From a weather point the peak seasons of northern Vietnam is mid-September till mid-November and March till mid-May. These are also the seasons when we strongly recommend early bookings of bikes and tours to ensure availability.

There is no best season for a motorbike ride. Each season has its unique characteristics and advantages, as well as, a range of local festivals. Summer runs from mid-May into late-August with the months of June and July being the hottest and most humid. The cool and dry season starts from the end of November to early March. Expect December into end-February to offer fairly chilly rides up on the mountains so bring warm clothes in that period.

At Green Riders, we often get the question if it is likely to rain. Yes, it is likely to rain on any day in any place in Vietnam – that is why this country is so green and lush. However, weather up in the mountains is very changeable and it, like the views, can shift from valley to valley. Like anywhere one need to adopt speed to weather, but there is no real problem or extra risk with some rain.

The so-called ‘rainy season’ of June to mid-August has earned its name simply from the fact that that it is the time we see the heaviest downpour in northern Vietnam. However, it might not rain at all on the days you are out. This season is characterised by thundery rains (often late afternoon/night). It might be really heavy rain when it comes down, but it is normally short-lived and after the rain you may have blue sky for the rest of the day.

Remember that the pilot that took you to Vietnam did not Google weather sites weeks in advance to determine the flight route. S/he got the latest predictions an hour before your flight and adopted to it. So should you, when going out on a bike! No matter weather you will enjoy your ride!

This is a bit tricky. As a foreigner you are required to have proper motorcycle licence from your home country supported by an International Driving Licence/Permit (IDP) to drive a motorcycle/scooter in Vietnam. We are not strict on this and assume all our customers are adults and can take proper decisions on risk vs. adventure. Police are not likely to stop you and check on licence, they are more likely to stop you if over-speeding in northern Vietnam.

In Cao Bang, you may drive without any of above (not in Ha Giang), but it is not legal. Maybe strangely, but you are seldom fined or penalised in anyway when you break this rule. However, note that if you may have an accident and injure yourself or others your ordinary travel insurance (which we certainly assume you have) might not cover you.

We are aware that travel budget might be a preventive factor, but if you do not have proper licence or experience on a motorcycle a much safer and practical way to experience the beauty of the northern Vietnam is behind one of our guide/drivers.

To Cao Bang there is only one mean of transportation – the roads. No flights or train exist.

If you are coming from Hanoi, there are many night buses from Bến Xe Khách Mỹ Đình (My Dinh bus station). Most night buses depart regularly from 8:30pm to 9 pm. Almost all are sleeping coaches of same standard, and price is from 350,000 VND to 400,000VND. You will arrive early at Cao Bang city around 4:30am - 5am.

There are also so-called VIP limousine buses where seats cost 380,000 VND. They leave from different locations in Hanoi and if you stay in Hanoi Old Quarter, they pick up from Hanoi Opera House.

The journey will take around 6,5 - 7 hours and they will stop at a restaurant half way where there will be restrooms, snacks and food.

Private car or van can also be rented but is relatively costly. If interested ask us for a quotation stating number of people.

To Cao Bang you may connect from several other cities. They are daily scheduled but normally only with one or two connections. Ha Long City, Hai Phong (connection from Cat Ba Island), Ninh Binh all have a daily evening connection. They do not have day time bus options.

From Sa Pa to Cao Bang, there is no direct bus, you have to go to Hanoi or Thai Nguyen before connect another bus to get to Cao Bang.

From Ha Giang to Cao Bang or vice-versa, there is also no direct bus but there is the possibility to book the bus that changes to another one along the way.

All the above buses are not yet offering online bookings. A local travel agent, your hotel/hostel or you physically going to the bus station is how you may get tickets.

At Green Riders, we offer an optional Motorcycle Damage Insurance, which covers any damage you may incur in an accident on the motorcycle.

• The insurance also covers the cost of transporting the motorcycle back to Cao Bang City if you damage or injure yourself in such a way that the motorcycle cannot be returned. The insurance would cover two persons riding a motorcycle, even if only one person is injured so that the journey cannot continue. Accompanying drivers on other motorcycles are not included.
• In the event of an accident, contact us and we will do our best to find the fastest and best means to take you to a medical facility and / or back to Cao Bang City. However, due to distance the support may take some time.
• In the event of damage to the motorcycle that needs repair to continue driving and repair on the road, find a local mechanic (available in almost all villages) and contact us and we will discuss with the mechanic and see how you in the fastest way can be back on the road. The costs incurred will be refunded upon return of the motorcycle if you have taken out the insurance.
• The insurance does NOT cover the personal medical expenses or costs for third parties if you have an accident. Theft of motorcycles is not covered, but if you use normal care and don’t leave the bike with key in it is unlikely that the bike would be stolen
• The insurance does NOT cover for matters that is your personal responsibility in compliance with Vietnamese traffic rules and regulations, such as over speeding [40km/hour in towns and 70 km/hours on high ways.]
• The insurance does NOT cover for decision to end your trip for any reason other than a serious accident. If you need to end your trip for other reasons, such as a serious illness, we will be happy to help and bring you and your motorcycle back to Cao Bang City. The normal transport costs are then your responsibility.
• There is no access fee (real claims are fully refunded upon return of the motorcycle).
• Mechanical errors of the motorcycle resulting from our service / maintenance are always refunded in full insured or not.
• The decision to refuse insurance is up to you. However, you are fully responsible to cover all repair costs (with original spare parts) up to the full cost of a new replacement motorcycle (in the worst case) and the transport of the motorcycle back to Cao Bang city. We are still here to support you, but all costs and transport cost will be yours. Keep in mind that some of our motorcycles are special imports and spare parts can be comparatively expensive compared to your home country. Any disputes will be settled under Vietnamese law.

We accept cash (Vietnamese Dong) & Visa/MasterCard payment.

As with all card transactions in Vietnam there is a 2,5% bank charge when you use card payment. For now we have good experience with our customers and do not demand any prior deposit when booking, but full payment on the day you go out on the roads.

The provincial capitals of Cao Bang you find plenty of banks and ATM cash points. At Cao Bang Green Riders, we accept Visa, MasterCard and cash payments (Vietnamese Dong). Along the road you will almost always settle your bills by Vietnamese Dong. Most of the smaller towns will have an ATM cash point.

In Cao Bang Green Riders House, we offer free storage of luggage and we offer laundry service (VND 40,000/kg) when you are out on your trip.