The Police in Ha Giang

The police in Ha Giang have become well-known for stopping tourists, checking licenses and issuing fines for having the incorrect licence.

Online you can see many examples of people complaining about this and  that they have been fined. But if you have the correct license to ride a motorbike in Vietnam then the police in Ha Giang are no problem. The key is to know what you should have and ensure that you have this before you go.

Vietnamese Law

The laws for licenses and what you are allowed to ride in Vietnam are actually very simple but many people do not check this before so run into problems when they get into Ha Giang.

You are required to have 2 things to ride a motorbike in Vietnam.

1-      A domestic motorbike license.

2-      A 1968 International Drivers Permit, or IDP, with motorbike stamp.

There are 2 types of licenses in Vietnam, over 125cc or 125cc and under. On the 1968 International Drivers Permit the A1 would be for 125cc and less, while the A stamp would be over 125cc.

As domestic drivers licenses vary country to country it is hard to say how this would be for each but it should be similar with one option for 125cc and under and another for over 125cc.

!949, 1968 & Digital / Online IDP

It is important to note that a 1968 IDP is required in Vietnam and for some countries you are not able to get this but only get the 1949 version.

With just the 1949 version you will be fined for having the incorrect license and unfortunately for many countries you can’t get the official 1968 version.

There are some IDPs you can get online which state 1968 but these are not official IDPs so are a grey area. It is not clear if these are acceptable documents but having just the digital version of this is not accepted in Vietnam. There is an option on these websites to get a hard copy version delivered which has a better chance to be accepted. If you have time and are from a country that is not able to get a 1968 IDP then an online hard copy sent to your house is recommended. 

Insurance

If you have the official 1968 IDP with the correct domestic license then this would be exactly what your insurance company required.

For those that can not get the 1968 IDP then we know that some insurance companies just state that you are required to have an IDP. We know that some Australian insurance companies for instance will still provide coverage if you have the 1949 IDP and ride as in Australia as this is the only IDP that is issued by the Australian government.

So it is best to check with your insurance company what you are required to have.

Alcohol & Breathalyzer

Vietnam has a zero alcohol limit for driving a car or motorbike. This means you cannot have any alcohol when riding and if you have a lot the night before you might fail this test in the morning.

Police breathalyzer checkpoints have become more common and are regularly seen in the mornings in Ha Giang city. It is a quick test and once you pass you can drive on.

Speed Limits & Cameras

Speed cameras and cameras at red lights have become much more common in Vietnam since 2025 with the country making a big push to enforce traffic regulations much more. 

Not driving through red lights are a simple and easy way not to get this fine while speed limits can be harder to know. As a general rule you can think that the limit is 40km/h in the city and 60km/h outside the city. If you see this sight posted differently then you can follow this. 

If you are unsure then use common sense and follow the flow of the traffic.

Fines & Penalties

The fines for failing a breathalyzer test or having no / the incorrect license can vary so it is best to contact us for up to date information about this.