Driving information — Viet Nam

Reviewed summary

A visitor holding a qualifying and valid domestic driving licence issued by another ASEAN Member State may drive the authorised class of car in Viet Nam, subject to the ASEAN driving-licence recognition framework and Vietnamese law.

Legal basis

1985 ASEAN Agreement on the Recognition of Domestic Driving Licences Issued by ASEAN Countries; Viet Nam Instrument of Accession; Viet Nam Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety No. 36/2024/QH15, particularly Articles 3, 10, 56 and 57; and the 1997 Protocol to Amend ASEAN Agreements.

Licence conditions

The domestic driving licence must be valid and unexpired. Temporary, provisional and learner licences are excluded under the ASEAN Agreement. The licence must authorise the relevant car class or type. If the licence is not in English, ASEAN Agreement Article 3 requires a certified English translation. The driver must carry the appropriate driving licence and applicable vehicle documents required by Vietnamese law.

Other destination-country information

The driver may drive only the vehicle class or type authorised by the recognised licence. Under Article 57, category B covers passenger cars with up to 8 passenger seats in addition to the driver and certain light vehicles. Under Article 10(2), the driver and passengers must wear seat belts at seating positions equipped with seat belts.

The reviewed Viet Nam law recognises qualifying foreign driving licences under applicable international treaties and agreements but does not state a separate fixed 30-day, 60-day or 90-day ASEAN-licence limit. Recognition remains subject to the temporary-stay framework of the ASEAN Agreement and Vietnamese law.

For an ASEAN visitor relying on a valid ASEAN domestic driving licence, do not present an International Driving Permit as a general additional requirement. Article 57(8) regulates a separate Vienna Convention IDP route and should not be converted into an ASEAN requirement. If the domestic licence is not in English, the ASEAN Agreement requires a certified English translation. Foreign-registered vehicle, import, residence and licence-conversion rules are separate matters unless specifically applicable.

Reviewed summary

A visitor holding a qualifying and valid domestic driving licence issued by another ASEAN Member State may ride the authorised class of motorcycle in Viet Nam, subject to the ASEAN driving-licence recognition framework and Vietnamese law.

Legal basis

1985 ASEAN Agreement on the Recognition of Domestic Driving Licences Issued by ASEAN Countries; Viet Nam Instrument of Accession; Viet Nam Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety No. 36/2024/QH15, particularly Articles 3, 33, 56 and 57; and the 1997 Protocol to Amend ASEAN Agreements.

Licence conditions

The domestic driving licence must be valid and unexpired. Temporary, provisional and learner licences are excluded under the ASEAN Agreement. The licence must authorise the relevant motorcycle class or type. If the licence is not in English, ASEAN Agreement Article 3 requires a certified English translation. The rider must carry the appropriate driving licence and applicable vehicle documents required by Vietnamese law.

Other destination-country information

The rider may operate only the motorcycle class or type authorised by the recognised licence. Under Article 57, category A1 covers two-wheel motorcycles up to 125 cubic centimetres or 11 kW, while category A covers larger two-wheel motorcycles and vehicles authorised by A1. Under Article 33(2), the rider and passenger must wear helmets meeting the national technical standard and fasten the straps correctly.

The reviewed Viet Nam law recognises qualifying foreign driving licences under applicable international treaties and agreements but does not state a separate fixed 30-day, 60-day or 90-day ASEAN-licence limit. Recognition remains subject to the temporary-stay framework of the ASEAN Agreement and Vietnamese law.

For an ASEAN visitor relying on a valid ASEAN domestic driving licence, do not present an International Driving Permit as a general additional requirement. Article 57(8) regulates a separate Vienna Convention IDP route and should not be converted into an ASEAN requirement. If the domestic licence is not in English, the ASEAN Agreement requires a certified English translation. Motorcycle riders and passengers must comply with Vietnamese helmet and road-safety rules. Foreign-registered vehicle, import, residence and licence-conversion rules are separate matters unless specifically applicable.