By Sumer. Checked against official sources on 2026-10-22. A few points are still open; they are listed under Sources.
Renting a motorbike is the first thing many new arrivals in Hai Phong want to do, and the most common way to get a fine or lose an insurance claim. Vietnam's licence rules changed with the Road Traffic Order and Safety Law that took effect on 1 January 2025, and the police ministry replaced its licensing circular on 1 July 2026. This guide sets out what the current texts say for short-term visitors and for foreigners who live here.
Article 57 of Law 36/2024/QH15 sets the classes. Class A1 covers two-wheel motorbikes up to 125 cm3, or electric motorbikes up to 11 kW. Class A covers larger motorbikes and includes A1. Class B1 covers three-wheel motorbikes, and class B covers cars with up to 8 seats besides the driver and trucks up to 3,500 kg. Most scooters rented in Hai Phong are under 125 cm3, so A1 is the class that matters for most readers. A car licence does not let you ride a motorbike.
Article 57(8) of the law recognises international driving permits issued by countries that are party to the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, in the uniform format, valid for no more than 3 years and not beyond the national licence. When driving in Vietnam you must carry both the permit and your valid national licence for the same class. A permit on its own is not enough, and riding or driving with a permit but without your national licence is also fined. The law names only the 1968 convention. If your country issues permits under the 1949 Geneva convention only, do not assume they are accepted. Vietnam's traffic police have also warned that the 'international licence' booklets sold online by the IAA are not recognised.
Circular 108/2026/TT-BCA, in force since 1 July 2026, replaced Circular 12/2025/TT-BCA. Its Article 18 says a foreigner holding a national licence who drives in Vietnam must exchange it for the matching Vietnamese licence, unless a treaty says otherwise. Article 24 sets the conditions: you reside, work or study in Vietnam, your national licence is valid, and you hold a visa or temporary residence card with at least 90 days left, a permanent residence card, or a diplomatic or official identity card. You receive the same class as your foreign licence, and the Vietnamese licence is valid no longer than your foreign licence and your residence document. The file includes a certified Vietnamese translation of your foreign licence, a valid electronic health certificate and a copy of your visa or residence card. You can submit it to the traffic police division, at a commune police reception point, or online through the National Public Service Portal. The circular says the data and electronic licence are issued within 1 day of a complete file and the printed card within 2.5 working days. One trap: a Vietnamese-issued international permit is not valid inside Vietnam, so converting is the only route for residents.
Article 18 of Decree 168/2024/ND-CP sets the fines. On a motorbike up to 125 cm3, having no licence, or holding an international permit without your national licence, costs 2 to 4 million dong. On a motorbike over 125 cm3 or a three-wheeler, no licence, the wrong class, or a permit without the national licence costs 6 to 8 million dong. In a car, no licence or the wrong class costs 18 to 20 million dong, and a permit without the national licence costs 8 to 10 million dong. Merely not carrying a licence you do hold is a much smaller fine. In practice the bigger risk is insurance: travel and health policies often refuse claims for accidents on a vehicle you were not licensed to ride, so check your policy wording.
Every motorbike and car on the road needs compulsory civil liability insurance. Under Decree 67/2023/ND-CP the premium for a motorbike over 50 cm3 is 60,000 dong a year and for a private car under 6 seats 437,000 dong a year, before VAT. If you rent, ask to see the certificate before you ride away; if you buy, insure the vehicle in your own name. This cover pays third parties, not you or your vehicle.
Yes, if the permit was issued under the 1968 Vienna Convention, covers the motorbike class and you also carry your valid national licence. A permit alone is fined.
No. Vietnam's traffic police have said the IAA booklet is not recognised.
For a motorbike up to 125 cm3 it is 2 to 4 million dong under Decree 168/2024/ND-CP; over 125 cm3 it is 6 to 8 million dong.
Yes. Circular 108/2026/TT-BCA requires foreigners who drive in Vietnam on a national licence to exchange it, and a Vietnamese-issued international permit is not valid inside Vietnam.
Checked 2026-10-22. Items still open: The current fee for converting a foreign licence under Circular 108/2026/TT-BCA (the old portal listed 135,000 dong under Circular 12/2025/TT-BCA); Whether the health certificate can be skipped when converting only for the length of a visa, as some press reports say (Article 24(2) lists it); Whether foreigners can complete the whole conversion online on the National Public Service Portal (procedure 3.000347) or must attend in person; Whether permits issued under the 1949 Geneva convention are accepted in practice (the law names only the 1968 Vienna Convention); Any amendment to Circular 108/2026/TT-BCA after 1 July 2026.
Related: Hai Phong living dashboard