In stage one we rode from Ho Chi Minh to Cu Chi tunnels. The ride took longer than we expected but we made it.
After the early visit in the Ci Cu tunnels (I recommend that it was so quiet there) we took are bikes and made a first stop at the mechanics for quick fixes. After that we hit the road to Vinh An.
Get out of Ho Chi Minh to the Cu Chi Tunnels!
I had never ride a real motor bike before. So my Kiwi friend Ryan learned me the evening before we left Ho Chi Minh. We practiced how to shift the gears and make speed with the motor bike. After 20 minutes I was ready to make a little round on the road. I did this in the late evening so the road wasn’t that busy. (but still busy lol)
We went out of Ho Chi Minh by our motorbikes up to the Cu Chi Tunnels. That ride took longer than expected. But when I look back on it we are happy. Because we found a nice hotel on 200 meters from the tunnels ($8 per person) The next morning we were the first visitors of the Cu Chi tunnels! (they open at 7am we were there at 8am).
I stayed at the Mad Monkey Hostel in Phnom Penh and booked my ticket over there. There where 3 options to of busses. Local bus ($13), an touringcar($18) and a minivan($15). I took the touringcar with wifi and comfortable seats. It was leaving at 7 o’clock in the morning. (little bit hard after a good beerpong play in the Mad Monkey bar)
Map of the route I advise after my experience riding a motorbike in Vietnam. This route is going on the Ho Chi Minh Highway to Hanoi HCMH. Of course you can go to the coast and see the sea. Yes do it for the relaxing days but try to avoid the A1 Highway. It is more dangerous to ride there and less more beautiful. You can do the route also the opposite way. I think that is maybe better, you’ll ride to the nice weather istead of going to cold rainy Hanoi.
When you’re not a mechanic it is hard to get the right motorbike in Vietnam. in this article I want to give you some information how to buy a motorbike in Vietnam.
The easiest places to buy and sell your motorbike are Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi. Because a lot of backpackers/travelers do the Ho Chi Ming Trail from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh or visa versa. In Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi you can get to District one and buy or sell your bike over there.
Riding in the city’s and on the A1 highway is difficult but when you’re on the Ho Chi Ming Highway/ Trail it is easy riding. Always be focussed because the trucks and busses can driving on the wromg side of the road. But when you like riding a motorbike it is one of the best things you can do in Vietnam. But still when you know were you’re looking for it is a gable to pick the right bike. When you never drove a motorbike before take a lesson from a friend of colleague at the hostel.
Do the testdrive on the motorbike and check the list above. When you have other good tips about riding a motorbike in Vietnam write them in the comments.
I hope you’ve a good experience riding your bike in Vietnam!
When you don’t want to buy your own motorbike but still want to ride a motorbike in Vietnam the Easyriders is a nice option. It is a organized tour trough Vietnam From one till as many days you want.
Easy-rider journeys are charged from $75 per day per person inclusive of bike/rider, fuel, accommodation, entrance fees and permits. You need only think about your food and drink. Thats easy riding in Vietnam right?
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