Top 5 best motorcycle rentals in Cat Ba

If someday you will be in Cat Ba, Vietnam, do not think that your only options for getting around are walking and the local buses. You can always rent a motorcycle in Cat Ba on our website and explore this rugged island at your own pace — climbing the switchbacks into the national park, following the coast road above Lan Ha Bay, or dropping down to one of the quiet beaches on the far side of the island. A motorcycle is by far the best way to see more of Cat Ba than the town and the harbour. On this page you will find a full guide to motorcycle rental in Cat Ba.

Cat Ba is a small island, and its charm is a slow one: the appeal here is less about covering distance than about riding a genuinely scenic loop road at an easy pace, with limestone karsts on one side and the bay on the other. Traffic is light outside the town centre, the roads through the national park climb and wind enough to be interesting, and a motorcycle lets you reach the quieter beaches and viewpoints that the day-trip boats never show you.

Top 10 things to see in Cat Ba by motorcycle

1. Cat Ba National Park — forested limestone hills criss-crossed by trails, reached by a winding road that is itself worth the ride.
2. Cannon Fort (Phao Dai Than Cong) — a French-era hilltop fort above Cat Ba town with the best all-round panorama of the bay and the harbour.
3. Lan Ha Bay viewpoints — several pull-offs along the coast road give sweeping views over the bay's limestone islands without needing a boat.
4. Cat Co 1, 2 & 3 beaches — three small beaches a short ride from town, each with a slightly different mood, from lively to quiet.
5. Viet Hai Village — a remote village reached via the national park road or a short boat hop, offering a glimpse of quiet island life.
6. Hospital Cave — a wartime hospital carved into the rock, an easy and atmospheric stop on the road out of town.
7. Cat Ba Town harbour — the island's small hub, lined with seafood restaurants and a good base to start and end a loop.
8. The island's northern loop road — the most rewarding ride on Cat Ba, threading between karst peaks with the bay appearing and disappearing through the trees.
9. Ngu Lam Peak viewpoint — a short detour and a modest climb for one of the widest views over the archipelago.
10. Xuan Dam & the island's back villages — quiet farming hamlets on the interior roads, a contrast to the tourist strip around the harbour.

What do you need to rent a motorcycle in Cat Ba?

Required documents vary between rental companies, but common rules are as follows: you should be at least 18 years old; for engines up to 125cc an A1 licence is usually expected, while larger motorcycles call for a full A-class licence. Foreign visitors should carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) together with their home licence — strictly, a Vietnamese-recognised motorcycle licence is required to ride legally, so check the terms of the specific provider on the booking page. Most companies also ask for a deposit, paid in cash or by card and refunded when you return the motorcycle in good condition. Remember that Cat Ba is reached by ferry from the mainland, so plan your rental around the crossing rather than trying to bring a mainland-hired motorcycle over.

How much does it cost to rent a motorcycle in Cat Ba?

Motorcycle rental in Cat Ba starts from around 650,000 VND per day for a mid-size machine and runs up to roughly 1,100,000–1,300,000 VND per day for a bigger or newer model. What you pay depends on the engine size and, importantly, on the time of year. Prices on the island follow a fairly clear seasonal pattern:

• May–August (high season) — warm, mostly dry weather and the busiest months for domestic and international visitors, so rates sit at the higher end.
• September–November & March–April (shoulder season) — pleasant weather with fewer crowds and mid-range prices.
• December–February (low season) — cooler, greyer and quieter, with the softest prices of the year.

Within any season, weekends and Vietnamese public holidays are the real peak — that is when the cheapest bikes sell out first and prices edge up. Because Cat Ba's fleet is smaller than on the mainland, booking a few days ahead is worth doing even in the shoulder season.

When to book a rental motorcycle in Cat Ba?

The warm season from May to August is the most popular time to visit, with the best swimming weather but also the busiest boats and roads around the harbour. Spring (March–April) and autumn (September–November) offer milder temperatures and noticeably quieter roads, often the best compromise of weather and price. Winter, from December to February, is cooler and can be misty, but it is also the cheapest and calmest time to ride the loop road. If you want the best weather, aim for summer; if you want the best price, the winter months are kinder to your wallet.

Local traffic rules

In Vietnam you ride on the right-hand side of the road. A helmet is compulsory for both rider and passenger, and the police do enforce it, including around Cat Ba town. Speed limits in built-up areas are typically 40–50 km/h, and the national park road has tight bends and steep sections where much lower speeds are sensible. There is effectively zero tolerance for drink-driving. Fuel stations are few on the island, so fill up in town before heading into the park or around the loop. Watch for gravel and wet leaves on shaded mountain curves, and give way to buses and tour vans on the narrower stretches.

Types of motorcycles available

On our website you can rent the following types of motorcycles: cruiser, sport, touring, standard, classic, dual-purpose, dirt bikes, street, naked bikes or roadsters, choppers, custom, streetfighter, sport-touring, dual-sport, on-road, off-road, adventure motorcycles, supermoto, scrambler, motorcycle with sidecar, enduro, motocross mx, trail, motards, tricycles, bikes with automatic or manual gears, luxury motorbikes.

Models of motorcycles available

On our website you can hire motorcycles from the following manufacturers: BMW, Harley Davidson, Aprilia, Buell, Cagiva, Ducati, Gilera, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, KTM, Husqvarna, Jawa, MV Agusta, Moto Guzzi, Triumph, Benelli, Bajaj, Indian, Royal Enfield, TVS, Beta, Bimota.

Which insurance is provided with my rental motorcycle?

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 motorcycle 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 motorcycle 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 the Cat Ba ferry terminal.

Why use BikesBooking.com?

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

Most of our motorcycle rentals in Cat Ba have many years of experience and will provide you with a well-kept bike, 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 motorcycle in Cat Ba, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!