The Most Expensive Mistake You Can Make (Is $50)
You’ve booked the flight, you’ve planned the route, and you’re ready to tackle the Ha Giang Loop. But there is one small, grey booklet that stands between you, a legal ride, and a valid insurance claim: The International Driving Permit (IDP).
At Rentabike Vietnam, we see it every day. A rider shows up with a plastic card they bought online for $50, confident they are legal. They aren’t. Or a rider from the USA shows up with an official AAA permit, not realizing it’s the wrong treaty for Vietnam.
Since Jan, 2025, Vietnam’s traffic police (CSGT) have increased their vigilance, so this is now a major issue for riders. Do your best to stay legal in Vietnam and check out our full blog ‘The Legal Vault’ on this.
An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a government-sanctioned document. It is a grey or white paper booklet (not a card) that translates your domestic license into multiple languages.
However, here is the catch that trips up 90% of travelers: There are two main conventions for IDPs, and Vietnam only accepts one of them.
The Rule: To drive legally in Vietnam, you must hold an IDP issued under the 1968 Vienna Convention.
If your IDP says “1949 Convention” on the cover (common for Americans and Australians), it is technically invalid in Vietnam. While some police officers might let it slide, many will not, and—crucially—your travel insurance provider will use it as a reason to deny your medical claim if you crash.
You can check to see which treaty/ies your country signed.
If you Google “International Driver’s License,” you will see ads for websites selling plastic ID cards, digital QR codes, and gold-embossed booklets for $40–$100.
These are scams.
There is technically no such thing as an “International Driver’s License” (IDL). There is only an “International Driving Permit” (IDP).
If you bought a license online and they emailed you a PDF or mailed you a plastic card, throw it away. It is worthless in Vietnam.
This is the hardest part for us to tell our customers. Because the USA, Australia, and Canada never signed the 1968 Vienna Convention, the IDPs issued in these countries are 1949 Convention permits.
So, what do you do?
If you are from a 1949 country, you are in a legal grey zone. You can physically rent a bike, but you are riding at your own risk regarding the law and insurance. Many riders still choose to do it, but at Rentabike Vietnam, we believe in full transparency: If you crash, we can do little to help you.
Recommendation: If you are from the US/Australia/Canada and are risk-averse, consider hiring an “Easy Rider” (a local driver). You sit on the back, they handle the legality, and you still get the adventure.
Possessing a valid 1968 IDP is only step one. Step two is checking what vehicles you are actually allowed to drive.
The IDP is just a translation. It does not grant you new privileges.
Scooter Myth: “It’s just a scooter, I don’t need a license.”
Fact: In Vietnam, any bike over 50cc (which is basically all rentals) requires a full motorbike license. A car license is not enough.
Ready for ultimate freedom? Our one-way rentals let you blaze your own trail across Vietnam — no need to loop back!
✅ Pick up/drop off in Hanoi, Danang, or Ho Chi Minh City
✅ Explore Vietnam at your pace
✅ No backtracking—just pure, open-road freedom
When you rent from Rentabike Vietnam, or if you get stopped at a police checkpoint in Ha Giang or Ninh Binh, this is the “Royal Flush” of documents you need to be 100% safe, legal, and insured:
1. Your Original Home Country Driver’s License (Plastic card).
2. Your Original 1968 Vienna Convention IDP (Paper booklet).
*Must be stamped for Motorbikes (A).
3. Your Passport (a clear copy or image on phone is fine).
4. The Blue Card (Vehicle Registration – we give you a copy).
5. Civil Liability Insurance (Yellow paper slip – we give you a copy).
Vietnam is an incredible place to ride, but the administration is specific. Don’t let a paperwork error ruin your trip or your bank account.
Vietnam’s traffic police (CSGT) have ramped up checkpoints. The laws are strict, and the “coffee money” days are fading. While this guide focuses specifically on your license, you can find our full breakdown of fines, impound rules, and crash protocols in our Legal Vault
Ready to Ride?
Check out our fleet of manual and semi-automatic bikes, or book a trusted Easy Rider tour if you want to skip the paperwork headache entirely.
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.
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)
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)
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)
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
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)
