Vietnam (VN)
Vietnam is a dynamic, rapidly developing Socialist Republic stretching 1,650km down the eastern coast of the Indochinese Peninsula — a country of extraordinary geographical diversity, from the karst mountains of the north and the Red River Delta, through the stunning coastline of the Central region, to the vast Mekong Delta in the south.
Driving in Vietnam
Licence exchange, road rules, fines, buying a car, and cycling.
Vietnam drives on the RIGHT. Traffic in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi is dense, complex and motorbike-dominated — approximately 45–50 million registered motorbikes nationwide (2024). The apparent chaos has its own internal logic: traffic flows, yields at intersections, and merges as a fluid stream. Accidents are common — Vietnam has one of the highest road traffic fatality rates in Southeast Asia (approximately 7,500 deaths/year). Foreigners must exercise extreme caution on motorbikes. A Vietnamese driving licence is required for residents who drive regularly. Traffic police (Cảnh sát Giao thông — CSGT) conduct regular spot checks, particularly on major roads and at rush hour. Key rule since 2020: absolute zero blood alcohol limit while driving — any detectable alcohol is a violation.
Driving Licence Exchange
Vietnam does not participate in a multilateral licence recognition scheme. All foreigners staying beyond 3 months who wish to drive must obtain a Vietnamese driving licence — converting from a foreign licence where possible, or sitting the full Vietnamese test. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recognised for short-stay visitors but is not a long-term solution for residents. Car and motorbike licences are SEPARATE — a car B1/B2 licence does NOT authorise motorbike riding.
Japan, South Korea, Germany, France, UK, Australia, USA, Canada, Singapore, Switzerland, Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary
Holders of valid licences from countries with bilateral agreements with Vietnam can apply for licence conversion at the Department of Road Transport Infrastructure (Cục Đường bộ Việt Nam — DRVN) or provincial Department of Transport. Required documents: original foreign licence, certified Vietnamese translation, passport and TRC/visa, health certificate, photos. Written Vietnamese traffic theory exam may be required for non-bilateral-agreement countries.
Bilateral agreement countries can convert without practical driving test. Non-agreement countries: may need to sit full written theory exam. Confirm current country list at drvn.gov.vn before applying.
EU member states with bilateral agreements with Vietnam (Germany, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Austria) are covered by the specific bilateral rule above — conversion without practical test. EU member states NOT on the bilateral list (Italy, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Cyprus, Malta) must take the full Vietnamese theory and practical test. Apply at the provincial Department of Transport (Sở GTVT) with your EU licence, certified Vietnamese translation, passport and TRC, health certificate, and photos.
Confirm whether your specific EU country is currently on Vietnam's bilateral list at drvn.gov.vn — the list is updated periodically.
Foreigners from countries without bilateral recognition must take the full Vietnamese driving licence test: (1) Traffic law theory exam (40 questions, 80% pass mark, Vietnamese language — interpreter assistance available). (2) Practical driving test for car licences. For motorbike Class A1 (≤50cc): theory only in some provinces. For Class A2 (>50cc): theory + practical. Apply at provincial Department of Transport (Sở GTVT).
The theory exam is in Vietnamese — plan for translation support or take a Vietnamese driving theory preparation course. Driving schools (trường dạy lái xe) in all provinces offer both theory and practical preparation. Full process: 1–3 months depending on test dates and preparation.
Road Rules
Urban roads: 60km/h (motorbikes: 40km/h unless otherwise signed). National highways outside urban areas: 90km/h. Expressways: 100–120km/h (90km/h for large vehicles). Residential streets: 30–40km/h. School zones and hospital proximity: 30km/h. Speed cameras increasingly deployed on national roads and expressways.
ZERO blood alcohol limit (0 mg/100ml blood / 0 mg/1L breath) since 1 January 2020 under Road Traffic Law. No "safe" level of alcohol is permitted while driving any vehicle. Penalties: VND 6,000,000–8,000,000 + licence suspension up to 23 months for first offence car drivers. VND 2,000,000–4,000,000 + 22-month suspension for motorbike riders. Repeat offences: criminal prosecution.
Using a handheld mobile phone while driving: prohibited. Fine: VND 800,000–1,000,000 for car drivers; VND 200,000–400,000 for motorbike riders. Hands-free: permitted but not recommended given traffic conditions. Checking the phone at traffic lights is still technically a violation if the vehicle is not fully stopped with engine off.
Mandatory for all occupants of cars (front and rear seats). Applies at all times, not just on highways. Fine for not wearing seatbelt: VND 800,000–1,000,000 for driver + additional fine per unbelted passenger. Children under 4 years: must use an approved child safety seat (legally required since 2020, enforcement variable).
Children under 135cm height or 30kg weight must use an appropriate child restraint system in cars (Law on Road Traffic). Child safety seats available at major baby stores (AEON, Mothercare Vietnam, Kids Plaza). Fine for non-compliance: VND 800,000–1,000,000. Rental cars rarely include child seats — bring your own for young children.
No formal Low Emission Zones (LEZs) as of 2026. HCMC and Hanoi have discussed vehicle emission controls but implementation is ongoing. Euro 4 standards apply to new vehicle registrations. HCMC centre (District 1 core) has experimental motorbike-free zones on some streets (Bui Thi Xuan, Nguyen Hue pedestrian zone). No foreign-plate exclusion zones currently.
Traffic Fines (Bußgeldkatalog)
Traffic police (CSGT — Cảnh sát Giao thông) conduct regular spot checks. Fines are issued on the spot or via notification to the vehicle owner. Foreign drivers: fines apply equally. Licence presented must match the vehicle category. Unpaid fines: may prevent vehicle registration renewal. Major fine increases introduced under Decree 168/2024/ND-CP (effective January 2025).
| Offence | Fine | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Driving under influence of alcohol (any level) | Car: VND 6,000,000–8,000,000 + 22-month suspension. Motorbike: VND 2,000,000–4,000,000 + suspension. | — |
| Running red light | Car: VND 4,000,000–6,000,000. Motorbike: VND 800,000–1,000,000. | — |
| Not wearing helmet on motorbike | Rider: VND 400,000–600,000. Passenger: same. | — |
| Using mobile phone while driving | Car: VND 800,000–1,000,000. Motorbike: VND 200,000–400,000. | — |
| Not wearing seatbelt | VND 800,000–1,000,000/occupant. | — |
| Speeding (20–35km/h over limit) | Car: VND 3,000,000–5,000,000. Motorbike: VND 800,000–1,000,000. | — |
| Wrong way driving | Car: VND 10,000,000–12,000,000. Motorbike: VND 4,000,000–5,000,000. | — |
| No valid driving licence (correct category) | Car: VND 10,000,000–12,000,000. Motorbike: VND 800,000–1,000,000. | — |
| No compulsory vehicle liability insurance | VND 100,000–400,000. | — |
Buying a Car
Vietnam's car market has grown rapidly. New car purchase at dealers (Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, KIA, VinFast — domestic EV brand). Used cars: a cautionary-tale market with significant fraud risk for uninformed buyers. Foreigners may own cars in Vietnam but must hold appropriate visa/TRC status and register at the provincial Transport Department.
- 1.Choose vehicle type and budget — import duties make cars 150–200% more expensive than international prices.
- 2.For new car: approach authorized dealer directly. Request test drive and verify vehicle identification number (VIN).
- 3.For used car: verify ownership via Green Registration Certificate (Đăng Ký Xe — căn cước giấy tờ xe), check police accident/theft database, inspect for flood damage and structural repairs.
- 4.Execute sale/purchase contract at a licensed notary office.
- 5.Pay VAT (10%) and registration fee (10–12% of vehicle value for Region 1 first registration).
- 6.Register at the provincial Department of Transport (Sở GTVT/Phòng Đăng ký Xe) within 30 days of purchase.
- 7.Purchase mandatory third-party liability insurance and recommended comprehensive coverage.
- 8.Obtain registration plates — Hanoi and HCMC use different plate numbering systems.
- •Verify the vehicle registration certificate (Giấy đăng ký xe) — confirm matches seller ID/passport
- •Confirm no outstanding loans secured against the vehicle (liabilities attached to vehicle)
- •Check odometer authenticity — tampering is common in Vietnam used car market
- •Flood damage inspection — HCMC flooding risk means water-damaged cars are a real hazard
- •Engine number and chassis number match the registration certificate
- •Verify vehicle is not on a stolen vehicle list at local police station
New car import duty: 50–70% for ASEAN-origin vehicles (lower under AFTA), plus 10% VAT, plus special consumption tax 35–150% depending on engine size. ASEAN-origin (Indonesia, Thailand): significantly discounted. Registration fee: 10% of vehicle value in Hanoi and HCMC (2nd+ registration: 2%). Total on-road cost for a popular family car (Toyota Innova ~VND 850,000,000): registration + insurance ≈ VND 100,000,000 additional.
Registration, Insurance & Tax
All vehicles must be registered at the provincial Department of Transport (Sở GTVT) within 30 days of purchase or import. Required documents: sale contract, vehicle ID certificate (from manufacturer or customs), passport/TRC, tax payment receipts. Registration plates issued by local Traffic Police (Công an tỉnh/thành phố). Annual vehicle inspection (Đăng Kiểm) required: cars ≤7 seats: every 2 years (new cars) then annually at 7 years old. Inspection centres (Trạm đăng kiểm) in each district. Fee: VND 200,000–500,000 per inspection.
Third-party civil liability insurance (Bảo hiểm Trách nhiệm Dân sự) is mandatory for all motorised vehicles under Decree 67/2023/ND-CP. Motorbike ≤50cc: VND 66,000/year. Motorbike >50cc ≤175cc: VND 78,000/year. Car ≤6 seats, private: VND 417,200/year. Purchase at any DKBH-member insurer including Bảo Việt, PVI, PTI at time of registration or renewal. Carry the certificate when driving.
Vehicle registration tax (Lệ phí trước bạ): 10–12% of vehicle value for Hanoi/HCMC at first registration. 2% for all subsequent registrations. Annual road use fee (phí đường bộ): VND 130,000–1,430,000/year depending on vehicle type and engine size. No annual vehicle ownership tax beyond these.
Mandatory periodic inspection (Đăng Kiểm Kỹ thuật) at licensed inspection stations. Frequency: new cars (≤7 seats): inspection at 36 months, then every 24 months until year 7, then annually. Cars >7 years old: annually. Motorbikes: inspection every 2 years (proposed regulation, not yet universally enforced as of 2026). Inspection checks: emissions, brakes, lights, steering, tyres, safety equipment. Pass certificate required for road use.
Cycling
Cycling is practical in specific environments: Hoi An (flat, scenic, expat-favourite), Hue, Vung Tau seafront, Da Lat (hilly — mountain bikes), and some suburban Hanoi areas. Cycling in HCMC and Hanoi major roads is possible but demands constant attention and confidence in flowing traffic. Cycling infrastructure is minimal — most roads have no dedicated cycle lane.
- •Helmet not legally mandatory for bicycles — but strongly recommended given traffic conditions.
- •Lights required if riding at night.
- •Must ride as far left as practical (right-hand traffic — keep right, yield to the left).
- •Cannot ride on expressways.
- •Bicycle theft is common in cities — always use a U-lock or chain lock and do not leave bicycles unattended for long periods in tourist or market areas.
- •Join the flow of traffic rather than fighting it — motorbikes will navigate around you if you are predictable.
- •Make eye contact with drivers at uncontrolled intersections before crossing.
- •Ride during cooler morning hours (6:00–8:00) to avoid both heat and peak traffic.
- •Hanoi Bike Share (Hà Nội Bike Share) has docking stations around Hoan Kiem Lake and West Lake areas — great for short urban rides.
- •For touring: the Hai Van Pass (north of Da Nang) and central highland routes are spectacular and increasingly popular with cycle tourists.