Buying a motorbike in Vietnam

Jphasia wrote:

Hello,
I just arrived here in Vietnam, a month ago (after quarantine) for work. I already got a 2 years work permit and will get a TRC in the coming days.
I rented a motorbike here (I am based in Saigon) but i am considering to buy a new motorbike as soon as I got the TRC.
I am considering to buy something like Honda Air Blade 150cc which seems to be standard here (I actually live in Thailand where I have Honda click).
The reason why I considering to buy a new motorbike instead of renting or 2nd hand is because I would like to go on trip outside Saigon during the weekends (such as Vung Tao...). Also, I am here on long term contract so I rather buy instead of rent.
Finally, I heard that foreigner buying motorbike under their name is little bit tricky. I was recommended to buy under a local name. Is it correct?

Welcome to the forum.

I don't know anything about motorbikes, but congratulations for getting into the country and making it through quarantine.

Thanks!

Yes, much easier to buy in a locals name. Hopefully one day the VN govt will get rid of this ridiculous rule and we can purchase in our names just like a local.

Hi, I arrived 6 weeks ago and want to do exactly the same. You first should transfer your foreign driving permit into local one. There is a full thread on the advantages of it. I also have a contact from an expat who deals with bikes. He is fair and wont cheat. The "under local name" is a true rule. Must be like that but obviously there are workarounds.
You also should consider getting A2 which also can be done here, if you dont have it. Riding around the countryside on a scooter is no fun. So, maybe invest a bit more (as you are long term, same like me) and get a bigger one. But depends on budget and taste. You can add me for more info and maybe we can even go to dealers together to get a better price ***

Thanks Daniel.
For the Vietnamese driving license, i don't think it will be an issue. Some other expats in my office have done it through our office admin. I will probably do the same as soon as I recieve my passport back with the TRC.
As for the bike, I am considering a scooter because I never drove anything bigger. I actually live in Thailand for the last 20 years and I always had scooters. I currently have a honda click in Thailand which is similar to the honda air blade here. I am looking to buy a new one because i want avoid mechanical issues if i go out of Saigon on my own. I am renting now a Yamaha Nouvo which is not new and probably been renting out several times and I don't feel to go out of Saigon with it. Budget wise I am ok. The only thing I am considering is that if i decided to leave Vietnam, i want to be able to sell it easily. I understood that might be the issue if it is under foreign name.

You are probably going to have to buy under a local's name.  I don't know any way around it

Hopefully you have someone you trust because it will be fully in their name and they could "recover" it from you if things go sideways

Correct, the transfer of your foreign license to local license is a simple paperwork that an agent can do for you. Just make sure they dont give you a one year validity but the same expiry date as in your foreign license or lifelong.
You cannot buy under foreign name. There is no way to do that. Make sure the number plate is from HCMC, changing it from other province plate to HCMC province costs you extra

SteinNebraska wrote:

Hopefully you have someone you trust because it will be fully in their name and they could "recover" it from you if things go sideways

I don't have wife or girlfriend here and I am not planning to... hopefully, if things get better about the covid and the borders, my wife who is in Thailand will come here.
I will have to ask someone recommended to me but of course there will be a risk.

If you have your TRC and a valid Vietnamese driver license, go to one of the bigger dealers in Saigon, and they can help you with getting a bike under your name.  It will have NN on the plate, and it will cost a little more.  Then, when you want to sell it, it will fetch a little less, because of that foreigner designation.

On the other hand, putting one under a Vietnamese name is cheaper, faster (paperwork) and, once you want to sell, you can get a little more.  But, that person has to be trusted, and he or she must trusts you.  Because, whatever you do with the bike, he or she is responsible.

Best wishes,
Howie

Wild_1 wrote:

If you have your TRC and a valid Vietnamese driver license, go to one of the bigger dealers in Saigon, and they can help you with getting a bike under your name.  It will have NN on the plate, and it will cost a little more.  Then, when you want to sell it, it will fetch a little less, because of that foreigner designation.

On the other hand, putting one under a Vietnamese name is cheaper, faster (paperwork) and, once you want to sell, you can get a little more.  But, that person has to be trusted, and he or she must trusts you.  Because, whatever you do with the bike, he or she is responsible.

Best wishes,
Howie

Thanks Howie!

Personally I would never consider having an NN plated bike.  Nothing says coffee money magnet like an NN plate.  Rich foreigner can afford to pay for any small infractions. Not to mention thieves and potential fraudulent accidents.

SteinNebraska wrote:

Personally I would never consider having an NN plated bike.  Nothing says coffee money magnet like an NN plate.  Rich foreigner can afford to pay for any small infractions. Not to mention thieves and potential fraudulent accidents.

That's a good point.

Jphasia wrote:

That's a good point.

Well, it's different for me since I had wife's family to license for me so it was risk-free.  For you coming in cold it's a tossup between trust on the title or risk of coffee money.

Another point about the NN plate is it also contain the 3 digit country code, like 296 for US citizens...

Personally, I don’t want to carry such a target sight on my back.  Things are quite crazy out there on the Vietnamese road already.  So, I chose one of the cheaper, but more reliable motorbikes, and put it under a Vietnamese name.  I figured that a Vietnamese cool enough to stick his head out for me, when it comes to the administering of my cheap motorbike, he deserves it, when he wants it...

There are far too many things to do and see here.  It’s not worth it to spend too much on a motorbike.

SteinNebraska wrote:

Jphasia wrote:

That's a good point.

Well, it's different for me since I had wife's family to license for me so it was risk-free.  For you coming in cold it's a tossup between trust on the title or risk of coffee money.

Do you know if such scam happen often here? Of course, I am not going to ask the first Vietnamese guy on the street. I am working for a foreign multinational here and I might get guidance from our locals. I also have friend here who live here for many years, marry to a Vietnamese. They might help me also.
Also, i am willing to lose 1,500USD (I believe this is a cost of a new motorbike here) in worst case. I am not looking to buy a car, a house or a condo.

Jphasia wrote:

. I also have friend here who live here for many years, marry to a Vietnamese. They might help me also.

This would probably work out fine.  His wife can register it.

You can get it put into the name of someone at the bike shop.

Here’s a summary of the situation (I think): Since a lot of foreigners only have a tourist visa, they can’t register a bike in their name, that’s why they can’t buy a new vehicle and get plates. So usually they get a used one and the title and plates remain registered to the previous owner. This could obviously be problematic, but usually works out fine.

As for mechanical problems while you’re outside of Saigon, that wouldn’t deter me from getting a used bike. First, it doesn’t have to be an old junker, and there are shops everywhere. Just get a Honda because Honda parts are easily available almost everywhere.

colinoscapee wrote:

You can get it put into the name of someone at the bike shop.

Thats what I did, the Blue Card is in the name of the bike shop owner, but I took it a step further & we went to a notary & got it all legal thumb prints n all & all or done as legal as possible. Basically the notarized document gives me ownership for 20 years to sell or what ever. Cost 1 million to do it like that &  probably not worth the effort & if I did sell it I would just sell it back to the bike shop owner anyways.

Another option is if your not going to use bike out of HCMC is get an ebike.
I just bought eldest son a Fuji 133M got on sale for 7.9mill.
The dash has speed, light on, turn arrows, battery life & kms.
It has Hitachi battery in so good Japan brand & reliable, has key and smart key/lock/find bike plus movment alarm.
Wife rode it back me on Airblade I had to gun the bike to catch up with the instant take off,, it hit 50km/hr top speed & has 3 modes,,, slow, medium, fast.
I had a ride and wow for a lower end powered machine it keeps uo with traffic easy.
For 10-13mill you can get the higher wattage motor but to be honest the one I bought is fine for anyone driving around city traffic.
Only charged overnight so far but told that range is 50-70 kms depending on lights, speed etc.
The Fuji is like a step through where you have luggage/feet area small under seat area to put jacket plus rack on the front for a basket.
Highly recommended trying this option if dont need bike for out of town use plus you dont need registration or licence.
I'm 82kg and bike top speed 45kms with wife 48kg it topped 50kms.
Pm me if like more info

Andybris2020 wrote:

Another option is if your not going to use bike out of HCMC is get an ebike.
I just bought eldest son a Fuji 133M got on sale for 7.9mill.
The dash has speed, light on, turn arrows, battery life & kms.
It has Hitachi battery in so good Japan brand & reliable, has key and smart key/lock/find bike plus movment alarm.
Wife rode it back me on Airblade I had to gun the bike to catch up with the instant take off,, it hit 50km/hr top speed & has 3 modes,,, slow, medium, fast.
I had a ride and wow for a lower end powered machine it keeps uo with traffic easy.
For 10-13mill you can get the higher wattage motor but to be honest the one I bought is fine for anyone driving around city traffic.
Only charged overnight so far but told that range is 50-70 kms depending on lights, speed etc.
The Fuji is like a step through where you have luggage/feet area small under seat area to put jacket plus rack on the front for a basket.
Highly recommended trying this option if dont need bike for out of town use plus you dont need registration or licence.
I'm 82kg and bike top speed 45kms with wife 48kg it topped 50kms.
Pm me if like more info

Thanks but for me, the main point to buy a new motorbike is for trips outside HCMC...

Jphasia wrote:

Thanks but for me, the main point to buy a new motorbike is for trips outside HCMC...

As stated before, the easiest (and commonly practiced) solution is to get a used one, just make sure to get the blue card and check if it’s the right one (verify serial/engine number). Also, get a signed bill of sale/ sales contract, this will be your only ‘proof’ that it’s your vehicle, since it will still be registered in someone else’s name.
Now it’s up to you if you want to buy from a private seller (Craigslist VN or Facebook might have ads), or from a commercial seller. There are a few shops that cater specifically to foreigners, with English speaking staff. They are obviously a little more expensive, but maybe it’s worth it...You should be able to find them with Google

Andybris2020 wrote:

Another option is if your not going to use bike out of HCMC is get an ebike.
I just bought eldest son a Fuji 133M got on sale for 7.9mill.

Do you have anything other than Fuji 133M? I wanted to see how it looks and the specs, but I couldn’t find anything by searching for Fuji 133M.

Kurterino wrote:

Andybris2020 wrote:

Another option is if your not going to use bike out of HCMC is get an ebike.
I just bought eldest son a Fuji 133M got on sale for 7.9mill.

Do you have anything other than Fuji 133M? I wanted to see how it looks and the specs, but I couldn’t find anything by searching for Fuji 133M.

Sorry my image posting skills are limited & I didnt want to peeve any mods of by posting a link they may think is an ad.. so.. I sent you a PM.

There are several "133" models 133s, 133m then there is xs, sport, etc,, the one I got was 450w and does 50/70 km range HK-Bike also does a 133 model which is assembled in VN  but was slower was 350w top speed was 35 and range 35/40kms and cheaper than Fuji in bigger outlets the shop we bought from was a local mum & dad seller selling a limited range at good prices I believe there are up to 800/1000w models but for a 12 year old we limited our search to lower than 500w.

Kurterino wrote:

Andybris2020 wrote:

Another option is if your not going to use bike out of HCMC is get an ebike.
I just bought eldest son a Fuji 133M got on sale for 7.9mill.

Do you have anything other than Fuji 133M? I wanted to see how it looks and the specs, but I couldn’t find anything by searching for Fuji 133M.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwSM6W9da1E

Rick

Budman1 wrote:

Kurterino wrote:

Andybris2020 wrote:

Another option is if your not going to use bike out of HCMC is get an ebike.
I just bought eldest son a Fuji 133M got on sale for 7.9mill.

Do you have anything other than Fuji 133M? I wanted to see how it looks and the specs, but I couldn’t find anything by searching for Fuji 133M.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwSM6W9da1E

Rick

Thanks Rick, there are several models thats the 133S I bought the 133M Sport new model so they range from around low 8 to mid 13mill

Andybris2020 wrote:

Budman1 wrote:

Kurterino wrote:

Do you have anything other than Fuji 133M? I wanted to see how it looks and the specs, but I couldn’t find anything by searching for Fuji 133M.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwSM6W9da1E

Rick

Thanks Rick, there are several models thats the 133S I bought the 133M Sport new model so they range from around low 8 to mid 13mill

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipP … lWTVlpd3lB

[img align=C]https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-2ookEEl9R80hrbwkKoqd9GkPMSNRMt8/view?usp=sharing,%20https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-G7cZQe6oP9Nqq3mm-GzTZoaZT3zgPJF/view?usp=sharing,%20https://drive.google.com/file/d/10DN168ZqDI8nlsUR4mZyIdCjw2-vkCUL/view?usp=sharing,%20https://drive.google.com/file/d/10oxXnFRTQ-TPs2QxQoR3N8LMnre_p4jq/view?usp=sharing,%20https://drive.google.com/file/d/16RKtsBBSxF5voDSeAeW3eV6uuYiDwFDT/view?usp=sharing,%20https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BhWztqVLaMeKeWwL8sE9lkTQuOmZbwq5/view

I have no idea how to share the photos,,

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipP … lWTVlpd3lB
Ok, here is photos of the bike, I wont post link to shop etc so I dont get warned or banned.

colinoscapee wrote:

You can get it put into the name of someone at the bike shop.

This is what I would recommend: in particular a bike shop run by a long-time expat. I almost bought an Exciter from  Saigonmotorcycles in Thao Dien and had a long talk with the owner Trevor. (I didn't buy bc my wife's family suggested I go to the dealer in D5 instead). Trevor is Australian, he buys/sells, used and imports new big bikes. He is active in cross-country touring activities and the "Motorcycles HCMC" Facebook group. His Vietnamese wife keeps registrations for many dozens of motorbikes for expats, and he will buy it back from you later.
Being new here, I would talk to him. And Tigit is another expat-owned shop in D2.

Saw the remarks that you can only buy under a locals name. This is not true. In the Ops case. If indeed he gets a TRC he can buy a motorbike in his name. Granted if it is a smaller city he will live in with, few foreigners they are not always aware of this. But in Sai Gon he should have no problem.

Diazo wrote:

Saw the remarks that you can only buy under a locals name. This is not true. In the Ops case. If indeed he gets a TRC he can buy a motorbike in his name. Granted if it is a smaller city he will live in with, few foreigners they are not always aware of this. But in Sai Gon he should have no problem.

True, but the long term problem is getting rid of a bike in a foreigners name with NN number plates. Locals wont touch it and another foreigner most probably doesnt want to jump through hoops. Hence why its so much easier to buy in a locals name.

This from Tigit cycles.

"The NN number plate is as much a myth as a reality. NN numbers are specifically for foreigners and allow the police to see that the owner is a foreigner. When buying a motorbike new it is possible to get the NN number plate if you legally work in Vietnam and have all the documents for your stay here. However, transferring the NN plate off to a Vietnamese is a complex process (that we have never seen done). Ultimately registering with the NN number plate is actually lowering the value of the bike, because you can’t transfer the papers onward to a local. "

There's no way I would own an NN plated bike.  Coffee money magnet anyone?

Thanks all for your comments and suggestions. Actually, i did not take any decision yet on the purchase of a motorbike.
As I can see from your feedback, having a work permit, trc...it won't be a problem to register a new bike under my name. However, to resell it might be an issue. Also, as some mentioned, you become a target as foreigner.
As i came here for work but definetely won't stay here forever, if i decide to buy a bike, i will take the risk to put it under Vietnamese name.
Anyway, I have been busy so far with my work. Did few trips only outside Saigon with my rented bike without any issues. So I will decide later if i buy a bike or not.
I found the motorbike rental is quite cheap here. The  motorbike I rent now is not new but seems good enough for me for now. I also managed to get my local driving license A1 / B1 which was very easy in fact.

Works for you works for me. Not sure how owning a MB as a foreigner makes you a target of anyone. For sure in some cities ( SGN) your a target by many police in some districts. But in ,say, NT or DL never. Did not read the entire thread so I may be way out of line. But I have owned my MB and have had zero problem.

Okay got the target issue. Agree for sure in Sgn. Not in my city nor NT.