SEMI-GUIDED MOTORBIKE TOURS ACROSS VIETNAM

Semi-guided motorbike tours are a new type of travel experience offered by Offroad Vietnam. We have been providing this option since early 2013, and around 600 riders have joined us on this style of adventure.

This format offers greater flexibility while still ensuring support for the most important aspects of the journey. It is ideal for travelers who want more independence and the ability to customize their experience while on the road.

In a semi-guided tour, you simply rent the motorcycle(s) and travel with a guide. The guide takes care of daily bike checks and basic repairs, leads the group, selects the best routes, assists with communication with local people, and ensures that riding does not continue after dark.

Travelers are responsible for the guide and their own expenses, including fuel, food, drinks, entrance fees, and accommodation…

Your guide adds significant value to the trip, as they are experienced with the motorcycles, familiar with the routes, fluent in English, and able to communicate in local languages, helping to make your journey smoother, safer, and more insightful.

Simply send us your travel plan, ideas, and expectations, and we will advise you on what we can arrange. We are always open to suggestions and discussion to help make your trip one of the most memorable adventures you will ever experience.

The overall cost may not be lower than our fully guided tours, but you will benefit from complete flexibility and independence. This freedom is the main value of our semi-guided motorbike tours in Vietnam.

What To Expect On Vietnam Semi-guided Motorbike Tours

Vietnam is a developing country, and standards may differ from those in Western countries. In some cases, travelers may find accommodation more basic, with firm mattresses or simple restaurants, particularly in remote areas.

We encourage guests to approach the journey with an open mind and flexible expectations, as this is part of experiencing authentic travel in Vietnam rather than comparing it to home standards.

Our office is conveniently located about 3 km from Hanoi’s Old Quarter. We recommend saving or printing this information to help you find us easily upon arrival. Navigating Hanoi’s traffic can be challenging at first, but with a little experience, many visitors come to appreciate its unique rhythm.

To get an overview of our different tour prices, please click here.

Roadside Breakdown Support Policy

If the motorcycle breaks down, your guide will contact us so we can assess the situation. We will first determine whether the issue can be resolved on site using available tools and spare parts, or whether replacement parts need to be arranged and sent.

If the problem is confirmed to be a mechanical failure that cannot be repaired immediately, we will organize a replacement bike, typically delivered on the following day. In such cases, all related costs will be covered by us.

However, if the damage is caused by an accident or rider error, any repair or replacement costs will be the responsibility of the rider.

Included in Semi-guided Motorbike Tours

Motorbike

You can choose the type of motorcycle that best suits your riding style and experience. Our fleet includes both road bikes and dirt bikes, all Japanese Honda models ranging from 125cc to 250cc.

Offroad Vietnam does not use Chinese copycat motorcycles or other brands – we focus exclusively on Honda models (Honda is not a sponsor of our company, we simply trust their reliability for long-distance travel).

Your guide will ride the same type of motorcycle as you, which also allows for easy bike swapping during the tour if needed.

All basic bike services, maintenance, and flat tire repairs are included. In other words, on our semi-guided motorbike tours, you simply ride while we take care of all mechanical support and maintenance along the way.

Leader

Your tour leader is a professional motorcyclist who will guide you throughout the trip. He speaks English, Vietnamese, and some local dialects, and provides clear, honest information along the way.

The guide is responsible for managing all motorcycle-related matters, selecting the best routes based on your itinerary and riding conditions, and assisting with practical arrangements such as hotel bookings and ordering food.

Each guide carries a full tool kit and essential spare parts to handle basic repairs on the road, ensuring your journey runs smoothly and safely.

Riding Rhythm

You simply follow your guide throughout the journey. On quiet roads, you may ride ahead if you wish, but at intersections and crossings, it is important to wait for your guide, as they know the correct direction and route.

Daily rides typically start around 9:00 AM and are planned to finish before dark. Riding at night is strongly discouraged, as trucks, cars, and motorbikes often use high beams, which can severely reduce visibility and make conditions dangerous.

For your safety, most serious accidents tend to occur at night, which is why we always aim to complete each riding day in daylight.

Routing

This is your own journey, but we assist you in designing a Semi-Guided Motorbike Tour of Vietnam.

Based on a rough itinerary, you can sit down with your guide each day to plan and agree on the route for the following day. This allows flexibility to adjust the schedule according to your interests, weather conditions, and riding pace.

There is no pressure to ride fast or cover long distances – everything is done at your own tempo for a more relaxed and enjoyable experience.

Support For Semi-guided Motorbike Tours of Vietnam

We are with you from the moment you click the “Send” button until you return to Hanoi. Our team is available to provide information, guidance, and assistance throughout your journey.

We will do our best to ensure you are on the right route and help resolve any issues that may arise during your holiday, so you can focus on enjoying the ride.

Not Included in Semi-guided Motorbike Tours

Fuel

Fuel stations are easy to find throughout Vietnam, and your guide will always know the most reliable places to refuel. In most towns, there is at least one or two petrol stations, and in many areas you will find one every 5-10 km. The longest distance between fuel stations in Northern Vietnam is typically around 50 km.

You are responsible for covering the cost of fuel for both your motorcycle and your guide’s bike.

Food

Your guide will assist in finding suitable places to eat throughout the tour. You will order your own meals according to your preferences, and your guide can help translate and communicate your requests with local restaurants if needed.

The cost of the guide’s meals is also covered by you. We encourage you to try well-cooked, local Vietnamese dishes, which are widely available and freshly prepared.

Most restaurants display menus with clear pricing. While many eateries may appear small or simple, the quality of food is often very good.

On average, meals cost approximately 5-8 USD per person for lunch or dinner, while breakfast is typically around 2-3 USD per person. Cheaper options are available, but quality and freshness may vary, especially in very low-cost establishments.

Accommodation

Your guide will assist you in finding suitable places to stay each night. You are free to choose your preferred hotel or accommodation level. However, the cost of the guide’s room is also covered by you. Depending on availability and logistics, your guide may stay in the same accommodation or in a nearby hotel.

To gain a more authentic insight into Vietnam, we recommend staying in local homestays whenever possible. Conditions are generally basic, but this offers a valuable opportunity to experience real Vietnamese hospitality. Your guide is familiar with many host families who warmly welcome international travellers.

Please also note that hotel standards in Vietnam may differ from those in Western countries. In particular, mattresses are often firmer than what some travelers are used to, as soft bedding is less common locally.

Licensing Issues

First, it is important to note that foreign driving licences are not automatically valid in Vietnam, including your home country licence. While there are varying reports, the practical situation on the ground is quite strict.

The positive update is that the International Driving Permit (IDP) under the 1968 Convention has been recognised in Vietnam since August 1st, 2016, under Decree 46/2016/ND-CP. With a valid 1968 IDP, you can more easily obtain insurance coverage. We also recommend carrying your national driving licence with a motorcycle endorsement.

If you do not have an IDP or a Vietnamese driving licence, police checks are relatively uncommon and are usually carried out only when traffic violations occur. In practice, the more important concern is personal travel and medical insurance coverage, which is explained in the next section.

Insurance

Insurance is an important consideration when planning semi-guided motorbike tours in Vietnam.

We do not require any specific driving licence to book or join a tour; however, insurance coverage is a separate matter. Most insurance providers do not cover motorbike-related accidents if the rider does not hold a valid Vietnamese driving licence. In practice, obtaining a Vietnamese licence as a tourist is very complex and time-consuming, typically requiring a business visa of at least three months, a work permit, a sponsoring company, and a valid passport. These documents must also be translated and notarised in Vietnam, and the process can take 7-10 days or even more.

For most travellers, this is not a practical option. However, standard personal travel or medical insurance will generally still provide coverage for the majority of the day, as our average riding time is around 5 hours per day.

Some international insurance providers, such as CHI Insurance, World Nomads, and Allianz, may offer policies that do not strictly require a local driving licence, though terms and conditions vary and should always be checked carefully in advance.

It is also important to note that Vietnam does not recognise most foreign driving licences, except for the International Driving Permit (1968 Convention). However, in practice, most riders travel safely with proper guidance and responsible riding.

For further details, please check at this link.

Tips

Tipping has become more common in Vietnam, although there is no fixed percentage or required amount.

In most restaurants and hotels, tipping is not expected. However, it is appreciated in homestays and for your guide if you feel the service provided has been helpful and of good quality.

Any tip is entirely at your discretion and should reflect your personal satisfaction with the service received.

Tickets and permits

Entrance tickets and permits in Vietnam are generally inexpensive and are paid by you where required during the tour.

The highest cost is typically the permit for visiting border areas in Ha Giang, which ranges from approximately 15-20 USD.

Your guide will assist you with obtaining the necessary permits and ensuring all formalities are handled smoothly during the journey.

Extra transport

Any additional transport costs, such as ferries, boats, or trains, are not included in the tour price and will be paid by you.

Your guide will assist with arranging tickets and handling any necessary procedures to ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience.

Important!

GPS works well in Vietnam, but we recommend checking with your device provider to ensure you have the necessary software, maps, and updates installed before your trip.

Broadband internet is widely available across the country, and public internet cafés can still be found in many towns. The cost of internet access is generally low, with around 1 USD typically covering 4-5 hours of usage. Many hotels and guesthouses also offer free Wi-Fi.

Electricity is available nationwide, although occasional shortages may occur, particularly during the summer months. Power cuts are more common between May and August, although they usually do not affect nighttime hours.

Officially, it is not permitted to own or ride a motorcycle in Vietnam on a tourist visa without the appropriate legal documentation. In addition, the recognition of international driving permits is limited, and rules can vary depending on circumstances and enforcement.

Traffic regulations are enforced by local police, although interactions involving foreign riders are generally brief when all documents are in order, and no violations are involved. If stopped, you should remain calm, polite, and follow instructions, and the situation is usually resolved quickly with the help of the guide.

For this reason, it is important to ride carefully, respect local traffic laws, and ensure you have appropriate travel and medical insurance coverage before joining the tour.

Road Rules

The traffic may look chaotic at first, but in reality, it follows a natural flow. Like a river, once you join it, you simply move with it. The key principle is to stay calm, observe carefully, and adapt to the rhythm of the road.

Motorcyclists in Vietnam are becoming more aware of traffic regulations, although rules are not always followed strictly in practice. Understanding local traffic behavior is essential for riding safely and confidently.

To ensure a safe and enjoyable motorbike tour in Vietnam, we strongly recommend familiarizing yourself with the practical riding guidelines and staying attentive at all times on the road.

More types of motorcycle tour packages in Vietnam.
– Fully guided motorcycle tours
– Unguided (self-guided) motorcycle tours

For more details or additional options for semi-guided motorbike tours of Vietnam, please feel free to contact us at [email protected].

We will be happy to assist you with any questions and help you plan your trip.