Can I rent a motorbike in Vietnam with a foreign licence and do I need an international permit?

Vietnam recognizes a foreign licence for riding only together with an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued under the 1968 Vienna Convention, and the permit must cover motorcycles. Many IDPs issued in Australia, the US and the UK follow the older 1949 convention and may not be accepted. Check which convention your permit follows.

You also need to ride a bike your licence covers. A licence for cars only does not cover a motorbike, and a licence limited to small engines does not cover bigger ones. Without a valid licence, your travel insurance may not pay if you crash.

Police have stopped foreign riders who held a licence but no permit. The fine is the smaller risk. An unpaid medical bill after an accident is the bigger one.

Ask your home licensing authority which permit you can get, and read the government travel advice for your country. A tourist visa does not give a right to a Vietnamese licence. See the Vietnam travel guide.