Are you planning to join a Saigon motorbike tour and worried about sitting on the back of the bike? You know that most Vietnamese people like motorbikes thanks to reasonable prices, efficiency, and flexibility. You can reach any hidden place located in narrow back alleys by motorbike and see more about the real local life. As you can learn on the Internet, Saigon streets are usually crowded with people and vehicles. It is not easy to sit on the back of a motorbike if you know nothing about two-wheel vehicles and traffic in Ho Chi Minh City. Here are the Riding tips for pillion passengers on Saigon motorbike tour and I hope that you will enjoy your trip in Ho Chi Minh City.
Table of Contents
Riding tips for pillion passengers on Saigon motorbike tour
Discuss with the driver before riding
As I know, drivers on motorbike tours in Ho Chi Minh City can speak limited English or speak English fluently. On Vespa tours, drivers almost do not speak English and do not communicate with guests. Tour guides are usually good at helping guests to sit on the back of motorbikes in a safe way. You should discuss with your Vespa tour guide right after meeting him if you do not know how to hop on a bike, or sit on the back of a bike in the right way. In fact, some companies let tour guides give directions to their guests and tell them about safety.
On some motorbike tours, drivers are also tour guides and speak good English. You can not only discuss with them at the beginning of the tour but also during the tour. When you feel uncomfortable, you can let them know.
What to share with them? Just let them know that you are a first-time rider, thrilled at the ride, or afraid of the ride, and they will help you. On the way, you can tell them to drive more slowly or carefully.
Trusting your driver is the first thing you should do on a Saigon motorbike tour.
Make sure that your helmet is worn correctly and never ride without a helmet
Please note that good tour companies provide high-quality helmets and good guides always help their guests to wear helmets the right way. Helmet is one of the most important pieces of gear. It can protect your head in any accident. You should make sure that the helmet fits your head and is locked properly so it doesn’t fly on the way.
Wear long pants
Although many guests love to wear dresses and skirts on motorbike tours, long pants/trousers/jeans are recommended. You can also wear shorts to feel comfortable and confident. However, long clothes have additional protection around the elbows, hips, shoulders, knees and back. Wearing scarves, loose clothings, and long dresses is considered to be danger.
Do not wear too a heavy backpack, jewelry
Snatch thieves are popular in many countries including Vietnam. You should not wear jewelry, especially necklaces because thieves can try to snatch your jewelry and make you fall off the motobike or cause accidents. In addition, you should keep your small bag or crossbody bag tightly while sitting on the back of the motorbike. A heavy backback make your driver not control and balance the bike as well as possible. Motorbike sightseeing and food tours in Ho Chi Minh City usually include bottles of water, foods and drinks so you do not need to bring many items on the tour.
Protect your camera and smartphone when taking photos and record videos
It is very common that visitors are very excited at interesting things in Saigon and love to take nice photos and shoot beautiful videos. However, it is rather dangerous due to the existance of thieves.
Sit close to your driver
If you sit far from the driver, it is difficult for him/her to balance the motorbike and easy for you to react as the driver react. Just keep a very small distance so the two helmets do not bump together when the bike is stopped suddenly.
Riding tips for pillion passengers on Saigon motorbike tour
Do not wiggle
Do not suddenly move on the back sit because it can make the driver loose balance. Let the driver know if you would like to make any movement or change your posision. Make sure that you are comfortable before the trip start. You should react as fast as possible when the motorbike turns and stops on the way.
Have your hair as tidy as possible
It is recommended to tie your hair because the wind may blow the hair and make you uncomfortable.
Hold your hands in the right way
You can hold the waist of the driver or put your arms around the waist of the driver if you and the driver are all female (male). You can also hold the back of the motorbike. You should not hold on the shoulder of the driver because it can impact him/her. Vespa vehicles used for tours in Ho Chi Minh City usually have backrests installed and it will be safer on the back of these Vespas.
Put your feet on foot rests
After hopping on the motorbike and befort starting riding, you should put your feet on foot rests. Your driver or tour guide will help you to put the feet the right way. At each stop in Saigon, motorbike keeper usually folds the foot rests. The driver may help to unfold them before continue driving.
Be confident and enjoy the ride
If you worry about or be scared of riding on the back of the motorbike, you will not enjoy Saigon motorbike tour to its fullest. In fact, streets in Ho Chi Minh City are often packed with vehicles, most alleys are narrow so your rider can not ride fast and you are very safe.
Prepare for the rain in Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City has two seasons: rainy (wet) and sunny (dry). On the rainy season from May to November, it may rain on your Saigon motorbike tour. Although tour companies provide raincoats for all guests, you are welcome to bring your own raincoat. You should wear appropriate clothes on your trip in the wet season.
Conclusion of Riding tips for pillion passenger on Saigon motorbike tour
Ho Chi Minh City is a great place to do motorbike tour around, see top tourist attractions, hidden gems, and enjoy street food. Most motorbike drivers on tours are well-trained and experience on taking care of foreigners and first-time riders. You should choose a good tour company to book a motorbike tour to make sure that you will be provided with high-quality motorbike, professional driver, energetic tour guide, and amazing program.
Please contact Tracy Do & Bill Bui at +84938314386 (Whatsapp/iMessage/Viber/SMS) for the best price for your group
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