Driving in Vietnam
International Driving Permit rules and car hire for Australians.
This is the big one. Vietnam recognises the 1968 Vienna Convention International Driving Permit. Australia only issues the 1949 Geneva Convention permit, so an Australian IDP is not legally valid in Vietnam. In practice this means most Australians cannot legally drive or ride here, and an accident will not be covered by your travel insurance.
What Australian drivers need to know
- Hire shops will rent you a scooter without checking anything. That doesn't make it legal or insured.
- Grab (car and bike) is inexpensive, metered and the sensible way to get around.
- Crossing the road on foot: walk slowly and predictably, and let the traffic flow around you.
- If you're staying long-term, converting to a Vietnamese licence is possible and is the only legal path.
Insurance warning. Australian travel insurance policies exclude claims from driving or riding without a valid licence for that vehicle in that country. A car licence does not cover a scooter — hiring one in Vietnam without a motorcycle class on your Australian licence means an accident is entirely uninsured.
More Vietnam essentials
Vietnam driving FAQs
Can I ride a scooter in Vietnam on my Australian licence?
No, not legally. Vietnam recognises the 1968 Vienna Convention International Driving Permit and Australia only issues the 1949 Geneva Convention version, so Australian IDPs aren't valid here. Riding anyway means no insurance cover if you crash — use Grab or a private driver instead.
Watching Vietnam?
We'll email you when entry rules or prices change for Australians travelling to Vietnam.