Hi Citsym

How'd you go on your fact finding mission in March? I am planning a trip across Asia on my Tenere 660 and I don't want to give up on Vietnam without a struggle. On a side note, if possible I will be seeking a non-tourist business visa for Vietnam and teaching English, apparently your visa can have a bearing on getting a licence.

Maybe I can add a little to the VN info.
My wife(Vietnamese, Aust. Citizen)and I were in the south of VN for three months Dec 13 Jan,Feb 14.
We applied for a 3 months tourist visa and were granted 12 month multiple entry visas with a max stay at any one time of 90 days.
With this visa and a suitable contact I was able to "buy" a VN car/motorcycle licence for 1,000,000vnd.
Intending to store a motorcycle in country for future trips we bought a new Honda 125 Future underbone for $1300Aust.As my wife is an Aust citizen she was unable to register the bike in her name(used sisters).
We fitted the Honda with a rear rack and throwover pannier frames, made locally, not well but they did the job.I couldn't believe the problems we had to get something so simple made up."You don't do that" or "not interested" was the reply at most welding shops.
We toured the south 8,000km from Phu Quoc Island up as far as Pleiku staying on minor roads where possible and loved every minute.
On the highway just south of Saigon I made a donation to the police benevolent fund of 600,000vnd.Some discussion of being in the wrong lane and doing 53 in a 50 zone but as it was almost Tet these little fund raisers can be expected.With great care,and a now very observant pillion,future fund raising sites were entered sloooowly, no more problems.
The Honda was completely trouble free,seat comfort was fine but with two people and luggage the suspension was horribly overloaded. No fault of the bike just not really made to do what we put it through. It will be traded on a Suzuki EN150 on our return later in the year,this will be fitted out as a real tourer as we still have lots of the south still to explore before heading up to the centre, north and possibly into Cambodia.
Road conditions in the south range from extremely good(not a lot)to absolutely shocking. Minor roads can be rough but are still more pleasant and much safer than the main bus,truck routs that connect towns/citys,they can be completely broken up tar with the road base rocks or sub soil exposed, turning the road into a giant obstacle course run at speed by buses,trucks and cars,you can imagine where the bike comes in on the pecking order. Never a dull moment.
Food at local small restaurants is good and very cheap, most basic meals would have averaged 70,000-80,000vnd for two.
Accommodation was good to very good,we stayed in small hotels where possible, guest houses and even the odd government hotel.Prices ranged from $8-$17oz with just a few flash joints at about $20+oz.A couple left a bit to be desired but OK,we walked out of one shocker, not at all bad for three months on the road.
We had a ball and will be returning to VN later this year with more trips planed for the future.
Hope this helps if your heading into the country.
We will be watching any border crossing info with great interest.
Cheers, Macca

Mac,
Thanks for detailed first hand account on Vietnam! Nothing like local knowledge!
As a tourist planning just a couple months there, how would you proceed? Best to buy a bike in Hanoi ? Or better to buy in HCMC? I know doing a buy back can work and I've heard there are some dealers with shops in both Hanoi and HCMC. So, in theory, one could buy the bike and re-sell at the other end.
Possible? Reports on this?

I'm assuming in a case like this the paperwork would remain in the Vietnamese owners name? Is this OK to show to Police? Or do you need some sort of Notary Public certified permission from listed owner?

I guess one could also Rent a bike, but seems it'd be cheaper to buy then re-sell. Thoughts?

What about buying from another foreign traveler? Just use their paperwork, then pass the bike onto another traveler. I've heard of this but I know new rules are in place. Any thoughts or strategies would be greatly appreciated!

G'day Mollydog
If I was just doing a ride in VN I would rent.I cant advise on Hanoi but there are hundreds of bikes available to rent in all the tourist city's in the south. Negotiate price down to what you are prepared to pay.
Usually the shop will want to hold your passport but as it can be required to book into accommodation etc another form of security maybe organised.
To avoid problems(confiscation)with the police you are required to carry your Vietnamese licence, bike registration paper(in the owners name is fine) plus it helps to have motorcycle insurance & money.The money is the important one.
Everything will depend on the mood/finances of the police at that particular time. Some with no English will just wave you away, others will get the dong sorted somehow,then you will get the cop with English and you just go for your wallet.
The main thing to avoid is having the bike loaded on the police truck and taken to the impoundment yard. From there it can get difficult ,expensive, and extremely inconvenient.
When I lived in VN years ago the usual police donation was 40,000vnd and it was a regular event. This trip it was only the once but 600,000vnd.Inflation ?
Thirteen years ago I sold a Suzuki 110(registered in my wife's name) to a Viet mate, the same bloke still has it, still in my wife's name,97,000km on the clock.
Vietnam-------sort it out as you go along. Rules & regulations :confused1:
Love it, Macca