CROSSING INTO VIETNAM riding +500cc BIKE. PERMIT OR NOT?

Feb 16, 2015
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Hi, we are travelling around the world in our Bike (Foreign register).
Currently in CAMBODIA trying to cross and ride into VIETNAM.
Does any one know if we can get into Vietnam after new law applied 1st december 2014? Do we need a permit or can we do it witouth one, just Carnet? Can we get at the border?
Where is the fast and easy border to cross?
Thanks for the advise.
 

Wald0

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Sep 7, 2013
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Not sure how is it now, as before drivers entering the country did not have big bike licenses.. as from January 2015 Vietnam accepts International driving permits (Vienna 1968) so.. hard to say how this would go.. and while Vietnam laws are the same to all, how they are interpret remains unknown.. ;)
 
Apr 2, 2008
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Phuket
www.bmwoverlander.com
Is that you Leandro? I believe you took my advice regarding contact person to enter Vietnam. Post some pics of your trip and let others know how was the procedure at the border. Best regards, Goran.

argentina;304139 wrote: Hi, we are travelling around the world in our Bike (Foreign register).
Currently in CAMBODIA trying to cross and ride into VIETNAM.
Does any one know if we can get into Vietnam after new law applied 1st december 2014? Do we need a permit or can we do it witouth one, just Carnet? Can we get at the border?
Where is the fast and easy border to cross?
Thanks for the advise.
 
Sep 8, 2015
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Could you also give me the contact info for a Viet Nam permit, saw somewhere you had Tran Tuan whom I tried to contact thru facebook but no reply.

We would really like to tour Viet Nam on our own Malaysian registered bike while touring SEA.

Thank You for your input in the GT forum.

best regards

yoksman
 
Apr 2, 2008
331
78
63
Phuket
www.bmwoverlander.com
Sorry for not replying earlier, never received forum reply notification.

Tran Tuan was my and OP's contact, I got nobody else. I guess you need to "friend" him on FB before sending PM, otherwise it ends in "other" folder.

Here is the link to his profile:

https://www.facebook.com/tuanjb

cheers.
 

Rob M

Member
Dec 21, 2017
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I was in talks with Tran Tuan to cross over from Laos on a thai plated bike at the end of march.

He just messaged me an hour ago to tell me that Vietnam Ministry of Traffic have just given notice that they will not issue a permit for a group under 3 bikers.

Reached out to Flamingo to confirm, but nothing back yet. Will report with any updates.

Tran also mentioned that there are 20 gates between LA and VN, and an AUS biker very recently hit a border control gate every day and the 9th one let him in. Couldn't get any information on which gate this was though

In the meantime, does anyone wanna go from Laos to Vietnam at the end of March? :joy:
 
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Rob M

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Dec 21, 2017
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Flamingo travel responded and said that under 3 riders is still ok, but perhaps they have not received word yet? I've seen mixed reviews about them on here, so I'm taking what they say with a pinch of salt.

I will still try and use them I think, as I really want to do a full circle on one bike. Crazy ambitious challenge, but I think it is possible.

I also don't want to spend most of my time in Laos at border gates trying to get out!

If I do manage to get in and back to Thailand via Cambodia, it seems i might be one of the first people to do so at this rate?
 

DavidFL

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Flamingo travel responded and said that under 3 riders is still ok, but perhaps they have not received word yet? I've seen mixed reviews about them on here, so I'm taking what they say with a pinch of salt.

I will still try and use them I think, as I really want to do a full circle on one bike. Crazy ambitious challenge, but I think it is possible.

I also don't want to spend most of my time in Laos at border gates trying to get out!

If I do manage to get in and back to Thailand via Cambodia, it seems i might be one of the first people to do so at this rate?

Anymore news to report?
 

Rob M

Member
Dec 21, 2017
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Not quite yet, crossing into Laos today and will be beginning to arrange my potential cross to Vietnam in the next 1-2 weeks. Watch this space!
 

Rob M

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Dec 21, 2017
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After now trying to initiate the process with Flamingo Travel they have confirmed that the minimum 3 riders is in fact correct.

I guess I will have to amend my travel plans :/
 

Rob M

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Dec 21, 2017
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I think I will still try and cross at some smaller borders, or even try and ferry my bike across by some small villages and cross in by foot. Will make sure to update here as I get on. Will be beginning to try in around 3 weeks, which gives me a couple of weeks on my Laos visa to hit a bunch of borders at a leisurely pace.
 

Rob M

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Dec 21, 2017
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Someone reached out to ask me about this so figured I'd give my response as a publicly searchable update.

The sort story is that I ended up not trying this. I initially had something set up to do a self guided tour for ~$600, but once I had paid for my bike in BKK, the agent I was speaking to informed me that they changed the law to require 3 riders in the group.

That was back in February.

I spent some time in Laos and considered attempting an illegal cross but decided against it and spent more time where I was.

A few days after I crossed back into Thailand (May 4th to be precise) one of the agents informed me they had found a way to bring in a foreign bike. I asked about process & cost but had no response. Have just reached out to them again since I may try this again in December, but coming from Cambodia this time.

In any case, it was Flamingo Travel that mentioned it to me.

You can contact them on 0912214554 (Mr Hung / whatsapp) or [email protected]
 
Jun 5, 2017
12
3
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Malaysia
Hi, we are travelling around the world in our Bike (Foreign register).
Currently in CAMBODIA trying to cross and ride into VIETNAM.
Does any one know if we can get into Vietnam after new law applied 1st december 2014? Do we need a permit or can we do it witouth one, just Carnet? Can we get at the border?
Where is the fast and easy border to cross?
Thanks for the advise.
Hi,
entering Vietnam with a foreign bike is some kind ofa lotterie. There is a possibility to apply for a permit, a termporary import of a foreign motorcycle, and this permit must be send to the Vietnamese ministry of trafic and transportation. Or similar. They might or might not issue the needed documents but regardless whether the permit will be issued or not the fee must be paid. As far as I know we are talking about 1000,-US$.
There is a travel agent, headquarter in Hanoi, and they promise to get a permit for you. The price is roughly 500,- US$. BUT this agent is extremely moody, slow, the hell knows what but anything else than relaible. I tried for more than a year to get hold of this agent, travelled to the office in Ho Chi Minh City, called, send email but I never got any respond.
I tried the version with the little group, got three gusy together, those guys tried to contact the agent but also it was for nothing.
When finally after about at least one year I got a feedback it was all for sudden possible to entre Vietnam with a motorcycle as a single rider.
Did I mentioned to name of the agent? Just in case it was Flamingo Travel.
Entering Vietnam without permit I did as well. But, agian another but, I can not really suggest this. You are illigal in the country, if you get pulled over by the police and they might confiscate the motorcycle. The Vietnamese custom will not let you go, not for money and nice words. You have to smuggle the motorcycle. I did that and I was extremely careful always got both eyes on the road as in Vietnam got a lot of traffic control points and those police officers like to stop motorcycle. Actually they only stop motorcycle. So I was there with my Triumph Explorer 1200 for one month and most of the tiem I hide the motorcycle in the garage. Coutnryside it might work or not but in the cities you can be sure that the motorcycle is gone once you get pulled over.
A final word: the situation might change fast, speically in Vietnam. So what might be valid today might not be valid tomorrow anymore.
 

DavidFL

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Hi,
entering Vietnam with a foreign bike is some kind ofa lotterie. There is a possibility to apply for a permit, a termporary import of a foreign motorcycle, and this permit must be send to the Vietnamese ministry of trafic and transportation. Or similar. They might or might not issue the needed documents but regardless whether the permit will be issued or not the fee must be paid. As far as I know we are talking about 1000,-US$.
There is a travel agent, headquarter in Hanoi, and they promise to get a permit for you. The price is roughly 500,- US$. BUT this agent is extremely moody, slow, the hell knows what but anything else than relaible. I tried for more than a year to get hold of this agent, travelled to the office in Ho Chi Minh City, called, send email but I never got any respond.
I tried the version with the little group, got three gusy together, those guys tried to contact the agent but also it was for nothing.
When finally after about at least one year I got a feedback it was all for sudden possible to entre Vietnam with a motorcycle as a single rider.
Did I mentioned to name of the agent? Just in case it was Flamingo Travel.
Entering Vietnam without permit I did as well. But, agian another but, I can not really suggest this. You are illigal in the country, if you get pulled over by the police and they might confiscate the motorcycle. The Vietnamese custom will not let you go, not for money and nice words. You have to smuggle the motorcycle. I did that and I was extremely careful always got both eyes on the road as in Vietnam got a lot of traffic control points and those police officers like to stop motorcycle. Actually they only stop motorcycle. So I was there with my Triumph Explorer 1200 for one month and most of the tiem I hide the motorcycle in the garage. Coutnryside it might work or not but in the cities you can be sure that the motorcycle is gone once you get pulled over.
A final word: the situation might change fast, speically in Vietnam. So what might be valid today might not be valid tomorrow anymore.

Thanks for the notes & confirmation that getting into Vietnam is tricky.
Good to know you got in & out illegally with your bike & never had it confiscated - would you do this again?

If you would like to post some photos and a brief summary of your time riding in Vietnam I'm sure many guys would love to see them.
 
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Jun 5, 2017
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I
Thanks for the notes & confirmation that getting into Vietnam is tricky.
Good to know you got in & out illegally with your bike & never had it confiscated - would you do this again?

If you would like to post some photos and a brief summary of your time riding in Vietnam I'm sure many guys would love to see them.

Hi David,
I think I wouldn't do it again. But I was facing the border and the option would have been to leave the motorcycle at the border in Cambodia for some time. So I took the offer and smuggled the motorcycle cross the green border. It was some kind of: Gone by theft in Cambodia or gone by confiscated in Vietnam and I took the second option. I was in luck but I certainly can not recommand to do it.
I can give a brief summary next week as I'm a bit short on time in the moment.
 

awolfinsea

New Member
Oct 15, 2018
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Sitting in Vieng Vang, Laos - attempting to cross. All I hear and read is: not possible. Yet one report said that he crossed from Cambodia into Vietnam via Ha Tien. But also got a special letter from customs specifically stating he is allowed to import his bike.
If anyone has a very recent update - pls share.
 
Jun 5, 2017
12
3
3
62
Malaysia
Hi, we are travelling around the world in our Bike (Foreign register).
Currently in CAMBODIA trying to cross and ride into VIETNAM.
Does any one know if we can get into Vietnam after new law applied 1st december 2014? Do we need a permit or can we do it witouth one, just Carnet? Can we get at the border?
Where is the fast and easy border to cross?
Thanks for the advise.
Hi there,
good luck, you got the lucky number.
There is a chance, recently again, by applying for a so called temporary import licence. The price is about 1000,-US$ and usually this permit will not be issued to single persons. Usually it is only for groups. Otherwise you might be able to smuggle your bike cross the border BUT this is stickly illigal and the police might confiscate your motorcycle. Also in case of an accident, well I guess you can't leave the country as fast as you might need.
The carnet de passage is not accepted by the Vietnamese authorities.
There is a travel agent, called Flamingo Travel but I'm not the only who made terrible bad experiences with them. They offer help, they might be able to support you with the import license. But, as I said....
 
Jun 5, 2017
12
3
3
62
Malaysia
Sitting in Vieng Vang, Laos - attempting to cross. All I hear and read is: not possible. Yet one report said that he crossed from Cambodia into Vietnam via Ha Tien. But also got a special letter from customs specifically stating he is allowed to import his bike.
If anyone has a very recent update - pls share.
Well I guess you might sit in Laos for some time. I passed also the border Ha Tien in both directions. Once with a superbike coming from Cambodia and once from Vietnam to Cambodia with a Jeep.
Crossing the border there is only possible when you choose the illigal way. The price is about 400,-US$ per way as you have to get your motorcycle out as well. AND it is illigal and the police around there knows the law. They might stop you and your motorcycle is gone, confiscated.
The border officials you can't bribe as they don't want to take the risk. In case you have an accident the officials will trace you back to this border and than the custom there will be in trouble.
The speical letter you heard about is a so called temporary import license and you can apply for it in Hanoi and the Ministry for Traffic and Transport, I think it is called. The price is about 1000,- US$ and usually only issued for groups. The time it takes is something about, if I remember correct, between four weeks and three month. But there is no garantie that you will get the permit but the application fee is gone.
There is an agency, called Flamingo Travel but this agent is very doubtful and I made only very bad experience with them. I can not really recommand them.
 

awolfinsea

New Member
Oct 15, 2018
2
1
1
Klaus - you are right [ hast Recht!] I will be sitting in either Laos or Cambodia for a while - if, IF I go thru with it.

Here is what I got from Flamingo today, and pretty much all afternoon I have been in exchanges with Mr Hung, sending all the required docs.
He says the process will take 30 days.
I mwill update again in a few days.

= = = = = = =

Dear Wolf,
Thank you for your interest in Flamingo Travel
It is possible to bring your own bike to Vietnam through international border from Laos as Tay Trang, Na Meo, Cau Treo,,,
Whats needed:

- Bike registration paper in English
- International license/ National license
- Passport and Vietnamese Visa
- Name of the border (to enter & to exit) and exact arrival date
- Detail of travel plan (arrival date, exiting date, itinerary, etc)
- Health insurance / Travel insurance
- Bike images (with plate number)

Price : US$ 800 (for only you)
Duration to prepare the document: ~ 1 month
Please contact us Whatapp Mr Hung 0912214554
Further info, please let us know your plan in order to inform you details.
We are looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Best regards,
Tram Pham (Ms)
 
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Dec 15, 2014
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Hanoi
advridevietnam.com
Hi folks
For those who might still care about this story, as I just posted a reply in another thread Border crossing into Vietnam by motorbike
Anyway, I recently did a permit for a caravan group and to confirm, entering Vietnam is not tricky, but costy!

Like everyone here, we expect all border checkpoints are open and free to go. But since its by law, we have to follow. I'm from Vietnam and I did caravan trips to Laos or Thailand, I always take advance with local escort, and permit was required for us in Thaiand, and it's not cheap.

So an update is, permit is still required, and local escort is a must, whole trip for Vietnam. Solo rider maybe in money problem, get upset of a guide leading trip. Group of riders may share fee well and take it as certain. Well, now there are some cases on internet that random solo bikers can enter Vietnam via Cau Treo or Ha Tien checkpoints, of which I can confirm those checkpoint are not officially open at that level. Have checked myself and all those places confirm for a "permit to get bikes in". So I have not idea how some individuals can pass through. Maybe they give an option at the side, then it's tricky :)

If you like Vietnam, give it a chance and group up some bikes. It's maybe the most decent way.
Ride safe guys!
 

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