How to rent a motorbike or bicycle in Hoi An: licence, rentals and the old town
Which licence you need for a bike in Hoi An, three rentals from our directory with addresses and phones, when motorbikes are banned in the old town and when a bicycle is better.
To rent a motorbike in Hoi An you need your home licence with a motorcycle category plus an International Driving Permit under the 1968 Vienna Convention, and you carry both. Our directory has three rentals near the old town: on Phan Châu Trinh, Hùng Vương and Đào Duy Từ. You can't ride a motorbike into the old town itself during the banned hours, so many people take a bicycle for the centre. Don't leave your original passport as a deposit.
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Which licence do I need in Hoi An, and what happens without one?
The 2024 Road Traffic Law (No. 36/2024/QH15, Article 57) recognises an International Driving Permit under the 1968 Vienna Convention, and only together with a national licence of the same category. A bike up to 125 cc is category A1, anything bigger is A. The law doesn't name the 1949 Geneva Convention, so don't count on that kind of permit.
Riding without the right licence costs 2–4 million dong on a bike up to 125 cc and 6–8 million on a bigger one (Decree 168/2024/NĐ-CP, Article 18). A helmet is required for rider and passenger (Article 33 of the law; the passenger fine is in Article 12 of the decree). Ask for two helmets together with the bike.
Can I ride a motorbike into Hoi An old town?
Not in the daytime or evening. According to Tuổi Trẻ (15 Oct 2024), motorbikes are kept out of the old town every day from 9:00 to 21:00, while residents and people who work there may ride in from 11:00 to 15:00. The hours get adjusted now and then, so check the sign at the entrance.
The simplest plan is to park where it's allowed at the edge of the zone and walk in. More on the old town and tickets is in how to get to Hoi An.
What about Phan Châu Trinh street in the evening?
Since 15 May 2023 Phan Châu Trinh street closes to motor traffic in the evening: Tuổi Trẻ (15 May 2023) gives 17:30 to 21:30 in summer and until 21:00 in winter, with a later plan to start at 15:00. The Anh Khoa rental is on this very street, number 84. Pick up and return the bike in the daytime, and come on foot in the evening.
Where can I rent a motorbike in Hoi An?
Three rentals from our directory, all near the old town, each with its own page:
| Rental | Where | Phone | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anh Khoa | Phan Châu Trinh 84, a couple of blocks from the old town | 0935 439 306 | Open until 21:00 on Google Maps. If no answer, try 0935 206 306 or 0338 023 344 |
| Anh Minh | Alley 34/14, Hùng Vương, north-west of the old town | 0961 172 420 | Bikes and scooters, until 20:00. The entrance is in alley 34/14 |
| Rental on Đào Duy Từ | Đào Duy Từ 62B, west of the old town | 0905 373 434 | Open until 22:00 on Maps. Backup number: 0905 395 123 |
More options are in the transport rental section. Ask the rental directly about the deposit, the bike's condition and the return time.
Should I take a bike or a bicycle?
A bicycle for the old town, a motorbike for beaches and further out, if you have the licence. Mia.vn (24 Jul 2026) says nearly all Hoi An sights cluster around the old town, where motorbikes are restricted, and recommends renting a bicycle. A bicycle isn't a motor vehicle, so the motor-traffic hours don't apply to it.
An Bang beach is about 7 km south-east of the centre according to Mia.vn (5 Jun 2025): you can go by bicycle or bike along Lạc Long Quân towards Cửa Đại beach, then Hai Bà Trưng. Ask your hotel about a bicycle.
What should I check when I pick up the bike?
Check it before you hand over any money. VnExpress (3 Dec 2024) advises checking front and rear brakes, headlight, indicators, horn and mirrors, and photographing the bike before renting so you aren't charged for old damage. Read the contract, especially who pays for repairs after a breakdown or accident. Also film the bike with a staff member present.
Should I leave my passport as a deposit?
No, keep the original. VnExpress (3 Dec 2024) advises carrying your passport or keeping it in the hotel safe, and offering a notarised copy if the rental wants a document. A cash deposit is common, but agree the terms before you take the bike. If a rental insists on the original, go elsewhere.
What about riding in the rainy season?
In autumn Hoi An floods: the Thu Bon river overflows and some streets go under water. Before renting in October–November, read Hoi An season and floods by month and ask the rental whether you can return the bike early if the streets flood. Don't ride through flooded roads.
Which city is Hoi An in now?
Hoi An is now part of Da Nang city: National Assembly Resolution 202/2025/QH15 merged Quang Nam and Da Nang (VnEconomy, 30 Jun 2025). That's why Maps addresses read "Hội An, Đà Nẵng".
FAQ
Can I rent a bike in Hoi An without a licence? You can rent, but you can't ride: 2–4 million dong on a bike up to 125 cc, 6–8 million on a bigger one (Decree 168/2024, Article 18).
Is a Geneva Convention permit accepted? Don't count on it. Law No. 36/2024/QH15 (Article 57) names only the 1968 Vienna Convention, and the permit works together with a national licence of the same category.
Can I ride a motorbike into the old town? Not during the ban: Tuổi Trẻ (15 Oct 2024) gives 9:00 to 21:00. Check the sign at the entrance.
Does a passenger need a helmet? Yes, rider and passenger alike (Article 33 of the law, Article 12 of Decree 168/2024).
Which Hoi An rental is open late? On Maps the Đào Duy Từ 62B rental is open until 22:00, Anh Khoa until 21:00, Anh Minh until 20:00. Call before you go.
How far is An Bang beach from the old town? About 7 km south-east according to Mia.vn, reachable by bicycle or bike.
Can I leave my passport as a deposit? Better not: carry the original or leave it in the hotel safe, and offer the rental a notarised copy.
Sources and checks
Licences, helmets, fines: Law No. 36/2024/QH15 (Articles 57 and 33) and Decree 168/2024/NĐ-CP (Articles 18 and 12), checked 26 Oct 2026; the Vienna Convention — VOV and Vietnam Government News. Motorbike ban in the old town — Tuổi Trẻ, 15 Oct 2024; evening Phan Châu Trinh — Tuổi Trẻ, 15 May 2023; bicycles — Mia.vn, 24 Jul 2026. An Bang beach — Mia.vn, 5 Jun 2025. Bike inspection and passport — VnExpress, 3 Dec 2024. Quang Nam and Da Nang merger — VnEconomy, 30 Jun 2025. The rentals come from our Transport rental section: addresses and phones cross-checked against independent sources on 23 Oct 2026. For what your insurance covers, read your policy. Text updated 26 Oct 2026.