Foreign tourists who wish to bring their motor vehicles into Vietnam and drive or ride them must complete approval procedures through Vietnamese international travel service providers and obtain authorization documents issued by the Ministry of Public Security beginning in May, as per a recent decree.

Government Decree 30/2024/ND-CP, dated March 7, outlines regulations for managing motor vehicles registered abroad and brought into Vietnam by foreigners for tourism purposes.

The decree specifies that foreign-registered vehicles eligible for entry into Vietnam must be passenger cars with either right-hand or left-hand drive and have nine seats or fewer. Motorbikes or caravans are permitted as well.

These vehicles must possess valid vehicle registration certificates and license plates issued by the relevant authority in their home country, along with technical safety and environmental protection inspection certificates or equivalent documents.

For right-hand drive cars, a diplomatic note from a diplomatic mission, consular office, or representative office of an intergovernmental organization in Vietnam is necessary. This note should clarify the purpose of using Vietnam's roads and must be presented to the Ministry of Public Security upon request.

Foreign vehicles are permitted to operate on Vietnam’s roads for a maximum of 45 days, with a possible extension of up to 10 days in case of force majeure events.

Drivers of foreign motor vehicles must hold valid driver’s licenses from their home countries, passports, or other internationally recognized travel documents, and visas or residence documents for Vietnam, unless eligible for a visa exemption. 

If they are entering Vietnam under a unilateral visa exemption, their passports must remain valid for at least six months.

The decree will take effect from May 1.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!