How long Hanoi to HCMcity on 125cc 2up?

[g6snl]

I have a trip to Vietnam in Aug - Sept and planning to have 20 days bike hire during the time. Some kinda 125cc thing. Anyway will be travelling 2up with wife and some minimal baggage and wondering how much time it takes roughly to get from north to south. Hanoi to HCMcity. It's just so I can get an idea. Assume following coast road, down through Dalat, google says 1900Km and 39hrs. Being on a 125cc I guess it will take longer? How realistic is 39hrs? Obviously not going to do this with out stopping !

Some opinions from anyone who has done it would be great

[mark manley]

20 days will be more than enough, you will have time to stop off and sight see. A 125 will be fine even going up to Dalat I got up there on a bicycle and having seen a 125 with passenger at 5,300 meters in Tibet I now know there is nowhere they won't go.

[Snakeboy]

Wet/rainy season in most of Vietnam those months - just as you know....

[g6snl]

Originally Posted by Snakeboy

Wet/rainy season in most of Vietnam those months - just as you know....

It will only be raining in the parts I'm not going to. It will not rain on me.

[uk_vette]

Originally Posted by g6snl

I have a trip to Vietnam in Aug - Sept and planning to have 20 days bike hire during the time. Some kinda 125cc thing. Anyway will be travelling 2up with wife and some minimal baggage and wondering how much time it takes roughly to get from north to south. Hanoi to HCMcity. It's just so I can get an idea. Assume following coast road, down through Dalat, google says 1900Km and 39hrs. Being on a 125cc I guess it will take longer? How realistic is 39hrs? Obviously not going to do this with out stopping !

Some opinions from anyone who has done it would be great

hello g6nsl,

It would be better if you have two motorcycles.
Most are Honda 110cc
Most are step-through gears, means no clutch, means very easy for new rider.
We, my wife and I, ride from Hanoi, out of the city to Hai Phong, then three days on Cat Ba islands using the ferry.
Then back on the ferry to Hai Phong, and all the way south to Saigon, (HCMC)
We did not ride every day, we missed about 5 days, because some places very beautiful, so we stay longer.
We take 1 month.

When we arrived Saigon, we went to Ga Saigon which is the train station, and they train ship out two Honda's back to Hanoi.
Then after a few days in Saigon, we also train back to hanoi.
Our bikes arrived 1 day before us arriving, because the bikes go on freight trains, which takes more time than passenger trains.
Cheap to send back by train.

I think not good to use one bile with two people and rucksack luggage.

Enjoy

[shadow6491]

Just another warning the coast road is one of the most dangerous roads in Vietnam. There are numerous deaths every day. I would suggest you use an average traveling speed of 40km/hr to plan the trip.

[uk_vette]

Originally Posted by shadow6491

Just another warning the coast road is one of the most dangerous roads in Vietnam. There are numerous deaths every day. I would suggest you use an average traveling speed of 40km/hr to plan the trip.

Yes, the coast road is dangerous, but so is every road in Vietnam if your not used to Asian riding.
40km average perhaps, but a realistic speed we seemed to maintain, was more like 65km/hour.
The coast road is the more direct, that's why there is so much traffic on it.
Also, be aware, motor bikes can not go through the tunnel under Hai Vann pass.
Only cars and trucks can use the tunnel.
Actually, it is a blessing, because there is very little vehicle traffic over the tops of Hai Vann pass.

Gra.

[MikeS]

You wouldn't want to use the tunnel anyway, the scenery is nice up there

Originally Posted by uk_vette

Only cars and trucks can use the tunnel.
Actually, it is a blessing, because there is very little vehicle traffic over the tops of Hai Vann pass.
Gra.

[farqhuar]

Yes, definitely take the inland route - much less traffic, specifically buses and trucks. Cars and other bikes you can handle, on the coast road the larger vehicular traffic will drive straight through you when faced with the alternative of hitting a bus or truck coming the other way whilst overtaking.

[g6snl]

Originally Posted by uk_vette

Also, be aware, motor bikes can not go through the tunnel under Hai Vann pass.
Only cars and trucks can use the tunnel.
Actually, it is a blessing, because there is very little vehicle traffic over the tops of Hai Vann pass.

Gra.

Didn't know that, but given a choice on the ground, I would take the over the top option anyway. Thanks for the heads up on that.

Re: traffic. It can't surely be any worse than India and Nepal on busy roads. Just hope the black crap out the back of trucks is not so bad!