Job Discussion Forums

lost_gypsy · Joined: 09 Apr 2004 Posts: 274

I am considering bringing my Harley over, as I have found a shipping company on the west coast that can bring it over for an affordable price.

As I understand it, everyone motorbikes there. When I was in China, they had actually outlawed motorbikes in the city I lived in (Canton) so I never bothered.

But now I am stateside and plan to arrive in Vietnam in Feb. and my plan, so far is to bring the bike, settle in, find a location to store it, hire a guard (more or less I THINK I can park it near a guard station in a neighborhood, pay the night guards to keep an eye on it and all should be OK).

I know I will get some negative feedback on this, such as "You're a complet moron thinking you can bring your bike over here! It'll get stolen the first day!" sort of crap, but for those who appreciate biker life, give me some input, because this is something I really want to do, and I don't mind investing monthly/yearly for it's protection in regards to keeping it safe.

THanks and hope to see you all come Feb. (Saigon most likely).

Michael

larryB · Joined: 25 Jan 2006 Posts: 23

I would advise checking the taxes - reputed to be ITRO 140% of the value that the C&E department decide is the value of the vehicle. You may also want to check this out and how it would change after Vietnam's entry to WTO, supposed to be 12/28/06.

huxter · Joined: 08 Mar 2004 Posts: 41 Location: Hanoi

I presume your Harley is quite a powerful machine. Aren't all bikes over 125cc banned in Vietnam? Or are there ways and means around that....?

sethness · Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Posts: 209 Location: Hiroshima, Japan

I'd assume that an expensive bike would not only be a great target for thieves... it'd also be advertising your wealth to the streetcops looking for bribes. I've heard that they target wealthy-looking foreigners.

Also keep in mind the insane number of traffic accidents in Viet Nam... As a fellow biker (400cc in Japan), I sympathize with your "ride to live, live to ride" sentiment, but this VN seems to be a country where you'd definitely want the metal wrapped around the flesh, not vice versa.

Perhaps if you're planning to live in teh countryside, away from Big Traffic, bent cops, and heinous thieves, you'd be OK, but in the city... I'd say leave the bike at home and use taxis.

Mr Wind-up Bird · Joined: 22 Sep 2004 Posts: 196

Anything over 125cc is currently illegal in VN though this may change with WTO accession, and as a foreigner you're unlikely to be stopped by the police anyway, whatever you're driving. Simply too much hassle for them.

But driving a Harley around HCMC is basically wearing an advert saying "I'm a rich foreigner". You may attract the ladies, but you'll also attract plenty of undesirables. Parking it would be a nightmare. The traffic is such that you can never get up a decent speed in the city, & driving out on Highway 1 is very dangerous indeed. Leave it at home & buy a moped is my advice.

Joe Dolce · Joined: 13 Jun 2006 Posts: 30

It's true that the police tend to leave foreigners alone, but getting the motorbike through customs could be your main problem. The import of motorbikes over 175cc is banned, though this law is set to change in July 2007 as part of Vietnam joining the WTO. I know someone who tried to import his big motorbike into Vietnam. The bike was stuck in customs for six months and at that point the guy gave up and sent it back.

Though importing is pretty much impossible now, you can buy bigger bikes which have been imported but not Harleys. Even though these bikes are available, strictly speaking it is illegal to drive any bike over 175cc. Take a look at the info here about motorbikes. Click on the scooters and motorcycles link.

http://www.voyagevietnam.net/eng/6.php

And this has info about future developments

http://www.cpv.org.vn/print_preview_e.asp?id=BT24110664605

Coats2Coast · Joined: 22 Sep 2005 Posts: 15

From what I've heard, the max a motorbike can have IS 150cc. If you had looked around you'd have seen that the Dylan & SH and many other automatics are 150cc. It is not illegal to more than 125cc. Or it may be? I'm not 100% on the legal/illegal thing. I am 100% on the fact that you can ride something over 150cc as I have seen many bikes possibly in the 600-900cc range. In fact, my neighbour across from me has a Honda Shadow, 600cc. If you want something that big, I believe there is a special permit you must get. So it is TOTALLY possible to ride your bike but may not be practical, and/or difficult.

P.S. His bike has straight pipes, so he gets noticed. Hasn't a problem with police yet, but then he's Vietnamese and knows the what's and how's. And you may want to assess the traffic first, and then decide. Seriously, assess the traffic first.

P.S. You can get an international license; gettig a license for a car here is good for riding a motorbike as well. I believe it's much easier if you get the int'l in your country, but it's possible to get it here.

larryB · Joined: 25 Jan 2006 Posts: 23

Foreigners tend to be left alone in general for several years now - unless they have an accident without a licence, which means big trouble - REGARDLESS of who is at fault for the tumble.

The aforementioned 175cc law and change due to WTO are true, and articles have flashed around in the last few months that Harley Davidson are intending to sell into Vietnam and India, following success in China.

There are a few big bikes here and the way around the licencing law (a 'full' license goes up to 175cc) is to have a membership in Tan Binh District (HCMC) or Vung Tau Motorcycle clubs, these groups are used regularly on motorcades, and several foreigners around the World are members of the Vung Tau chapter. Membership is by invitation but easy to get. A lot of police are members.

Fact is, the roads in Vietnam make a large bike quite pointless and an expensive exercise, added to the fact that kids outside restaurants and in parking lots 'look with their hands' so you would forever find your lights have been switched on, mirrors moved, loose parts stolen etc.

Good luck, but better leave it at home!

lost_gypsy · Joined: 09 Apr 2004 Posts: 274

oh, I was so afraid of those answers. I had a feeling that is what most would say, but I did want to hear it from the experts, so thanks! I had this feeling about a few things, namely, I wouldn't be able to "move" around too freely. I can handle paying bribes to the cops there; evidentally that is how it works there anyway, but the idea of not being able to open it up a bit, and always having to worry about people messing with it, damn!

Ok, thanks again...I think the Harley will stay in storage... ouch