By Motorbike Rental Service – FlexBike, Vietnam

05/14/2026 Hi, I'm Alexander, the guy behind FlexBike. I've been renting scooters and motorbikes here in Nha Trang since 2024, and over time I've put together a small guide for our customers — mostly tourists and expats who haven't ridden in Vietnam before. Here's the short version. No fluff, just the stuff you'll actually want to know before you ride off.


Step 1. Pick the right bike for your plans


First thing I always ask new clients is, "what do you actually wanna do on the bike?" Because honestly, that decides everything.


If it's mostly beach, cafes, and short city rides, a small automatic scooter is more than enough. Honda Lead and Honda Vision are super easy to handle, sip fuel, park anywhere. Two people fit comfortably for city trips and nearby beaches.


For longer trips, mountain roads or two-up touring with luggage, you'll want something with more power. Honda PCX 150 is a great allrounder, Honda ADV 150 has higher clearance for rougher roads, and the PCX 160 adds ABS. If you want more speed and you're confident on a manual gearbox — Honda CBR 150R, Yamaha R3 or MT-03.
Dirt tracks, jungle roads and waterfalls? That's Honda XR150L territory — proper enduro suspension, you can take it places a scooter just can't go.


Not sure what to pick? Just message me with your plans and I'll tell you what fits.


Step 2. Book ahead, especially in high season


Booking is done by chat — Telegram, WhatsApp or Zalo all work. I prefer chat over phone calls because everything stays written down: dates, model, price, pickup spot. Easier for both sides. What I need from you:

• rental dates (from–to)
• bike model or category
• where you're staying (so I can deliver)
• any special requests, like a second helmet for a passenger

I'll confirm the bike is free, send you the full price including deposit, and we agree on time and place. Whatever we agree in chat is what you pay — no surprise fees or "actually it's more" on the day.


High season is roughly Dec–Mar and Jun–Aug. Popular bikes get booked a couple of weeks ahead, so don't leave it to the last day if you're picky.


Step 3. Documents and license


For paperwork I need a photo of your passport (the main page and the visa page), plus a deposit in rubles, dong or USDT. Your passport stays with you — I never keep the original.


About the license: officially, to ride anything over 50cc in Vietnam you need a Vietnamese license (A1 up to 175cc, A2 above). Getting one as a tourist isn't realistic in a week. In practice, most foreigners ride here on an International Driving Permit (1968 Vienna Convention) together with their national license.


If you don't have an IDP — I can still rent you the bike, that's your call. But honestly: without the right license, in case of a serious accident, you're on your own legally. Worth thinking about before, not after.


Step 4. Pickup and bike check


Delivery is free anywhere in Nha Trang — your hotel, apartment, wherever. We usually show up about 15 min before the agreed time, so you're not waiting around.


When you get the bike, I walk through a quick checklist with you:

• front and rear brakes
• turn signals, brake light, headlight (low and high beam)
• mirrors, steering lock, seat lock
• tire wear and pressure
• engine starts cleanly, no weird smoke, holds idle

Take your time to look it over too. Any existing scratches or scuffs — we photograph on the spot, so there's no awkward "where did this come from" talk at return.


Also try the seat height, how the bars feel, where the brake and throttle sit. Doesn't fit you — we swap on the spot, no drama. Helmet, rain poncho and phone holder come included, free. Riding two-up? Tell me beforehand and I'll bring a second helmet.


Step 5. Vietnam road basics


They drive on the right here, same as Europe, but traffic is way denser, especially in rush hour. As a two-wheeler, your lane is the right one — the left is for cars and overtaking only. Change lanes and turn gently, signal early, check mirrors.


City speed limits are usually 40–50 km/h depending on signs. Outside the city it's around 60 km/h on regular roads, up to 80 on bigger ones. Read the signs, they really do mean it.


Headlight has to be on all the time, day or night. Most bikes do this automatically — if yours doesn't, just flick it on. Helmets are mandatory for both rider and passenger. We provide them, please use them.


And the big one — zero alcohol on a bike. Even one beer is a problem here. If you had a drink, just grab a Grab taxi and leave the bike at a guarded parking lot. Not worth it.


Last thing — watch for scooters and cars coming out of side streets and alleys. Locals often don't look before pulling out. Eyes everywhere, basically.


Step 6. Fuel, parking, rain


Fuel is RON 95 — the green pump nozzle at Petrolimex, PVOIL or Idemitsu stations. About 22–25k VND per liter. A full tank on a scooter is 40–100k VND depending on the model. I give you the bike with enough fuel for 30–50 km, after that you top up as needed. Return it roughly the same level you got it.


At fuel stations, keep an eye on the pump display before they start filling. Sometimes they "forget" to reset the counter — just look at the numbers and you're fine.


Parking in Nha Trang is mostly free. At malls, supermarkets and many cafes there's guarded parking — 5–10k VND to the attendant on the way out, he watches the bike and helmet for you. Street parking is usually fine too, but always use the steering lock, don't leave the helmet on the bike, and never never never leave the key in the ignition, even for "just one minute".


Rain comes fast here, especially Sep–Dec. There's a poncho in the underseat box, throw it on the moment you feel the first drops — it'll pour within a minute. You can ride in the rain, just slow down and stay to the right. Watch for big puddles, sometimes there's a pothole hidden underneath. If it really pours, just duck into any cafe for 15–20 min. Most rain here passes quickly.


Step 7. Breakdowns or an accident


If the bike won't start, you got a flat, or something feels off — call me. In the city I can usually be there within the hour, swap the bike out, take the broken one back. This is included in your rental, no extra charge.


Minor stuff (a scratched mirror in a parking lot, that kind of thing) — take photos from a few angles, exchange contacts with the other side if there is one, and message me. We usually sort these out together without a big fuss.


For anything serious with injuries — don't move the bike, mark the spot, help anyone hurt if you can, then call me. I'll come and walk you through it step by step.


For small fixes you'll see signs "s?a xe" (pronounced "sua se") around town. Those are street-side mechanics, fine for topping up tire pressure or swapping a bulb for a small tip. Anything bigger goes through us — please don't pay for repairs on our bike out of your own pocket. We use the official Honda / Yamaha service so there's no argument later about prices.


Step 8. Extending or returning


Like the bike and want to keep it longer? Just message me a day or two before the end of your rental. If nobody else has it booked, we just extend. Weekly and monthly rates are noticeably cheaper than daily, so it usually makes sense to switch.


For return, same as pickup — we come to you, free. We check the bike together, and if everything's fine you get the full deposit back in cash or by transfer, whichever you prefer.


One small thing — before you hand the bike over, check the underseat box. People constantly leave stuff in there: sunglasses, chargers, sometimes even a passport. If we find anything later we keep it for up to 30 days, but it's just easier if you don't forget it in the first place.


Step 9. Stay in touch


Anything weird on the road, anything you're not sure about — just write. Telegram, WhatsApp or Zalo all work the same. Office hours 9–21, after that I only reply for real emergencies like breakdowns or accidents, but those I always pick up.


Don't be shy with small questions either. Not sure which road to take to the waterfall? I'll tell you. Bike making a strange noise? Send a voice message, we'll figure it out in 10 minutes. That's basically why I run FlexBike — so renting a bike isn't "here's the key, bye", but actual support for your whole trip.


Have fun on the road, ride safe, and welcome to Nha Trang.


— Alexander, FlexBike