1. I've read a few posts on here and other sites about crossing VN, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Malaysia with a bike and there seems to be conflicting information on border crossing.
Can you take a bike, bought in VN, across these countries?

As of May 1st, Thai, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam has agreements to allow land inter-travel. It means you can freely bring any vehicle from the 4 countries in the 4 countries.

2. What documentation will I require?

Ownerships and registrations.


3. In China, I've read that you simply can't buy/rent a bike and drive through the country. Is this true? and do you need a government guide if you are going out of the cities?

Yes. it is true. However, you can bring a bike from VN into China. No it is not true.

4. Does my girlfriend, who has a HK card and passport, get any benefits i.e. allow us not to require a guide?

No.

5. Is it possible to travel from Thailand to India? I expect that it's Burma that's the problem. Does anyone know if it's possible to travel through there? Failing that I'd be keen to get on a ferry/cargo ship of some sort.

Yes you can by pass Burma (land travel) into India but it is longer.

6. I'm sure there's been plenty people who have done this sort of trip, could anyone give me a rough indication on how much to budget?

Depends on you and your girlfriend's need of comfort level. In Thai and India, I spent U.S $45 per day but it gets cheaper if you share room and gas.

7. Depending on which way round we're going to travel, can anyone tell me what might be a good time, weather-wise, to start in each country. We're not bothered about being in the rainy season but I'm concerned about biking through VN etc as that's going to affect our travel.

In that region, mid Nov is a good start but you want to complete your trip prior to late March since it will enters the rainy season.

Also, if anyone is doing all or part of these places next year it would be good to share tips/research and maybe hook up along the way.

We (3 males (2 in early 70s and one in 50s) and 1 female (60 yo) are flying into Hanoi, pre-buy 4 125cc motorcycles drive to Quang-Binh for the largest cave in the world), Ho Chi Minh trail into Laos visiting Luaung Prabang, dropping down to Ankor Wats,floating city, cut north to Chiang Mai and then down to Bankok. We simply donate the bikes to charities and fly home from Bangkok.

Have a great trip. I wish we have as much time as you do.