Top 5 best motorcycle rentals in Hanoi

Picture the swirl of the Old Quarter falling away behind you as you cross Long Bien Bridge at sunset, the Red River wide and gold beneath the girders, before you disappear down a lane of rice paddies toward Ninh Binh's limestone towers. That is the pull of a motorbike here: the city that seems impossible on foot suddenly makes sense, and the countryside just past it — Mai Chau's stilt-house villages, the misty switchbacks of Tam Dao — opens up as a weekend rather than a daydream.

Hanoi's Old Quarter was built for two wheels long before it saw a car, and its traffic still moves that way — a dense, constant flow of motorbikes weaving through streets too narrow and too busy for anything bigger. A scooter lets you match that rhythm instead of fighting it, and once you're clear of the center it becomes the only sensible way to reach the narrow, winding roads out to Ninh Binh, Ba Vi or Duong Lam, places a car or bus simply can't serve well. Stopping for a bowl of pho or a photo of the karst hills is as easy as pulling over.

Top 10 things to see in Hanoi by scooter

1. Hoan Kiem Lake and Old Quarter — the natural start and end point of any ride, with Ngoc Son Temple and a maze of narrow streets to wander.
2. Ninh Binh (Tam Coc & Trang An) — karst rivers, rice paddies and cave boat rides, about two hours each way and the most popular day ride out of the city.
3. Ha Long Bay — the iconic limestone bay near Hai Phong, best treated as a long day-ride or overnight trip paired with a boat cruise.
4. Mai Chau Valley — White Thai stilt-house villages and a scenic valley loop, a favorite overnight weekend escape.
5. Ba Vi National Park — a winding mountain road climbing to old French ruins with views over the Red River Delta.
6. Duong Lam Ancient Village — laterite-brick houses and quiet rural lanes, an easy half-day ride west of the city.
7. Long Bien Bridge — the historic French-built span over the Red River, best caught at sunset.
8. Perfume Pagoda (Chua Huong) — a pilgrimage complex in the limestone hills, reached by countryside roads plus a short boat leg.
9. Tam Dao — a misty hill station with switchback roads and French-colonial ruins, prized for its cooler air.
10. West Lake (Ho Tay) — a flat, easy lakeside loop for an evening ride, with a stop at Tran Quoc Pagoda.

What do you need to rent a scooter in Hanoi?

For a standard under-50cc scooter — the kind most visitors rent — no driving licence is required in Vietnam. Anything larger does require a motorcycle licence, and as a foreigner you'll need either a Vietnamese licence or a valid 1968-convention International Driving Permit (the 1949 Geneva-style IDP issued in the US and a few other countries is not accepted). Rental shops generally set their own minimum age, usually 18, even though under-50cc bikes can technically be ridden younger. Expect to leave a cash deposit or your passport as security; the amount varies by shop and bike.

How much does it cost to rent a scooter in Hanoi?

A standard semi-automatic scooter runs roughly 180,000–250,000 VND per day in low season and 300,000–400,000 VND per day in high season. Larger or newer models — a Honda Winner, Yamaha NVX or manual bike — can cost 400,000–700,000 VND or more depending on engine size and condition.

• Cheapest: June to August, when heat and rain keep demand low.
• Priciest: December to February, peaking further around Tet.

When to book a rental scooter in Hanoi?

High season runs November to April, with the sharpest spike around Tet (Lunar New Year, typically late January to mid-February) when bikes get scarce and some shops close entirely — book ahead if you're traveling then. Low season, May to September, brings hot, rainy weather but cheaper rates and easier availability. If you're chasing the best riding weather rather than the best price, February to April and October to November tend to strike the nicest balance.

Local traffic rules in Hanoi

Vietnam drives on the right. Helmets are compulsory for both rider and passenger, and it's routinely enforced with on-the-spot fines. There's a zero blood-alcohol limit for anyone riding, checked at roadside stops especially at night and around holidays. Headlights are required after dark. Motorbikes are barred from expressways and some major bridges and tunnels, so watch for the exclusion signs, and there's no general right-turn-on-red unless a sign or green arrow says otherwise. Speed limits are posted and vary by road type, lower in built-up areas than on the open road — read the signs as you go rather than guessing.

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?

Most providers include basic third-party liability insurance in the rental price, with options to upgrade to fuller coverage that reduces or removes your deposit liability in case of damage or theft. Always confirm exactly what is and isn’t covered before you set off.

Extra services available

When you make an online motorbike 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, or delivery to your chosen address.

Why use BikesBooking.com?

• Compare prices from multiple local rental companies in one place;
• Read reviews from previous customers;
• Reserve online with a Best Price Guarantee;
• Friendly support if your plans change.

Most of our motorcycle rental providers have years of experience and will equip you with a well-maintained bike, helmet and insurance for the ride ahead. The number of companies we work with is increasing every day, so if you want to rent a motorcycle locally, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!