How Can Australians Drive Legally in Vietnam?

As for every nationality you need 2 things to drive legally in Vietnam. The 1968 International Drivers Permit,  or IDP, with the stamp A, and the domestic motorbike license. This creates a problem for Australians as you are only able to get the 1949 International Drivers Permit in Australia. 

The 1949 and 1968 International Drivers Permit

There are 2 different versions of an IDP, the 1949 convention and the 1968 convention. Some countries are signed to both of these, while others to just 1. Vietnam has only signed up to the 1968 convention, while Australia just 1949. This means the official IDP in Australia is not valid in Vietnam. 

So should you still get it? Yes, while this is not valid in Vietnam most police will not know the difference between the 1949 and 1968 versions. This means that you might be let off with the wrong one and your insurance might require you to have this.  

There are websites where you can also apply for a 1968 IDP which would mean that you have the correct version. It is hard to say if these websites are official but in our experience the hard copy version of the IDP from these websites are accepted in Vietnam. The digital only version is not accepted though.

If you are planning ahead and have the time then you can get both of these. The official 1949 IDP from Australia and the 1968 IDP from online. With both of these you should have everything you need to be driving legally and will have done everything possible to make sure you are. 

Domestic Drivers License

You will need an R category motorbike license meaning you are able to ride any size / cc of motorbike. Having just the RE category will not be sufficient to ride in Vietnam. Also having just a car license means you are not able to ride a motorbike in Vietnam. 

Where are you likely to be checked?

In Ha Giang Loop, it is very common to be checked for your license. This is the one place where you can be sure the police know the difference between the 1949 and 1968 IDP. If you are planning to ride here, then you should ensure you have both the 1949 Australian IDP and the 1968 online hard copy version. 

If you don’t have this, you will be fined 2-3 mil VND for having the wrong license. This could happen more than once and they could stop you from continuing on the trip.

Travel Insurance

It is always best to make sure with your particular insurer but there are insurance companies in Australia which will cover you in Vietnam if you have just an Australian motorbike license and own a motorbike there. Covermore is one such insurance provider. 

In our experience, Australian insurance providers handle cases where riders have accidents in Vietnam very well. But due to the issue of the wrong IDP, it is best to have in writing from them what is required for you to be insured. It is our understanding that they know Australian’s can’t get the right license so are happy to still insure customers so that they can offer this service instead of not providing insurance to any riders coming to Vietnam.

Summary

If you are coming to Vietnam then you want to get 3 documents. 

1 – The domestic motorbike license with the R category. 

2 – The 1949 IDP from Australia with the A stamp. 

3 – The 1968 online IDP delivered as a hard copy to your home also with an A stamp.