North Vietnam Highlights

On this trip, you'll be riding a Kawasaki KLX 150cc motorcycle. If you prefer a Honda XR 250cc motorcycle, this is available for an additional fee (see pricing details). Please let us know when registering. 250cc motorcycles are limited. 

Tour guides
This tour is led by our local guide/mechanic in small groups. This person has been our regular mechanic on our Vietnam tours for 12 years. He knows all the routes, hotels, and restaurants, and speaks good English.
A Dutch Motortrails tour guide will be present for larger groups. Details can be found on the Prices page. 

Support car
During this trip, a support car will accompany you for groups of six or more. This car will be driven by our local driver, and a local mechanic will ride along in it. The support car will transport luggage, parts, and tools. There will be room in the support car for any pillion passengers who may not wish to ride in the back.

Difficulty of the trip
During this journey through northern Vietnam, we won't be riding at high altitude or through extremely remote areas. We'll be riding lightweight motorcycles, making the trip very accessible, even for riders who have never been on an adventure motorcycle tour before. The daily distances are short, allowing plenty of time and opportunity to stop along the way to take photos or visit villages. However, navigating the extremely busy traffic in and around Hanoi can be challenging. Please also be aware that the main roads, which we avoid as much as possible, can be congested with trucks that don't adhere to traffic regulations.

Off-Road
Only a small portion of the trip will be on unpaved roads and/or trails. The current schedule calls for two or three days. These sections are not particularly difficult and can be easily accomplished without any off-road experience or training beforehand. However, if the weather is worse than expected, these off-road days can be challenging.

Clothing
Mandatory items include a helmet, a motorcycle jacket with protection, gloves, good, sturdy (motorcycle) pants with protection or with separate knee pads, and sturdy high-top (mountain) boots. It can get very warm, especially in spring and autumn, in the lower elevations of the trip. A summer motorcycle jacket with protection is therefore recommended. In colder areas of the mountains, you can wear extra clothing under your jacket if necessary. Good sunglasses and a helmet with a visor that protects against dust are also useful. The rainy season in northern Vietnam runs from June to the end of August. We plan our trips before or after this time. However, the weather can defy all forecasts, so you should be prepared for a possible rain shower on all trips. Finally, it can get quite cold in the mountains in December and January, so it is advisable to bring warm motorcycle clothing.

Driving license
In Vietnam, you have been officially permitted to drive a motorcycle with an International Driving Permit (IRP) since January 1, 2016. A Dutch driving license is not valid in Vietnam without an IRB (International Driving Permit). IRB model 1968 is accepted.

Visa
is required to travel to Vietnam. You will receive more information about this when you book. 
More details about the trip and what to bring can be found in the travel guide that you will receive approximately one month before departure.