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FAQs

The Tour

Am I covered for Insurance when I am on the Tour?

Yes, Paloma Motorbike Tours fully covers our guest’s riding as pillion on our motorbikes. Paloma Motorbike Tours also recommends you have your own Travel Insurance organised prior to leaving your country. For more information see our Insurance Policy

If I see something I like on the way can I stop to look at it?

Group Tours – due to liability issues, the route is set each day prior to the start of the Tour. If you wish to see something that you pass by during the Tour, Paloma Motorbike Tours is happy to organize a Personal Private Tour for you after the Group Tour is finished. A Personal Private Tour will be charged as a separate Tour.
Personalised Private Tour – you have full flexibility with how you spend your time on a Personal Private Tour. Please advise your Guide if you wish to alter the agreed route.

Can I leave the Tour at anytime when it is in progress?

Yes, please advise your Tour Guide and they will return you to your Hotel. A refund will not be issued under any circumstance except at the discretion of Paloma Motorbike Tours Management. For more information see our Terms and Conditions

What happens if it rains before / during the tour?

Your safety and the safety of our Tour Guides is our number one priority. You will be supplied with a wet weather poncho. Most often in Hanoi, heavy rain only lasts a few minutes and passes. If road conditions are deemed unsafe by the Tour Guide Leader the group will stop and the Tour Guide Leader will discuss the options with the group. For more information see our Terms And Conditions

Can I take my own photos / video?

We encourage you to take your own photos / video during the Tour. We do not advise or recommend that you take photos / video when the motorbike is in motion. All personal valuables is the guest’s own responsibility.

Are children allowed on the tour?

Yes, children as young as 5 years old are safe to ride pillion on our Tours.

What happens if I go shopping and cannot carry the items I purchased on the motorbike safely?

Paloma Motorbike Tours will help you make the arrangements with the shopkeeper to have your items delivered to your hotel. Some shopkeepers may charge a small fee for this service. Paloma Motorbike Tours is in no way responsible for any loss or damage caused to items after they are purchased.

Do I have to pay for the Guided Foot Tour of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum during the “Hanoi Fabulous Food and Sights Tour”?

No, the entry fee to the Mausoleum and Tour Guide is included in the Tour Price of the “Hanoi Fabulous Food and Sights Tour”.

The Female Guides

Can I ask my Guide about her personal life circumstances?

Yes, feel free to ask your Guide any questions you like. For their own safety we have advised our Guides not to divulge their private address or telephone number.

Will my Guide stay with me for the entire Tour?

Yes, with the exception of the Guided Foot Tour through Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum on the “Hanoi Fabulous Food & Sights Tour” and the Bar / Club component of the “Hanoi Night Light & Food Tour”. The Guides will stay with the motorbike for safety and security reasons.

Does the Guide speak languages other than English and Vietnamese?

Primarily our Guides speak Vietnamese as a first language and English as a second language. If you have a different language requirement please advise us at the time of booking. If for some reason we cannot satisfy your language requirements, we will advise you well in advance, prior to the start date of the Tour.

Can I hold onto the Female Guide when we are riding?

Due to safety concerns, we do not allow you to hold the Guide while riding as a pillion with the exception of children up to 12 years of age. It is important for the driver and pillion not be distracted whilst the motorbike is in motion. Each Motorbike is supplied with handles for the pillion to hold onto. All guest’s will be shown how to mount / dismount and sit safely on the motorbike when it is in motion prior to the start of the tour.

Motorbike

I am much larger than most Vietnamese people, is it safe for me to ride as a pillion?

Yes, all of our Guides are trained and prepared to drive foreigners who are larger than the average Vietnamese person.

Do I need to pay for fuel for the motorbike?

No, fuel is included in the cost of the Tour.

Is it safe to ride in the traffic in Hanoi?

Due to the volume of traffic, riding speeds tend to be very low in and around Hanoi. Our Guides are trained and the Paloma Management Team enforce a policy that our Guides obey the road rules at all times.

Can I bring my own motorbike?

No, all Paloma Motorbikes are licensed and registered to comply with all appropriate Vietnamese Transportation and Tourism Laws.

Can I drive the motorbike?

No, due to liability issues only our Guides can drive the motorbike. In order to drive a motorbike in Vietnam you must have a Vietnamese Motorbike License under Vietnamese Law. International Drivers Licenses are not valid in Vietnam. You will not be covered by Travel / Accident Insurance if you have an accident if driving a motorbike without a valid Vietnamese Motorbike License. You will ride as a pillion at all times.

Food

Can I bring my own food and drink?

All food and drink are included in the price of your Tour. If you have certain food and drink requirements, please advise us at the time of booking and we will be happy to satisfy your requirements. If for some reason we cannot satisfy your food requirements, we will advise you well in advance, prior to the start date of the Tour so you can arrange to bring your own food.

If I have ice in my drink, is it safe?

Yes, the eating / drinking establishments we take you too use bottled / boiled water to make the ice.

Is the Street Food safe to eat? Will it make me sick?

There is always a risk of getting sick eating Street Food but the risk is no greater than eating from any restaurant. On the street you can see how the food is prepared and cooked. Paloma Management have carefully chosen the eating establishments where we take you to eat at. Your safety and good health is our highest priority.

Do you cater for people with food allergies?

Yes, please advise us if there is any food types you cannot eat. This can be done at the time of booking the Tour.

Do I have to pay for food and drink on the Tour?

Group Tour: No, you don’t have to pay for the food and drink. It is fully inclusive in the Tour price for the “Hanoi Fabulous Food and Sights Tour”, “Hanoi Night Lights and Food Tour” and the “Hanoi Red River Village Tour”. 

Personalised Private Tour: Yes, as the Tours is designed to suit your requirement and you can choose the restaurants you eat at, you will be responsible for payment of the food and drink at those establishments.

Clothing

What is the clothing requirement when I visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum during the “Hanoi Fabulous Food and Sights Tour”?

It is a requirement under Vietnamese Law that all guests wear a long sleeved shirt and pants / trousers when visiting Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Therefore it is recommended that you wear a long sleeved shirt and pants / trousers on the “Hanoi Fabulous Food and Sights Tour”

Will the helmet be a comfortable fit?

Yes, we have different sized high quality helmets with visors that will suit your size.

Do I need riding glasses?

No, our helmets include a visor.

What type of footwear should I wear?

For your safety, it is recommended you wear a closed toe shoe.

What type of clothes should I wear?

It is recommended you wear light, comfortable clothing. A long sleeved shirt and long pants / trousers are preferable. It is advised that women do not wear dresses or skirts. It is recommended that all jewelry / watches / items of high value are left at your hotel.

Booking and Payment

Do I need to pay a deposit or pay for the tour in full prior to the tour starting?

A 50% deposit is required at the time of booking. For more information see our Terms & Conditions

What currency should I use to pay for the tour?

Paloma Motorbike Tours accepts Vietnamese Dong and US Dollars in cash and all other currencies with an online booking. To see our Terms and Conditions

How can I create a Personalised Private Tour if I don’t know where to go or what to see?

Contact our office by telephone or email and our friendly staff can advise you as to what to see and do. We also recommend you search the internet for attractions in and around Hanoi that may interest you. If you find it and want to see it, Paloma Motorbike Tours can take you there with your very own Personalised Private Tour

How long should I book the tour before it starts?

Group Tour – It is recommended you book the tour at least 3 days in advance but Paloma Motorbike Tours will accept bookings within 24 hours. All bookings are subject to availability. To book a Group Tour click here
Personalized Private Tour – The route for each Personalized Private Tour is is designed to suit your requirements. It you have never visited Hanoi or are exploring Hanoi for the first time, we recommend you contact our office no more than 3 days prior to your desired Tour date. Our friendly staff are happy to answer your questions and find out what you like to help you design the more enjoyable Tour. Short term bookings are also excepted and are subject to availability. To book a Personalized Private Tour click here

What is your Cancellation Policy?

See the Terms and Conditions

Can I book a tour before I arrive in Hanoi?

Yes, you can book online or by calling us by telephone. A 50% deposit is required for all bookings that are prearranged before you arrive in Hanoi. To book a Tour click here

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