Driving in Vietnam can be both exhilarating and disorienting. Between the endless flow of scooters, omnipresent honking, and a traffic sense that is sometimes... creative, taking the wheel or handlebars requires preparation and vigilance. If you're considering renting a scooter, motorcycle, or car during your stay in this country, here's everything you absolutely need to know to drive legally and, most importantly, safely.

Driving Licenses and Other Documents

Required licenses to drive legally in Vietnam

In Vietnam, driving without a valid license exposes you to fines of 200,000 to 1,200,000 VND (€8 to €45), with frequent checks in tourist areas like the Ha Giang Loop. Your national license alone is not recognized, and all drivers of motorized vehicles with 50 cc or more must have a legally valid license.

Two options allow you to drive legally in Vietnam:

• International Driving Permit (IDP): valid for stays of less than 3 months, to be presented with your national license. The application is made at your local prefecture (2-week processing time for approximately €30). The IDP is officially valid only for countries recognized by the Vienna Convention (1968) and only for categories listed on your national license.
• Vietnamese license: mandatory for stays longer than 3 months. It requires a complete file (passport + 3-month visa, national license, notarized translation, form, photos, health certificate), payment of fees (135,000 to 600,000 VND), and sometimes passing a theoretical and practical exam. Processing takes approximately 1 to 2 weeks.

Traffic Stops and Documents to Present

Vietnamese police do not distinguish between vehicle types (car, motorcycle, or scooter); your international driving permit remains mandatory. For scooters under 50 cc, no license is required, but they are uncommon in rental fleets.

To avoid any problems during a traffic stop, always keep:

• Your international driving permit
• Your national license
• Your passport
• Your visa
• Your vehicle registration or rental agreement
• Proof of insurance.

Sanctions range from fines to license suspension and, in case of serious accident, up to imprisonment. During traffic stops, if you don't have the necessary documents, it can result in vehicle confiscation or a fine. A calm and polite demeanor always facilitates interactions.

Although some tourists drive without licenses, police tolerance does not protect you in case of an accident. Driving without valid documents means:

• No insurance coverage
• Full liability in case of damages
• Payment for repairs, even if you're not at fault.

Finally, for longer stays, conversion of a foreign license is possible through the Department of Transport (DoT) in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. To simplify the process, it's advisable to use an expat service or local agent.

Driving in Vietnam

Traffic Flow Governed by Its Own Rules

In Vietnam, you drive on the right with cars steering from the left. Traffic favors faster vehicles on outer lanes and two-wheelers on the right. Although limited to 50 km/h in the city, traffic appears chaotic: bilateral overtaking, incessant honking, and flexible priorities are the norm. Yet this system is based on a logic of anticipation and slowness. Once integrated into the flow, the feeling of insecurity diminishes.

Adapting to Local Rules

Forget Western standards: traffic lights, speed limits, and pedestrian crossings are often ignored, and driving the wrong way is frequent. To cross, you must move slowly and predictably, without running. Vehicles will navigate around you.

On two wheels, a helmet is mandatory. Nevertheless, be vigilant about sudden direction changes (often indicated by a simple head movement). Locals, accustomed since childhood, are capable of transporting impressive loads with surprising agility.

Diversity of Roads

The network varies by region: from congested metropolises to misty mountains, with tight curves and deteriorated roads. Horns are omnipresent to signal your presence or overtaking, without aggression. The golden rule for adapting to this system, as fascinating as it is disorienting, is simple: observe carefully and follow the flow of traffic.

Safety and Essential Rules for Driving and Traveling in Vietnam

General Driving and Behavior to Adopt

In Vietnam, roads sometimes lack signage, traffic lights are not always respected, and priority often goes to the largest vehicle. To drive safely, always adjust your speed, maintain a safe distance, avoid night driving, and exercise extra caution on wet roads, in mountains, or in rural areas where potholes, animals, and pedestrians are frequent. It is important to note that as of 2025, strengthened rules apply: points-based licenses, increased penalties, and zero tolerance for alcohol.

Two-Wheel Tips

Wearing an approved helmet has been mandatory since 2007, for both riders and passengers. In the city, speed remains low (30 to 40 km/h), even though the limit is 50 km/h. Use your turn signals, honk to signal your presence, and be attentive to motorcycles that turn simply by moving their head. Respect traffic lights, even if locals interpret them flexibly, and watch for cars, which are often unpredictable. In the provinces, a dedicated lane for two-wheelers exists, and it's important never to drive too fast, as scooters can appear from the right or ride against traffic.

Recommendations for Cars and Heavy Vehicles

Cars must maintain an average speed of 30 to 40 km/h in the city and 80 to 100 km/h on major roads. On CT highways, the limit can reach 120 km/h, but two-wheelers are prohibited. Buses and trucks always have priority because they travel fast and rarely change their trajectory: never follow them too closely. Seatbelts are mandatory. Phone use while driving is prohibited, and wearing headphones is sanctioned (600,000 to 2,000,000 VND).

Insurance for Driving in Vietnam

To drive in Vietnam, you must be compliant: without a valid license (international and Vietnamese), your insurance is automatically invalid, and most insurers refuse coverage in case of accident. It is therefore recommended to subscribe to travel insurance covering driving abroad, particularly two-wheelers, which are widely used in the country.

Some companies offer specific coverage for scooters or motorcycles up to 125 cc: always request written confirmation that driving this type of vehicle is covered in Vietnam.

Finally, before renting a vehicle, verify that your travel insurance contract includes:

• Coverage for riding scooters or motorcycles
• Engine sizes beyond 50 cc
• Liability for damages to third parties
• Medical expenses in case of accident.

Without appropriate insurance, even a minor collision can be very expensive.