Top 5 best motorcycle rentals in Hanoi

If someday you will be in Hanoi, Vietnam, do not think that your only options for getting around are walking and the city buses. You can always rent a motorcycle in Hanoi on our website and explore the capital at your own pace — ducking into the tangled lanes of the Old Quarter, circling West Lake at sunset, or heading out to the karst hills beyond the ring road. A motorcycle is by far the fastest way to beat the city’s legendary traffic, and it lets you follow your curiosity down streets a taxi would never take. On this page you will find a full guide to motorcycle rental in Hanoi.

Hanoi suits a motorcycle better than almost any other way of getting around. The Old Quarter’s 36 narrow streets were never built for cars, distances across the sprawling city are long, and the millions of scooters and bikes on the roads move in a constant, flowing river that is far easier to join than to dodge. On two wheels you can slip through Hoan Kiem Lake traffic in minutes, reach the Long Bien Bridge for a river sunset, or ride out to Ba Vi National Park for a day in the hills — all without ever waiting for a bus.

Top 10 things to see in Hanoi by motorcycle

1. Old Quarter (36 Streets) — a maze of narrow trading streets, each once named for the goods sold there; best explored slowly on two wheels.
2. Hoan Kiem Lake — the green heart of the city, with the red Huc Bridge and Ngoc Son Temple, an easy stop between rides.
3. Temple of Literature — Vietnam’s first national university, a peaceful Confucian complex just west of the Old Quarter.
4. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum & Presidential Palace — the ceremonial heart of the country, with wide boulevards that are pleasant to ride.
5. West Lake (Ho Tay) — the city’s largest lake, ringed by a scenic road perfect for a sunset loop and a lakeside coffee.
6. Long Bien Bridge — a century-old steel bridge over the Red River, dramatic at sunrise with trains still rattling across it.
7. Train Street — a narrow residential lane where the tracks run inches from café tables; ride nearby and walk the last stretch.
8. Duong Lam Ancient Village — a well-preserved laterite-walled village about an hour’s ride from the centre, a glimpse of old rural Vietnam.
9. Ba Vi National Park — forested hills west of the city with waterfalls, cool air and winding mountain roads.
10. Perfume Pagoda (Huong Pagoda) — a limestone cave temple complex south-west of Hanoi, a longer day trip through rice-paddy scenery.

What do you need to rent a motorcycle in Hanoi?

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.

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

Motorcycle rental in Hanoi starts from around 650,000 VND per day for a mid-size machine and runs up to roughly 1,100,000–1,350,000 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 in Hanoi follow a fairly clear seasonal pattern:

• October–April (high/dry season) — cool, dry weather and the busiest months for travel, so rates sit at the higher end.
• May–September (low/rainy season) — hot and humid with frequent showers, quieter for tourism, and the best time for a lower daily rate.

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. Book a few days ahead to lock in the best rate.

When to book a rental motorcycle in Hanoi?

The cooler dry season, from October to April, is the most comfortable time to ride, with mild temperatures and clearer skies, though January and February can be grey and misty. The hot, humid season runs from May to September, bringing sudden downpours and the occasional typhoon influence, but also quieter roads and softer prices. If you want the most pleasant riding weather, aim for autumn or spring; if you want the best price, the rainy summer months are kinder to your wallet. Either way, book a few days in advance to guarantee availability.

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, especially in central Hanoi. Speed limits in built-up areas are typically 40–50 km/h, rising on the outer ring roads. There is effectively zero tolerance for drink-driving. Hanoi traffic flows in its own rhythm: stay calm, move predictably, use your horn lightly to signal your presence rather than in anger, and give way to buses and trucks. Ride defensively, keep your lights on, and take the busiest roundabouts and junctions gently until you feel comfortable in the flow.

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 train station, delivery to the Hanoi airport.

Why use BikesBooking.com?

• Find the best deals for motorcycle hire in Hanoi;
• 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 Hanoi 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 Hanoi, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!