Top 5 best scooter rentals in Haiphong

Haiphong doesn't announce itself as a tourist town, and that's exactly why a scooter changes everything here. Rent one and the port city's grid opens up fast — you can be tracing the cliffside road around Đồ Sơn Beach by mid-morning, then swing north later for a quieter ride along the Bạch Đằng River, past villages the buses never stop at. Once you're on two wheels, Haiphong stops being a stopover on the way to Cát Bà and becomes a destination with its own rhythm.

This is a sprawling, motorbike-first city, and its layout rewards riders more than walkers or taxi passengers. The real highlights — the coast at Đồ Sơn, the karst roads of Cát Bà, the delta hamlets north of the river — all sit well beyond comfortable walking distance, and public transport wasn't built with a flexible day trip in mind. A scooter slots naturally into the local traffic flow and turns what would be a multi-hour bus detour into an easy half-day loop, with the freedom to stop wherever the road looks good.

Top 10 things to see in Haiphong by scooter

1. Đồ Sơn Beach (Bãi biển Đồ Sơn) — the closest seaside escape from the city, a coastal peninsula road with cliffs, resorts and a casino, and an easy first loop to get your bearings.
2. Hòn Dáu Islet & Lighthouse (Đảo Hòn Dáu) — a short boat hop off Đồ Sơn's tip, worth it for the historic French-era lighthouse and forest that few visitors bother to reach.
3. Cát Bà Island — karst cliffs, jungle roads through Cát Bà National Park and viewpoints over Lan Hạ Bay make this the signature long-distance ride out of Haiphong.
4. Cát Hải Island — a natural stopover on the way to Cát Bà, known for its fish-sauce villages and quiet coastal roads.
5. Đình Hàng Kênh (Hàng Kênh Communal House) — one of northern Vietnam's finest wood-carved communal houses, tucked in the Lê Chân district for a quick cultural detour.
6. Chùa Du Hàng (Du Hàng Pagoda) — one of the city's oldest and largest pagodas, a calm break from the port city's traffic.
7. Haiphong Opera House (Nhà hát lớn Hải Phòng) — the French colonial centerpiece of town, best seen on an evening ride through the old boulevard grid.
8. Trang Kênh Scenic Area (Thủy Nguyên) — limestone hills and a river-valley pagoda complex north of the city, a local favourite for a half-day ride.
9. Núi Voi (Elephant Mountain), An Lão — a hill of caves, temples and delta viewpoints, and a cooler-air escape from the city heat.
10. Bạch Đằng River route toward Thủy Nguyên — a scenic, low-traffic stretch along the historic Bạch Đằng battlefield river, ideal if you just want open road.

What do you need to rent a scooter in Haiphong?

For a standard scooter under 50cc — the model most visitors rent — no driving licence is required in Vietnam. Anything above 50cc calls for a motorcycle licence, and if you're not a resident you'll need a valid International Driving Permit (1968 convention) endorsed for motorcycles alongside it; note that IDPs issued under the 1949 Geneva convention, including US and Japanese ones, aren't accepted here. Most rental shops set their own minimum age, generally around 18, even though local rules allow younger riders on smaller machines. Expect to leave a deposit, usually in cash or your passport held as security, with the amount depending on the shop and the bike.

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

A standard automatic scooter runs approximately 120,000–150,000 VND per day in low season and 180,000–250,000 VND per day in high season. If you'd rather ride a Vespa-style or larger-cc model, budget from around 300,000 VND upward per day.

• Prices climb around Tết (late January into February) and during the domestic summer beach rush from June to August.
• September to November, the rainy and storm-risk shoulder season, is when you'll find the cheapest daily rates.

When to book a rental scooter in Haiphong?

High season here tracks the national pattern of November through April, spiking hardest around Tết when bikes are scarce and some shops close entirely — book well ahead if you're travelling then. There's a second, smaller domestic peak from June to August tied to summer beach trips. For lower prices and easier availability, aim for the shoulder months outside these windows, keeping in mind that September to November brings a real chance of rain and storms in the north.

Local traffic rules in Haiphong

Vietnam drives on the right, and a few rules matter more than others once you're on a scooter. Helmets are compulsory for both rider and passenger, and checks are routine. There's a zero blood-alcohol limit for anyone riding, enforced through roadside breath tests, particularly at night and around holidays. Headlights are required after dark, and scooters are barred from expressways and some major bridges and tunnels — watch for the exclusion signs. Speed limits vary by road type and are lower in built-up areas, so read the posted signs rather than assuming a flat number applies everywhere.

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!