Keep right
Traffic travels on the right. Stay in the appropriate lane and follow markings, signs and police directions.
🇻🇳 Driving guide · 2026Drive in
Drive in
Vietnam
Right-side traffic and a continuous flow of scooters require patience, visibility and highly predictable movement.
The short version
Know these before moving
Five minutes here can prevent an expensive—and unsafe—mistake later.
Verify your licence
Foreign licence and IDP rules depend on applicable treaties and current Vietnamese procedures. Confirm validity before renting.
Fasten the helmet
Motorcycle and moped riders and passengers must wear a helmet and properly fasten the chin strap.
No phone in hand
Do not use a handheld mobile phone while operating a motorcycle or vehicle. Stop safely first.
Avoid alcohol completely
Vietnam applies strict drink-driving rules. The safe practical choice is no alcohol before driving or riding.
Follow posted limits
Road class, vehicle and location affect restrictions. Obey the current sign rather than a universal number.
On the roadRead the street,
Read the street,
not just the map.
Expect mixed traffic, quick lane changes and road users travelling at very different speeds.
Flow is continuous
Avoid sudden swerves or stops. Signal early, hold a predictable line and leave space for scooters.
Intersections are layered
Scan far ahead and both ways. A green signal never removes the need to check for crossing traffic.
Police directions come first
Follow authorised traffic officers even when an instruction differs from a signal or navigation app.
Rain hides hazards
Reduce speed smoothly, increase following distance and avoid flooded areas whose depth is unknown.
Pre-drive checklist
Ready to turn the key?
Do not rely on the rental counter alone. The driver remains responsible for valid documents and a roadworthy vehicle.
- Passport and licence recognised for use in Vietnam
- Correct vehicle category shown on the licence
- Rental documents and insurance coverage confirmed
- Tyres, brakes, lights, horn and mirrors checked
- Proper helmets for rider and passenger
- Route reviewed before joining dense traffic
Common questions
Before you rent
Is an International Driving Permit automatically valid?+
Not every IDP is valid everywhere. Recognition depends on the convention, issuing country, matching domestic licence and correct vehicle category.
Can a tourist bring a foreign vehicle into Vietnam?+
A separate approval process applies. Government guidance requires arrangements through a Vietnamese international travel business and document, route and time conditions.
How should I move in dense scooter traffic?+
Be visible and predictable. Avoid abrupt direction or speed changes and leave surrounding riders time to react.
Official references
Open these government and transport-authority sources for current procedures and full legal wording.
Vietnam Ministry of Transport — Road Traffic Law (English PDF)↗Government guidance — foreign licence procedures↗Government guidance — foreign tourist vehicles↗Next guide🇹🇭 Thailand →