Can I ride a scooter in Vietnam with a foreign (non-Vietnamese) license?
Based on 2 discussions with 4 participants · Last activity: 22 days ago
TL;DR
Rental shops rarely check your license. If stopped by police, ASEAN licenses are recognized in Vietnam. International licenses without a national license may not be accepted on their own.
What the community said
Scooter rental shops almost never ask to see your license — it's rarely checked. The only situation where it matters is a police stop, which is uncommon if you ride sensibly. In that case, an ASEAN-issued license is recognized in Vietnam.
22 days ago ASEAN license — valid in Vietnam
An International Driving Permit (IDP) is not valid on its own in Vietnam — it must be accompanied by your national license from the issuing country. Without the national license, the IDP alone is not recognized.
22 days ago IDP without national license — not valid
Indonesian licenses, as ASEAN-issued documents, should theoretically be recognized in Vietnam under regional agreements. In practice, local police awareness of this rule varies, so carrying both your national and international license is advisable.
22 days ago Indonesian license = ASEAN, recognized in Vietnam