Singapore - Hanoi

[yempaul]

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Hi there,
Great tour!!!
I am planning to do a similar trip this year, but crossing this border seems almost impossible... your hints will be highly appriciated! :-D

"Pratically", how did you cleared vietnamese borders from cambodia?
Your guide? any organisation? etc...

Thx in advance!

Hi edpi

Crossing the border is in fact possible. Unless you're talking about showing up at the border and expect them to let you pass through. David and his buddies did it in March and I know of a few Malaysian bikers who entered a month before I did.

You need to get in contact with a Vietnamese tour operator with your itineries in Vietnam. He will do the rest for you. It doesnt come cheap though. But the experience was worthwhile.

Cheers

[SilverhawkUSA]

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Hi yempaul .. Congrats to you on such a fantastic ride. From your pics I wish to enquire how did the Beamer handle on your journey? I am very encouraged having sighted the Beamer in your pics as I own a GTR1400 and in constant doubt if my bike is too much to handle for a similar trip like yours. Having read of terrible road conditions in this region I am fearful. Your insight on this is appreciated.

I said in my trip report, after having toured N/Vietnam on my DR650. and I will say again, DON'T take your own bike. You can have more fun and adventure, in my opinion, if you fly in and rent a bike. You have more time because you didn't have to do the long ride TO Vietnam, you do not have the border crossing, paperwork, guide, expense problems.

Rent a bike, even if it is a scooter. Some guys we know from Malaysia did that, and they are normally BMW riders, and had a great time. You don't have to worry if the bike breaks down or has an accident (can you get parts and service for your bike in VN if you need it?). You are not restricted to any specific itinerary, just go where you like (except some restricted areas) and enjoy without worrying about your own bike.

If I go back that is definitely how I will do it.

[yempaul]

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I said in my trip report, after having toured N/Vietnam on my DR650. and I will say again, DON'T take your own bike. You can have more fun and adventure, in my opinion, if you fly in and rent a bike. You have more time because you didn't have to do the long ride TO Vietnam, you do not have the border crossing, paperwork, guide, expense problems.

Rent a bike, even if it is a scooter. Some guys we know from Malaysia did that, and they are normally BMW riders, and had a great time. You don't have to worry if the bike breaks down or has an accident (can you get parts and service for your bike in VN if you need it?). You are not restricted to any specific itinerary, just go where you like (except some restricted areas) and enjoy without worrying about your own bike.

If I go back that is definitely how I will do it.

Subjective, but I couldn't agree less. Especially on the costs, your time permitted in VN, break downs and worst case if you need to tow it back. Renting a bike there would be a better choice. No doubt about that. On having more fun and adventure, it depends on what kind of fun and adventure you're looking for.

For me, this is the kind of fun and adventure I was looking for. There's nothing more than huge satisfaction in bringing in my own bike to beautiful places like these. It's a personal challenge. Anybody can just fly in and rent a bike, but not many dare to do what me and SilverHawk have achieved. Yes it's a lot of trouble when having break downs and mishaps and not many are willing to go through it. But once I've crossed back into Singapore border, it sure gives me a big smile.

I've visited two bike shops in Saigon and Hanoi where they were working on Beemers. I've a couple of contacts with Vietnamese motorcycle clubs and have done a couple of enquiries beforehand to ensure that i'll get support if i need them. And I know a couple of Vietnamese riders who owns latest BMW models. So there's workshops who service them.

In fact in November, 11 bikers from Malaysia entered Saigon with their own bikes and rode on to Hanoi. All 11 were on Beemers. On the way to Nha Trang, we met up with some 18 bikers from Thailand. Out of the 18, there's a KTM, 1800cc Gold Wing, a fazer, the rest were on beemers.

The road from South to North are definitely good. Better than when I was in Northern Laos in 2009 definitely. It's just the drivers are less ethical.

It's a personal choice, and if i were to go again, i'll definitely bring my bike again. It can be taxing. But if you dont want the hassle, take SilverHawk's advise.

Cheers

[SilverhawkUSA]

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Definitely subjective, as Yenpaul states, and I respect his opinions. There is a certain satisfaction to having "done it" on my own bike. We were fortunate and had few problems. Having a guide or fixer resolves a lot of issues, but equally takes away from any claim of having "done it yourself". I hated every minute I was with the guide. Not my style at all.

For me, Matt Ward, who has made some epic trips in Laos and also Vietnam, did it best in this trip report http://www.gt-rider.com/thailand-mot...-province-Sapa

Everyone has a different objective and different things they enjoy while motorcycling. It is up to the individual to make the choice. Have fun!

[yempaul]

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Yempaul.
Thanks for sharing your adventures.
Some great pics too.
Well done.

1 Are you able to inform me of your friend in Nha Trang (I love the place!) who has the restaurant?
2 Do you have more details on the Home Stay you used?
3 Yet another accident on a curve !!!!

Best wishes.

pm me if you prefer.

2wheels

I've PM'ed you some info. Hope it helps.

YemPaul

[2wheels]

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Got it; thank you YemPaul.

[burn jr]

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yempul ,
thanks for sharing the picture and experience..will meet u later when ur office job finish..
nice experience...
i just come back ride from Indonesia...will meet u brother

[VietHorse]

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In December 2009, we entered Saigon from Bavet-Moc Bai border just to see if it's feasible.
...


The border



They guys from ACEMotoSg escorting us in

Hi there.
So happy to hear you guys enjoy the trip in Vietnam.
It's also our pleasure to see and escort you from the Border to HCMC.

I'd like to share some pics taken from the trip to Moc Bai Border to meet up you guys...

This is our team's logo (ACEMTSaigon):


Early morning, we departed from HCM @ 06:00.

Breakfast on the way to Moc Bai (about 20km to the border):


Our bikes, outside of TayNinh special noodle shop:


VFR800 - X4 (1300) - Z1000:






Honda ST1300 - GoldWing1500:


It's same as yoours - R1200:


(to be continued...)

[ronwebb]

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Our bikes, outside of TayNinh special noodle shop:

I put air horns on my Versys. Perhaps I should have gone the whole hog and put on one of these big hooters - so to speak.

[VietHorse]

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I put air horns on my Versys. Perhaps I should have gone the whole hog and put on one of these big hooters - so to speak.

It's hardy use, is't it?
In Vietnam, actually the rule does not allow such big air horn, unless you have the official permission...

[yempaul]

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Hi there.
So happy to hear you guys enjoy the trip in Vietnam.
It's also our pleasure to see and escort you from the Border to HCMC.

I'd like to share some pics taken from the trip to Moc Bai Border to meet up you guys...

This is our team's logo (ACEMTSaigon):


Early morning, we departed from HCM @ 06:00.

Breakfast on the way to Moc Bai (about 20km to the border):


Our bikes, outside of TayNinh special noodle shop:


VFR800 - X4 (1300) - Z1000:






Honda ST1300 - GoldWing1500:


It's same as yoours - R1200:


(to be continued...)

Hey buddy

Nice to see you in here. Do say hi to the good people of Ace ... the noise of Saigon's traffic is still ringing in my ears ...

[VietHorse]

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Hey buddy

Nice to see you in here. Do say hi to the good people of Ace ... the noise of Saigon's traffic is still ringing in my ears ...

Opps... It means your helmet 's low quality huh! (J/K)
Will do, Bro!
Do hope to see you guys in S'por 2011.

[bavareze]

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Hello.

Very nice report. One question:

I am currently planning to ship my F650GS to Hanoi on Dec 1st, to travel to Ho Chi Min and then Cambodia, Thailand etc.

I heard it could be problematic to enter Vietnam with a motorcycle. How did you do it and what was the total costs for this (including fees, commissions, taxes, bribes etc)

Thanks

[yempaul]

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Hello.

Very nice report. One question:

I am currently planning to ship my F650GS to Hanoi on Dec 1st, to travel to Ho Chi Min and then Cambodia, Thailand etc.


I heard it could be problematic to enter Vietnam with a motorcycle. How did you do it and what was the total costs for this (including fees, commissions, taxes, bribes etc)

Thanks

We got ourselves a fixer back then. It's totally legal but comes with a price. For that 12 days of motorcycling in Vietnam, it costs us USD$600 per person with everything included except for fuel and meals.

[mamos]

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Hi Yempaul,

Can u please give me the contacts details of yr Vietnamese fixer please coz I'm planning to ride into Vietnam next February.
Thanks
Mamos