Ride Review: Saigon to Hanoi on a BMW GS. Failed to cross with my own bike, had to book a tour.

[madrick]

Thank you for letting me join the forum. Here i am about to share a trip report, plus update on crossing into Vietnam on a Thai motorbike.

So far, i have attempted to cross from Cambodia to Vietnam via Moc Bai border and they didnt let me in. So, i was so pissed off and really didnt wanted this to happen, but hey, i couldnt change this.

I then realized then, crossing with a foreign bike is not as easy as some people think (i read across the web). To do so, you need a local motorbike travel organizer to help with permit, so you can enter using the local agent's permit, which should be arranged in advance. This required you to book a tour, hotel, itinerary and so on. I find it complicated and gave up!

So, had to drive back to Bangkok and here i think about 2 options:

1: Fly to Hanoi and rent a bike and self ride
2: Book a guided tour

I eventually chose the tour for a reason. It was cheaper than if i arrange a permit and guide to bring my own GS. So i was like why not!

My review for the guided tour:

I've contacted a few tour provider and i ended up booking with irtouring run and organize by Hamid (Not sure if i can share his whatsapp here).

Within the 14 days, no 2 days were the same, we did a lot of dirt ride, the hotels we stayed was so far exceeded my expectations and overall, the service was great. The bike itself, the GS 2022, was in perfect shape, i just wish the tyres was a bit better, but that wasnt a major issue.

Hamid was really great to deal with, from the pick up and drop off, arranging my visa in last minute (this was a nightmare cuz i thought American do not need a visa, but it turns out we do need one) to the amazing experience, foods and fun on the ride, Hamid is a lead rider and he couldn’t do enough me, always there to help translate or just to check in, he is really professional and would try everything for you to enjoy the ride.

Hope this helps you guys and enjoy your ride.

 

[blackwolf]

Can you clarify when this crossing was attempted? You said it was on a Thai bike. Did you manage to enter Cambodia from Laos recently? If so, that would be the first report of a successful crossing with a Thai vehicle into Cambodia since the border crisis started. Obviously a direct crossing is impossible as the Thai-Cambodian borders are completely closed, but the Thailand-Laos-Cambodia crossing is of great interest to me.

It's important we get the exact information. There is only one confirmed report involving a Thai vehicle (motorcycles in this case) attempting a crossing from Laos to Cambodia since the border tensions began and that was in early February of this year and mentioned on the Foreign Motorcyclists in Thailand Facebook page. The motorcycles were initially approved for entry then they were denied by the head of customs due to the present tensions. That was the only reason they were denied entry in the end. The riders were western expats, not Thais.

However, despite lingering tensions right now, there is a slightly improved chance of a Thai vehicle being allowed entry into Cambodia from Laos in recent months, but it's such an unknown that only someone who can afford to waste some time finding out would take the risk.

I personally believe the chance of entry being allowed remain relatively low, so it would be good if you could clarify your situation.

 

[Snakeboy]

If one wants to ride in Vietnam solo - renting a bike is a no brainer. Its so much fuzz crossing borders nowadays that it just doesnt make sense. One can rent a Honda XR150L (the GOAT for Vietnam) for approx 500 $ a month and return it at a different location.

If one prefer to ride in a group tour from Thailand to Vietnam there are some western expats based in Thailand who do tours every year - seems like great fun and isnt too costly as they share the guide and permit expenses. One could ask politely to join.

 

[madrick]

Can you clarify when this crossing was attempted? You said it was on a Thai bike. Did you manage to enter Cambodia from Laos recently? If so, that would be the first report of a successful crossing with a Thai vehicle into Cambodia since the border crisis started. Obviously a direct crossing is impossible as the Thai-Cambodian borders are completely closed, but the Thailand-Laos-Cambodia crossing is of great interest to me.

It's important we get the exact information. There is only one confirmed report involving a Thai vehicle (motorcycles in this case) attempting a crossing from Laos to Cambodia since the border tensions began and that was in early February of this year and mentioned on the Foreign Motorcyclists in Thailand Facebook page. The motorcycles were initially approved for entry then they were denied by the head of customs due to the present tensions. That was the only reason they were denied entry in the end. The riders were western expats, not Thais.

However, despite lingering tensions right now, there is a slightly improved chance of a Thai vehicle being allowed entry into Cambodia from Laos in recent months, but it's such an unknown that only someone who can afford to waste some time finding out would take the risk.

I personally believe the chance of entry being allowed remain relatively low, so it would be good if you could clarify your situation.

i crossed from Lao to Cambodia together with a Lao guy.

 

[blackwolf]

i crossed from Lao to Cambodia together with a Lao guy.

With your Thai bike? Really? Can you explain a bit more? That was this year? What month? No issues for Cambodian customs seeing a Thai bike?

 

[blackwolf]

Any updates? This thread is mysteriously quiet. Why can't we get a proper answer as to 1) WHEN the trip from Laos to Cambodia took place (month and year) 2) was it a Thai bike? 3) what did Cambodian customs say? Did they process the entry smoothly?

That's like the most interesting part of this entire thread, the fact it is claimed a Thai bike made the crossing and from the sounds of it, recently.

Not being able to enter Vietnam without a tour isn't exactly groundbreaking and frankly, not of much interest. Everyone knows a tour is needed.

I'd be much more interested in knowing whether a Thai car or bike can enter Cambodia from Laos given the current tensions that still exist between Thailand and Cambodia (even if slightly reduced from last year). It would also be useful to find out how locals (and the police) react to a Thai vehicle being ridden inside Cambodia right now. Any hostility?

The only promising development of late is that the Cambodian customs app is now accessible from abroad again, since around 2 months. This means in theory, a Thai vehicle could enter Cambodia from Laos but due to almost zero interest among Thais (which is obvious) and very few expats resident in Thailand who own Thai registered vehicles having attempted this recently, all I can do is guess.

Are you sure your bike is Thai registered? Or did you go with a Lao bike?