Buying minsks in Vietnam, riding through Cambodia/Laos then back into Vietnam
 

Hi guys

We're planning to buy 2 minsks in Hanoi in the next couple of weeks. Ride south through Vietnam, then cross into Cambodia, up into Laos then back to Hanoi. We'll then hopefully sell the bikes on before flying home.

Does anyone know if this is possible? If so how easy/difficult are the border crossings? And which ones are best?

Also do you have any recommendations on a good place to pick up minsks in Hanoi?

We'd really like to do this whole trip on motorbikes but are finding it hard to get info on the border crossings.

All info greatly received and we'll report back on our experiences....

Thanks

Gemma

Hi Gemma
I believe it's possible to buy bikes in Vietnam and ride them into Cambodia; you may have some difficulties getting into Laos but it should not be too much of a problem.
Check the website gt-rider.com there's lots of information there or if you're in the area of N. Thailand a HU meeting in Chiang Mai on 8th Jan.
good luck...

Haven´t tried it myself, but I believe that´s about the only way a foreign tourist can enter Vietnam with a bike (...or lately it seems you could do it on any bike a bit similar to China, with the guides and all - but that´s everything but cheap!!)

Have met travellers on Minsks in both Cambodia & Laos, who have at least managed to cross from Vietnam into those countries, and were planning to return (and claimed it should be ok, but naturally they had not yet done that!) Getting any other vehicles, except those already registered in Vietnam, across the border into Vietnam is a big pain, and that one I have tried myself.

Those Minsks could be a bit of a handful to keep running on a longer tour, but how big a problem that is, also depends on your mechanical skills. And they´re simple, too, so maybe you can get them fixed outside Vietnam. But it´s worth mentioning, that you should be able to do Thailand, Cambodia & Laos on a bike you bought in any of those 3 countries (and the selection is wider, especially in Thailand), and then do Vietnam separately, on another bike, or as a backpacker.

Yeah we know the minsks are not so reliable but we'd like to travel Vietnam on their (kind of) iconic bike. Same reason we travelled India on enfields!!!

Yeah, it should be possible at least inside Vietnam.

Then you need to consider, what will be the most hassle-free option to do the other countries - with the same bike that you have in Vietnam, or buying another bike elsewhere.

I Did Vietnam- cambodia- Laos on my minsk, but I didn't go back into Vietnam but instead continued on to Thailand and beyond. Therefore I can say that it's easily possible to go that way. Back into vietnam will depend on your personal luck and if the border guys have a good day.

Met people who got back easily,met people who never got back. It's all possible. But you can sell them in Laos if the shit hits the fan.

A Place to pick it up would be either Cuongs, the other guy 30 m down the street or at the Hanoi backpackers or Hanoi Central Backpackers Hostels.

From Cuong you'll pay around 300 dollars to 350. Backpackers are mostly clueless and therefore are easy to agree on lower prices. 230$ is a realistic number for most of them.

Border Crossings:

Vietnam into cambodia;
Take the smallest one you can find and smile.

Cambodia to laos:
there is only one. The road there is brand-new


have a great trip!
greetings from my minsk, now in sulawesi!

Thanks for the info. We bought 2 minsks from Cuongs, $350 each and we've been having a blast for a few days now. Only one break down so far!!!

Cuong told us its not possible now to go into Cambodia from Vietnam with motorbikes so we're going to try crossing into Laos and working our way down instead.

Wish us luck

Sam Manicom articles
 

The info in these two articles by Sam Manicom may also be useful...

Good Morning Vietnam

and

Slow speed adrenaline buzz

Best of luck with the trip!

Iain.

.
Hi Gemmasun,

I like the idea of buying a bike in Ha Noi,
I particulary like, if I am going to buy a bike, then why not some thing special, like a Minsk.
You say you paid $350 each, was that new?
or good second user bikes?

'vette

there are no new minsks available in Vietnam. They stopped to import them around 2000 as far as I know.

And good should be put into "..", maybe even two of those :rofl:. Cuong should give you the most "professionally" maintained one. I say it again, should.

Bottom line is, If you know a little mechanics or are willing to learn/ experiment it's a fun choice, if not there are much more reliable bikes to be bought.