PHAN THIẾT, VIETNAM – Under the bright morning sun, a group of six foreign tourists – men and women alike – eagerly drag their suitcases toward a line of parked motorbikes. Waiting for them are young Vietnamese riders, fluent in English, who skillfully strap the luggage onto the bikes before inviting the travelers to hop on. Their journey to discover Vietnam’s countryside begins – and with it, an unforgettable adventure.
These riders aren’t just taxi drivers. They’re part of a growing community of motorcycle tour guides known as Easy Riders – a name that’s becoming synonymous with off-the-beaten-path exploration across Vietnam, including stunning destinations like Bình Thuận Province.
Discovery and Connection
Leading the group in Hàm Tiến (Phan Thiết) is Trần Văn Bình, a rugged, energetic 37-year-old and the head of the local Easy Rider team. “To be an Easy Rider, you need excellent health,” Bình explains. “We carry not just passengers – who may weigh up to 70kg – but also around 20kg of luggage, over days of travel through various terrains.”
Aside from physical stamina, Easy Riders must have strong language skills, a broad understanding of Vietnamese history and culture, and the ability to handle all sorts of situations on the road.
Bình recalls a recent ride on National Route 28 to Lâm Đồng. When a guest requested a photo stop atop the Gia Bắc Pass and asked about coffee plants, the rider didn’t just answer – he explained Vietnam’s coffee culture in detail. That same day, they stopped by a forest stream, cooked rice in bamboo tubes, grilled fish, and enjoyed a rustic meal before relaxing for an hour. The foreign guest was awestruck: “It’s the first time I’ve truly felt immersed in Vietnam’s natural life,” he said, praising the authenticity of the Easy Riders experience.
Why “Easy Riders”?
“The name actually came from American tourists,” Bình smiles. “In the 1990s, a group of English-speaking motorbike taxi drivers in Da Lat began offering tours to foreign travelers. After one particularly adventurous group of Americans explored remote Vietnamese villages, they remarked: ‘You guys are like the movie Easy Rider!’ And the name stuck.”
The original group pioneered what would become a distinctive form of cultural tourism, blending freedom, friendship, and discovery. Today, Easy Rider teams exist in cities and towns throughout Vietnam, each offering guests the chance to experience the country from a local’s perspective – on two wheels.
A Growing Presence in Hàm Tiến – Mũi Né
Recognizing the untapped potential in Hàm Tiến – Mũi Né, Bình moved from Da Lat three years ago to launch a new team. Many of his early customers were returning clients who had toured with him in the Central Highlands. His longest tour so far? A 22-day expedition from Saigon to Hanoi.
Now, there are around four Easy Rider groups operating in the area. Bình’s team includes six members, some of whom have formal training in tourism and hospitality. Though Bình himself only completed high school, years working in restaurants, hotels, and motorbike repair gave him the skills – and the spirit – to thrive as a guide and group leader.
Safety, Trust, and Reputation
For Bình, reputation is everything. He recalls a recent situation when another Easy Rider group in Mũi Né failed to secure lodging for two guests during Da Lat’s Flower Festival. The group refunded the tour cost but left the travelers to find accommodation on their own. The unhappy tourists left a negative review online.
Even though the incident had nothing to do with his team, Bình stepped in to help. “We got them a room within 30 minutes,” he says. “They were so thankful.” Moments like this, he explains, show that Easy Riders are more than just guides – they are ambassadors of Vietnamese hospitality.
“After two weeks riding with Bình across 1,000 kilometers, I felt a deeper connection to Vietnam – its land, its people, its stories,”
– Traviz, a tourist from the UK
More Than a Job – A Mission
Through countless journeys across Vietnam’s hills, deltas, and coastlines, Easy Riders have helped promote the image of Vietnam in the most authentic way possible: by connecting people, cultures, and landscapes through lived experience.
As the movement grows, so too does its message – one ride at a time.