Vietnam Travel Information

i Tour Vietnam | Top-rated private Ho Chi Minh City tours and Vietnam travel guides.

Precautions on Riding Motorbikes in Saigon

precaution-motorbikes-saigon

If we have to name one unforgettable specialty of Ho Chi Minh, formerly and endearingly known as Saigon, it will be motorbikes! Millions of motorcycles of all shapes and sizes flocking to the street every day have created such a unique cultural aspect of this enigmatic and charming city. That is to say, don’t miss the chance to hop on a motorbike when you’re visiting Saigon. However, there are a few precautions on riding motorbikes in Saigon that you might want to keep in mind before that.

Be A Passenger before Actually Riding Motorbikes in Saigon

Let’s face it, although Vietnam, in general, is a somewhat safe country; it doesn’t mean that the streets in Vietnam, and particularly in Saigon, are not intimidating. The enormous number of vehicles inexorably speeding ahead makes mastering the art of crossing the street a daunting challenge already. Therefore, you may want to join a Private Motorbike Tour prior to riding the motorbikes in Saigon yourself. Not only can you have a professionally trained local tour guide to show you the hidden gems of the city, but you can also learn a few basic lessons of riding motorbikes in Saigon.

precaution motorbikes tour
Becoming a passenger before riding the vehicles will provide you some useful tips

Motorbike Legality

The good news is riding motorbikes that are up to 50cc in Vietnam does not require a license, and this type of scooter is much easier and safer to control. The only downside is that it cannot take you on a long distance, so making a road trip outside or even around the city is out of the question.

On the other hand, riding motorbikes in Saigon requires a valid license. You can have your license from home transferred to a Vietnamese one, which will take around a month and some paperwork. It is true that a lot of tourists can get away with riding motorbikes in Saigon with no license, but you may run the risk of running into the local police, and the travel insurance will not be valid should there be accidents happening.

precaution motorbikes license
You’ll need valid license to ride motorbikes in Saigon

Hiring A Motorbike

Before getting your hands on the vehicle, there are some Precautions on Hired Transportation and a few notes about Motorbike Rental Places in Ho Chi Minh that you should bear in mind.

Safety precautions:

Obtaining a motorbike is only half the challenge of riding motorbikes in Saigon. There are some key notes that you would not want to forget to stay safe on the road.

Always wear a helmet. The street can get a bit too hectic, and you’ll never know what is going to happen, so SAFETY is undoubtedly and invariably FIRST! Besides, it is also against the laws if you’re not wearing a helmet when riding motorbikes in Saigon.

precaution motorbikes helmet

Never not wearing a helmet when you’re on the street

Wear a face mask. It is not so hard to see that the majority of people on the street have not just one, but sometimes more than two layers of face masks. Wearing face masks is not merely a fashion trend but practically a protection from the hellishly hot weather, exhaust fumes and all kinds of dust in the city.

precaution motorbikes face mask
Blend in with the locals and wear a face mask

Look out for thieves. Never use your phone while riding motorbikes in Saigon. Not only is it dangerous but also a perfect chance to have your phones snatched off by thieves. Additionally, be mindful of where you leave your motorbikes as well as helmets and never forget to lock your motorcycles.

There will be traffic jams. Saigon is bustling metropolitan so you can expect quite a large number of commuters on the street. However, the street quality is not very impressive which explains the congestions, especially during rush hours. On top of that, you might go through tiny streets and alleys that re just packed with food vendors and market stalls, which maybe not the best experience when riding motorbikes in Saigon.

precaution motorbikes street vendor
The street vendors may pose a challenge for riding motorbikes in Saigon

Beware of the weather. The weather in Saigon can be a bit unpredictable with unexpected rains and showers. Therefore, besides the face masks and other sun-protective accessories, always carry a poncho with you in case of the gloomy weather.

Get a travel insurance plan because it is always better to be safe than sorry

 

Conclusion on Riding Motorbikes in Saigon

Admittedly, the road in Saigon might be quite scary, especially for first-timers in Ho Chi Minh. Nonetheless, once you are able to partake in the fun, it is the most thrilling and authentic way to get in touch with the local life.

Copyright

© Written by Kim Hoang for itourvn.com

11
×
Stay Informed

When you subscribe to the blog, we will send you an e-mail when there are new updates on the site so you wouldn't miss them.

 

Comments

No comments made yet. Be the first to submit a comment
Already Registered? Login Here
Guest
Monday, 25 September 2023

Captcha Image

About itourvn.com

This Vietnam travel information page is written by a team of professional tour guides in Vietnam. More about us or visit home page

Vietnam Travel Information

Check out the necessary information for traveling to Vietnam

First Time in Vietnam

To Pack List for Vietnam

Major Cities in Vietnam

Family & Elderly Travel

LGBT Travel

Vietnam Festivals and Holidays

Best Vietnamese Dishes

UNESCO World Heritage in Vietnam

Vietnamese Culture

Religions in Vietnam

Ethnicities in Vietnam

Tipping in Vietnam

Best Dishes to Try in Vietnam

20 Must-try Vietnamese Dishes

Unusual Foods to Try in Vietnam

Street Food in Vietnam

Vietnamese Grilled Dishes

Rice Dishes in Vietnam

Pho Dishes in Vietnam

Traveling to and within Vietnam

Airport Arrival Tips at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh)

Airport Arrival Tips at Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi)

Major Airports in Vietnam

Taking Trains in Vietnam

Bringing Your Own Vehicles to Vietnam

Bringing Your Pets to Vietnam

How to Take Motorbike Taxis

Taking a Ferry in Vietnam

Renting a Car in Vietnam

Vietnam Visa, SIM Cards, and WiFi

Visa Info & Where to Buy Sim Cards

Traveling with Wifi in Vietnam

Vietnam Travel Safety Tips

Travel Insurance

Is it Safe to Drink Tap Water?

How to Avoid Mosquitoes

Food Safety in Vietnam

Getting Vaccinations

Wearing Face Masks in Vietnam

Can Tourists Drive in Vietnam?

How to Avoid Scams

Travel Safety Tips

Find the best hotels to stay in Vietnam:

 
Powered by 12Go Asia system