Before you start

A TRC or a valid visa showing lawful residence
Your original, valid foreign licence
A notarized Vietnamese translation of that licence

Step-by-step

1
Check what you're actually allowed to drive on
Vietnam recognizes only 1968 Vienna Convention IDPs. A US/Canada/Australia 1949 'Geneva' IDP is NOT valid here. If yours isn't a 1968 IDP, you need a Vietnamese licence to be legal.
In personWho: You——
2
Get a notarized translation + health certificate
Have your foreign licence translated into Vietnamese and notarized (a plain translation is rejected); get a basic health certificate from an approved clinic.
In personWho: You1–2 daysTranslation + clinic fee
3
Submit the conversion (đổi) application
Since 1 March 2025 driving licences are issued by the Ministry of Public Security, not the Department of Transport — applications go to the provincial Traffic Police Division (Phòng CSGT) or through the national public-service portal (dichvucong.gov.vn). Guidance naming Sở GTVT predates the transfer. Converting a valid foreign licence needs NO written or road test.
OnlineWho: You~5 working daysVND 135,000
4
Collect your Vietnamese licence
You receive a Vietnamese licence in the matching class. Confirm it covers the engine size you actually ride.
In personWho: You——

Documents you’ll need

TRC or valid visa
Original foreign licence
Notarized Vietnamese translation of the licence
Health certificate
Passport + photos
Application form

Things most newcomers don’t know

Your home IDP probably isn't valid here (1968 vs 1949).

Vietnam only honours 1968 Vienna Convention IDPs. The US, Canada, Australia and others issue 1949 Geneva IDPs — not recognized. Riding on one means you're unlicensed: fines, and insurance won't pay out after a crash.

Source: Vietnam Law Magazine + US Embassy guidance agree

No test to convert — it's a paperwork swap.

Converting a valid foreign licence needs neither a written nor a practical test, so the only real work is the notarized translation + health check.

Source: provider consensus

Match the licence class to your bike's engine size.

Plenty of expats ride 110–150cc bikes on a car-only or no licence. Make sure your converted licence (class A1/A2 for motorbikes) actually covers what you ride, or insurance is void.

Source: community-reported, verify

The translation must be notarized, not just translated.

A plain translation gets rejected — it must be notarized by a Vietnamese notary office (or a Vietnamese mission abroad) with a seal matching the original licence.

Source: provider

Common mistakes to avoid

Assuming a US / 1949 IDP makes you legal — it doesn't in Vietnam
Riding a motorbike on a car-class (or no) licence — insurance won't cover you
Submitting an un-notarized translation
Following pre-2025 guidance to the Department of Transport — licences now come from the traffic police

Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.

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