Updates
AZ Motorbikes Monthly Briefing: November Edition
If you’re riding in November, Northern Vietnam is one of the first places I’d look. Hanoi is usually mild and relatively dry, while the mountain regions are cooler and increasingly crisp. It is excellent riding weather, but mornings and evenings at altitude can feel much colder than the daytime temperature suggests.
Central Vietnam is still the region I would treat with the most caution. November can bring prolonged rain, storms and poor visibility around Huế, Danang and Hội An. The South, meanwhile, is becoming increasingly attractive as the wetter season eases and the drier months begin.
New Vietnam Route Maps
Our Vietnam Route Maps library is a new addition to the site that has grown quickly. The aim is to help you plan your self-guided tours or get an idea of just some of route options we have up our sleeve for your Vietnam Motorcycle Tour.
This month I’d use the new Na Hang connections to build a quieter northern trip away from the busiest tourist roads. These three maps work particularly well together, or can be combined with Ba Bể, Hà Giang, Bảo Lạc and Cao Bằng to form part of a much larger loop.
What I’d ride this November
For five to seven days, I would seriously consider a Northeast route linking Hanoi, Na Hang, Ba Bể, Bảo Lạc and Cao Bằng. It gives a good mixture of lakes, limestone mountains, quiet backroads and small towns without relying entirely on the Hà Giang Loop.
Hà Giang is still an excellent November destination, particularly for riders who want dramatic mountain scenery, but the better-known roads around Đồng Văn and Mèo Vạc can remain busy. Riders looking for quieter roads can connect Hà Giang with Na Hang or Cao Bằng instead of simply completing the standard loop.
With ten days or more, November is also a very good month for a longer northern itinerary. Our 5-Day Due North and 7-Day Due North routes can be extended with extra nights in places such as Ba Bể, Cao Bằng or Hà Giang.
In Southern Vietnam, conditions are becoming more favourable as the dry season begins. Riders starting from Ho Chi Minh City can increasingly look towards the Mekong Delta, Đà Lạt and longer south-to-north journeys.
Solo rider? We may be able to help you find a group
Travelling to Vietnam on your own does not necessarily mean riding alone. We regularly hear from individual riders who would like to join others for part or all of a motorcycle trip.
If you are planning a ride, get in touch and tell us when you are coming, how many days you have, the type of motorcycle you want to ride, the kind of roads you enjoy and which part of Vietnam interests you. If other solo riders are looking for similar dates and riding styles, we can help bring you together for a small group motorcycle tour.
Read our Solo Rider Guide for more information about how the idea works.
One route I’d keep flexible
I would still avoid building a November trip around fixed dates on the central coast. Huế, Danang, Hội An and the Hải Vân Pass can be excellent when the weather behaves, but November remains part of Central Vietnam’s wetter period and storms can disrupt plans quickly.
If you are riding through the centre, leave spare days in the itinerary and check the forecast locally before committing to exposed mountain or coastal roads. A one-way journey between Hanoi, Danang and Ho Chi Minh City is much easier when the schedule has room to change.
Prepare for cooler mountain riding
November is comfortable in much of the North, but altitude changes everything. A sunny afternoon in Hanoi can be followed by a cold, damp morning in Hà Giang, Cao Bằng or the Northwest.
Carry a windproof or waterproof outer layer, full-finger gloves and at least one warm layer that can be added quickly. Fog can reduce visibility on high passes, particularly early in the morning, so do not force the pace simply to keep to a timetable.
Before leaving each day, check the tyres, brakes, lights and chain, make sure luggage is secure and keep an eye on fuel when using smaller mountain roads. Start early enough to reach the destination before dark.
Honda CB500X
The Honda CB500X is a particularly good November choice for riders covering longer distances. It offers more wind protection and comfort than a smaller dual-sport, carries luggage easily and has enough fuel capacity for long touring days.
US $55/day (including top box, panniers, helmet waterproof bag, phone holder/charger)
470 cc
6 speed
Electric start
830 mm seat height
199 kg
17.7 litre fuel tank
If you’re not coming until December
Northern Vietnam becomes noticeably cooler in December, particularly in the mountains, so warmer riding gear becomes more important. The South is moving firmly into its drier season and can be an excellent choice for longer trips.
Central Vietnam may begin to improve, but conditions can still vary considerably from year to year. Keep checking forecasts rather than assuming the wet season has finished everywhere.
Planning a ride? Browse our Vietnam Route Maps for independent travel, compare our motorbike rentals, or look at our guided motorcycle tours if you would rather have the route, accommodation and logistics organised.