🇻🇳 Drive Vietnam with Confidence
Know the rules. Carry the right documents. Enjoy the road.
Do You Need an IDP in Vietnam?
Required — 1968-Convention IDP
Driving in Vietnam requires an IDP issued under the 1968 Vienna convention, carried alongside your valid home licence. 1949-convention IDPs are not recognised, and driving without valid paperwork is illegal and can void your travel and vehicle insurance. Providers will ask to see your documents before handing over a vehicle.
Strict Document Checks
Vietnamese police check paperwork strictly. Carry your 1968-convention IDP, home licence, and passport, and keep the vehicle's registration and insurance papers in the car at all times.
Driving Rules in Vietnam
Drive on the Right
Vietnam drives on the right side of the road with left-hand-drive vehicles. Traffic is dominated by scooters — keep speeds low, use your horn gently to signal presence, and make your movements predictable.
Strict Alcohol Limits
Vietnam enforces zero tolerance for alcohol — any detectable amount brings heavy fines and licence confiscation for car drivers and motorbike riders alike. Police breathalyser checkpoints are common, especially in the evenings.
Toll Stations
Vietnam has toll stations on expressways and some national highways. Tolls are modest and collected at booths — if you travel with a hired driver, they are usually handled for you.
Speed Limits
Urban areas: 50–60 km/h for cars. Rural roads: 60–90 km/h depending on the road type. Expressways: up to 120 km/h. Motorbikes have lower limits, and in town the traffic flow rarely allows anywhere near the maximum.
Mandatory Equipment
Hired cars in Vietnam come with the locally required equipment. The critical items are documents — keep the vehicle registration, insurance papers, your IDP, and your licence in the car.
Renting a Car in Vietnam
Self-drive rental is still uncommon in Vietnam — most visitors book a car with a driver. Here is what you need to know.
Required Documents
You will need a 1968-convention IDP alongside your home licence and passport. A credit card in the driver's name is required for the security deposit. Most companies require drivers to be at least 21 years old.
Typical Costs
Motorbikes rent from around US$5–10/day, while cars usually come with a driver from around US$40–60/day — true self-drive rental is still rare for visitors. Book ahead for Tet (Lunar New Year) travel.
Top Rental Companies
International self-drive brands are rare in Vietnam. A locally arranged car with a driver is the standard choice — bookable through hotels and reputable agencies for day trips or longer tours.
“We arranged a car for the coastal road between Da Nang and Hue. Sorting the correct 1968-convention IDP in advance meant the paperwork was never an issue — do not risk driving in Vietnam without it.”
Read our guide: Vietnam Motorbike IDP Guide: Rules You Must Know
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Vietnam IDP FAQ
Yes. Vietnam recognises only IDPs issued under the 1968 Vienna convention, carried alongside your valid home licence. Driving without valid paperwork is illegal and can void your insurance.
Vietnam has toll stations on expressways and some national highways. Tolls are modest and collected at booths, and if you travel with a hired driver they are usually handled for you.
Vietnam has no low-emission zones, but paperwork is checked strictly. Carry your 1968-convention IDP, home licence, and passport, as driving without valid documents can void your insurance.
Vietnam drives on the right side of the road with left-hand-drive vehicles. Traffic is dominated by scooters, so keep speeds low and movements predictable.