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Riding motobikes
I never rode a scooter/moped/motorbike until I moved here. Now I love riding. Don't let people put you off from riding here, however be aware of the risk's and dangers. Police will stop you and try to get a "fine" I had one stop me and ask usd$50 but I laughed in his face, shouted NO! And grabbed his name badge, by then he was not so confident and let me go. I was lucky as I didn't have my vn lic then. International lic are not recognised here. The first few times will be scary. Think motocross race where they are all bunched up at the start as it's similar when you are waiting at the traffic lights. Don't be too quick to take off on a green light as theres always the few bicycles, cars, trucks, bus's and bikes that believe the road rules don't apply to them. If your wanting to try it for a experience then go for it. Like many things that are fun in life. Just don't get caught!
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if you are looking for what they call 'motorbikes', those are everywhere and can be had for as little as 50,000vnd per day. that means honda wave or something like that. there's lesser models than that (like honda dream) and better ones (yamaha nuovo, atila, etc.) not sure if you meant a real motorcycle, as hyatt just described, or just meant theses standard type bikes that everyone drives in the city (and outside it as well).
as for safety, i disagree strongly with hyatt re highway safety. i used to do the trek from hcmc to bien hoa pretty often. i wouldn't try it again. the truth is that the trucks drive very dangerously and often run motorbike riders over, almost always killing them. you have no control over this. they pass on the left, they pass on the right, and you never know when someone's going to do something stupid. a few days ago, by accident i caught a glimpse of an extremely nasty video of a vn cop who'd been run over by a truck at the roadside. the worst thign i've seen in my life. i would make a guess that highway deaths in this country are probably close to teh highest in the world. you have all these motorbikes everywhere, and truck drivers who have no sense of responsibility swerving all over the place at too-high speeds -- no real enforcement of speed or drunk driving laws -- its a recipe for the worst highway safety conditions imaginable.
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I would like to know how Hyatt is able to drive around on a 250 cc bike. Actually you’re not supposed to drive a bike bigger than 175 cc, the exception to the rule being military, civil workers that need bigger bikes and so on. As I converted my driving license to a Vietnamese one I got the A1 (bikes from 50 cc to 175 cc, under 50 cc you don’t need a driving license) and the B1 (cars) levels even if in my country I can drive whatever motorbike I want.
I live in the province and I’m pretty sure that driving a big motorbike would mean to ask for troubles with the police, probably it’s different in HCMC or Hanoi.
Driving in Vietnam is quite better than driving in Cambodia where I lived three years, but it’s still dangerous for someone that is not accustomed to the Vietnamese way of driving. Driving outside the main cities you have to keep in mind that everything bigger than a motorbike takes precedence on you, prepare to give way. Take also care from whatever/whoever runs out from the house on the road sides, doga and kids being the most dangerous.
BTW Can someone suggest a third party insurance company? How much does it cost?
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[QUOTE=Sea Mad]I would like to know how Hyatt is able to drive around on a 250 cc bike. Actually you’re not supposed to drive a bike bigger than 175 cc, the exception to the rule being military, civil workers that need bigger bikes and so on. As I converted my driving license to a Vietnamese one I got the A1 (bikes from 50 cc to 175 cc, under 50 cc you don’t need a driving license) and the B1 (cars) levels even if in my country I can drive whatever motorbike I want...
...BTW Can someone suggest a third party insurance company? How much does it cost?[/QUOTE]
Did you convert your home country license yourself or did someone do it for you? If you can 'drive whatever motorbike you want' in your home country, the conversion (if done properly and you have paid the 'right' fees to the 'right' person) would allow you to do the same in VN. This is based on a colleague's experience. I never had a motorbike license despite being licensed for motor vehicles since I was 17. My VN motorbike license is my first motorbike license - had to take a VNmese riding test, which is an experience unlike any other!
Insurance... if you're willing to risk riding in VN, I doubt this would be of any consideration... ;)
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[QUOTE=Raverboy]Did you convert your home country license yourself or did someone do it for you? If you can 'drive whatever motorbike you want' in your home country, the conversion (if done properly and you have paid the 'right' fees to the 'right' person) would allow you to do the same in VN.[/quote]Not necessarily automatic, per example in France, you can drive a motorbike under 125cc after 2 years of car licence. however you won't get the stamps unless you ask for changing your licence (which is lifetime there). I had more than 2 years car licence which allow me to drive a bike in France but no stamps so i had to pass the driving test, which anyway is a masquerade!
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[quote=raverboy]did you convert your home country license yourself or did someone do it for you? if you can 'drive whatever motorbike you want' in your home country, the conversion (if done properly and you have paid the 'right' fees to the 'right' person) would allow you to do the same in vn. this is based on a colleague's experience. i never had a motorbike license despite being licensed for motor vehicles since i was 17. my vn motorbike license is my first motorbike license - had to take a vnmese riding test, which is an experience unlike any other!
insurance... if you're willing to risk riding in vn, i doubt this would be of any consideration... ;)[/quote]i did it by myself following the instructions found here:
[url]http://chao-vietnam.********.com/2007/10/drivers-licenses-easy-to-obtain-for.html[/url]
if you have all the proper documents (and i started to get my copy (notarized duplicate) of the original driver’s license in my country as it has to be notarized by the local vietnamese embassy) it’s not difficult.
paid vnd 30,000.
probably there are other ways to get the vietnamese driving license and by bribing enough it could be possible to obtain whatever license you want.
according to the australian embassy ([url]http://www.vietnam.embassy.gov.au/hnoi/driving_in_vietnam.html[/url])
“the penalties for driving offences should be clearly understood. for example, driving without a proper licence may involve severe penalties. experience has shown that such penalties might be as much as a three year jail sentence for driving unlicensed, up to ten years imprisonment for driving unlicensed and causing an accident, and up to twenty years imprisonment for driving unlicensed and causing an accident resulting in death. actual penalties are, of course, determined by the police and the courts.”
i have been driving in vietnam for almost two years without problems, but i strictly respect the traffic rules especially speed limits. in an giang they do check your speed and if you’re speeding you will not only be fined but your bike will be sized and kept for some time.
btw it seems that also in hcmc police is starting to be stricter on traffic violations…
[url]http://chao-vietnam.********.com/2009/04/foreign-drivers-must-cooperate-with.html[/url]
the reason i’m looking for a third party insurance is that if you have a traffic accident here you’ll find yourself to be a walking atm. the amount you’re going to pay is settled by the police and they are not always fair to a foreigner (all foreigners are rich for vietnamese police), in cambodia i had an insurance you had to call immediately after the traffic accident: they will send an employee to do the bargaining, you weren’t supposed to open your mouth nor to pay.
it seems that the forum rules to not allow to link the site with the information about the driving license, so i will copy the content (to the moderator, please delete the following if the links are allowed).
driver’s licenses, easy to obtain for foreigners in vietnam
obtaining a driver’s license is now easier for foreigners
is it legal to ride a motorbike in vietnam with a four-wheel vehicle driver’s license from another country? how can foreigners acquire driving licenses here?
it’s relatively easy for tourists and expats to drive legally in vietnam.
vietnam is attracting more and more foreigners who come not only for tourism but also to live, study and work.
traffic congestion in the country’s cities is common, but that doesn’t stop many expatriates from driving themselves around. and as it turns out, obtaining a legal license to drive in vietnam is not very difficult at all.
“most foreigners who have a driver’s license issued in their home countries simply have to register for a license here,” says lam thanh trung, vice-chief of the agency for granting driving licenses (a sub-department of ho chi minh city’s service of transportation).
“the agency processes over 100 licenses for foreigners every month,” says trung.
“with the required documents, one can have their license registered within seven days.”
who can get a driver’s license in vietnam?
according to a 2006 mandate by the ministry of transportation, all foreigners can register for a license in vietnam if they had a valid one issued to them in their home countries.
each city or province’s department of transportation is in charge of granting driver’s licenses for foreigners with licenses issued in their home countries, tourists from neighboring countries driving their own cars in vietnam, and vietnamese who acquired a driving license abroad.
however, licenses are only granted to those who have valid travel visas for a period of at least three months in vietnam (though the actual length of the visit does not have to be that long).
“many tourists make the mistake that it’s legal to drive here with an international driver’s licence. but they also have to register,” trung says.
expiry dates and written exams
“the period for which a [registered] license remains valid is based on the expiry date of one’s original license from home,” says trung.
“standard driver’s licenses in vietnam are good for five years. motorbike licenses, on the other hand, have no expiry date.”
an important point to note, how-ever, is that the type of license issued in vietnam will only be equivalent to the type granted in one’s home country.
for instance, “a four-wheel driver’s license can-not be registered to ride a motorcycle,” trung stresses.
those who have a four-wheel license but want to ride a motorcycle will have to pass an exam on riding techniques, but won’t have to take a written exam on traffic laws.
to begin, a form requesting a license must be obtained (see below) and filled out by any one of the following: the vietnamese embassy, the consulate general, the representative office of international organization in vietnam, the ministry of foreign affairs, department of planning and investment or the general director of joint-venture and foreign-capital companies. a valid pass-port will also be required.
overseas vietnamese will need to have their documents completed by the committee for overseas vietnamese.
what’s required?
the following submissions are required for a foreigner to get a driver’s license in vietnam:
■ 1 petition (issued form) requesting driver’s license
■ 1 copy (notarized duplicate) of original driver’s license
■ 1 vietnamese-translated copy (notarized duplicate) of driver’s license
■ 1 copy (duplicate) of passport 3 passport-sized photos
■ original copies of passport and driver’s license must be shown when submitting all documents
forms to request a driver’s license can be obtained at the agency for granting driver’s licenses or sgtcc.hochiminhcity.gov.vn
in ho chi minh city, all documents must be submitted to the authorities for driver’s license registration, located at:
252 ly chinh thang street, district 3, 8 nguyen anh thu street, district 12.
open weekdays only.
the fee is vnd30,000 (us$2) for one license.
monday, april 13, 2009
foreign drivers must cooperate with traffic police
two men from cameroon were caught encroaching into auto lanes and had no driving licenses in district 3 in january
ho chi minh city police will not tolerate resistance from foreign drivers found flouting traffic rules without a driver’s license, a police official said.
the ho chi minh city police department set up a task force to oversee the observation of traffic regulations by foreigners late last month.
the move followed a crackdown on foreigners and overseas vietnamese caught breaking traffic regulations last december.
english-fluent traffic police have been dispatched mostly to district 1 to handle foreigner-related traffic infringements.
any violating foreign driver will have their bikes impounded if they cannot present a driver’s license, said lieutenant-colonel nguyen ngoc loan, head of the traffic police task force no.1 at the city police department.
foreign drivers who were uncooperative with traffic police would face additional fines of vnd1.5 million, loan said.
loan also said the city police department would consider printing traffic violation tickets in english to make it easier for foreign drivers to read and sign.
ho chi minh city traffic police deputy chief lieutenant-colonel tran thanh tra said the current fines for the owners of rented motorbikes were not enough of a deterrent.
owners of motorbikes rented by foreigners face fines of vnd100,000-200,000 ($5.90-11.80) if their customers break traffic regulations.
tra said the fines should be higher.
how to apply for a vietnamese driving license:
foreigners eligible for driving licenses in vietnam include those who have lived, worked or studied in vietnam for at least three months and have legitimate driving licenses granted by their home countries.
to apply for a vietnamese driving license foreigners need to submit the following documents:
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an application letter certified by their vietnamese employer or agency;
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a copy of their driving license from their home country and a vietnamese translation;
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a copy of their passport. those under diplomatic immunity must present an introduction letter from the ministry of foreign affairs; and
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three passport photos.
license applications, which should be processed within five days, can be made at hcmc department of transport offices at:
252 ly chinh thang, ward 9, district 3; 8 nguyen anh thu, trung my tay ward, district 12; or 111 tan son nhi, tan son nhi ward, tan phu district.
in hanoi, the documents can be submitted at the hanoi department of transport offices at:
16 cao ba quat, ba dinh district; or 2 phung hung street, ha dong town.
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[QUOTE=Sea Mad]I would like to know how Hyatt is able to drive around on a 250 cc bike. Actually you’re not supposed to drive a bike bigger than 175 cc, the exception to the rule being military, civil workers that need bigger bikes and so on. As I converted my driving license to a Vietnamese one I got the A1 (bikes from 50 cc to 175 cc, under 50 cc you don’t need a driving license) and the B1 (cars) levels even if in my country I can drive whatever motorbike I want.
I live in the province and I’m pretty sure that driving a big motorbike would mean to ask for troubles with the police, probably it’s different in HCMC or Hanoi.
Driving in Vietnam is quite better than driving in Cambodia where I lived three years, but it’s still dangerous for someone that is not accustomed to the Vietnamese way of driving. Driving outside the main cities you have to keep in mind that everything bigger than a motorbike takes precedence on you, prepare to give way. Take also care from whatever/whoever runs out from the house on the road sides, doga and kids being the most dangerous.
BTW Can someone suggest a third party insurance company? How much does it cost?[/QUOTE]Sea Mad,
Well, the rules say no one can drive more tha 175cc; bigger bikes are exclusively for police OR members of the police riding club (having a card there cost 6 000USD).
But look: I have tons of friends riding big dirt bikes like me (most of them 400c) and I see R1 or CBR riden by rich kids every Friday night downtown.
Actually the police never arrested me. First because they think I'm a rich foreigner, second because my bike is big, noisy and very high, and I'm also very tall. I can tell you it scares people out, even the policemen. Trust me.
I've been arrested once by the cops because. They wanted to look at my engine. I was a bit afraid, but just told them I like their bike and their uniforms and they were very happy. As I'm all the time riding the city, I think all those folks know me and have absolutely no interest in having trouble with me. So you're safe dude. If you're looking for a bike like mine or even bigger, just tell me: I know where to get, with papers and everything you need.
You do not need any driver licence or vietnamese wife to have it.
About my friends who ride small regular VN bikes. They get arrested all the time.
It's a matter of attitude man. Social status is everything on vietnam. Acting like a rich foreigner kid (even though I'm not) keeps me away from trouble with policemen, who are mostly young fellas from countryside not speaking one word of english and easy to impress.
Word
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[QUOTE=Sea Mad]I would like to know how Hyatt is able to drive around on a 250 cc bike. Actually you’re not supposed to drive a bike bigger than 175 cc, the exception to the rule being military, civil workers that need bigger bikes and so on. As I converted my driving license to a Vietnamese one I got the A1 (bikes from 50 cc to 175 cc, under 50 cc you don’t need a driving license) and the B1 (cars) levels even if in my country I can drive whatever motorbike I want.
I live in the province and I’m pretty sure that driving a big motorbike would mean to ask for troubles with the police, probably it’s different in HCMC or Hanoi.
Driving in Vietnam is quite better than driving in Cambodia where I lived three years, but it’s still dangerous for someone that is not accustomed to the Vietnamese way of driving. Driving outside the main cities you have to keep in mind that everything bigger than a motorbike takes precedence on you, prepare to give way. Take also care from whatever/whoever runs out from the house on the road sides, doga and kids being the most dangerous.
BTW Can someone suggest a third party insurance company? How much does it cost?[/QUOTE]Sea Mad,
Well, the rules say no one can drive more than 175cc; bigger bikes are exclusively for police OR members of the police riding club (having a card there cost 6 000USD), or civil workers who need it, like forrest guards. The licence for those is A2, and cost more than 3 000USD.
But look: i have tons of friends riding big dirt bikes like me (most of them 400c) and i see R1 or CBR riden by rich kids every friday night downtown.
Actually the police never annoyed me. First because they think I'm a rich foreigner, second because my bike is big, noisy and very high, and i'm also very tall - i can tell you it scares people out, even the policemen. Trust me. They don't wanna have to deal with you, it's so much easier to go get money from a local.
I've been arrested once by the cops because.... they wanted to look at my engine. I was a bit afraid, but just told them i like their bike and their uniforms and they were very happy. As i'm all the time riding the city, i think all those folks know me and have absolutely no interest in having trouble with me. So you're safe dude. If you're looking for a bike like mine or even bigger, just tell me: i know where to get, with papers and everything you need.
Nevertheless, I don't know about how easy is it in the provnces, mostly in the upper north. What I know is that if one day they try to stop me there... I wish they can ride faster than me, because I would never stop.
About my friends who ride small regular VN bikes... They get arrested all the time :-) 5USD here, 5USD there... ahah.
It's a matter of attitude man. Social status is everything on vietnam. Acting like a rich foreigner kid (even though i'm not) keeps me away from trouble with policemen, who are mostly young fellas from countryside not speaking one word of english and still easy to impress.
Word
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Sea Mad,
Great information on getting a licensee. It would be a real adventure, something very cool to do. I have time, so I may just go ahead and give it a try.
Wendella:
I was thinking of something like a Honda 200 enduro. I rented one like that in the Philippines several years ago and adventured all around Luzon. It was a very good bike.
Raverboy:
Having transportation gives you more freedom, especially on a motorcycle. I will for sure be cautious. I am well versed in how to deal with laws that seem to change based on the circumstances. The thing I like about living in Colombia is that what ever you have done, good or bad, it is all fixable with money.
Mik Hcmc:
I know what you mean. I live in Colombia and there are a million little motorcycles and scooters everywhere. They cut you off, drive the wrong way, over the sidewalk and are a pest. The are like flies and need to be swatted away.
Hyatt: I too am a true Motorcycle lover. I did Georgia, USA to Colombia earlier this year. I am planning riding from Colombia South in Feb or March. I would love to be able to ride Vietnam to Thailand. I am looking into what the options are. Perhaps you have some insight for me.
Thanks for the help.
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I'll be back in the city from Oct 3rd thru the 17th. If anyone wants to meet up, PM me.
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[QUOTE=Hyatt]
It's a matter of attitude man. Social status is everything on vietnam. Acting like a rich foreigner kid (even though i'm not) keeps me away from trouble with policemen, who are mostly young fellas from countryside not speaking one word of english and still easy to impress.
[/QUOTE]
I always got away whenever I was stopped by police -- almost always just let go after behaving nicely and playing along with it, apologizing, etc. Until this year. The ones who pulled me over this year would have none of it. They wouldn't even explain why I got pulled over. And they spoke English. They're trained, this new group, to not listen to us, and not negotiate. None of the usual tactics worked. They were taking me and my bike back to the station, there was no way anything else was goign to happen. Once there, they hold it for a month. You can go back, pay fines and pick it up a month later. No negotiation possible.
This is happening a LOT in HCMC these days, starting this year. They pull you over, and if you don't have your papers handy (license, ownership of the bike papers, insurance (thats what they said) and all of these originals), they take you in. I know someone who rents out lots of motorbikes to foreigners here, mostly teachers -- and they said this has happened to lots of their bikes this year. The effort kicked off around the start of 2009.
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atWendella
Aww man, I feel so sorry to hear that. I seriously wonder why they never stop me, I'm wondering if they're not a afraid a bit because the bike is big and I'm also kinda tall. But you scaring me dude. Is there anyway to recognize those killer cops? And do you remember where you've been stopped? (pigs usually hunt at the same places).
Anyway, about your bike, one thing you do need to know: what happens often is that they take you some parts there. And then replace those with Chinese craps. It depends what bike you have. A nice japanese one? You're in deep trouble bro. A Chinese/VN shit? You're safe.
Whatever happens, go to your favourite garage after they gave you back your bike and check everything is fine. Trust me, I have my insiders there, and I know how it works once they keep your bike.
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hm. i don't see why cops would be afraid to pull you over.
can't tell if you're being sarcastic or straight about being scared. it's not that big a deal -- at worst your bike gets confirep001ed for a month and you have to pay a few hundred at the end of that to get it back. just rent another bike while you wait for it.
if you know chi's cafe in the backpacker district, ask chi how many of her rented bikes (she has dozens out) have been taken by the cops. it's harder to find out for big bikes just because they're much more rare. but i don't see why the cops would be intimidated by the bike size.
the cops who got me appeared out of nowhere on a busy street in d5. never saw them there again. i didn't see them staked out, just noticed when they drove up next to me. they were probably driving around.
anyway, i did get my bike back intact, and it's a real yamaha. i did hear that too, that the parts would get taken. and i stressed over that. but when i got it back, my parts weren't touched. there were some scratches on it from other bikes that must have been parked in too close, but that's all. otherwise it was fine. lucky? maybe.
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Guys, if you stay here for long, the best is to pass the licence...just need motivation to get all the papers but then the driving test is feasible even by a 10yo kid.
Here you can find some information:
[url]http://sgtvt.hochiminhcity.gov.vn/web/data/news/2008/3/4501/case2.htm[/url]
This case for car licence holder, if you have already the motorbike one inanother country, it's even easier. Only if you don't have a licence in another country, you're in the shit, cause then you need to pass the question exam and you need to speak vietnamese. Hard!
I did it and it took me 3 week to get my licence (inlcuding the convocation to exam and time to receive your licence), very easy.
Hope it helped and if you have any question don't hesitate to PM me.
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Beer om and KTVs
Do we have a thread for Beer Om and KTVs? It would be good to have a list of good places in Saigon.
If not, does anyone know of a good place with consistent girls (8s - 10s)? I remember going to one a few years back near An Dong market in District 5 but cant find it anymore.
