Destinations / Vietnam
Driving in Vietnam as a visitor
Often required, depending on where your licence was issued. Vietnam drives on the right and now accepts the 1968 Vienna IDP; tourists should carry one with their national licence.
Reviewed July 2026 · A translation of your own licence, carried with it. Not a government permit.
What Vietnam expects
| Driving document | Depends on licence issuer, script and rental policy |
|---|---|
| Convention format | 1968 Vienna |
| Valid for | Up to 3 years |
| Drives on the | Right |
| Emergency number | 113 (police), 115 (ambulance) |
| Top speed limit | 120 km/h expressways |
What the rental desk will ask you for
| Your own licence | The original card. A photo of it, or a photocopy, gets turned away. |
|---|---|
| Licence translation | Check the desk policy for your issuing country and licence script. A translation accompanies the licence and never replaces an official permit. |
| Booklet format they know | 1968 Vienna |
| Minimum age | 18. Under 25 usually pays a young-driver surcharge. |
| Deposit | A credit card in the driver's name. The hold is taken in VND. |
Rules that catch visitors out
| Local practice | Drive on the right amid dense scooter traffic. |
|---|---|
| Helmets | Helmets mandatory for all motorbike riders. |
| Alcohol | 0.0% alcohol tolerance. |
| Documents | Carry passport, IDP and home licence. |
On the road in Vietnam
At the pump
Stations sell RON 95 and RON 92/E5 petrol plus diesel (dau); a litre of RON 95 ran around VND 30,000-33,000 (about USD 1.20-1.35) in early 2026. Filling is attendant-served (you stay in the car/on the bike), large Petrolimex and PVOil stations take cards but small rural pumps are cash-only.
After a crash
Stop immediately, do not move the vehicles, and call police on 113 (ambulance 115); leaving the scene of an injury crash is a serious offence. Wait for police to produce a report for your insurer/rental firm, and expect to be detained until fault is settled, especially in injury cases.
Sources: gov.uk · tollguru.com · globalpetrolprices.com · en.baochinhphu.vn
Common questions
Do you need an International Driving Permit in Vietnam?
Often required, depending on where your licence was issued. Vietnam drives on the right and now accepts the 1968 Vienna IDP; tourists should carry one with their national licence.
Which translation format is used for Vietnam?
Vietnam uses the 1968 Vienna convention format. A Vialy translation is prepared in that format but is not a government-issued permit.
Will a rental desk in Vietnam ask for a translation?
Desks request a 1968 Vienna IDP; older 1949 permits are not accepted.
How fast can Vialy prepare one for Vietnam?
The exact delivery moment is quoted before you pay, 30 minutes as standard and 5 with Express.
Also in Asia
Driving on to another country on the same trip? Each page states what that destination expects.