Rentals
Types of Motorbike in Vietnam: How to Choose the Right Bike
Choosing the right motorbike in Vietnam matters more than choosing the biggest engine. A bike that feels perfect for city traffic may be tiring on a ten-day mountain trip, while a large touring bike can be unnecessary if you only need something simple for getting around town.
The best choice depends on where you are riding, how much experience you have, whether you are carrying a passenger or luggage, and, most importantly, what you are legally entitled to ride. This guide explains the main types of motorbike you will see in Vietnam and helps you match the bike to the trip.
The main types of motorbike in Vietnam
Most rental bikes in Vietnam fall into four useful groups: automatic scooters, semi-automatic bikes, manual dual-sports and larger touring motorcycles. Each has a different balance of ease, comfort, luggage capacity, road ability and rider involvement.
Automatic scooters
Automatic scooters are the easiest option for city riding. There is no clutch or manual gear change, they usually have a low seat, and the under-seat storage is useful for day-to-day errands.
They make sense for short trips around Hanoi, Danang or Ho Chi Minh City and for riders who value convenience over long-distance ability. They are less attractive for long mountain journeys, where smaller wheels, limited suspension travel and reduced engine braking can become noticeable.
Semi-automatic motorbikes
Semi-automatic bikes sit between a scooter and a manual motorcycle. You change gears with your foot but there is no hand-operated clutch, so they are simple to ride while still giving you more control over gearing than a fully automatic scooter.
For city use and lighter touring, a semi-auto such as the Honda Future can be a practical choice. It is light, economical and familiar to mechanics almost everywhere in Vietnam.
Manual dual-sport motorbikes
Dual-sport motorcycles are particularly well suited to northern Vietnam. Their larger wheels, longer suspension travel and upright riding position make them comfortable on broken tarmac, steep mountain roads and occasional unsealed sections without turning them into heavy adventure bikes.
The Honda XR150 is the classic example: light, simple and easy to manage. The Honda XR190 adds more torque, fuel injection and stronger performance while remaining relatively light.
Larger touring motorcycles
A larger touring motorcycle becomes more attractive when the journey involves long distances, a passenger, substantial luggage or repeated high-speed road sections. The extra weight can make the bike less forgiving in tight spaces or on poor surfaces, but it brings much greater comfort and stability on long days.
Our Honda CB500X is a 470cc adventure tourer with room for luggage and a pillion. It is a very different proposition from an XR150: neither is automatically better; they simply suit different riders and different trips.
Choose the bike for the trip, not the engine size
Engine capacity is useful information, but it should not be the only thing you compare. Weight, seat height, suspension, wheel size, luggage setup and your own confidence can matter just as much.
City riding and short local trips
For riding mainly inside a city, simplicity usually wins. An automatic scooter or semi-automatic bike is easy to park, easy to manoeuvre in traffic and inexpensive to run.
A large adventure motorcycle can certainly be ridden around town, but there is little benefit in carrying the extra weight if most journeys are short. Choose the smallest bike that comfortably does the job.
Mountain routes and northern Vietnam
For areas such as Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Ba Be, Ta Xua and the Northwest, a light manual dual-sport is often the sweet spot. Mountain riding involves frequent bends, steep climbs and descents, broken surfaces and narrow roads, so manageable weight and good suspension are valuable.
If you are building your own northern itinerary, our Vietnam motorcycle route map library can help you judge the kind of roads and distances involved before choosing the bike.
Long-distance and one-way touring
For a ride from Hanoi to Danang, or farther south, comfort and luggage capacity become more important. An XR150 or XR190 can do the journey well if you prefer a lighter motorcycle, while a CB500X is better suited to riders who want more power, comfort and carrying capacity.
If you do not want to retrace the same route, read our one-way motorbike rental guide for information about picking up in one city and returning the bike in another.
Riding two-up
Two people plus luggage changes the calculation. A small scooter or lightweight bike may be fine for local journeys, but on a longer tour the passenger, luggage and steep terrain can make a larger motorcycle much more comfortable.
Think about total load, passenger space and luggage attachment rather than engine size alone. A bike that feels easy when ridden solo can feel very different once a pillion and several days of luggage are added.
Engine size and riding legally in Vietnam
Vietnam changed its motorcycle licence categories from 1 January 2025. The current A1 category covers two-wheeled motorcycles up to 125cc, while Category A covers motorcycles above 125cc and also includes bikes within A1.
For a foreign visitor, the engine category is only part of the legal question. You also need a legal route that recognises your driving entitlement in Vietnam, and the motorcycle entitlement on your underlying licence must cover the bike you are riding.
Do not choose a bike first and check the licence later
Before reserving a motorcycle, use our Vietnam motorbike licence guide for foreigners to check which Vietnamese category applies to the bike.
If you are relying on an International Driving Permit, also read our International Driving Permit for Vietnam guide. Vietnam’s statutory foreign-IDP route is based on the 1968 Vienna Convention, used together with the corresponding valid national licence and the appropriate motorcycle entitlement.
Do not assume that a small motorcycle is automatically legal for you simply because it looks easy to ride. Equally, an International Driving Permit cannot create a motorcycle entitlement that is missing from your national licence.
Which AZ Motorbikes motorcycle suits which rider?
There is no single best motorbike for Vietnam. The useful question is which bike best matches your route, experience, luggage and legal entitlement.
Quick comparison: which AZ Motorbikes motorcycle suits you?
| Bike | Engine size | Best for | Main advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honda Cub | 49cc | City riding, local trips, riders without a motorcycle licence | No motorcycle licence required |
| Honda Future | 125cc | City riding, commuting and light touring | Easy, economical and more capable than a 50cc |
| Honda XR150 | 149cc | Northern Vietnam, mountain roads and general touring | Light, manageable all-rounder |
| Honda XR190 | 184cc | Mountain touring and riders wanting more performance | More torque and power without much extra weight |
| Honda CB500x | 470cc | Long-distance touring, luggage and two-up riding | Comfort, power and carrying capacity |
The right motorcycle is not necessarily the largest one. Choose according to your licence, experience, route, luggage and the amount of riding you expect to do each day.
You can also compare the complete AZ Motorbikes rental fleet before making your choice.
Honda Cub – the no-licence option
The Honda Cub is the simplest option in our fleet and is particularly useful for riders who do not hold a motorcycle licence that is valid in Vietnam. Our Cub has a 49cc engine and can be ridden without a motorcycle driving licence, making it very different from the larger bikes in the fleet.
If licensing is the main factor in your bike choice, read our Vietnam motorbike licence guide for foreigners before deciding which motorcycle you can legally ride.
Honda Future – simple and practical
The Honda Future is a 125cc semi-automatic and suits riders who want something light, economical and straightforward. It is particularly useful for city riding, commuting and lighter trips where a full dual-sport is unnecessary.
Honda XR150 – the all-rounder
The Honda XR150 is one of our most versatile touring motorcycles. At 149cc and about 129kg, it is light enough to be manageable while offering the suspension, riding position and luggage rack that make longer trips much easier.
For many solo riders exploring northern Vietnam, it is the bike we would use as the starting point for the decision.
Honda XR190 – more power without too much more weight
The Honda XR190 steps up to 184cc with fuel injection and more torque. It suits riders who like the light feel of a dual-sport but want stronger climbing and road performance than the XR150.
Honda CB500X – long-distance comfort
The Honda CB500X is the choice for riders who prioritise long-distance comfort, carrying capacity and a more substantial road bike. Its 470cc parallel-twin engine, 17.7-litre tank and luggage setup make it especially useful for long one-way rides and two-up travel.
If you are still unsure, compare the full AZ Motorbikes rental fleet rather than choosing purely by engine size.
FAQ
What size motorbike is best for travelling around Vietnam?
For most riders, a 125cc to 200cc motorbike is enough for travelling around Vietnam. Smaller bikes are easier to handle and cheaper to run, while a dual-sport such as the Honda XR150 gives you better suspension and more confidence on rough mountain roads. Riders carrying more luggage, travelling two-up or wanting greater comfort may prefer a larger touring bike such as the Honda CB500X.
Is a scooter or manual motorbike better for travelling in Vietnam?
A scooter is usually easier for city riding and short trips, particularly if you do not have much experience with manual motorcycles. For longer journeys, mountain routes and rougher roads, a manual or semi-automatic motorcycle generally gives you better control, stronger engine braking and more suitable suspension.
If you are planning a longer trip, you can compare our Vietnam motorcycle rental fleet before choosing a bike.
Is the Honda XR150 big enough for touring Vietnam?
Yes. The Honda XR150 is one of the most practical motorcycles for touring Vietnam. It is relatively light, economical and easy to handle, while its suspension and riding position make it well suited to mountain roads and occasional unsealed sections.
It is particularly popular for northern Vietnam because it offers a good balance between capability and manageable size. You can see the full specifications and rental details on our Honda XR150 rental page.
Do I need a motorcycle licence to ride in Vietnam?
That depends on the motorcycle you are riding. Vietnam’s current licence categories distinguish between motorcycles up to 125cc and motorcycles above 125cc, while foreign riders also need to consider whether their licence and International Driving Permit are recognised in Vietnam.
Before renting a bike, check our Vietnam motorbike licence guide for foreigners and International Driving Permit guide to make sure your documents cover the motorcycle you intend to ride.
What is the best motorbike for two people travelling around Vietnam?
For short journeys, a 125cc scooter or semi-automatic bike can carry two people, although luggage space and comfort can become limiting on longer trips. For extended touring, a larger motorcycle with better suspension, more power and proper luggage capacity is usually a better choice.
The Honda CB500X is particularly suitable for longer two-up journeys because it offers considerably more space and performance than smaller motorcycles. You can also compare our complete motorcycle rental fleet before deciding which bike best suits your trip.
Choose the bike that makes the trip easier
Vietnam does not demand the biggest motorcycle you can ride. In many parts of the country, a lighter bike is easier to manoeuvre, easier to park and less tiring on narrow mountain roads. On the other hand, long-distance riders, passengers and heavier luggage can justify stepping up to a larger tourer.
Start with the trip you want to make, then work backwards through road type, daily distance, luggage, rider experience and legal entitlement. If you want help deciding, contact us and tell us where you plan to ride, how many days you have and whether you will be travelling solo or two-up.
You can contact AZ Motorbikes or browse the current rental fleet to compare the available bikes.