Riding a motorbike is the best way to explore Hoi An and surroundings. We ensure this. How can you explore the scenic countryside with rural life on the way to My Son if you are in a car riding on main roads? No way!!! Riding a motorbike is the only way to do this. You will be free to go anytime anywhere you want. You don’t need to wait for a taxi or will not be tired with a push bike. Almost all attractions in and around Hoi An are easy to reach by motorbike.
But riding a motorbike in Hoi An is a little bit adventurous also (maybe same in any other places in Vietnam or Southeast Asia). Traffic in Vietnam is a little bit crazy. So you should be careful when riding here in Hoi An. The following are 8 important notices you should notice when riding a motorbike in Hoi An. Read and follow the tips to help you have a nice ride to explore Hoi An and surroundings.
Just clarify that traffic in Hoi An is totally different than Ha Noi or Ho Chi Minh City. It is easier and more relax to ride in Hoi An than Ha Noi or Ho Chi Minh City. But easier to ride does not mean being always safe to ride.
1. Ride slowly and safely
Hoi An is a very small city. Almost all attractions in Hoi An are not much more than 5 km away from your hotel: old town, beaches, vegetable villages, nipa palm village,… The most far attractions such as Hai Van Pass, Ba Na Hills (with Golden Bridge), My Son,… are around 50 km from Hoi An. And the roads are easy to ride.
Therefore, you SHOULD NOT RIDE FAST. Riding slowly and carefully helps you be able to control any problem may happen on the way (rarely but we never know). And riding slowly brings you a chance to explore the beauties and local life on the way. Budget-friendly alert for Patek Philippe enthusiasts! Explore affordable fake Patek Philippe watches.
2. Always wear a helmet while riding
In Vietnam, it will be illegal for not wearing helmet(s) while riding a bike. If police see you riding without a helmet, they will stop and fine you. Actually, they can be a bit easier for tourists at tourism cities like Hoi An, Da Nang, because they may understand that international tourists don’t have much knowledge of Vietnamese law. However, it’s not about police and fine, it’s about your own safety. Wearing a high-quality helmet will protect your most important body part against any accident.
At Hoi An Bike Rental, you’ll be provided with high-quality 3/4-face or full-face helmets. Don’t worry in case you have a large head size, we have helmets with XL, XXL that fit your heads. High-quality children helmets are also available.
It will be amazing for riding to Hai Van Pass on Hoi An Bike Rental ‘s bike.
3. Not being afraid of pushing the horn
Honking has been a special part of Vietnam traffic culture. You can hear that “beep, beep…” sound everywhere around Vietnam. The sound is so merry! Lol. You shouldn’t be afraid of honking. Honking is to give people attention.
Honking in Vietnam doesn’t mean you are impolite or angry at something. Simply it’s a short notice: “Hey, my bike is coming. Get noticed!”
4. Be careful when turning left/right or passing intersections
You need to turn on indicators to notice other people about your turning. If possible, you should wave your hand to make a more noticeable turning signal. This helps the drivers behind learn that you are about to turn.
You must not make a sudden turn without noticing people in advance by signals. After doing the turning, turn off the signal. If not, the others would get embarrassed about your direction, crash might happen then.
Caution: Some drivers may not get your turning signals, you’d better observe really carefully through the rearview mirror before turning.
5. Avoid riding at night
At night (especially after 9pm), there can be a lot of reckless alcoholics traveling on the streets. Also, night may reduce your eyesight. Therefore, it’s best if you can avoid riding at night as much as possible.
6. Avoid highways
For riding to My Son, Ba Na Hills (with Golden Bridge), Hue,… you may find routes on Google Maps. But Google Maps almost always suggests you main roads that take you through some sections of highways (QL1A, QL14H,…). It is very dangerous and boring to ride side-by-side with trucks and buses. You should find countryside roads that are safe to ride, and especially bring you opportunities to explore Vietnam rural life on your way.
At Hoi An Bike Rental, we support you with scenic and safe routes to ride to My Son, Ba Na Hills, Hue, The Secret Waterfal,… All are predefined Google Maps links, just click and enjoy riding.
7. Gas stations and parking service
Almost all people in Hoi An and surroundings are very nice. But some guys who work at gas stations (even at big gas stations) may overcharge you for refueling the bike. They would fill other bikes before, but they may not bring the number on the counter back to zero. Then they fill your bike and charge the total cost shown on the counter. It means you pay for previous bikes also.
About parking, the price at all parking lots should be 5k VND. But some parking guys may ask you 10k, 20k or 50k VND. Just tell them that you know the price is 5k VND, or you will report it to the local government. They may quickly agree for 5k VND. Or you just move to the next parking lot for 5k VND.
8. Be careful at the dangerous turn on the way to Da Nang (closed to An Bang Beach)
About 400m after you finish the intersection with traffic lights closed at An Bang Beach, you will meet a turn that is curved and very dangerous. There were a lot of accidents happening there. So should be careful when riding there. Slow down, have a good look around, you should not ride beside any car or bike.
Cured dangerous turn on the way to Da Nang
It is here on Google Maps