Can I rent a motorbike in Hoi An without a license?
Shops rent without checking licenses — but you're riding illegally without one. Semi-automatics run 150,000–200,000 VND/day. The old town bans motorized vehicles 8:30–11am and 3–9:30pm, so a motorbike doesn't help inside the pedestrian zone. Worth renting if you're doing day trips: My Son Sanctuary (40km), Marble Mountains via Da Nang (30km).
The license reality
Vietnam requires an International Driving Permit with motorcycle category (or a Vietnamese license) to legally ride a motorbike. Rental shops in Hoi An do not enforce this — they’ll take your passport number and rent the bike.
The risk isn’t daily riding; it’s getting stopped at a police checkpoint. Tourist motorbike stops happen sporadically in the Da Nang–Hoi An corridor. A fine for riding without a license runs 800,000–1,200,000 VND. Police may also impound the bike, leaving you stranded.
If you have an IDP or any motorcycle license, carry it. If you don’t and you’re renting anyway, stay off the main Da Nang highway (QL1A) where checkpoints concentrate.
What it’s actually useful for
Inside Hoi An town, a motorbike is more hassle than it’s worth — the pedestrian zone bans it during the hours you want to be there. The real use case is day trips:
My Son Sanctuary — 40km southwest, 50 minutes. The road is straight and well-signed. Entrance fee: 150,000 VND.
Marble Mountains (Ngũ Hành Sơn) — 30km north via Da Nang, 35 minutes. Entry 40,000 VND.
Cù Lao Chàm — You can’t ride a motorbike there, but you can park near the Cua Dai port and take the boat.
Hai Van Pass — 60km north of Hoi An. Worth doing if you’re comfortable on a motorbike and not in a hurry. The scenery is genuinely spectacular.
Rental costs (2026)
| Bike type | Per day |
|---|---|
| Honda Wave (semi-auto) | 150,000–170,000 VND |
| Yamaha Sirius (semi-auto) | 150,000–200,000 VND |
| Honda Air Blade (scooter) | 200,000–250,000 VND |
| Manual 100cc–125cc | 130,000–170,000 VND |
Fuel: Petrol costs about 24,000 VND/liter (2026). A day of riding My Son and back uses about 2–3 liters.
Where to rent
Rental shops cluster around Hung Vuong Street and Le Loi Street, just outside the old town boundary. Tuan Motorbike (verified 2025) and Hoi An Motorbike Adventure are established operators with named businesses — easier to deal with if something goes wrong.
Avoid hotel-arranged rentals, which add a 30–50% commission.