Legal FAQ

Up-to-date guidance on licences, IDPs, insurance, and riding legally in Vietnam.

1. Licensing

To ride legally in Vietnam as a tourist, you must hold:

  • A valid home licence for the type of vehicle you intend to ride (motorbike, scooter, etc.)
  • A 1968 International Driving Permit (IDP)

Important: An IDP is only valid for 3 months after entry into Vietnam, regardless of the expiry date printed on the document.

You may also ride legally if you hold a licence issued by an ASEAN member country for the relevant vehicle type. The licence must be in English. If it is not, you will need a certified translation or an IDP.

You must obtain a 1968 IDP in the country where your licence was issued, before arriving in Vietnam. You cannot obtain a foreign IDP inside Vietnam unless you hold a Vietnamese driving licence.

In the UK, IDPs are available at certain PayPoint locations. In other countries, the process may differ and should be checked locally.

If you hold a visa valid for more than 3 months, you may apply to take the Vietnamese driving test. There is no English translation available for the theory test, and you must complete it in Vietnamese.

Yes. You must be over 16 years old to legally ride a 50cc motorcycle.

Yes. If you hold a visa longer than 3 months, you can apply to convert your licence. In most cases, you will need a Temporary Residence Card (TRC) to begin the process.

2. Insurance

Third-party insurance is mandatory.

It is inexpensive and easy to purchase. However, it is only valid if:

  • The rider holds a valid Vietnamese licence
  • The vehicle is registered in the rider’s name

Because rental vehicles are not registered in your name, this insurance is generally not applicable to renters.

You must check your policy terms and conditions carefully. Coverage depends on licence validity, engine capacity limits, and compliance with local laws.

Most travel insurance policies cover injury as a pillion passenger if the driver is fully licensed and legally permitted to ride.

You should confirm that your driver holds the correct licence.

No. Riding without a valid licence is illegal, and insurance policies do not cover illegal activity.

This depends on your country of residence, as many insurers only cover residents of specific countries.

We have had positive experiences with World Nomads, but you must check that the policy meets your specific needs and riding conditions.

3. Enforcement

If police signal for you to stop, you must stop. They will usually request to see your driving licence and may conduct a breathalyser test. If you have committed a violation, they may show photo or video evidence.

If everything is in order, you will be allowed to continue. If you:

  • Do not have a valid licence
  • Are over the alcohol limit
  • Have committed a traffic violation

You will be required to pay a fine before continuing.

Yes. Police stop both locals and foreigners, particularly if a violation has been committed.

Fines are generally:

  • 2,000,000 to 4,000,000 VND for motorcycles under 125cc
  • 6,000,000 to 8,000,000 VND for motorcycles over 125cc
  • 200,000 to 300,000 VND if you have a valid licence but do not have it with you
Royal Enfield Himalayan motorcycle rental

Engine Type

air-cooled, single cylinder, SOHC

Displacement

411 cc

Bore X Stroke

78 mm x 86 mm

Ignition

TCI

Fuel System

fuel injection

Compression Ratio

9.5:1

Starter

electric

Gearbox

5-speed

Front Suspension

telescopic forks; stanchion diameter 41 mm

Rear Suspension

linkage-type monoshock

Front Brakes

single disc brake, diameter 300 mm, 2-piston floating caliper

Rear Brakes

single disc brake, diameter 240 mm, single-piston floating caliper

Front Tyres

90/90 – 21

Rear Tyres

120/90 – 17

Wheelbase

1465 mm

Seat Height

800 mm

Ground Clearance

220 mm

Kerb Weight

199 kg

Fuel Capacity

15 litres

Dimensions

2190 mm (L) x 840 mm (W) x 1360 mm (H)

Daily

Total

Rider (CRF 300)

$220

Pillion

$120

Damage Waiver

$20

Private Room

$40

Support Vehicle*

$150

* All prices given are in USD and apply per rider except for the support vehicle. The support vehicle is free for groups of 7 or more, otherwise the cost is shared across the group. 

Daily

Total

Rider (XR 150)

Rider (CRF 300)

Rider (CB 500X)

Rider (Himalayan 400)

$220

Rider (GS 1250)

Pillion

$120

Damage Waiver

$20

Private Room

$40

Support Vehicle*

$150

* All prices given are in USD and apply per rider except for the support vehicle. The support vehicle is free for groups of 7 or more, otherwise the cost is shared across the group. 

Daily

Total

Jeep (1 PAX)

$210

Jeep (2 PAX)

$120

Jeep (3 PAX)

$90

Jeep (4+ PAX)

$80

Rider (Easy Rider)

$115

Rider (Self-Drive)

$105

Private Room

$15

* Our jeep tour prices operate on a sliding scale. The larger your group, the less each person pays—each member of your group will pay the lowest daily rate shown. For example, if you have a group of 4 or more, you will each only pay $80/day. All prices are given in USD.

BMW 1250 GS

Engine Type

air-liquid cooled, twin cylinder, DOHC, boxer engine

Displacement

1255 cc

Bore X Stroke

102.5 mm x 76 mm

Ignition

FI

Fuel System

fuel injection

Compression Ratio

12.5:1

Starter

electric

Gearbox

6-speed

Front Suspension

BMW Motorrad Telelever; stanchion diameter 37 mm

Rear Suspension

single-sided swing arm with BMW Motorrad Paralever

Front Brakes

dual disc brake, floating brake discs, diameter 305 mm, 4-piston radial calipers

Rear Brakes

single disc brake, diameter 276 mm, double-piston floating caliper

Front Tyres

120/70 R19

Rear Tyres

170/60 R17

Wheelbase

1514 mm

Seat Height

850 mm

Ground Clearance

790 mm

Kerb Weight

249 kg

Fuel Capacity

20 litres

Dimensions

2207 mm (L) x 952.5mm (W) x 1430 mm (H)

Honda XR 150 motorcycle rental

Engine Type

air cooled, OHC, single cylinder

Displacement

149 cc

Bore X Stroke

57.3 mm x 57.8 mm

Ignition

CDI

Fuel System

20 mm piston valve carburettor

Compression Ratio

9.5:1

Starter

electric with kick starter backup

Gearbox

5-speed

Front Suspension

telescopic fork, 180 mm axle travel

Rear Suspension

single shock swing arm, 150 mm axle travel

Front Brakes

dual piston caliper, 240 mm disc

Rear Brakes

mechanical drum

Front Tyres

90/90 19

Rear Tyres

110/90 17

Wheelbase

1362 mm

Seat Height

825 mm

Ground Clearance

243 mm

Kerb Weight

129 kg

Fuel Capacity

12 litres

Dimensions

2091 mm (L) x 811 mm (W) x 1125 mm (H)

Honda CB 500X motorcycle rental

Engine Type

liquid cooled parallel-twin four stroke

Displacement

470 cc

Bore X Stroke

67 mm x 66.8 mm

Ignition

PGMI – FI

Fuel System

fuel injection

Compression Ratio

10.7:1

Starter

electric

Gearbox

6-speed

Front Suspension

41 mm SFF-BP USD Forks

Rear Suspension

Prolink Mono with 5 stage pre load adjuster

Front Brakes

dual 296 mm discs with 4 piston calipers; ABS

Rear Brakes

240 mm disc; ABS

Front Tyres

110/80R19M/C (59H)

Rear Tyres

160/60R17M/C

Wheelbase

1445 mm

Seat Height

830 mm

Ground Clearance

180 mm

Kerb Weight

199 kg

Fuel Capacity

17.7 litres

Dimensions

2,155 mm (L) x 830 mm (W) x 1,410 mm (H)

Honda CRF 300 motorcycle rental

Engine Type

single cylinder, DOHC, liquid cooled

Displacement

286 cc

Bore X Stroke

76 mm x 63 mm

Ignition

Full Transistor Digital

Fuel System

PGM-FI electronic fuel injection

Compression Ratio

10.7:1

Starter

electric

Gearbox

5-speed

Front Suspension

43 mm telescopic upside down

Rear Suspension

Prolink Mono with 5 stage pre load adjuster

Front Brakes

256 mm disc, 2 piston caliper

Rear Brakes

220 mm disc, single piston caliper

Front Tyres

80/100 21

Rear Tyres

120/80 18

Wheelbase

1455 mm

Seat Height

880 mm

Ground Clearance

285 mm

Kerb Weight

142 kg

Fuel Capacity

7.8 litres

Dimensions

2230 mm (L) x 820 mm (W) x 1200 mm (H)