What is better: going with a tour or renting a bike?

There are three main options if you are considering doing either the Ha Giang Loop or the Cao Bang Loop:

1. Renting a bike and tackling it entirely on your own
2. Self-driving a motorbike as part of a tour group
3. Going with an easy-rider as part of a tour group

We will breakdown the pros and cons of each option below:

1. Renting a bike and tackling it on your own

Best for: people who hold an international driver’s license under the 1968 Vienna convention, are confident/skilled motorbike drivers, want to wander at their own pace

Pros:

• Can go at your own pace
• Get to enjoy the thrill of driving your own motorbike in Vietnam

Cons:

• May miss amazing sights because you’re unaware they exist
• Might get lonely
• May be dangerous if you get lost or go down a dangerous road

2. Self-driving a motorbike as part of a tour group

Best for: people who hold an international driver’s license under the 1968 Vienna convention, are confident/skilled motorbike drivers and want the thrill of driving without having to take care of all of the logistics

Pros:

• Can experience the off-road tours, specially designed for self-drivers
• Get the reward of driving the loop without having to do all the planning
• See hidden spots with a knowledgeable guide
• Experience food and cultural activities that you can’t do on your own

Cons:

• Need to be focused on the road and cannot just sit back to enjoy the scenery
• Can be dangerous if you are not an experienced driver

3. Going with an easy-rider as part of a tour group

Best for: people who don’t hold an international driver’s license or are not confident driving a bike. Also best for people who are looking to relax and just enjoy the trip with no stress!

Pros:

• See hidden spots with a knowledgeable guide
• Experience food and cultural activities that you can’t do on your own
• Enjoy the drive stress-free and take photos from the back of the bike
• Take in all the sights without having to worry about the road
• Be confident that you won’t pay police fines and you will be safe

Cons:

• Don’t get to brag about driving the loop on your own
• ^ That’s about it

There are many things to consider when choosing which option you would like to go with. As well, personal factors come into play and you need to make the best decision for you! You may also need to consider the weather, as your experience level driving a motorbike in nice weather might be significantly different from driving in the difficult weather conditions of Ha Giang.

If you have other questions or want to discuss further, reach out to us! We are always happy to discuss and find the best option for you!