Vietnam
General Information
TOUR DATES
14 day South Vietnam:
* 26 February - 11 March
* 3 - 16 September
14 day North Vietnam:
* 13 March - 26 March
* 18 September - 1 October
For a full Vietnam experience, the North and South Vietnam itineraries can be combined. Price available upon request.
TOUR PRICE
Pricing excludes international airfare.Rider: US$4,860 (all inclusive, deluxe tour, maximum 12-14 people)
Pillion: US$4,360
A deposit of US$500 per person is required to reserve your tour.
Contact us to secure your spot on this wonderful tour.
Non-Riders and Pillions
We acknowledge that many of our clients have partners who do not ride. All of our tours have a support vehicle which can accommodate passengers. However, for those clients who are not riding at all (i.e. not even pillion/two-up), we can arrange for a separate car with driver upon request. No need to leave your best mate at home!
Saffron Road Motorcycle Tours believes in WYSIWYG – “What you see is what you get”.Price Includes:
- A full 24 days in the country
- Group transfers to/from airport and hotel
- Accommodation throughout the tour on a Twin-Share basis (Single supplement TBA)
- Breakfast and dinner with tea/coffee
- Air-conditioned support vehicle with driver and staff (for luggage transport and assistance)
- Full motorbike rental for the duration of the tour
- Experienced mechanics
- Repairs, maintenance and spare parts
- Motorcycle Damage Insurance
- Vietnamese Driving Licence
- Basic emergency first-aid equipment and some medicines
- Experienced tour leader with current First Aid qualifications
- English-speaking local guide
- Entrance fees to selected monuments and attractions
- All train fares and boat trips
- All hotel, restaurant and staff gratuities (except porters)
Price Excludes:
- Travel insurance policy covering use of motorcycle (25 days approx. Aus$180pp)
- Tourist visa for Vietnam
- International Driving Permit (currently $AUD20.00)
- Vaccinations and personal medication including known allergy antidotes
- Items of a personal nature such as postage, laundry or souvenirs
- Personal consumptions such as bottled water, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages
Accommodation
This varies from four-star hotels and resorts to “best in town” in more remote areas. There is a home-stay in the traditional home of our hosts in the Mekong.
Driving Licences and Travel Insurance
Riders must have a valid and unrestricted international rider’s licence. Travel insurance is mandatory and, if on a bike at all, must cover riding motorcycles. Please check the rider clause carefully and any clause relating to medical evacuation before you purchase or use any existing insurance (such as that provided by some credit card companies).
A Vietnamese driver’s licence is also required However, Saffron Road Motorcycle Tours organises and pays for this and Motorcycle Damage Insurance on your behalf.
The Bikes
In the southern half of the itinerary, the motorcycles we
use are a weird combo of anything 'big' we can get our hands
on that suit the riding style or height of our riders - Kawasaki,
Honda, Suzuki; 250cc to 750cc; cruisers and tourers.
It should be noted that for many years now it has been illegal in Vietnam for
anybody who is not a member of a government recognised motorcycle club to purchase
or own any motorcycle bigger than 175cc (imports of new large capacity bikes
have been banned for several years). Although this regulation has been lifted,
at the time of writing, new larger bikes were still not available.
So, the bikes are quite old, privately owned and rented to Saffron
Road through a club. As such, they are NOT exactly in "Showroom
Condition" and it should be understood that a certain amount of mechanical
tinkering goes on each day to keep them running! However they are fun and the
best available - real ‘Rolls Royce’ stuff for Vietnam and unusual enough to cause
a stir when we ride through towns! As a result of the first tour in 2004, we
identified some of the bikes as being more reliable than others and have now
restricted group numbers so we get a better selection of bikes. From Hanoi to
Sapa we now use smaller, newer 250cc motorcycles.
More detailed
information, trip notes and travel check list will be mailed to you after we
receive your completed booking form and deposit. Prior to departure you will
also receive maps, a list of hotels and other important contact numbers.
Please Note:
This is a “best-fit” itinerary and may need to be changed
from time to time due to amended timetables, weather and road
conditions, political expediency and/or on advice from our local ground
agent. On a tour such as this and in a communist country where
regulations can change overnight, it is not always possible to comply
with plans made months in advance, so…
…a flexible attitude is crucial.
