Renting a motorbike in Nha Trang: which licence you need, where to rent and what to check
A 1968 Vienna IDP plus a motorcycle category, a helmet, no passport as deposit, a video at pickup — and a few rentals with addresses and hours.
Almost any hotel in Nha Trang will find you a motorbike — finding one is easy. What matters is the rest: the right licence (an International Driving Permit under the 1968 Vienna Convention, plus a motorcycle category on your home licence), not leaving your passport as a deposit, and filming the bike before you pay. Get those right and both the police and the return go smoothly.
Where can I rent a bike?
| Rental | Where | Hours | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bike For Rent | 86 Hùng Vương | 10:00–22:00 | Russian-speaking, safety briefing before you ride |
| Nha Trang Moto Rent | no office, they bring the bike | — | Russian and English, Telegram and WhatsApp |
| Honda Sáu Thiện | 77 Nguyễn Thiện Thuật | 7:30–18:30 | a workshop: they rent and repair |
| Cycle Station | 70 Trần Phú | 8:00–21:00 | bicycles, not motorbikes; two hours minimum |
The vehicle rental section lists the other rentals with addresses and phone numbers. Ask each one directly about the deposit and the state of the bikes — that changes faster than any directory.
We visited Honda Sáu Thiện on 5 October: it's a repair workshop in the tourist centre with rental bikes parked right by the door, and the sign says open 7:30 to 18:30. Handy, because if the bike starts acting up, they fix it on the spot.
What licence do I need?
Vietnam recognises the International Driving Permit issued under the 1968 Vienna Convention. A permit under the 1949 Geneva Convention is a different document and doesn't count here.
The part people miss: an IDP grants nothing on its own. If your home licence has no motorcycle category, the permit can't add one. Carry both — your home licence and the permit that goes with it.
Do I need a helmet?
Yes, rider and passenger alike. Police stop people for it all the time, and insurers generally refuse claims if the rider had no licence or no helmet. Read your policy before you travel: many exclude riding a motorbike in a clause of their own.
What should I check when I pick up the bike?
Inspect it before any money changes hands, and take your time.
- Both brakes. The front brake on rental bikes is often close to useless.
- Tyres: tread and sidewalls. Bald tyres on wet roads are the main cause of falls.
- Headlight, indicators, brake light, horn.
- Oil, and when it was last changed.
- The lock and the helmet space under the seat.
Film the bike from every side at pickup, with the rental staff there. If a scratch isn't on your video, there's nothing to argue about.
Should I leave my passport as a deposit?
No. It's common, but it's not required and it's risky: without your passport you can't check into a hotel or sort anything out with the police. Offer a cash deposit or a photocopy instead. If a rental insists on the original and won't budge, walk to the next one.
Any agreement, even half a page, should state the period, the amount and the condition of the bike. A chat through a translation app isn't an agreement.
Frequently asked questions
Can I ride a motorbike in Vietnam on my home licence? You need a home licence with a motorcycle category plus an International Driving Permit under the 1968 Vienna Convention. Without the motorcycle category at home, the permit won't add it.
Is a 1949 Geneva Convention permit valid? No. Vietnam recognises the 1968 Vienna Convention permit; the 1949 Geneva one is a different document.
Do I have to leave my passport with the rental? No. Offer a cash deposit or a photocopy; if the rental insists on the original, choose another.
Where can I rent a bike with an explanation in English? Nha Trang Moto Rent answers in English and Russian and delivers the bike; Cycle Station on the seafront speaks English, but rents bicycles.
Will my travel insurance cover a motorbike accident? It depends on the policy: many exclude motorbikes, and claims without a licence or helmet are usually refused. Read it before you travel.
What if the bike breaks down? Call the rental. If you rented from a workshop like Honda Sáu Thiện at 77 Nguyễn Thiện Thuật, they repair it there; other workshops are in car and bike repair.
Sources and checks
The rentals in the table come from our vehicle rental section: addresses, phone numbers and hours were checked against Google Maps and the rentals' own sites, with links on each listing. Hours for Bike For Rent and Cycle Station come from their sites and maps. Honda Sáu Thiện: VietGid's owner visited on 5 October 2026 and photographed the sign and the hours on the door. The licence and helmet rules apply across Vietnam; what your insurance covers is in your own policy. Updated 5 October 2026.