Contents
Rental Costs
Motorbikes are the primary mode of transport in Da Nang. Here is what you can expect to pay:
Automatic scooters (Honda Vision, Yamaha Janus, Honda Air Blade):
- Daily: 100-200K VND ($4-8 USD)
- Monthly: 1.2-2.5M VND ($48-100 USD)
- These are the most popular choice for expats -- easy to ride, practical for city use
Semi-automatic (Honda Wave, Honda Future):
- Daily: 80-150K VND ($3-6 USD)
- Monthly: 800K-1.5M VND ($32-60 USD)
- Cheaper but requires gear shifting with your foot -- less intuitive for beginners
Manual / bigger bikes (Honda Winner, Yamaha Exciter, Royal Enfield):
- Daily: 200-350K VND ($8-14 USD)
- Monthly: 2-5M VND ($80-200 USD)
- For experienced riders or those wanting more power for highway trips
Monthly rentals are always significantly cheaper than daily rates. If you know you are staying more than a week, negotiate a monthly price.
Buy vs. rent decision:
- Rent for your first 2 months to get familiar with riding in Vietnam and figure out what type of bike you like
- Buy a used motorbike for $300-600 USD if you are staying 6 months or longer -- you can sell it for roughly the same price when you leave
- The Honda Vision and Honda Air Blade hold their resale value extremely well
- Check the Da Nang Buy & Sell Facebook group for used bikes
License Requirements
This is probably the most important section in this guide. Getting caught without a proper license can be costly and void your insurance.
What you need:
- An International Driving Permit (IDP) with a motorcycle endorsement is the legal requirement for foreigners riding motorbikes in Vietnam
- Your IDP must be accompanied by your valid home country driving license
- Get your IDP before traveling to Vietnam -- it is issued in your home country (AAA offices in the US, Post Office in the UK, etc.)
Da Nang enforcement:
- Da Nang specifically has police checkpoints targeting foreigners on motorbikes
- This is more strictly enforced here than in Hoi An, Hanoi, or Ho Chi Minh City
- Checkpoints are common on major roads, near the Dragon Bridge, and along the beach road
The 50cc exception:
- Technically, you do not need a license for motorbikes under 50cc in Vietnam
- However, almost all rental bikes are 110-125cc, so this exception rarely applies
- Do not assume your rental is under 50cc -- check the registration
Fines for riding without an IDP:
- 800K-1.2M VND ($32-48 USD) per offense
- Police may hold your bike until the fine is paid
- More importantly, if you have an accident without a valid license, your travel insurance will NOT cover medical costs or liability -- this is the real risk
Bottom line: Get your IDP before you come. It costs about $20 in most countries and takes 15 minutes. It is not worth the risk to skip it.
Scam Prevention
Most rental shops are honest, but these scams do exist. Knowing about them in advance protects you completely.
The Vanishing Bike Trick:
- How it works: You park your rented bike, someone with a spare key rides it away, the shop claims you lost it and demands $500-1500 in compensation
- Prevention: Buy and use your own disc lock (available at any motorbike accessories shop for 150-300K VND). A disc lock attaches to the brake disc and prevents the wheel from turning. If the bike cannot be moved, it cannot "vanish."
Fake Damage Claims:
- How it works: You return the bike and the shop points to scratches or dents that were already there, demanding you pay for repairs
- Prevention: Before riding away, take photos and video of every angle of the bike -- both sides, front, back, wheels, mirrors, seat, and any existing scratches. Send these to the shop via WhatsApp or Zalo with a timestamp. When you return, do the same thing. This eliminates any dispute.
Passport as Deposit:
- Some shops ask to hold your passport as a deposit. NEVER do this.
- If the shop demands your passport, go to a different shop
- Leave a cash deposit of 2-5M VND ($80-200 USD) instead, or a photocopy of your passport
- Reputable shops will accept a cash deposit or just a passport copy
Trusted rental shops in Da Nang:
- Tigit Motorbikes -- professional operation, proper contracts, well-maintained bikes, fair pricing
- Rentabike Vietnam -- good reputation, English-speaking staff, transparent policies
Driving Tips
Driving in Vietnam is unlike anywhere else. These tips come from years of expat experience:
- Go with the flow -- the most important rule. Do not make sudden stops or sharp lane changes. Traffic in Vietnam flows like water. Move predictably and everyone adjusts around you.
- The horn means "I am here" -- it is not aggressive. Drivers honk to let you know they are beside you or behind you. Use your horn too, especially when overtaking or approaching blind corners.
- Bigger vehicles have right of way in practice -- regardless of traffic laws, trucks and buses will not stop for you. Give them space. Always yield to anything larger than you.
- Always wear a helmet -- it is the law and it is enforced. Fines for no helmet are 200-400K VND. More importantly, head injuries are the leading cause of motorbike fatalities. Wear a proper helmet, not a decorative one.
- Be extra cautious at night -- many local riders drive without headlights, pedestrians walk in the road, and visibility is limited. Slow down after dark.
- Roads flood in rainy season (September-December) -- water can hide potholes and debris. Drive slowly through flooded areas. If the water is above your wheel hub, find an alternate route.
- Google Maps works well for navigation in Da Nang -- mount your phone on the handlebars (phone mounts cost 50-100K VND) and follow the directions. Waze is not commonly used here.
- Fuel stations are everywhere. Fill up when you are at half tank. Most stations are full-service -- just pull up and say "day binh" (fill up) or show a number with your fingers for a specific amount.