South Vietnam Motorcycle Tour

Passport valid for at least 6 months with 2 blank pages. E-visa costs 25 USD and takes 3 working days – do it online at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn. International Driving Permit is mandatory: get it from your automobile association before departure. Keep digital copies of everything on your phone.

Consult your doctor 4-6 weeks before. Recommended: Hepatitis A/B, Typhoid, Tetanus booster. No malaria risk in our areas, but bring mosquito repellent anyway. Travel insurance is mandatory and must cover motorcycle riding and medical evacuation. Bring your personal medications plus anti-diarrhea and painkillers – pharmacies exist but finding specific drugs can be tricky.

South Vietnam has tropical climate with two seasons. November-April: dry season, 28-35°C in Ho Chi Minh City and coast, ideal for riding. Da Lat and the highlands are a pleasant surprise: 18-25°C year-round, nicknamed "City of Eternal Spring". Expect humidity and strong sun at lower altitudes, cooler evenings in the mountains. Bring light breathable gear for the coast, a jacket with protections, and a fleece for Da Lat nights. Rain gear essential – brief afternoon showers can happen anytime. Sunscreen is non-negotiable.

Currency is Vietnamese Dong (VND). Roughly 1€ = 27,000 VND but check the current rate. Cash is king in rural areas – ATMs are only in cities. I recommend Vietcombank or Techcombank, and withdraw larger amounts to save on fees. Cards work in hotels and bigger restaurants, but always have cash backup. Tipping isn't expected but 50-100k VND for great service is appreciated.

You need to be comfortable on a motorcycle for 3-4 hours a day. No off-road skills required – 90% is asphalt – but highland curves demand confidence. Physical fitness? Moderate. Nothing extreme, but you should be able to handle a bike in different conditions. The pace is relaxed: plenty of photo stops, coffee breaks, and no rushing. We ride to enjoy, not to arrive.

The Central Highlands host diverse wildlife, though encounters on our routes are rare. In coffee plantations you might spot colorful birds and butterflies. Near Lak Lake, water buffalo are everywhere – they have right of way! Snakes exist but avoid humans; watch your step on forest trails. Mosquitoes are more aggressive in lowlands and coast – repellent is essential at dawn/dusk. The Mui Ne dunes are home to small lizards and crabs, harmless and fun to spot. Monkeys around temples can be bold – secure your belongings. Stray dogs: admire from distance. Overall: tropical wildlife adds to the experience, common sense is your best tool.

Get a SIM at Tan Son Nhat airport – Viettel or Mobifone, about 10 USD for 30 days with plenty of data. Ho Chi Minh City traffic is legendary: 9 million motorbikes in constant motion. Don't panic – flow with it, follow me, and you'll get the hang of it fast. Once out of the city, roads are calmer and scenic. The South has amazing coffee culture – Buon Ma Thuot is the capital, try cà phê sữa đá (iced coffee with condensed milk). Street food is safe and delicious: bánh mì, phở, and fresh seafood in Mui Ne. English is more common than in the North but learn "xin chào" and "cảm ơn" – it opens doors. Time zone is GMT+7.