How dangerous is riding in Vietnam?
 

Hello,

I'm riding in Vietnam in October. I've been advised that highways and major regional roads are exceptionally dangerous due to ill-disciplined bus and truck drivers, e.g. rounding corners on the wrong side of the road.

This all sounds pretty much like "situation normal" for travel anywhere in Asia. I have plenty of experience riding in Indonesia and Malaysia, covering highways through to unmapped tracks - is it significantly worse in Vietnam?

Are there any "no-go" roads in Vietnam from a riding point of view? (i.e. particularly dangerous traffic situation).

thanks

It's situation normal.

Riding your own bike???

Expect pretty normal Asian driving, people pulling out from the right without looking seemed to be the biggest danger to me, just watch what the locals do and follow their rules.

Not for this trip - it's only 3 weeks, so not worth shipping. I am renting a Pegasus 250 trail bike.

thanks folks ... looking forward to the ride :)

Normal Asia driving I'd say. Just about to arrive in Malaysia after riding a Minsk from Hanoi through Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand. Vietnam has the most scooters in my opinion. Most dangerous are overpassing minibuses in opposite traffic. Anyway I suggest to ride in the mountains along Laos / Cambodia as it has the least traffic, the prettiest scenery and the nicest roads for bikers. Cheers

So far Malaysia has got the worst drivers I have ever seen - see what you think!

Definitely will be seeking out backroads and mountain trails.

Did you hear any news of armed bandits in Laos? Apparently a band of 30 bandits was apprehended recently - maybe that will be the end of the problem.

Haven't heard anything about those bandits. In Laos I've only been to the very South though: 4000 islands and on and around the Bolaven Plateau.

Apparently they were only active around Plain of Jars and further north, so staying south should be fine. That's my plan too.

The attached a Chinese tour bus and killed one passenger, as well as a truck, two motorcyclists, and a few others since late last year.

Be wary...
 

My husband and I bought bikes in Hanoi and intended on using them our whole 3 month stay by doing the northern loop, heading south, and selling them in Saigon.

The bikes were ok, and I was actually learning how to ride a fully manual bike for the first time, in the middle of Hanoi traffic, and I was completely fine.

However, we only made it 6 weeks through the northern loop before we gave up and went back to Hanoi to sell them. It wasn't enjoyable, we got scammed a lot, and it was more trouble than it was worth. The biggest problem was that EVERYWHERE we went, someone would break something on the bike overnight, or even while we were inside a temple or other site and then laugh when they offered to fix it at their shop conveniently across the street. For, like, $200 or something.

This happened before we even left Hanoi, and hubby pushed the dead bike with a clearly clipped accelerator cable 2 miles through town to where we bought it from instead of allowing the laughing goons the pleasure of "helping" us.

So, I guess I never felt unsafe or in the way of bodily harm, even as a new driver in strange terrain and having to cross landslides and all that, but we were heavily inconvenienced and it was costing more than it was worth, enjoyment-wise.

But it was a great way to see the country and I would try it again, and would recommend it, with enough precautions.

As a side note, we did Laos for 2 months and had a blast and I want to do that for the rest of my life. Amazing.

That is really devious :)

I've arranged with our city hotels to make sure they have off-street parking for the bikes, but we have no idea where we will be on any given day between the cities. Even if we did, it's likely to be a modest "granny flat" kind of accommodation with no off street parking.

I suppose the next best thing is to take some spare cables and tools. Thanks for the warning.

FWIW I never had any trouble in Indonesia. Except I was embarrassed when mechanics would only take a dollar for working on my bike for ages.

In terms of "honesty/integrity", I'd rate Indonesia highest and probably Philippines lowest :( But is sounds like Vietnam has a few villains too!

Jeez ..

You think that Malaysians are the worst ???

I can't believe how courteous and disciplined Malaysians are. At least they adhere to road rules and stop at red lights.

I think you will be in for a shock in VN, if thats the case.

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The problems in Laos are quite deep, they shouldn't concern you unless you are caught in the crossfire. It's nothing to do with 'bandits' stealing something, more like political.

Chaos I can handle ... it tends to limit the opportunities for really dangerous behaviour. I mean seriously dangerous driving at high speeds, with disregard for common sense, combined with apparent lack of judgement, stupid macho behaviour, and poor vehicle control.

I know it probably happens a lot in Asia (and probably most developing countries) due to limited licensing process. But sure, Malaysia takes the cake for me :( Never seen so many wantonly dangerous things in a few weeks.

Japan has the best driving I've seen, though I did not ride or drive there.

Re the bandits, that's good to know. I read something about Lao anger due to exploitation by China, but they also shot up a truck and two guys on bikes - locals, I assume. As you say, maybe crossfire.

Have to agree with you. Malaysian traffic is the best I have experienced in SEAsia. Try Indonesia and Cambodia. I havent been riding a bike in Vietnam, just travelled by bus, train etc but the traffic looked bad, really bad, especially in the cities.