorities. Before you travel to Vietnam you should also ensure that you have the correct visa for your travel, and also travel insurance, especially as motorcycle accidents can be very harmful and are actually quite common. With this in mind, it might be worth also considering buying some protection such as motorcycle gloves and even potentially a helmet from a trustworthy source in your home country for some added peace of mind. While a lot of people don't wear helmets, it is a very good idea to have a good one with you.
It is also a good idea to ensure you have satellite navigation of sorts. While it is possible to get around using maps and compasses, it might be hard to locate an english speaking local in rural areas in case you need help with this, and if you don't have time to learn basic Vietnamese, this is your best chance for easy navigation. If you intend to use your smartphone, check you that use this abroad before you embark on your motorcycle adventure.
You will most likely land in either Ha Noi or Saigon, and the best places to locate and buy a bike are in the District 1 of Saigon and the Old Quarter of Ha Noi. Here, many backpackers will display their bikes with "for sale" signs attached on the side of the street. You can also use Craigslist Vietnam to buy and sell motorcycles. You can usually find a bike for between $400 and $800USD, and if you are only owning it for a short time, it is worth not getting some too nice as this attracts thieves. Honda Cubs and Wins are popular choices that shouldn't break your budget. When you are buying your bike, make sure you ask as many questions as possible to check for safety and the history of the bike also. If you have any emergencies during your trip, there are plenty of workshops on the roadside that should be able to help you repair anything that you can't repair yourself, although a little mechanical knowledge will go a long way during your trip.
Travelling by bike is a fantastic way to see the country as it allows you complete freedom over where you travel, where you stop, and how long you spend at each location. Travelling by public bus is considerably cheaper, but you will bypass a lot of amazing photo opportunities at the side of the road, and you have to rely on the bus schedules and locations that they travel to. As it's such a popular option for travelling around the country, you are likely to meet other people following similar routes who may even want to travel with you for a while. There is a real sense of adventure and adrenaline which you would not experience if you were travelling using public transport, and overcoming mechanical problems add to a general sense of satisfaction when you arrive at your destination. As the old cliche goes; it's all about the journey, not the destination. And for any of those really long trips that you don't want to complete on the back of the bike, it is actually quite common to take your bike on the train with you.
Vietnam has thousands of kilometres of coastal highways, steep and winding mountain roads, and rainforests to explore. Riding by motorcycle is a really excellent way to connect with the landscapes around you and for a once in a lifetime experience. If you are planning a backpacking trip around Vietnam or South East Asia, it is worth considering travelling this way, and the stories you will be able to tell afterwards are bound to make all of your friends and family very jealous.