Top 5 best scooter rentals in Ha Long

Ha Long feels made for exploring on two wheels. Ride the seafront promenade at Bai Chay Beach as the light turns gold over the bay, then let the road climb toward Bai Tho Mountain, where a short walk from your parked bike rewards you with a panorama over the harbor and the karst islands scattered across the water. This is a city that opens up when you're not stuck waiting for a taxi or a bus that never quite goes where you want.

The city itself makes a strong case for a scooter over any other way of getting around. Ha Long stretches in a long ribbon along the coast, from Bai Chay in the west to Hon Gai in the east, with light-to-moderate traffic and a coastal road that's easy to follow. On foot, that distance eats your whole day; by taxi, you're paying for every stop. A scooter lets you string together the beach, the old town and a hilltop viewpoint in an afternoon, and it's the only realistic way to reach longer day trips like Yen Tu or Cua Ong without hiring a car and driver.

Top 10 things to see in Ha Long by scooter

1. Bai Chay Beach — the city's main beach and seafront promenade, an easy warm-up ride with sunset views over the bay.
2. Bai Tho Mountain (Poem Mountain) — a short climb near the old town leading to a panoramic viewpoint over Ha Long Bay and the harbor.
3. Sun World Ha Long Complex — the cable car and Queen Ferris wheel on Ba Deo Hill, a favorite scooter destination for bay views without a boat.
4. Ha Long Night Market — a quick evening ride for street food and souvenir shopping near Bai Chay.
5. Quang Ninh Museum and Library — a striking black-glass cube on the waterfront, worth a quick stop along the bay road.
6. Tuan Chau Island and Marina — a causeway ride to the island where most bay cruises depart, with beaches and sea-view roads.
7. Long Tien Pagoda — the city's largest pagoda, set at the foot of Bai Tho Mountain in the old town.
8. Cua Ong Temple — a scenic coastal ride of roughly 30–40 km to one of northern Vietnam's most important temples.
9. Yen Tu Pilgrimage Complex — a longer day ride of about 45–50 km to Vietnam's spiritual mountain of Buddhism, through forest roads with cable car access at the top.
10. Bai Chay Bridge viewpoint — crossing or stopping near the bridge gives you a wide panorama of the bay and city skyline, ideal for photos.

What do you need to rent a scooter in Ha Long?

For scooters under 50cc — the standard tourist rental — no driving licence is required in Vietnam. Anything above that engine size needs a motorcycle licence, and foreign riders should carry either a Vietnamese licence or a valid International Driving Permit issued under the 1968 convention. Rental shops generally expect you to be at least 18, and you'll need to leave a deposit, usually in cash or with your passport held as security; the exact amount depends on the shop and the bike.

How much does it cost to rent a scooter in Ha Long?

Average rental price is 120,000–150,000 VND per day during low season and 150,000–220,000 VND during high season, with premium automatics like a Honda SH running 300,000–500,000 VND per day.

• Prices climb in June–August, when domestic summer travel peaks, and again around Tet in late January or February.
• Prices ease off from November to March (outside Tet), when cooler, sometimes drizzly weather thins out the crowds.

When to book a rental scooter in Ha Long?

High season runs from November through April, driven mainly by international visitors, plus a domestic surge from June to August. Tet is the tightest squeeze of all — bikes run scarce, prices rise and some shops close entirely, so book well ahead if your trip falls in that window. Outside of that, the low season from May to September brings softer prices and more availability, making it a good time to book close to arrival if you'd rather travel light on planning.

Local traffic rules in Ha Long

Vietnam drives on the right. Helmets are compulsory for both rider and passenger on any scooter or moped, and checks are routine. There's a zero blood-alcohol limit for anyone riding — no threshold is allowed, and police run roadside breath tests, especially at night. Speed limits depend on the road and whether you're inside a built-up area, so it's worth reading the signs rather than assuming a fixed number. Headlights are required after dark, and scooters are barred from expressways and a handful of major bridges and tunnels, so watch for the exclusion signs as you plan your route.

Types of scooters available

On our website you can rent the following types of scooters: classic scooter, Vespa, moped, motoroller, motoscooter, with a sidecar, with automatic or manual gears, three-wheeled scooters, large, maxi-scooter, touring, scooters with a windscreen and a roof, underbones, electric scooters.

Models of scooters available

On our website you can hire scooters from the following manufacturers: Adly, Aeon, Aprilia, Piaggio, Bajaj, Benelli, Beta, BMW, Derbi, Gilera, Honda, Kawasaki, Kymco, LML, Malaguti, Peugeot, PGO, Suzuki, SYM, TVS, Vespa, Yamaha.

Which insurance is provided with my rental scooter?

Usually basic third-party insurance is included in the rental price. If you wish to have more protection you can purchase additional CDW insurance, which limits your risk to the amount of your deposit. If you wish to rent a scooter without a deposit and with zero risk, you will need to add full insurance to your reservation.

Extra services available

When you make an online scooter reservation you can also order the following extra services and equipment: integral helmet, GPS navigation, intercom, unlimited mileage, top case, side cases, boots, jacket, gloves, individual guide or tour, map, full insurance, one-way rental, delivery to your hotel, delivery to your address, delivery to the arrival point of your choice.

Why use BikesBooking.com?

• Find the best deals for scooter hire;
• Compare prices of scooter rental companies;
• Read reviews of previous customers;
• Reserve a scooter online with the Best Price Guarantee!

Most of our local moped rental companies have many years of experience and will provide you with a well-kept scooter, helmet, lock, top case, GPS, insurance and friendly service. The number of companies we work with is increasing every day, so if you want to rent a scooter, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!