Vietnam
Driving Abroad
Last verified August 15, 2026
Written for U.S. passport holders
License Requirements
- According to U.S. Embassy guidance, a foreign license, even paired with an International Driving Permit, is not considered valid for driving in Vietnam.
- The core issue: Vietnam recognizes IDPs issued under the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. The U.S. only issues IDPs under the 1949 Geneva Convention, so a standard AAA/AATA-issued American IDP isn't the document Vietnam actually accepts.
- To drive legally, foreigners generally need to obtain a Vietnamese driver's license through the local Traffic Police Department.
Road Basics for Americans
- Like the U.S., Vietnam drives on the right side of the road, so the basic flow of traffic will feel familiar, though the sheer volume of motorbike traffic weaving through intersections is not something U.S. driving prepares you for.
- Speed limits and distances are posted in kilometers (km/h), not miles. A 100 km/h limit is about 62 mph; a 50 km/h limit, common in towns, is about 31 mph.
The Gotcha
Vietnam is one of the clearest cases on this site where the 'just get an IDP before you go' advice that works almost everywhere else doesn't actually solve the problem: the standard American IDP is issued under a convention (1949 Geneva) that Vietnam doesn't recognize. If you're planning to drive yourself (especially a motorbike, extremely common with tourists), budget for actually getting a Vietnamese license rather than assuming your U.S. paperwork will cover you, and be aware that driving without proper documentation can void travel insurance and rental coverage.
Sources
This page was drafted from the primary sources below. Rules change, so check the linked page directly before relying on any of this.
- Driving in Vietnam (U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Vietnam)