Explore Hoi An Your Way — Scooter & Motorbike Rental

Renting a motorbike in Hoi An is easy, but doing it right saves you money, hassle, and keeps you safe. Here's our complete step-by-step guide, straight from a local rental team.

Step 1: Choose the Right Bike for Your Trip

Hoi An's streets are narrow, traffic is laid-back, and most roads are flat. For most travellers, a scooter (automatic) is the best choice. If you're tackling the Hai Van Pass or heading into the mountains, a semi-automatic or manual bike gives you more power on the hills.

• Automatic scooters (Honda Vision, Air Blade, PCX, Lead) — ideal for city riding, short trips, and beginners
• Semi-automatic (Honda Wave, Future) — good for mixed terrain, no clutch but manual gear shifting
• Manual bikes (Yamaha MT-15, XSR 155) — best for Hai Van Pass, mountain roads, and longer tours

Step 2: What You'll Need to Bring

• Passport — for identity verification (we take a photo, we don't keep it)
• International Driving Permit (IDP) — required by Vietnamese law for bikes over 50cc
• Deposit — cash or card deposit, typically 1–5 million VND depending on the bike
• Helmet — included free with every rental

Step 3: Inspect Your Bike Before Riding

• Check the brakes (front and rear)
• Test the horn and lights (headlight, taillight, turn signals)
• Check tyre pressure and tread
• Look for any existing scratches or damage — take photos or video before you leave
• Ask for a quick test ride around the block

Step 4: Insurance & Paperwork

All our rentals include basic insurance. However, this typically covers third-party liability only, not your own injuries. Consider travel insurance that covers motorcycle riding (World Nomads, SafetyWing, and True Traveller all offer this). Keep the bike's registration papers and rental agreement with you at all times — police checks are common in Vietnam.

Step 5: Fuel Up & Go

Bikes are usually delivered with a full tank or near-full. Petrol stations are everywhere in Hoi An — look for Petrolimex (green signs) or PV Oil. A full tank on a scooter costs about 50,000–70,000 VND ($2–$3) and will last 3–5 days of city riding.

The Hai Van Pass (Cloud Pass) is Vietnam's most legendary motorbike road — 21 km of winding mountain asphalt between Da Nang and Hue, with jaw-dropping views of the South China Sea. Top Gear called it "a deserted ribbon of perfection" — and they weren't wrong.

Route Overview

• Distance: 21 km from sea level to summit (about 50 km total from Hoi An to the summit)
• Time: 1.5–2 hours from Hoi An to the summit, 3–4 hours if continuing to Hue
• Difficulty: Moderate — tight corners, some fog, occasional trucks
• Best time: Early morning (6–9 AM) when clouds are low and traffic is light
• Best bike: Honda PCX, Yamaha MT-15, or any bike with 125cc+ and good brakes

Hoi An → Hai Van Pass → Hue: The Full Day Trip

1. 7:00 AM — Depart Hoi An, ride north on the coastal road (Vo Nguyen Giap) toward Da Nang
2. 8:00 AM — Pass through Da Nang city, follow signs to Hue / National Highway 1A
3. 8:30 AM — Reach the base of Hai Van Pass, start the climb
4. 9:30 AM — Reach the summit (Vietnamese bunker ruins, photo stops, coffee at the top)
5. 11:00 AM — Descend to Lang Co beach for lunch (fresh seafood!)
6. 1:00 PM — Optional: continue to Hue (another 2 hours) or turn back
7. 4:00 PM — Return to Hoi An via the same route

What Bike Should You Take?

An automatic PCX (150cc) handles the pass easily. The CVT transmission lets you focus on the road, and the disc brakes give you confidence on the steep downhill sections. For a more engaging ride, take a Yamaha MT-15 or XSR 155 — the gearbox makes the descent more fun, and the extra power is welcome on the uphill straights.

Hoi An is the perfect base for motorbike adventures. Here are 5 incredible routes, from quick beach hops to full-day expeditions.

1. Hoi An → An Bang Beach (3 km, 5 minutes)

The shortest and sweetest ride. Head east from the Old Town straight to An Bang Beach — one of Vietnam's most beautiful beaches. Perfect for a sunset ride after a day of sightseeing. Bike: any scooter.

2. Hoi An → Da Nang Coastal Road (35 km, 45 minutes)

Take Vo Nguyen Giap Street all the way to Da Nang. This is one of the most scenic coastal roads in Vietnam — ocean on your right, marble mountains on your left. Stop at the Marble Mountains (Ngu Hanh Son) halfway. End at My Khe Beach (China Beach) in Da Nang. Bike: any scooter.

3. Hoi An → My Son Sanctuary (55 km, 1 hour)

Head west through rice paddies and rural villages to the UNESCO-listed My Son Sanctuary — the "Angkor Wat of Vietnam." The road is flat and quiet, mostly through farmland. Arrive before 8 AM to beat the crowds and heat. Bike: any scooter.

4. Hoi An → Hai Van Pass → Lang Co Beach (75 km, 2 hours each way)

The full Hai Van experience. Ride north through Da Nang, conquer the pass, and descend to Lang Co — a stunning horseshoe bay with incredible seafood restaurants. The ride up the pass has 30+ hairpin turns with ocean views. Bike: PCX, Air Blade, or manual.

5. Hoi An → Tra Que Vegetable Village (3 km, 10 minutes)

A short, easy ride to a hidden gem. Tra Que is an organic farming village just north of Hoi An. Ride through the herb gardens, visit a local farm, and try a farming & cooking class. Best done in the late afternoon when it's cooler. Bike: any scooter.

Vietnam's driving license laws changed recently. Here's what you need to legally ride a motorbike in Hoi An and across Vietnam in 2026.

The Short Answer

Bikes under 50cc: No license required — a valid ID or passport is enough. But realistically, a 50cc bike struggles on Vietnamese roads.
Bikes 50cc and above: You need an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued by your home country. The IDP must include a motorcycle (A-class) endorsement.

Which Countries' IDPs Are Valid?

Vietnam recognizes IDPs from countries that signed the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. This includes most European countries, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and South Korea. US and Canadian licenses: The US and Canada signed the 1949 Geneva Convention (not 1968 Vienna). Vietnam officially recognizes the 1968 convention only. However, in practice, an IDP issued in the US ($20 from AAA) works at police checkpoints in tourist areas like Hoi An and Da Nang. ASEAN countries: ASEAN driving permits are recognized in Vietnam.

What About Online IDPs?

Online-only IDPs are NOT valid in Vietnam. The International Driving Permit must be a physical document issued by an authorized body in your home country (e.g., AAA in the US, the Post Office in the UK, NRMA in Australia). If you bought it online without a test, it's likely a scam.

Police Checkpoints in Hoi An

Police are active in Hoi An, especially on the road to Da Nang (National Highway 1A) and near the Old Town. They typically stop riders for:

• Not wearing a helmet (mandatory for both rider and passenger)
• No license or IDP
• Running red lights (cameras are everywhere now)
• No rearview mirrors
• Wrong-way driving on one-way streets in the Old Town

Riding in Vietnam requires a bit more gear than your average beach holiday. Here's a packing checklist based on thousands of kilometres on Vietnamese roads.

Essentials (Bring These Every Ride)

• 🏠 Face mask or buff — essential for dusty roads and city traffic
• 🚗 Phone mount — for GPS navigation (Google Maps works great in Vietnam)
• 📷 Phone with data — get a local SIM (Viettel, Mobifone, or Vinaphone — all work well in Hoi An)
• 👗 Light jacket or long sleeves — sun protection + light rain protection
• 🩲 Sunscreen — the Vietnamese sun is intense even through clouds
• 💪 Pen and paper — for writing down directions (Google translate works too)

For Longer Rides (Hai Van Pass, Hoi An → Hue)

• 🧥 Rain poncho — sudden tropical downpours happen year-round (we provide these free)
• 🏠 Small backpack — for water, snacks, and souvenirs
• 💧 Water bottle — dehydration on the pass is real
• 🧱 Basic repair kit — patch kit, tyre levers, multi-tool (we provide roadside assistance by phone)
• 🎶 Power bank — your phone is your GPS, don't let it die

What NOT to Pack

• Flip-flops — you need closed-toe shoes to ride safely
• An open bag/basket without a lid — Vietnamese roads are bumpy and things bounce out
• Your passport — leave it in your hotel safe; a photocopy is enough for police checks