Riding a Motorbike in Vietnam: License, Rules and Safer Options

Riding a motorbike in Vietnam is legal for tourists only with the right papers: your home motorcycle license plus an international driving permit issued under the 1968 Vienna Convention, or a Vietnamese license. This guide from our Vietnam travel blog explains who can ride, renting, insurance, safety, the best roads and the alternatives if you cannot ride legally.

Police checks on foreign riders have increased in tourist areas, and an accident without a valid license is expensive. Sort out your papers as carefully as your visa; if you still need a visa, apply for a Vietnam e-visa online.

Can tourists ride a motorbike in Vietnam?

Yes, if your license and permit are recognized in Vietnam. Vietnam accepts an international driving permit issued under the 1968 Vienna Convention, used together with your home motorcycle license, or a Vietnamese motorcycle license.

The UK government tells riders to carry their license and an international permit, and notes that riding without third-party insurance is illegal. Several countries issue only the 1949 version of the international driving permit, so check which convention your permit names before you rely on it.

Renting a motorbike

Motorbike rental in Vietnam is easy in every tourist town, and rental shops rarely ask for a license. That does not make riding legal: the responsibility is yours if police stop you.

Choose a shop with good reviews and a written agreement. Check the brakes, lights, horn and tires, photograph any damage, and ask for a helmet that fits and fastens. Do not leave your passport as a deposit; offer a cash deposit or a copy instead.

Insurance and accidents

Most travel insurance policies do not cover motorbike accidents if you ride without a valid license, and some exclude larger engines altogether. Read the motorbike section of your policy before you rent.

Without cover, hospital bills and damage claims fall on you. In May 2026, Tuoi Tre reported that police in Khanh Hoa stopped several foreign riders without valid permits. Fines rose under traffic penalties in force since January 2025, and bikes can be held.

Staying safe riding a motorbike in Vietnam

Traffic in Vietnam is dense and follows its own logic: vehicles flow around each other, horns signal presence, and larger vehicles take priority. Ride slowly and predictably.

• Always wear a fastened helmet: it is the law, and it saves lives.
• Avoid night riding: unlit roads, animals and trucks are common hazards.
• Watch for gravel and wet roads: especially on mountain passes.
• Do not drink and ride: Vietnam enforces a zero alcohol limit for drivers.

Best roads to ride

The most scenic roads in Vietnam are in the mountains and along the central coast. Ride them with experience, or as a passenger behind an easy rider.

The Ha Giang loop in the far north is the most famous; our Ha Giang loop guide covers the four-day route. The Hai Van Pass between Da Nang and Hue is short and spectacular. Riding across borders is a different matter: see crossing the border by motorbike. If you do not meet the license rules, two options let you enjoy the roads anyway.

Alternatives to riding yourself

You can see Vietnam from a motorbike without holding the license. These two options cover city trips and mountain roads.

Motorbike taxis and Grab

A motorbike taxi in Vietnam, called xe om, is the quickest way through city traffic. Book one through Grab or Be for a fixed price and a registered driver with a spare helmet. Our guide to getting around Vietnam compares other city options.

Easy riders

An easy rider is a local licensed driver who carries you as a passenger on multi-day trips through the mountains. You see the same roads with less risk, and the driver handles the route, repairs and police checks. Book through reputable tour companies.

VietnamVisa-Easy.com is a private visa service operated by H2 Global Travel JSC since 2012, not a government website, and you can apply directly at evisa.gov.vn for US$25. If you would like your visa checked before your trip, start your application with us.