Vietnam motorbike-safety checklist (printable)

Riding a motorbike in Vietnam is one of the most practical ways to get around, but it carries real risk. Road trauma is a leading cause of serious injury for foreign visitors. This checklist covers the things most likely to keep you safe and out of trouble with police.

Print it out or screenshot it before every ride.

Before you ride — paperwork

• You hold a valid home-country licence for the engine size you plan to ride (under 50 cc is technically unlicensed territory, but above 50 cc requires a Vietnamese or international licence).
• You have an International Driving Permit (IDP) endorsed for motorcycles if your home licence does not carry a Vietnamese translation.
• Your passport is with you or a clear photo of it is on your phone.
• You have a physical or digital copy of your rental agreement or ownership document for the bike.
• You have read the rules that apply on Vietnamese roads — see the full traffic safety guide for current enforcement priorities.

Riding without a valid licence is the single most common reason insurers deny claims and the most common reason police demand on-the-spot fines.

Insurance coverage to verify

• Your travel insurance policy explicitly covers motorbike riding.
• The policy covers the engine size you will ride (many standard policies cap at 125 cc).
• You are covered even if you are at fault.
• Medical evacuation is included — hospital care outside Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City is limited.
• You have noted the 24-hour emergency number from your insurer.

Most travel insurance policies sold online exclude motorbike riding by default. Check the exclusions clause before you ride, not after an accident. For detail on what rental shops typically offer, see rental insurance.

Helmet and protective gear

• Your helmet meets a recognised safety standard (look for ECE 22.06, DOT, or SNELL markings).
• The helmet fits correctly — no wobble, the chin strap clicks and holds.
• You are not using a decorative helmet sold at souvenir markets (these are very common and offer almost no protection).
• You have closed-toe shoes — sandals and flip-flops offer no foot protection.
• Long trousers are on — bare legs make road rash injuries significantly worse.
• If riding at night or in rain, you have a high-visibility layer or jacket.

Budget helmets at tourist rental shops vary widely. If you plan to ride more than a day or two, buying a certified helmet in a city (expect to pay 300,000–800,000 VND for a decent one) is worthwhile.

Pre-ride bike check

Complete this before leaving the rental shop or wherever you pick up the bike.

• Brakes work on both front and rear — squeeze and test at low speed.
• Tyre pressure feels firm (not visibly soft on either wheel).
• Fuel gauge is not on empty — confirm it shows at least a quarter tank.
• Headlight works.
• Horn works (you will need it constantly in city traffic).
• Mirrors are present, attached, and adjusted.
• No obvious oil leak under the engine.
• The throttle returns to idle when released.

Photograph the bike before you ride away, including any existing scratches or dents. This protects you if the shop claims damage you did not cause. See the motorbike rental page for what to look for when choosing a rental shop.

Before mounting — every ride

• Your helmet is on and chin strap is fastened.
• Your bag is secure — loose bags catch on wheels.
• Your phone is in a mount or in a pocket, not in your hand.
• You know your rough route before you start (pulling over to check a map is safer than navigating while moving).
• You are not tired. Riding fatigued on Vietnamese roads is high-risk — traffic is dense and unpredictable.
• You have not consumed alcohol. Vietnam has a zero-tolerance blood-alcohol rule for riders.

Riding rules

• Keep to the right side of the road (Vietnam drives on the right).
• Give way to larger vehicles — buses and trucks do not always slow.
• At intersections, slow before entering even on green — red-light running by other vehicles is common.
• Use your horn as a signal, not an expression of frustration — in Vietnam it means "I am here."
• Do not assume pedestrians will wait for you at crossings.
• Keep a wider following distance than you would at home — road surfaces can change without warning.
• If unsure at a busy roundabout, wait and follow a local rider through.

When to stop riding

Stop the trip and find another way if any of the following apply.

• Heavy rain is reducing visibility below 50 metres.
• You have been on the bike for more than 2–3 hours without a break.
• You feel drowsy, unwell, or stressed.
• The road surface is flooded — water depth is impossible to judge from a bike.
• You are in an unfamiliar mountain area after dark.
• The bike is handling strangely and you cannot identify why.

Pride is not worth a serious injury. Grab-bikes, taxis, and sleeper buses exist everywhere in Vietnam.

Emergency contacts

Write these down before you ride.

In Hanoi, Family Medical Practice (+84 24 3843 0748) and Hanoi French Hospital are the most commonly recommended for foreign visitors. In Ho Chi Minh City, FV Hospital and Hanh Phuc International are widely used.

Related

• Traffic safety in Vietnam
• Motorbike rental guide
• Rental insurance explained