What is Needed to Legally Ride the Ha Giang Loop?

The Ha Giang Loop has become a must do for anyone visiting Vietnam. For most people this means doing the Easy Rider Tour but if you are experienced and can ride bikes then you can either do the Self Drive Ha Giang Tour or just rent a bike in Ha Giang and explore the region yourself. So what do you need to legally ride in Ha Giang?

The 1968 International Drivers Permit

You need an International Drivers Permit with the 1968 convention and a motorbike stamp on either A or A1 depending on which cc bike you want to ride. Some countries are signed to both the 1968 and 1949 conventions for the IDP, while others to just 1. Vietnam has only signed up to the 1968 convention, which means that you need the 1968 version to ride in Ha Giang. If you are from a country that has not signed the 1968 convention then there is no way to get this, meaning no way to legally ride in Vietnam or Ha Giang.

Domestic Drivers License

Along with the International Drivers Permit you need to have a valid domestic motorbike license with you. This needs to match the cc of the bike that you are renting which for most countries would mean A1 for up to 125cc and A for unlimited, restricted motorbikes. 

Where are you likely to be checked?

In Ha Giang Loop, it is very common to be checked for your license. You can expect to be checked inside the city, along the loop to the north of the city, and if you are coming from the south to Ha Giang then they are also police check points to the south. 

All of these checkpoints know that you will need to have the domestic drivers license and the 1968 IDP, if you have only the 1949 IDP then they know to check this and they will fine you for having the incorrect version. 

What Happens If You Have The Wrong or No License?

You will be fined for having no license or the incorrect domestic or IDP. The fine can vary but it is often 2 – 3mil vnd but we have heard of as much as 7mil vnd. There is normally just 1 fine and then the police let you continue on the way. 

But if you have the wrong license then it is recommended that you take the Ha Giang Easy Rider Tour instead. 

Travel Insurance

If you have the correct IDP and domestic license then you should have everything you need to ride legally. This means that your travel insurance will cover you in the event of an accident. But you should check with your insurer to make sure of the requirements from them.

Summary

When driving the Ha Giang Loop you need the following 2 documents. 

1 – The domestic motorbike license with the matching stamps for the cc bike you are riding

2 – The 1968 IDP with an A or A1 stamp depending on the bike you are renting.