Motorcycle vs Car: which is better for Mekong Delta trips?

Are you thinking about taking a road trip to the Mekong Delta but aren’t sure whether to go by car or motorcycle? From packing issues to petrol costs, complete your plan and start your trip with our informative blog.

Motorbikes and automobiles are two of the most common modes of transportation in Vietnam; however, they shall provide you with different experiences when travelling to a specific location, such as the Mekong Delta, where you are planning to go now.

*Choosing an appropriate means of transport before travelling to this vast region shall improve your trip experience. We’d like to provide you with some information to help you make the best vehicle choice for your trip.

Packing issues

One of the most common issues when travelling on a road trip is packing heavily and travelling with heavy suitcases.

When you go travelling, you may, sometimes, desire to make every moment you are outside to be as convenient as being at home. You, then, pack too many pieces of stuff that, in fact, you may rarely touch until going home.

Many people have a tendency to go travelling by car because of its large space which shall help them carry all the weighty suitcases, and prevent or inhibit the issues of packing. Consequently, they shall desire to bring along more and more pieces of stuff because of that reason.

Whilst, motorcycles set people a limit on packing and prevent them from packing overly much. They force travellers to pack lightly. Instead of carrying a lot of suitcases, a backpack shall be one of the best optimal choices for packing and carrying. With a small amount of stuff you have to care for, you shall feel more relaxed and enjoy your trip better.

*Both these two means of transport can be a good choice for packing for your long road trip, the important thing is that you should pack lightly and be more streamlined.

Spending on rental costs

It’s quite easy for you to find a vehicle rental service at a reasonable price because there are hundreds of them in the Mekong Delta region.

Certainly, rental prices are very varied and different between the two means of transport. The prices are low or high depending on which brands you are going to select. The car’s rental price is always higher than the motorcycle’s.

We would like to give you an average price list of vehicle rental services for you to plan your road trip most optimally:

*Something you should avoid when renting a vehicle to limit controversy with the leaser:

• Checking the vehicle’s condition before picking up
• Ask them about preparing service if the vehicle breaks down
• Do not repair the car without acknowledging the leaser

Find out about vehicle rental services of FME:

• Car Rental in Can Tho
• Scooter rental in Can Tho

Dealing with traffic congestion and gridlock

Being on a long road trip in the Mekong Delta, you shall more recently come across traffic congestions and gridlocks, yet, most of the time you don’t know how to tackle them.

No one can dismiss the convenience of motorcycles since they can allow us to go past some small traffic jams with their thin designs, however, they may turn into a big disadvantage when encountering and then getting stuck in traffic congestion. If you try to go past them hurriedly, you can pose a serious threat to yourself and others.

Traffic congestion and gridlocks’ surrounding temperatures occur in the Mekong Delta, having a particular seasonal system involving dry and rainy seasons which makes this place sometimes pretty dry and hot but rains a lot other times, can steadily rise to a 40°C peak in just a few minutes. It also causes an intense and chaotic atmosphere involving excessive noise and air pollution which badly impacts your health. As a result, motorists in this circumstance shall not be in trouble.

On the other hand, cars seem the more optimal option when they provide you with a safe zone to shield from the heat, pollution, or sudden rain that was mentioned before. Cars, however, can only move deliberately when stuck in traffic congestions and gridlocks. It leads you to do nothing instead of delaying your whole trip.

*Here are some tips for you to avoid being stuck in a gridlock or traffic congestion:

• Maintain a 3-metre gap between cars
• Stay at a consistent speed
• Avoid changing lanes too often
• Allow other drivers to merge into your lane
• Pay attention to the road conditions
• Avoid taking your eyes off the road
• Pull over quickly and completely if you have a problem

Spending on petrol gas

Fuel consumption and cost is also an aspect that is in needs to be considered when going on a road trip.

Many car drivers believe that a car’s fuel consumption is reasonable and not so high, but actually not. For instance, on average in Vietnam, 7.8 litres is the amount that a car may consume for a distance of 100km. Going on a long road trip by auto surely leads to the fuel cost rising significantly and your previous budget plan shall be adjusted under that influence.

Conversely to auto, motorcycles are a lot of people’s favourite because they consume approximately just 2.5 litres of petrol for a distance of 100km. They may also help you, tourists, to save some money to do other things.

*Here are some tips for you to optimise the fuel consumption of both vehicles:

• Accelerate gently
• Maintain a steady speed
• Anticipate traffic
• Avoid high speeds
• Don’t carry unnecessary weights

Finding places to park

We cannot deny that it is simpler for us to discover appropriate parking slots when road tripping on a motorcycle. Even when riding in a motorcycle squad, you only need a few regular parking spaces to accommodate everyone. Moreover, this will be less of an issue in rural and less populated areas than in the city.

Most people in Vietnam own motorcycles, so, there is often a lack of parking slots for automobiles and larger vehicles. Therefore, you may meet parking issues. Luckily 

*Parking a car is prohibited in the following locations:

• Where no-parking signs are posted
• On bridges and flyovers
• At bus stops
• On pedestrian-only roads
• Within five metres of crossroads
• On curves
• At the top of hills
• On pedestrian crossings
• Over manholes for sewers

Tackling road conditions

Vietnam is an extremely safe country, but the roads are some of the most dangerous in the world.

Vietnam’s traffic is significantly different from other countries. Traffic congestion and gridlock happen frequently making it chaotic and dangerous for foreigners but typical for the locals.

It shall be easier when travelling by car in Vietnam traffic because It will be a little bit challenging when you choose to travel by car since the local roads are narrow and may have lots of obstacles. Make sure that you have advanced driving skills or skills on how to tackle “being-stuck” problems. 

Travelling by motorcycle makes your trip a bit more effortless because you can get around more freely. However, it is still very dangerous when travelling by motorcycles because motorists often travel (illegally) against the flow of traffic. Outside the cities, livestocks such as dogs compete with vehicles for road space. Sudden stops by motorcycles and bicycles make driving particularly hazardous.

Additionally, the road condition here is not adequate when compared to other areas and the quality is not the same among provinces. Major city centre areas may have adequate roads paved and well looked after whilst the remote and local areas are narrow, wet and sometimes flooded during the rainy season. Therefore, you should prepare yourself before being inhibited by lots of blocks.

Both vehicles have pros and cons when you put them in Vietnam’s traffic, thereby, we would like to give you some tips for safe driving to limit the danger and problems you may encounter:

Car	Motorcycle
Wear your seat belt	Buy a Good Helmet
Be cautious with careless motorists	Turn Left in a Group
Drive at moderate speed	Only Use the Back Brake

Enjoying the great outdoors, having fun and exciting time 

Alexander Supertramp Mccandless once said “The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun.”

Coming out to the open world will not depend on which means of transport you are driving, because a different vehicle may give you a unique experience.

Road tripping on a car always gives you a chance to fully witness the beauty of Vietnam towns without being disturbed by other things if you drive at a moderate speed.

Travelling by car may suit the family’s travelling style because, while in it, your family will have an enjoyable and secure voyage filled with pleasant chats and interactions.

Motorcycles are for people who enjoy high-speed adventures and want to enjoy the warm sun, which fires up their outdoorsy hearts.

What I like best about travelling by motorcycle is that I can feel as if I and the outdoors are merging, with the high speed of the motorcycle transforming me into a wind floating unquestionably.

*What outdoor activity that you can do when travelling to the Mekong Delta:

• Enjoy a romantic evening at Ninh Kieu Wharf, Can Tho
• Browse Cai Rang Floating Market, Can Tho
• Stroll the brilliant Vinh Trang Pagoda, My Tho
• Disappear into Tra Su Melaleuca Forest, An Giang
• Relax in Phu Quoc National Park, Kien Giang

A Little Planning Goes a Long Way

If you’ve made it this far, we hope that you shall know which vehicle will suit you and your travelling style best.

There will be no perfect means of transport that can meet all the requirements.

Follow some of our tips and choose your most suitable vehicle, we wish that you’ll have a much greater chance of having an incredible travelling experience.

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