Entering Vietnam with a foreign registered motorbike

[KTMphil]

Entering Vietnam with a foreign registered motorbike


1. Permits "can" be arranged for foreign registered motorcycles up to 175cc capacity. Adjusting the engine capacity stickers on the bike does not work, they have computer images of all motorcycles at Vietnam Customs at the border, they are totally on top of that easy trick.

2. For a foreign registered motorcycle with engine capacity over 175cc to enter Vietnam, you have to use a Vietnamese licensed agent to get you the correct permits to qualify for entry.

3. No immigration visa on arrival, you have to get an immigration visa in advance from a Vietnamese consulate.

 

[LivinLOS]

I rode Vietnam on >175 rentals without local license, never had any grief or questions from cops and in general found them not looking to make an instant buck (Eg Cambo / Indo / Etcetc they just want bribes for any infraction, had to dump my license and flee from one who was making it a bigger issue).

Back in spring last year we had a fixer who was 100% sure he could get big bikes in via Na Meo border point, with a bribe, via a pre booked appointment with a friendly border guard. This was legit stamped in hence could leave via any other border crossing but this was his only soft entry point. I chased that up a couple of months back asking for someone else and get a negative answer on it, but that answer was via email, over a language barrier, and I think with his staff not himself. So I dont know if the whole process is truly 'off' or if that was just saying no because they are not in that line of biz and didnt want to communicate.

If someone wants to chase it I can always give it another go and try to get him actually on the phone.

 

[sufirider]

Hi Phil,

I'm new here but am very interested to ride into Vietnam. I would like to get further info on how to get permits for Malaysian registered bike of less than 175cc. I intend to ship the bike by rail to Nong Khai, enter Laos then on to Vietnam. Do I just appear at the border crossing at Cu Treo and be allowed in? ASEAN countries residence do not need visas to get into each other's country so visa is not an issue with me. Thanking you in advance.

 

[KTMphil]

I got this information from our man in Vietnam:


"You can get large sized bikes into Vietnam if you get Prime Ministerial approval. We don’t provide that service. If you get your bike in this way, then your overseas bike license suffices.



The rules here are all over the place.



Cheers Digby "

Hi Phil,

I'm new here but am very interested to ride into Vietnam. I would like to get further info on how to get permits for Malaysian registered bike of less than 175cc. I intend to ship the bike by rail to Nong Khai, enter Laos then on to Vietnam. Do I just appear at the border crossing at Cu Treo and be allowed in? ASEAN countries residence do not need visas to get into each other's country so visa is not an issue with me. Thanking you in advance.

 

[LivinLOS]

Others (non asian) have tried the under 175cc rule and been turned away at multiple border points. They seem to have written rules and impose a simply 'no bikes' on the ground without a lot of effort.

I kinda want to try it with the fixer and the bent border guard just because everyone says it cant be done.

 

[KTMphil]

More here on the subject

http://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-...ts/943-entering-vietnam-cambo-motorcycle.html

 

[The Bigfella]

I'd love to get my 525 in to northern Vietnam to re-visit the family that hosted me up in the hills behind Sapa two years ago.

I "eyeballed" the Prime Minister in a restaurant while in Hanoi (he was dining there with the NZ Prime Minister). I'm tempted to write to him using that totally dodgy "connection" and ask for his permission. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Dear Prime Minister....

 

[Just Bob]

Ahem....

Dear Prime Minister,

I am planning several trips to scout locations for a production company interested in making a movie about off-road motorcyclists exploring...

Of course if you do that you might end up with an escort.