IDP 1949 not recognized by the Vietnamese police

During my recent trip to Vietnam, I was stopped by the Vietnamese police and learned that my IDP 1949 is not valid in Vietnam. Are there solutions to this problem, besides getting an IDP 1968 which is not possible for a US citizen? thanks! - @TyNg

There is no legal solution for someone on a tourist visa.

An American citizen here on a 1-year visa or Temporary Resident Card can apply to take the test and receive a legal driver's license

During my recent trip to Vietnam, I was stopped by the Vietnamese police and learned that my IDP 1949 is not valid in Vietnam. Are there solutions to this problem, besides getting an IDP 1968 which is not possible for a US citizen? thanks! - @TyNg

Hello TyNg. Sorry to hear about your trouble.

I've a couple of questions, please.

Where did you purchase your IDP?

Why did the police stop you?

Did you have to pay a fine? If so, what was the amount?

I have noticed that the Australian Consulate website in HCMC says, only a Vietnamese licence can be used...no class of IDP OK in VN now?

During my recent trip to Vietnam, I was stopped by the Vietnamese police and learned that my IDP 1949 is not valid in Vietnam. Are there solutions to this problem, besides getting an IDP 1968 which is not possible for a US citizen? thanks! - @TyNg
Hello TyNg. Sorry to hear about your trouble.
I've a couple of questions, please.
Where did you purchase your IDP?
Why did the police stop you?
Did you have to pay a fine? If so, what was the amount? - @Aidan in HCMC

i got my IDP from aaa.com. They randomly stopped me without a just cause (this is legal in Vietnam unlike the US where you need a just cause to stop someone). They threatened to tow away my car so I gave them some "coffee" money approximately $400.

I have noticed that the Australian Consulate website in HCMC says, only a Vietnamese licence can be used...no class of IDP OK in VN now? - @KKK36

According to an insurance agent from Mercedes in Vietnam, IDP 1968 would work. 1949 no bueno.

According to the AAA website, Vietnam is OK for IDP usage, "Not party to 1949 Convention: International Driving Permit Honored," but all of us are at the mercy of the traffic cops in VN. There is a Vietnamese saying "phép vua thua lệ làng."  I had driven in VN a few yrs ago in HCMC city and when pulled over for the so-called civilized document check, they just waved me away without incident.

According to the AAA website, Vietnam is OK for IDP usage, "Not party to 1949 Convention: International Driving Permit Honored," but all of us are at the mercy of the traffic cops in VN. There is a Vietnamese saying "phép vua thua lệ làng." I had driven in VN a few yrs ago in HCMC city and when pulled over for the so-called civilized document check, they just waved me away without incident. - @yng68bld

you're a US citizen and they let you off? Doesn't sound like the behavior of typical traffic cops in Vietnam.

Up to recently, it was an OK thing to drive in Saigon with an AAA IDP.  I was driving a tiny Vinfast 1st gen gasoline car and I was speaking fluent Vietnamese.  I still think it is legal with 1949 convention one due to Vietnam honoring the IDP even if it was not part of the driving world back then.

During my recent trip to Vietnam, I was stopped by the Vietnamese police and learned that my IDP 1949 is not valid in Vietnam. Are there solutions to this problem, besides getting an IDP 1968 which is not possible for a US citizen? thanks! - @TyNg
Hello TyNg. Sorry to hear about your trouble.
I've a couple of questions, please.
Where did you purchase your IDP?
Why did the police stop you?
Did you have to pay a fine? If so, what was the amount? - @Aidan in HCMC

i got my IDP from aaa.com. They randomly stopped me without a just cause (this is legal in Vietnam unlike the US where you need a just cause to stop someone). They threatened to tow away my car so I gave them some "coffee" money approximately $400.
- @TyNg

When you say, "...threatened to tow away my car...", might you mean 'the car'?

Do you own a car, registered/licensed in your own name in Vietnam, or was it a rental?

Up to recently, it was an OK thing to drive in Saigon with an AAA IDP. I was driving a tiny Vinfast 1st gen gasoline car and I was speaking fluent Vietnamese. I still think it is legal with 1949 convention one due to Vietnam honoring the IDP even if it was not part of the driving world back then. - @yng68bld

Agreed.

There was a recent related discussion of this back in June, titled "Legally Recognized Driver's License(s) for Vietnam" (Link).

In that thread, there is a link to a Vietnam News article, "IAA int’l driving permits not valid in Việt Nam: Police", "Only International Driving Permit (IDP) is valid for use in Việt Nam, other types of international driver's license, including IAA license, are not valid for use in the country."

I'd written in another thread...

"In it, Vietnam was listed as a country which accepted an IDP (1949) from Canada. See here, United Nations Treaty Collection, Convention on Road Traffic, Geneva, 19 September 1949 (Link) to which Vietnam and Canada are signatories. To the best of my knowledge, the 1968 convention covering the validity of IDPs did not supersede the previous conventions, rather, it incorporated additional countries to the list of the convention's member states."

And...

"Prior to purchasing a new motorcycle in 2017, I went to the local D7, Saigon, office of the CSGT (traffic police) and confirmed my IDP's validity. The absolute last thing I wanted/needed was to be fined (extorted?) or to have my brand spanking new bike confiscated." (Link, post #9)

According to an insurance agent from Mercedes in Vietnam, IDP 1968 would work. 1949 no bueno.
- @TyNg

Vietnam is a signatory to the 1949 Convention on Road Traffic

There's a lot of conflicting information regarding this matter, but it's re-assuring that there are some sources supporting the validity of IDP 1949. I'll continue to drive with my IDP 1949 in Vietnam, and hope I don't get stopped by cops that refuse to honor the IDP 1949. It was my first time getting stopped by Vietnamese cops in my 5 years of driving in Vietnam, so this was probably a bad luck encounter being stopped for no reason.

@TyNg

Ouch! 'Coffee money' sounds more 'weekend away with the wife and kids money.' I'd think a couple hundred thousand would have cleared up the problem.

@TyNg

I have my 'home' drivers licence officially translated and notarised in Vietnam.

Then go to the local government building with passport and original drivers licence to have a Vietnamese drivers licence issued, cost 200k plus translation/notarisation fees (about 150k) plus postage (20k)

They will post the VN drivers licence within a week to your nominated address.

The thing with endorsing home licenses into VN licenses is the expirations.  I was told at the Land and Transport Authority of exp date to be the visa exp date.  For 5 yrs visas free or permanent resident cards, it would make perfect sense but tourist visas would be a disadvantage.  Some people also prefer IDP due to the ability to drive in multiple countries if they are the frequent travelled kinds.

Reports from members is that it it is not possible for a visitor on a 90 day visa to be granted a VN driver's license.

@QPR_FC

I have done the same a few time and now my TRC is getting renewed again, but just heard from my VN wife that

now you also need to do a extra health check when you re-new your driving license  B1/Car.

Any experiences on this ?   

According to an insurance agent from Mercedes in Vietnam, IDP 1968 would work. 1949 no bueno.
- @TyNg
Vietnam is a signatory to the 1949 Convention on Road Traffic - @Aidan in HCMC

I misspoke. Reviewing, I should have said that Vietnam granted "Accession" to the 1949 convention on 2/11/1953.

@Aidan in HCMC

Every convention has several points that each country can accept and reject. Regarding the Convention of 1949, Vietnam is attached but only for international transit of vehicles and the standard of signs for streets and road, not for Driver Licenses. Similar with the La Haya Convention, Vietnam sign it but excluding the Apostille. Reason why the IDP under Convention of 1963 is the only accepted. An under 30 visa days tourist from Canada, Autralia, USA has no way to drive in Vietnam

...An under 30 visa days tourist from Canada, Autralia, USA has no way to drive in Vietnam - @ajairon

That is incorrect.

See States where the 1949 International Driving Permit is accepted (Link)

Read posts #13 onwards, including links therein.

VN accepts IDPs from signatories to the 1949 convention.

Downloaded from the Australian Embassy website and the AAA website 15/07/2025

Aust. Embassy website

Driving in Vietnam

Vietnamese driving licences are mandatory for all drivers of motor vehicles as well as for riders of motorcycles with a capacity of 50cc or greater. Non-Vietnamese citizens are only permitted to drive in Vietnam if they hold a temporary Vietnamese driver's licence.

Converting an Australian driving licence into a Vietnamese driving licence

To convert an Australian driving licence into a temporary Vietnamese driver's licence, the applicant must hold a valid Vietnamese residence permit of at least three month's validity.

Please contact the relevant ward police for advice.

AAA website

Australians wanting to obtain a drivers licence in Vietnam please visit website of the Australian Embassy or Consulate-General in Vietnam Note: Non-Vietnamese citizens are only permitted to drive in Vietnam if they hold a temporary Vietnamese driver's licence. Read more at the Australian Embassy Vietnam website

@Safepeter

Only International Driving Permit (IDP) is valid for use in Việt Nam, other types of international driver's license, including IAA license, are not valid for use in the country. (Link)

@Aidan in HCMC

Have you noted that Vietnam has not the asterisk in the pictures of the Canadian IDP ?

If you have heard from some IDP 1949 holders that the polices accepted it, that is because they were lucky , but not lawfully.

@Aidan in HCMC Have you noted that Vietnam has not the asterisk in the pictures of the Canadian IDP ?

Huh? That asterisk denotes the country as being a signatory of the 1949 convention. Why would there be an asterisk next to Vietnam when it wasn't a 1949 signatory? I'm not sure I understand your question/point.

If you have heard from some IDP 1949 holders that the polices accepted it, that is because they were lucky , but not lawfully. - @ajairon

Heard from? It's not hearsay. I'd written earlier that I'd personally visited the CSGT office in D7, Saigon, and confirmed that my Canadian issued IDP (1949) was acceptable.

On my Canadian IDP, Vietnam is listed under "States where the 1949 International Driving Permit is accepted".

United States member yng68bld wrote, "According to the AAA website, Vietnam is OK for IDP usage, "Not party to 1949 Convention: International Driving Permit Honored", and, "I still think it is legal with 1949 convention one due to Vietnam honoring the IDP even if it was not part of the driving world back then."

From the Gov't of Hong Kong website (a 1949 signatory state) we get...

"Which countries or places accept the International Driving Permit issued in Hong Kong (in alphabetical order)?"

On that page, we see, "International Driving Permit (IDP) is issued in accordance with the 1949 Convention". Scrolling down to the countries listed under the "S to Z" panel we see Vietnam listed as accepting HK's 1949 IDPs.

From The Republic of Ireland's website on International Driving Permit , it states, "Many other countries that are not signatories to the 1949 convention recognise the international driving permit and accept it. You should contact your embassy or consulate in advance of travelling to confirm if it is recognized by them."

On the Irish IDP application page (Link PDF), Vietnam is showing as accepting 1949 IDPs, with the caveat that "National licence or IDP should be presented to the local police who will issue a visitors licence." (I do not believe that visitors licenses are currently issued, IDPs being sufficient)

On the 2nd Nov, 1953, Vietnam granted Accession to the 1949 convention (i.e. accepted the terms, assigned authority, implemented).

On the 28th Aug, 2014, Vietnam granted Accession to the 1968 convention.

It would seem that both the 1949 and the 1968 conventions are recognised in Vietnam.

I think much of the confusion around this subject is due to people's misinterpretation of the acts, and of AI generated responses. AI is known to make errors based upon what it perceives to be the consensus on forum/web posts.

Recall the recent notice from AI, from one of our expat.com editorial contributors, as well as from many other sites, of "Vietnam's new retirement visa now being available!"

There's a very good reason why Google posts this with each AI generated response...

Bottom line, in my opinion, is "International Driving Permit (IDP) is valid for use in Việt Nam", be it from a 1949 or 1968 issuing country.

@Aidan in HCMC

As an Australian citizen I'm in contact with my federal government member, her office is investigating the matter, I've sent her a link to this site on the subject as the more information they have the easier it will be for them, I'd like to urge others to do similar.

Reports from members is that it it is not possible for a visitor on a 90 day visa to be granted a VN driver's license. - @Aidan in HCMC

Here in Đà Nẵng, the top agency I know of that has been assisting foreigners in obtaining their driver's licenses (since before I returned here in 2018) has stopped helping anyone on a tourist visa OR 5-Year Visa Exemption Certificate (VEC).

They simply refuse the business unless a person is in possession of a Temporary Resident Card (TRC), Permanent Resident Card (PRC) or a business/diplomatic/other visa of 1 year or longer duration.

@Aidan in HCMC
As an Australian citizen I'm in contact with my federal government member, her office is investigating the matter, I've sent her a link to this site on the subject as the more information they have the easier it will be for them, I'd like to urge others to do similar. - @MarkinNam

See the post immediately above yours, here.

I had stated in a different thread...

"I suggest you buy your AAA IDP (it's cheap), and upon arrival present yourself at a police station and get their opinion. If they give you the go-ahead, you can drive that very day."

@Aidan in HCMC

CAA now hve a notice on their website, that Vietnam does NOT accept a Canadian IDP since March of 2025. The webpage of CAA showing the whole story is here: https://atlantic.caa.ca/travel/internat … ng-permit.

Here's AI Perplexity's answer:

Important Changes in Recent Years

Although Vietnam acceded to the 1949 Convention in 1953, there have been significant updates:

Vietnam now follows the provisions of the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic (not the 1949 Geneva Convention), while Canada still issues IDPs under the 1949 convention.

As a result, Canadian-issued IDPs under the 1949 Geneva Convention are no longer recognized for driving in Vietnam as of recent policy changes.

Summary : Vietnam, 1949 Convention, and Canadian IDP

Aspect    Details

1949 Convention accession date    Vietnam: 2 November 1953

What it meant historically    Vietnam agreed to recognize IDPs under the 1949 Convention, including those from Canada

Current recognition of Canadian IDP    No longer recognized in Vietnam (Vietnam now follows the 1968 Vienna Convention)

Canadian IDP legal in Vietnam today?    No

Key Points

"Accession" to the 1949 Convention signaled Vietnam’s agreement to honor IDPs, including Canadian-issued ones, starting from 1953.

As of 2025, Vietnamese authorities do not accept Canadian IDPs under the 1949 Convention due to a change in international agreements.

Sorry, the missing parts of the CAA URL are: international-driving-permit

@- kjkinVn

Thank you very much for that!

Here it is (Link)

"The IDP is valid in all the countries that signed the United Nations 1949 Convention on Road Traffic. Many other countries recognize the IDP and accept it in their territories even if they aren’t part of the agreement. CAA IDPs are valid outside North America except for those used for translation purposes or required by law. Effective March 2025, Vietnam no longer recognizes the Canadian International Driving Permit."

That's big news, indeed. I'll be in Duong Dong later this afternoon and I'll stop in to the local police precinct there to confirm this.

Thank you, again!

Hi Aidan...kindly update us after your visit the Duong Dong police department. Thanks

I visited the police yesterday with my GF, and spoke to a lady officer there. She and my GF have some mutual friends, so the conversation was quite relaxed.

I showed her my old Canadian IDP, and asked whether visiting Canadians would be able to use their IDPs in VN. I was going to show her the page which lists the countries where a CDN IDP is valid (which lists Vietnam as accepting), but before I could she said that it would be "Okay in VN". I asked about other countries IDPs, and showed her on my GF's phone pics of US, British, and Australian IDPS. She said that IDPs from those countries would also be accepted.

I told her that I was a member of a large forum for expats visiting/living in VN and that there was confusion among the forum members as to whether countries which were not included in the 1968 convention (e.g. Canada, US, Britain, Australia etc) could drive here legally. She was apparently unaware of there being three conventions, being 1926, '49, and '68. Nor was she aware of any change in policy as of March 2025 regarding the validity of IDPs from different countries.

Sensing that she might not be fully informed on the matter, she invited us to speak to the chief of the detachment upon his return from Saigon on Friday. I could tell she was getting a little uncomfortable by my very specific questions, so I thanked her and told her we'd visit again to discuss the matter with her superior.

Updates as I get them.

@TyNg

Hahah. $400 ,,,are you mad???

@Aidan in HCMC

Hahaahahah Good luck with that.  And you think the traffic police are going to care much about it anyway?? No . They are not. Theyre just looking for coffee money , so pay them  a small fee and move on.

Visited the detachment today, but the police chief was MIA. "He come Monday", I was told.

I'll visit again then.

@Aidan in HCMC

Mmmmm I still thinking about one thing is the real Law, and another is what an agent or police thinks he/she knows. And unfortunately the lady police doesn't. Here is the link of the current Law on Traffic 36/2024/QH15....(yes, that law that says to hold a license, respect the traffic light and the sidewalks) there you can read the entire Art.57 https://www.studocu.vn/vn/document/truo … /120925391

@ajairon

The reason why is quite confused by many people. Vietnam has nsigned the Road Geneva Convention of 1949 but agreed only with those regarding Roads and Signals, not for IDP.   In 1958 took it again but just clarifying to accept the standards of licenses and accept ASEAN countries. Finally with these new updated law, effective from January 2025, that point has been confirmed once again

any update on Canada from those on-the-ground? (CAA web site as of today still says "not accepted in Vietnam".))

any update on Canada from those on-the-ground? (CAA web site as of today still says "not accepted in Vietnam".)) - @danno42

My apologies for not following up on this. I've been dealing with other more pressing legal matters.

I'll be in Duong Dong tomorrow morning and I'll try to speak with the police then. I'm hoping the grand-poobah  will be available and will report back to the forum then.