Nope they can’t reject. As stated above ASEAN countries agreed to recognize each other’s domestic driving licenses

The agreement:
https://agreement.asean.org/media/download/...61129035137.pdf

Sorry to hear of your bad luck, i’ve been stopped few times before by police no issue. So the fine of 500b is because you did not have IDP?

I guess really bad luck. They cannot fine you for that, the ASEAN agreement recognises your malaysian license in thailand. Probably easier to just pay the fine. Vietnam wasn't part of the ASEAN agreement (in 1985) so that's why an IDP is required but it didnt stop me from renting a bike (though I did not have a run in with police in vietnam).

To drive legally in Vietnam, you at least need an International Driving Permit (IDP).

Back then, the process was really tedious — I had to go to the local Vietnam equivalent of JPJ (if you don’t have a runner, it’s even worse) to get registered under their system. If I remember correctly, it was expensive and took weeks to sort out. I eventually gave up and just used my IDP along with my home country’s license, and fortunately nothing happened.

Just a reminder: if you’re driving without valid legal documents, you won’t be covered under travel insurance.

Ignorant is a bliss- peace!

So this is a we problem or just a Vietnam bureaucracy issue?

Protip if really die die wanna go ride motor and an adventurous road trip

I suggest going on the Mae Hong Son Loop. I'm thinking of taking this road trip loop after my Hokkaido loop is done

Malaysia government should sign the 1968 IDP.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Driving_Permit

If you check wikipedia, the are 3 types of IDP: 1929, 1949, 1968. You may ignore 1929 as only a few countries signed it.

Countries with 1949 only: Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Cambodia, Japan, USA, Australia, Canada, India, etc
Countries with 1968 only: Vietnam, Indonesia, Myanmar, Brazil, Pakistan, Costa Rica, etc
Countries with both: Thailand, Philippines, China, UK, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, etc

By right, ASEAN license can be used in anywhere within the ASEAN countries. But in reality, local enforcement is different and some countries (eg: Vietnam) don't recognise it.

IDP is just a temporary permit for tourists or short term foreigners to drive in the country. I feel that if tourism is a big contribution to the country GDP, the countries should have both 1949 and 1968 IDP. Why? It will provide convenience to tourists and temporary stay foreigners to drive locally and spend money. It will help the economy.

For example: Thailand and Philippines have both the IDP. They provides lots of convenience to foreigners/tourists. So, it helps in term of tourism.

If Malaysia government wants to attract tourists from Countries with 1968 IDP only, Malaysia should sign 1968.
If Vietnam government wants to attract tourists from Countries with 1949 IDP only, Vietnam should sign 1949.

But the problem is based on ChatGPT:-
The last country to accede to the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic was Zimbabwe, on 18 February 1991.
After the 1990s, almost all new accessions have been to the 1968 Vienna Convention, not the 1949 Geneva Convention.
The 1949 Convention is now considered “closed” in practice, with no new major signatories in recent decades.

Conclusion: Malaysia government should sign the 1968 IDP to provide convenience to tourists (1968 only) coming to Malaysia and for Malaysians going overseas

You ride without IDP? Do they check you at the roadblock? Kena saman?

I believe only Ministry of Tourism can convince Anthony. They probably need to conduct a feasible study on how much extra tourism income the IDP 1968 can bring to Malaysia. Then, need to go through parliament debate, etc etc. The execution is probably many months/years from now