I heard that I don’t need a license to legally drive a 50cc bike on the loop – is this true?

I don’t need a license to legally drive a 50cc bike on the loop – is this true?

Short answer – yes this is true, however there are some additional things that you need to consider. In Vietnam, you do not need a license to legally drive a 50cc bike. These are great for exploring the city or going from café to café.

These bikes, however are NOT a smart choice for the Ha Giang Loop and we will break down why:

1. It’s not safe – there will be companies that choose to tell you otherwise in order to make a sale. The Ha Giang loop demands a high degree of power and precision, no one in the history of driving 50cc bikes has used those adjectives to describe them. These bikes simply do not have the power to be able to handle the steep curves and switchbacks of the loop.
2. The terrain will destroy these bikes – 50cc bikes in Ha Giang City are used by teenagers who do not yet have their license, and adults running short errands. These bikes are not built for the rock-filled paths of Lung Ho or the broken pavement of Nho Que River descent.

In summary, many people have tried to find ‘hacks’ around the licensing requirements in Vietnam. If you or someone you knew visited in the past, you might’ve even been successful. Unfortunately, the laws in Vietnam have upped their game and these ‘hacks’ are no longer successful. It’s best to follow the laws to keep yourself and everyone else safe!