International Driving Permit Vietnam

Foreign visitors from countries that are party to the 1968 Vienna Convention need an International Driving Permit alongside their valid original licence to drive in Vietnam.

• Vietnam recognises only IDPs issued under the 1968 Vienna Convention, which it joined in 2014.Commonly reported
• Countries that aren't Vienna Convention parties — including the United States, Canada, and Ireland — issue IDPs that aren't valid for driving in Vietnam, even paired with a valid home licence.Commonly reported
• The United Kingdom, Germany, and France are among the countries whose IDPs are recognised in Vietnam.Commonly reported
• If you're unsure whether your home country is a Vienna Convention member, it's worth confirming before you apply.Commonly reported
• Vietnam drives on the right, with the driver's seat on the left side of the vehicle — the opposite of Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia.Commonly reported

Vietnam drives on the right with dense urban motorbike traffic, and the main adjustments for visiting drivers are speed limits, seatbelt rules, and heavier congestion in major cities.

• Speed limits are typically 50 km/h in urban areas, 60 km/h on rural roads, and up to 80 km/h on expressways.Commonly reported
• Seatbelts are mandatory for the driver and front-seat passenger, and for rear-seat passengers under Vietnam's road traffic law.Commonly reported
• Motorbikes vastly outnumber cars in Vietnamese cities — expect dense, fast-moving traffic that doesn't always follow expected right-of-way patterns.Commonly reported
• If you're involved in an accident, contact the police (113) and, for injuries, the ambulance service (115).Commonly reported

Car rental companies in Vietnam generally ask for your IDP alongside your original licence, and confirming your specific eligibility matters more here than in most neighbouring countries.

• The legal minimum age to drive a car in Vietnam is 18, and rental companies commonly expect drivers to be at least 21-23.Commonly reported
• Typical documents requested at pickup: your IDP, original licence, passport, and a credit card for the security deposit.Commonly reported
• Only IDPs issued under the 1968 Vienna Convention are accepted — confirm your eligibility before booking a rental.Commonly reported
• Requirements vary by rental company — confirm specifics with your provider before arrival.Commonly reported

The same Vienna Convention IDP requirement applies to motorbike and scooter rentals as to cars, and Vietnam's own licence categories are grouped by engine size.

• Vietnam licenses motorcycles by engine size — mopeds under 50cc need only a standard licence from age 16, while 50cc and above requires an A1 (up to 125cc) or A2 (over 125cc) category and a minimum age of 18.Commonly reported
• Your IDP only shows a motorcycle category if your original licence already includes one — it can't add a category you don't hold at home.Commonly reported
• Helmets are mandatory for the rider and any pillion passenger.Commonly reported
• Popular motorbike routes like the Hai Van Pass and Ha Giang Loop see regular police checks, and riding without valid documents can mean fines and the vehicle being impounded.Commonly reported
• Driving or riding without a valid licence and IDP can affect your travel insurance coverage if you're in an accident.Commonly reported

Keep your original driver's licence and your IDP together as your standard document set any time you're driving or riding in Vietnam.

• Your IDP and original licence work as a pair — one is not a substitute for the other at a roadside check.Commonly reported
• Keep both documents physically accessible (not just a photo on your phone) whenever you're driving or riding.Commonly reported
• A passport or passport copy is also worth keeping with you, alongside your rental agreement if you're using a hired vehicle.Commonly reported
• Only IDPs issued under the 1968 Vienna Convention are recognised — an IDP from a non-member country isn't valid documentation at a check, regardless of your original licence.Commonly reported