Do I Need an International Driving Permit in Vietnam?We have not yet checked Vietnam’s own rules for foreign licences.
Both the 1949 and 1968 IDP are recognised.
We have not yet checked Vietnam’s own rules for foreign licences.
Both the 1949 and 1968 IDP are recognised.
Rules for all foreign drivers in Vietnam
We have not yet checked Vietnam’s own rules for foreign licences.
Both the 1949 and 1968 IDP are recognised.
Which IDP version Vietnam accepts
Vietnam is a party to both the 1949 Geneva and the 1968 Vienna Convention, so both IDP formats are recognised.
| Convention | Status |
|---|---|
| 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic | Party (acceded 2 November 1953) |
| 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic | Party (acceded 20 August 2014) |
Source: United Nations Treaty Collection.
Getting the right IDP for Vietnam
Ask for the 1968 IDP. In the UK: PayPoint stores (choose the 1968 IDP). In the US: AAA. In Canada: CAA. Elsewhere: your national automobile club or licensing authority.
What the UK, US and Canadian governments tell their citizens
UK licence holders need an IDP. The US and Canadian advice does not say.
UK licence holdersIDP required. Version mentioned: 1968 IDP.Source: UK FCDO, updated 21 September 2026
US licence holdersNot stated in the advice, check the source.Source: US Department of State, updated 23 June 2026
Canadian licence holdersNot stated in the advice, check the source.Source: Government of Canada, updated 28 October 2026
What the governments say
Short quotes from each government's travel advice for its own citizens. The wording is theirs.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
You’ll need to have both the 1968 version of the international driving permit and your UK driving licence with you whilst driving a car or motorbike in Vietnam.
Source: UK FCDO travel advice for Vietnam, updated 21 September 2026. Quoted as published.
US Department of State
Because the United States is not a party to the Convention on Road Traffic, international driving permits and U.S. drivers’ licenses are not valid in Vietnam. … If you wish to drive in Vietnam, contact the Provincial Public Transportation Service of the Vietnamese Department of Communications and Transport to obtain a Vietnamese driver’s license.
Source: US Department of State travel advice for Vietnam, updated 23 June 2026. Quoted as published.
Government of Canada
Vietnam does not recognize Canadian drivers licences or International Driving Permits issued in Canada. If you plan to drive, consult Vietnamese authorities to determine the licence and permit requirements that apply to your situation. … Only Canadian drivers licence holders, who are residents for at least 3 months in Vietnam, can apply for a Vietnamese driving licence.
Source: Government of Canada travel advice for Vietnam, updated 28 October 2026. Quoted as published.
Questions
Can I drive in Vietnam with a foreign licence?
We have not yet checked Vietnam’s own rules for foreign licences. Both the 1949 and 1968 IDP are recognised.
Can I drive in Vietnam with a 1968 IDP?
Yes. Vietnam is a party to the 1968 Vienna Convention (acceded 20 August 2014), so a 1968 IDP is recognised. Carry it together with your national driving licence.
Can I drive in Vietnam with a 1949 IDP?
Yes. Vietnam is a party to the 1949 Geneva Convention (acceded 2 November 1953), so a 1949 IDP is recognised. Carry it together with your national driving licence.
Do UK licence holders need an IDP in Vietnam?
Yes. Version mentioned: 1968 IDP. Source: UK FCDO, updated 21 September 2026.
Do US licence holders need an IDP in Vietnam?
The US Department of State advice does not say. Source: US Department of State, updated 23 June 2026.
Do Canadian licence holders need an IDP in Vietnam?
The Government of Canada advice does not say. Source: Government of Canada, updated 28 October 2026.
How long can I drive in Vietnam with an IDP?
Government of Canada (updated 28 October 2026): “Only Canadian drivers licence holders, who are residents for at least 3 months in Vietnam, can apply for a Vietnamese driving licence.”
About International Driving Permits
What is an International Driving Permit?
An International Driving Permit (IDP) is an official translation of your national driving licence, set out in a standard format agreed under United Nations road traffic conventions.
An IDP is not a licence on its own. It is valid only when carried together with your valid national driving licence. During a traffic stop, you must show both documents.
An IDP helps because it allows police, car rental companies and insurers abroad to read and understand your licence details, even where the language differs from their own.
You can only obtain an IDP from the country that issued your driving licence, and you must do this before you travel. It cannot be obtained or renewed once you are abroad.
Whether you need an IDP depends on your destination, where your licence was issued and sometimes how long you plan to stay. The answer for this country is at the top of this page.
1949 or 1968 IDP: which one do you need?
There are two main IDP formats, based on two UN road traffic conventions: the 1949 Geneva Convention and the 1968 Vienna Convention. An older format, based on the 1926 Paris Convention, is still required in a few countries.
The 1949 IDP is valid for 1 year from the date of issue. The 1968 IDP is valid for up to 3 years, or until your national licence expires, whichever comes first.
Your destination decides which format it accepts, based on the convention or conventions it has joined. Some countries are party to both the 1949 and 1968 conventions.
If you are visiting several countries on one trip, you may need more than one IDP, depending on which conventions each country has joined.
| Format | Based on | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| 1949 IDP | 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic | 1 year from date of issue |
| 1968 IDP | 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic | Up to 3 years, or until your national licence expires, whichever comes first |
| 1926 IDP | 1926 Paris Convention | Required in a few countries only |
The page for each country shows which convention it has joined.
Related
- International Driving Permit: all countries
- Do I need an IDP in Afghanistan?
- Do I need an IDP in Armenia?
- Do I need an IDP in Azerbaijan?
- How to get citizenship of Vietnam
Sources and methodology
- UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: travel advice for Vietnam. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
- US Department of State: travel advice for Vietnam. US Department of State: public domain (US Government work).
- Government of Canada: travel advice for Vietnam. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada.
- United Nations Treaty Collection: status of the 1949 and 1968 road traffic conventions.
The licence statuses above are derived automatically from the government text quoted on this page. Government advice changes often: confirm the current rules with the official source before you travel.
Last checked 9 November 2026.