Riding a Motorcycle Legally in Vietnam - Who Can and Who Cannot
Vietnam is one of the most motorcycle-dense countries in the world. For visitors, riding a motorbike through Hanoi’s buzzing streets or along the coastal highways is often the highlight of their trip. But while renting a bike is easy, riding legally in Vietnam depends on your nationality, the kind of licence you hold, and whether it is recognised under international agreements. This guide explains who can and who cannot ride a motorcycle in Vietnam and why it matters for your safety, your trip, and your insurance.
Why You Need to Know the Rules
Motorbike travel in Vietnam is more than just adventurous; it’s risky if you don’t have the correct licence. Many tourists rent bikes without checking the law, only to face fines, police stops, or worse: insurance that won’t pay out after an accident. Understanding the rules before you ride ensures that:
You stay within Vietnamese law.
You remain covered by travel or medical insurance.
You can enjoy the trip without unnecessary risks.
Citizens of ASEAN Countries
Vietnam is also part of the ASEAN Agreement on the Recognition of Domestic Driving Licences. This means that citizens of ASEAN member states can use their national licences to ride motorcycles in Vietnam without needing an IDP.
ASEAN members include: Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Brunei.
Common Misconceptions
“Everyone rents a motorbike without a licence, so it must be fine.”
→ False. Many tourists do this, but it is illegal. Police enforcement varies, but the risk remains.“Insurance will cover me if I have an accident, even without a licence.”
→ False. Insurance companies explicitly require you to hold a valid licence recognised in Vietnam. Without it, you’re fully liable for medical bills and damages.“A licence from my home country is enough.”
→ Not true unless you are from an ASEAN country. Most national licences alone are invalid in Vietnam.
Foreigners who live in Vietnam with a work permit or residence card can apply to convert their foreign licence into a Vietnamese licence.
Steps include:
Submit your original licence, passport, and residence card.
Provide a translated and notarised copy of your licence.
Pay the official fee.
The Vietnamese licence will be valid for the same class of vehicle as your original licence.
Quick Checklist Before You Ride in Vietnam
Before hopping on a motorbike, ask yourself:
Do I have a valid IDP (1968 format) or an ASEAN licence?
Does my licence cover motorcycles?
Is my travel insurance valid for motorcycle riding?
Do I know local laws (helmets are mandatory, and Vietnam has a zero-tolerance alcohol policy for riders)?
If you can’t answer “yes” to all of the above, riding in Vietnam could expose you to fines, confiscation, or uninsured accidents.
Vietnam and the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic
The 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic is an international agreement that created shared driving standards between its member countries. Since 2015, Vietnam recognizes International Driving Permits (IDPs) that are issued under this Convention.
This means that if your country is a Contracting Party to the Convention, and your IDP includes motorcycle categories (A1 or A2), you can ride legally in Vietnam. However, Vietnam is not a full signatory itself, so its recognition of foreign licences is limited to IDPs from Convention countries, plus ASEAN agreements.
Who Can Ride a Motorcycle in Vietnam?
✅ In short: If you’re from a 1968 Vienna Convention country and have an IDP, or if you’re from an ASEAN country and have your local license, you can legally ride a motorcycle in Vietnam.
⚠️ Many tourists still rent motorcycles without proper documentation, but technically this is illegal and can invalidate insurance.
Citizens of Vienna Convention Countries
If you are from a country that is part of the 1968 Vienna Convention such as France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Japan, or South Korea, you may ride in Vietnam if you carry a valid International Driving Permit (IDP) issued under that treaty.
Important notes:
Your IDP must specifically cover motorcycle categories.
You must also carry your original national licence.
Without the correct category, you are not legally permitted to ride.
For a full list of Countries Permitted to Ride a Motorcle in Vietnam click here
Citizens of Non-Convention Countries (e.g., USA, Australia, Canada)
If you are from a country that is not part of the Vienna Convention such as the United States, Australia, or Canada, your International Driving Permit is not recognised in Vietnam.
Options for these travellers:
Apply for a Vietnamese driving licence conversion if you are a resident or long-term visitor.
Short-term visitors cannot legally ride unless they obtain this conversion, meaning tourist rentals are technically outside the law.
