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jammac
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A week on Wednesday I start my trip out, to Borneo for 10 weeks after a few days in KL. Then I'm on to HCMC, and I have 3 weeks to explore Vietnam. I plan to travel from the South to the North and then into the mountainous regions in the North. I will be carrying around 25-30kg of kit (not including any tent so I will need a place to stay each night) .
Basically once I arrive in HCM I will need to find somewhere to buy a bike? Any ideas or tips from people would be appreciated. Also I read you need some papers from the seller?
Fuel, I read its around $1.65 a litre at the minute? Is this price current? How close are gas stations?
What bike should I go for? Rent or Buy? I'm leaning more towards buying at the minute, so how easy would this be to sell? Also, if I'm staying somewhere, where can I leave my bike overnight? is it likely to be stolen? Should I bring my own helmet? Open/Full Face? Wetgear, how much would you be looking at to buy?
I have downloaded some of the PDF guides on here but wondering where would be a nice place to spend the first night or nights in HCM?
And lastly insurance for riding motorbikes in Vietnam? Has anyone got any good reccomendations about this?
I have searched around and found various bits of information before I get flamed but I just wondered what peoples opinions were?
Thanks,
James.
#1 Posted: 16/1/2012 - 17:44
Tecalli
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Hi James, unless you have a valid Vietnam motorcycle license (international drivers licenses are not recognized) there is no insurance policy that will cover you. If you drive without a license and have an accident you fall outside the policy guidelines (because you were doing something illegal).
There have been several articles in the news lately about un-pure gas-- you buy and put in your tank and end up at the repair shop. So be extra careful where you fill up. Outside of cities, gas stations are not very common.
You should bring your own helmet, as quality ones that will actually protect your head in case of accident are hard to find.
Buying and selling used bikes is pretty common. Head to backpacker areas in HCMC or Hanoi and there will be lots of postings.
#2 Posted: 1/2/2012 - 14:43
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stefanw
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Gas for $1.65 a litre? Where did you read that? I was just there a month ago and paid 20000 VND a litre so just less than US$1.
#3 Posted: 1/2/2012 - 16:10
Pelicoo
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You can buy a bike from Saigon Minsk which is round the corner from the Crazy Buffalo Bar. We got our bike there for $270, a great little Honda Win which has been holding 2 backpacks and 2 passengers. All you need is a registration card from the seller. He also gave us helmets and a map.
We've been paying around 20,800 for gas and you can fill up plastic bottles and attach it to your bike just in case you run out.
If you're staying in guest houses you can leave your moto inside the building. If you're travelling from HCMC to the north you'll be able to sell your bike in Ha Noi... a lot of people do it and that's our plan for when we get there.
Hope that helps!
#4 Posted: 2/2/2012 - 07:29
sophie_lx
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hi guys !
you can find many hotel in western town in sai gon , which was located in pham ngu lao street or you can find some cheap hotel in alley in western town too , it's about 15 USD/day , Some guys sell mortobike in there too
I took a part time job in there , so if you need help , feel free to contact
hope that helps
#5 Posted: 16/2/2012 - 02:44
mykhe0607
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If you come to Da Nang and need some motorbike to hire. Visit 2 website: http://www.motorbikerental.tk and http://www.motorbikeforrent.tk. Good luck.
#6 Posted: 26/3/2012 - 04:18