Special licence for riding & driving in Vietnam?
 

Riding/ Driving in Vietnam.

Can anyone give me advice on riding & drivinging Vietnam? I have been told that as a non Vietnamese it’s illegal to drive a vehicle there? Apparently I need a special licence, but to qualify for this! I need to be a resident in Vietnam?

Does anyone have any further info on this, not true/ true? If so how do I get around it? I was intending to ride all around South East Asia. Do I need anything else like this in the other countries in this region?

Thanks for any info..

Vietnam doesn't recognise international licences, and to convert your foreign licence into a Vietnamese one you need at least a six-month business visa.

In practice, you can rent a motorcycle and ride around without a local bike licence -- as long as you don't get involved in an accident. Then it helps to pull out as much paperwork as you can: foreign licence, international drivers licence, passport, your rental documents and an "envelope" will all help.

The police will probably only get involved if you injure a local, and then their main role is really only to determine who needs to pay who for medical expenses and damage to the bikes.

There's more info about riding in VN at The Golden Triangle Rider :: Vietnam , Minsk Club Vietnam ::: The Bike and Explore Indochina - motorcycle tours & motorbike adventures in Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia.

It's best to take it easy on Vietnamese roads and be prepared for crazy behaviour. No one gives way, indicates or thinks twice about overloading their bikes. You're not in Canberra any more!