Motorbikes and transport in Nha Trang: rent and sale

Getting around is the first thing to sort out after you land in Nha Trang. The city is spread along a long coastline, and the beach, the market, a good cafe and the nearest clinic are rarely within walking distance. This section collects listings for motorbikes and vehicles in Nha Trang: scooters, cars, bicycles and electric scooters, offered for rent or for sale by their owners.

Every listing has photos, a price, a district and a way to contact the owner. If you cannot find what you need, post a request describing the vehicle and the budget, and owners can get in touch with you.

Most visitors start with a rental. Rental shops usually swap the bike if it breaks down and hand over a helmet. Private owners often offer a scooter at a lower price and are happier to rent it for a few months. The monthly rate is normally much lower per day than a short rental, so the longer you stay, the more it pays to negotiate.

Before you pay, agree on the terms in writing and check these points:

• the deposit: cash is the usual choice, and it is better not to leave your original passport;
• the helmet: a proper strap, and a second one if you ride with a passenger;
• who pays for servicing and for faults that are not your fault;
• whether the owner can deliver the bike to your door;
• what to do after an accident, a police stop or a breakdown.

If you plan to stay for a season or longer, buying is often cheaper than renting, and you can sell the bike when you leave. Popular scooters for sale include the Honda Vision, Honda Lead, Air Blade and PCX, as well as the Yamaha NVX. Manual motorbikes are also available.

Look at the engine, brakes, tyres and paperwork. Every bike should have a registration card, known locally as the blue card (cà vẹt): compare the frame and engine numbers with the document. Foreigners often find it hard to register a bike in their own name, so many deals go through a Vietnamese owner with a written sale contract.

A scooter up to 125 cc needs category A1, and a more powerful bike needs category A. Foreign riders usually carry a national driving licence together with an international driving permit (IDP) under the 1968 Convention that covers category A, or a Vietnamese licence. Without a valid licence, your insurance is unlikely to pay after an accident.

A helmet is required for both the rider and the passenger.

Besides bikes, you will find cars in Nha Trang: car rental with or without a driver for trips out of town, and used cars for sale. For short rides around your neighbourhood or along the seafront, a bicycle or an electric scooter is enough. Many are sold by people who are leaving the city.

Choose the vehicle for the job. A scooter suits daily errands, a car suits a family and long trips, and a bicycle suits an evening ride on the promenade. Ask the owner about the condition, insurance and terms before you meet.