Can I ride a motorbike in Vietnam with a US, Canadian or Australian licence and IDP?

No. Those countries issue 1949 permits, and Vietnam's law only recognises IDPs from 1968 convention countries. The US State Department, Smartraveller and CAA all say their permits are not valid in Vietnam.

Is a UK IDP valid in Vietnam?

Yes, if it is the 1968 version and your UK licence covers motorcycles. GOV.UK says you need both the 1968 IDP and your UK licence with you while riding.

Did Vietnam's licence rules change in 2026?

Not for visitors. Law 118/2025 amended parts of the 2024 road traffic law from 1 July 2026, covering forms, training and testing, but the articles on licence classes and on which foreign licences and IDPs are valid were not changed. The main change came on 1 January 2025, when the 2024 law introduced the A1 (up to 125cc) and A (over 125cc) classes.

Can I ride the Ha Giang Loop without a licence?

Not legally. The licence rules apply on the Loop like anywhere else in Vietnam, and in 2026 the province stepped up checks on foreign visitors renting bikes. Without a valid licence and 1968 IDP, ride pillion behind a licensed local rider.

Can tourists get a Vietnamese motorcycle licence?

Not on a tourist stay. Converting a foreign licence needs a Vietnamese residence permit and at least three months living in Vietnam.

Licence and IDP rules

Motorcycle licence and IDP rules for riding in Vietnam (2026)

Vietnam recognises International Driving Permits issued under the 1968 convention, carried with a home licence that covers motorcycles. Permits from the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand follow the 1949 convention and are not valid.

Checked against official sources on 2026-11-05.

Check what you need for Vietnam

Three answers and you get a plain verdict. Rules checked against official sources; links below.

Licence issued inRiding inMy licence covers motorcycles

This is general information from official sources, not legal advice. Rules change; check with the embassy if your trip depends on it.

The rules in Vietnam

International Driving Permit: Vietnam's Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety (Law 36/2024, article 57) recognises an IDP together with your national licence only when both were issued by a country that is party to the 1968 Vienna convention, and both must cover the class of bike you ride. There is no route for 1949 permits: the US State Department, Smartraveller, CAA and AA New Zealand all say their permits are not valid in Vietnam.
Licence on its own: Vietnam's law also recognises licences covered by a treaty it has signed, and Vietnam is party to the 1985 ASEAN agreement on recognising domestic driving licences. The US Embassy in Hanoi says ASEAN licences are recognised only "in certain circumstances", so confirm with the Vietnamese embassy before you rely on it.
Motorcycle category: Your home licence and IDP must both cover the bike you ride. Under the 2024 law, class A1 covers motorcycles up to 125cc and class A covers anything over 125cc. Mopeds of 50cc or less are exempt from the licence requirement in the law, but Smartraveller tells Australians they need a Vietnamese licence from 50cc, so don't count on that exemption.
Local licence: Only residents can convert a foreign licence: you need a residence permit and at least three months living in Vietnam. An International Driving Permit can't be converted.
Helmets: Compulsory for the rider and any passenger (Law 36/2024, article 33).
Enforcement: Smartraveller says you may be fined for riding without a valid licence, and the US State Department warns that unlicensed riders can be held criminally liable if someone is hurt or killed. In April 2026 Ha Giang province announced stricter checks on the Ha Giang Loop, including on foreign visitors renting bikes, and rental firms there sign commitments not to rent to unqualified riders. The US Embassy's own page is stricter than the law and says foreign licences are not valid even with an IDP.
Insurance: Smartraveller: "Your travel insurer will likely deny any claims you make if you're unlicensed or you don't hold the correct class of licence."

What you need, by where your licence is from

Assumes your licence includes the motorcycle category. Without it, no IDP makes riding legal.

Riders from	What you need in Vietnam
United States	An IDP from the United States (1949) is not recognised in Vietnam. Vietnam's Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety (Law 36/2024, article 57) recognises an IDP together with your national licence only when both were issued by a country that is party to the 1968 Vienna convention, and both must cover the class of bike you ride. There is no route for 1949 permits: the US State Department, Smartraveller, CAA and AA New Zealand all say their permits are not valid in Vietnam. In the United States permits are issued by AAA and AATA.
United Kingdom	Yes: carry your licence plus a 1968 IDP. Carry your licence from the United Kingdom together with a 1968 International Driving Permit. In the United Kingdom permits are issued by PayPoint shops (for the DVLA).
Australia	An IDP from Australia (1949) is not recognised in Vietnam. Vietnam's Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety (Law 36/2024, article 57) recognises an IDP together with your national licence only when both were issued by a country that is party to the 1968 Vienna convention, and both must cover the class of bike you ride. There is no route for 1949 permits: the US State Department, Smartraveller, CAA and AA New Zealand all say their permits are not valid in Vietnam. In Australia permits are issued by the Australian Automobile Association, through state motoring clubs such as NRMA, RACV and AANT.
Canada	An IDP from Canada (1949) is not recognised in Vietnam. Vietnam's Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety (Law 36/2024, article 57) recognises an IDP together with your national licence only when both were issued by a country that is party to the 1968 Vienna convention, and both must cover the class of bike you ride. There is no route for 1949 permits: the US State Department, Smartraveller, CAA and AA New Zealand all say their permits are not valid in Vietnam. In Canada permits are issued by CAA.
Germany	Yes: carry your licence plus a 1968 IDP. Carry your licence from Germany together with a 1968 International Driving Permit. In Germany permits are issued by your local Fahrerlaubnisbehörde (driving licence office).
Ireland	An IDP from Ireland (1926 or 1949) is not recognised in Vietnam. Vietnam's Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety (Law 36/2024, article 57) recognises an IDP together with your national licence only when both were issued by a country that is party to the 1968 Vienna convention, and both must cover the class of bike you ride. There is no route for 1949 permits: the US State Department, Smartraveller, CAA and AA New Zealand all say their permits are not valid in Vietnam. In Ireland permits are issued by the Road Safety Authority, through NDLS centres.
New Zealand	An IDP from New Zealand (1949) is not recognised in Vietnam. Vietnam's Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety (Law 36/2024, article 57) recognises an IDP together with your national licence only when both were issued by a country that is party to the 1968 Vienna convention, and both must cover the class of bike you ride. There is no route for 1949 permits: the US State Department, Smartraveller, CAA and AA New Zealand all say their permits are not valid in Vietnam. In New Zealand permits are issued by AA New Zealand.
France	Yes: carry your licence plus a 1968 IDP. Carry your licence from France together with a 1968 International Driving Permit. In France permits are issued by ANTS (France Titres), online.
Netherlands	Yes: carry your licence plus a 1968 IDP. Carry your licence from the Netherlands together with a 1968 International Driving Permit. In the Netherlands permits are issued by ANWB.
Switzerland	Yes: carry your licence plus a 1968 IDP. Carry your licence from Switzerland together with a 1968 International Driving Permit. In Switzerland permits are issued by your cantonal road traffic office (or TCS/ACS in some cantons).
India	An IDP from India (1949) is not recognised in Vietnam. Vietnam's Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety (Law 36/2024, article 57) recognises an IDP together with your national licence only when both were issued by a country that is party to the 1968 Vienna convention, and both must cover the class of bike you ride. There is no route for 1949 permits: the US State Department, Smartraveller, CAA and AA New Zealand all say their permits are not valid in Vietnam. In India permits are issued by your Regional Transport Office (RTO).
Singapore	Possibly: Vietnam recognises some ASEAN licences. Vietnam's law also recognises licences covered by a treaty it has signed, and Vietnam is party to the 1985 ASEAN agreement on recognising domestic driving licences. The US Embassy in Hanoi says ASEAN licences are recognised only "in certain circumstances", so confirm with the Vietnamese embassy before you rely on it.
South Africa	Yes: carry your licence plus a 1968 IDP. Carry your licence from South Africa together with a 1968 International Driving Permit. In South Africa permits are issued by AA South Africa.
Israel	Yes: carry your licence plus a 1968 IDP. Carry your licence from Israel together with a 1968 International Driving Permit. In Israel permits are issued by the Ministry of Transport.
Brazil	Yes: carry your licence plus a 1968 IDP. Carry your licence from Brazil together with a 1968 International Driving Permit. In Brazil permits are issued by your state Detran or the Automóvel Clube Brasileiro.

No motorcycle licence?

An IDP never adds a motorcycle category, so without one you can't legally ride in Vietnam. You can ride pillion behind a licensed local rider, or join a guided tour where a staff rider carries you, if the operator offers that. A guided tour does not make it legal to ride yourself without a licence. On the Ha Giang Loop and elsewhere, riding pillion behind a licensed local rider is how most visitors without a valid licence do it.

Questions riders ask

Can I ride a motorbike in Vietnam with a US, Canadian or Australian licence and IDP?: No. Those countries issue 1949 permits, and Vietnam's law only recognises IDPs from 1968 convention countries. The US State Department, Smartraveller and CAA all say their permits are not valid in Vietnam.
Is a UK IDP valid in Vietnam?: Yes, if it is the 1968 version and your UK licence covers motorcycles. GOV.UK says you need both the 1968 IDP and your UK licence with you while riding.
Did Vietnam's licence rules change in 2026?: Not for visitors. Law 118/2025 amended parts of the 2024 road traffic law from 1 July 2026, covering forms, training and testing, but the articles on licence classes and on which foreign licences and IDPs are valid were not changed. The main change came on 1 January 2025, when the 2024 law introduced the A1 (up to 125cc) and A (over 125cc) classes.
Can I ride the Ha Giang Loop without a licence?: Not legally. The licence rules apply on the Loop like anywhere else in Vietnam, and in 2026 the province stepped up checks on foreign visitors renting bikes. Without a valid licence and 1968 IDP, ride pillion behind a licensed local rider.
Can tourists get a Vietnamese motorcycle licence?: Not on a tourist stay. Converting a foreign licence needs a Vietnamese residence permit and at least three months living in Vietnam.

Sources

Checked on 2026-11-05.

This page is general information drawn from the sources above, not legal advice. Rules change; if your trip depends on it, check with the embassy of the country you're visiting.

Tours in Vietnam

See every motorcycle tour listed in Vietnam. If you're unsure what you'll need on a particular trip, ask the operator about licence requirements through the enquiry form on the tour page before you book.

Motorcycle tours in Vietnam