QUOTE(mobileoop @ May 27 2025, 12:37 PM)
I just asked Chat GPT. Malaysia License can not be used in Vietnam. Not even IDP 1949. We need IDP 1968 which is not issued by Malaysia
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Here is the most accurate, up-to-date, and brutally honest answer for your situation as a Malaysian wanting to drive or ride a motorcycle in Vietnam (as of May 2025):
1. Malaysian License Alone is NOT Sufficient
Despite Vietnam being an ASEAN country and Malaysia being part of ASEAN, in practice, your Malaysian driving license alone is not reliably accepted by Vietnamese authorities for driving or riding a motorcycle. While there is an ASEAN agreement on mutual recognition of driving licenses, Vietnamese police and rental agencies almost always require more than just your Malaysian license, especially for tourists and short-term visitors. This is confirmed by multiple sources and recent traveler reports [
source].
2. International Driving Permit (IDP) – Which Version?
Only the 1968 Vienna Convention IDP is officially recognized in Vietnam.
Malaysia issues IDPs under the 1949 Geneva Convention, not the 1968 Vienna Convention.
Therefore, a Malaysian-issued IDP is not officially valid in Vietnam, even though some rental shops may accept it informally. If you are stopped by police, you risk fines and your insurance will likely be invalid [source].
3. Translation/Certification?
Some people claim you can get your IDP or Malaysian license translated and certified at a Vietnamese notary or transport department. This is only possible if you are staying long-term (with a residence permit/visa over 3 months), and the process is bureaucratic and requires a lot of paperwork, including a Vietnamese translation certified by a notary or embassy. For tourists, this is impractical and rarely done [
source].
4. What Actually Happens in Practice?
Tourists: Most tourists rent and ride bikes anyway, but this is technically illegal unless you have a Vietnamese license or a 1968 IDP. If you are stopped, you may be fined (up to 5 million VND, about RM 1,000), and your bike may be impounded. If you get into an accident, your travel insurance will almost certainly refuse to cover you if you do not have the correct license.
Police: Enforcement is inconsistent. In tourist hotspots (e.g., Ha Giang Loop, Hai Van Pass), police checkpoints are common and they do check for the 1968 IDP. In other areas, you may get away with a bribe or warning, but this is not guaranteed and is risky.
Rental Shops: Many rental shops will rent to you with just your Malaysian license or even no license, but this does not make it legal.
Hi, just to clarify — I’m sharing this based on personal experience, not as a customer service officer.
At least now someone is finally looking into this, which is what I was trying to highlight in my earlier post.
Some people assume that their country’s driving license works everywhere in ASEAN — much like certain nations assume their licenses are universally accepted — without actually understanding the local laws.
But please, take the time to understand each country’s specific legal requirements.
As I mentioned earlier, you can print out whatever ASEAN agreements were signed online by the ASEAN Ministers of Transport, but try showing those to a traffic officer, rental company, or worse, when dealing with insurance claims — and see if it gets you anywhere. The rules are still what matter.
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!
Apr 8 2024, 11:24 PM
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