Exploring Southeast Asia on Two Wheels
In Thailand and Vietnam, renting a scooter or motorbike can completely change the way you experience a destination. Instead of simply getting from one attraction to another, the ride itself becomes part of the adventure.
Vietnam takes this culture even further. Some backpackers purchase a motorbike after arriving, travel through the country and sell it to another traveler before leaving. Others tackle famous routes such as the Ha Giang Loop, Hai Van Pass, sections of the Ho Chi Minh Road or routes through Vietnam’s Central Highlands. Thailand has its own legendary rides, including the Mae Hong Son Loop and Samoeng Loop outside Chiang Mai.
I never went full backpacker and bought a motorbike, but I’ve had my fair share of rentals.
What makes riding in this part of the world so memorable is the scenery. Mountains, rice paddies, jungle, tiny villages, temples and rural roads can turn what would normally be transportation into one of the highlights of your day.
In this quick guide, I’m focusing on three places I’ve personally ridden in Thailand and Vietnam that really stood out to me. And in the entire region of Southeast Asia, there are countless ways to explore, from riding through the countryside to visiting places like Angkor Wat in Cambodia.
A word of caution before getting started:
Riding a scooter or motorbike in Southeast Asia shouldn’t be treated like an amusement-park ride. Make sure you’re legally licensed for the vehicle you’re operating, wear a helmet, understand your insurance coverage and don’t learn how to ride for the first time on a dangerous mountain road.
With that said, let’s ride!
Riding Around Paradise Cave and Phong Nha-Ke Bang
Quang Binh, Vietnam
This is my personal favorite of the three places I’ve chosen to discuss. Vietnam is the pinnacle of cruising through hilly landscapes.
The main attraction of this gorgeous region is Paradise Cave, located within Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. The enormous cave stretches for more than 31 kilometers underground, although the standard tourist visit explores the first kilometer along a wooden walkway. Its gigantic limestone chambers are filled with stalactites and stalagmites that form bizarre natural sculptures.
Paradise Cave alone is worth the trip, but the surrounding landscape is what makes this area such an incredible place to explore on two wheels.
The scenery is majestic. I couldn’t hype it up enough.
You can join an organized ride or explore independently with a rental. I ended up joining a tour, and it was really fun riding with other travelers who had the same lust for cool scenery. I loved every minute of it.
During the ride, you’ll pass through a mystical-looking world of emerald rice paddies, limestone karsts and forests. Much of the scenery is spread across a vast, open landscape, and the low-lying clouds and fog can make everything look even more dramatic.
I can still remember the smell in the air and the feeling that I was in some far-away land.
I literally was, but you get what I’m trying to say.
Some places just make you see things differently.
Riding Through the Sunflower Fields of Lopburi
Lopburi, Thailand
Lopburi is a province in central Thailand whose capital is an old city filled with history and Khmer-influenced ruins. Its most famous landmark is probably Phra Prang Sam Yot, the three-towered ancient sanctuary better known among travelers as the city’s monkey temple.
And yes, there are a ridiculous number of monkeys.
One of them took a particular liking to my necklace and crystal pendant and didn’t want to let go, so I was temporarily stuck with a monkey sitting on my shoulder. I couldn’t help but laugh at the situation, although I definitely wouldn’t recommend tempting the monkeys with jewelry, food or anything else they might decide belongs to them.
Now, to the sunflower fields…
Lopburi’s sunflower fields bloom primarily during the cooler months, generally from November through January. They aren’t concentrated into one single attraction; plantations are scattered throughout the province, particularly around Mueang Lopburi and Phatthana Nikhom.
That’s part of what makes having your own transportation so much fun.
You can pick a field to visit, tour the farm itself or simply ride through the countryside looking for stretches of yellow. Some locations also offer activities inside the fields during sunflower season.
The general objective is simple: ride down the road with flowers stretching out around you. It feels a little like following the yellow brick road in The Wizard of Oz, except the fantasy land is rural Thailand.
It can be scorching hot during the middle of the day, so visiting earlier or later can make walking through the fields much more comfortable. Late afternoon also gives the landscape a completely different atmosphere.
It’s not a complicated adventure.
That’s exactly why I liked it.
Cruising Around Pai
Mae Hong Son, Thailand
Pai has changed considerably over the years as tourism has grown, but the surrounding nature is still beautiful and the town remains a classic stop on Thailand’s backpacking route.
It also has, in my humble opinion, basically the best night street-food market ever created.
Pai Walking Street runs through the center of town and grew from what was originally a small local market. In the evening, the area fills with food, crafts, souvenirs and travelers wandering around town. After spending the day riding, parking the scooter and eating your way through the market is pretty much the perfect ending.
Riding a motorbike here can be dangerous, though.
It’s one of the best ways to explore the surrounding countryside, but this is not where you want to discover that you don’t know how to handle a scooter. I’ve seen quite a few travelers hurt because they were going too fast on winding roads or slippery terrain without enough experience.
Take it seriously.
With that disclaimer out of the way, Pai is gorgeous.
The countryside is a mixture of green rice paddies, forested mountains, grazing animals, small villages, temples and little cafés overlooking the landscape. Natural attractions are scattered around the area as well, including hot springs, waterfalls and Pai Canyon. Tha Pai Hot Spring, for example, sits just off Route 1095 south of town.
That’s exactly why a scooter works so well here. Many of the places you’ll want to visit are outside the town center, but the space between them is part of the experience.
Honestly, you don’t even need a destination in mind.
Pick a road. Ride for a while. Stop somewhere that looks interesting.
Pai is one of those places where wandering around on two wheels can be an activity all by itself.
It’s definitely a vibe — and spending way more time here than you originally planned is not far-fetched.
Final Thoughts
Riding a scooter is one of my favorite ways to explore a new place. You have the freedom to take roads you otherwise would have never seen, and experience the landscape in a completely different way. Just be smart, know your limits, and take safety seriously. Once you’re comfortable enough, your ability to relax helps you enjoy what you’re seeing even more.
And this definitely isn’t limited to Southeast Asia. If exploring somewhere by scooter sounds like your style of travel, check out my experience on Ometepe Island in Nicaragua. Riding around the island was one of my favorite parts of being there.
