Buying Motorbikes in Vietnam
Vietnam is notoriously known to travelers for being one of the cheapest countries in Southeast Asia, and one of the most beautiful. The landscape is drastically different from the North to the South, and there’s tons of rural areas to explore. Whether you’re planning to visit Vietnam and explore the country by motorbike, or you’re spontaneous like us and have just decided to buy bikes on a whim, hopefully this guide can help you out.
We decided to buy motorbikes after we completed the famous Ha Giang Loop in Northern Vietnam. Typically, most people buy bikes in the North (Hanoi) and drive to the South (Ho Chi Minh), or vice versa. However, there are tons of motorbike shops all throughout Vietnam, and plenty in Central Vietnam (Hoi An, Da Nang, Hue).
Where to buy a motorbike?
There are many different options for buying a motorbike in Vietnam. The two most popular options are either buying directly from a shop, (a few we recommend are Style Motorbikes, Phung Motorbikes, and Tigit Motorbikes, which have shops all over the country) or buying a second-hand bike from another expat or traveler. We bought our motorbikes from local expats in Hanoi. Normally, it’s cheaper, and you can get more for your money, but if you buy directly from a shop, you also get continued customer service and support along your journey.
What bike do I buy?
Choosing the type of motorbike you buy is totally up to personal preference. There are automatic, semi-automatic, and manual motorbikes. Charlie bought a manual, and Christine got an automatic. Semi-automatic bikes are the most popular and easiest to re-sell, and the most popular brands are Yamaha, Suzuki, and Honda. Charlie bought a Lifan bike, which was an awesome bike but it gave us some trouble when re-selling it because it was a "Chinese bike" so be wary of this if you're buying anything similar. If you buy from a shop, they normally will give you some lessons if you’re looking to buy a semi- or manual motorbike. If you’re looking at an automatic bike, we recommend at least a 125cc if you’re planning to explore the mountains and rugged roads.
How much will I spend?
The greatest thing about buying a bike in Vietnam is how affordable it really is. You can find bikes for anywhere from US$200 to over US$2,000. Personally, we bought Christine's Yamaha bike for $200, and bought Charlie's 2019 Lifan new for $800. No matter your budget, you'll be able to find something. Be careful of the quality if you are buying a cheaper bike, and make sure to ask when it was last looked at by a mechanic, when the oil was last changed, and how well the brakes are working. Be honest with them, and tell them that you’re planning on driving across the country, and hopefully they give you a more realistic idea of whether or not the particular bike is capable. Most shops will put a bike rack on the back of your bike for you, to attach your bags. They should (or can if you ask them) attach a phone holder which is perfect to follow directions.
On the go: Filling your tank costs between 60,000-100,000 Vietnamese dong (about US$2.50 - $4.50). You will probably fill up at least once/twice a day if you’re driving long distances. Oil changes or flat tires are ridiculously cheap, they run you about US$1-$2!
Police stops: Although it never happened to us, we have heard some stories from other travelers/bike shop owners about being stopped by police and having to pay bribes. We recommend keeping smaller notes in your pocket or wallet while you’re driving, and larger bills in your luggage in case it happens to you.
How do I sell my motorbike?
At the end of your journey, it’s time to sell your bike that you’ve probably become way too attached to, like us. The first step is to join Facebook Market Groups (Vietnam Motorbike for Sale or Rent, Hanoi Motorbike Sales, Backpacker Motorbike Market, Vietnam Backpacker Motorbike Market are a few that we used) so you can post an ad to sell your bike.
Attach photos, a brief description, and the asking price (add at least 10-15% higher than what you want, because people will always negotiate) and a bit about your journey. Be honest about the condition, and any accidents - fellow travelers will appreciate this. Also, throw in your helmet, bungee cords, and any other accessories that you bought for free to appeal to more buyers.
How long will it take to sell my bike?
If you’re selling your bike in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh, a week in advance is enough time, because the demand there is much higher. If you plan on selling it in Central Vietnam, we would recommend selling 2 weeks before your anticipated departure. From our personal experience, Christine’s bike was sold 2 days after we posted about it on Facebook, and Charlie’s took about a week. If you’re wary about selling it, you can always post on Facebook 2-3 weeks before your final destination city, and then let any interested people know when you’ll be arriving.
Where do I sell my bike?
The first choice would be Facebook Marketplace. You’re going to get the most money from other travelers/expats, the community is really big, and demand is always there. Post as many ads in as many different groups as possible. The second choice would be making flyers to advertise in local hostels. You could also stop by and ask the workers there if they know anyone that is looking for a motorbike, and if you could advertise there. Word of mouth spreads fast. The last choice would be to sell to a motorbike shop/mechanic. You’re pretty much guaranteed to sell your bike here, but for 50-60% of what you paid for it.
How much will I get for my bike?
Expect to get 50-80% of what you bought the bike for, depending on condition and where you end up selling it. If you’ve had a few crashes, you’ll obviously get less money. Make sure to clean it up and have it looking in top condition.
Travelers Tips:
Download maps.me and/or Google Maps (with downloaded Offline maps) so you always have access to the route you want to take. Also, buy a SIM card. Don’t be those “We only use WiFi” travelers, because in remote areas, you won’t find it.
Plan your route the day before, and figure out where you’re going to stop. The longest that we ever drove was six hours in one day with a stop for coffee and lunch. Definitely take breaks along the way, being alert and driving on the bike is more tiresome and stressful than you would think.
Invest in your journey. Buy a plastic cover or case for your phone (it will get really dirty and dusty while driving). Buy a cheap ‘riding jacket’ (there’s tons of them, like fake North-face jackets sold everywhere in Vietnam) because you will be cold on the bike in the mountains, and you will also get incredibly dirty and dusty. With a cheap jacket, you can get rid of it when your adventures are over. Invest in a good helmet, preferably full-faced for the dust/bugs (to save some money, buy them from Lazada - Vietnamese equivalent of Amazon) and bungee cables for all your bags.
Buy a bike lock for $6/7. It will keep your mind at ease, and although we had no trouble with anyone trying to steal our bikes, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Take photos of your bike along your journey that you can use when trying to re-sell it at the end of your trip.
