driving in vietnam

[BinhJerome 14]

Does anyone know what is needed to Drive a motorbike in Vietnam? I have heard that existing licenses from other countries are honored in Vietnam, but in America there is no license for a motorbike, just a motorcycle. What do I need, and where do I need to get it? You see foreigners driving motorbikes all over the place, and people renting them out, so do I really need anything? I also heard that anything like a 125 or so cc engine is classified in Vietnam as a motorcycle, and would require approperiate licenses to drive, so can I stick with a new 110 cc honda and be okay? I would greatly appreciate it if you can help me figure this out. Thanks Jerome

[Bob-KhaHan 1]

I've only heard that you can only ride a motorbike with a Vietnamese license

International driving permits and U.S. drivers' licenses are not valid in Vietnam. Foreigners renting vehicles risk prosecution and/or imprisonment for driving without a Vietnamese license endorsed for the appropriate vehicle. U.S. citizens who wish to drive in Vietnam should contact any office of the Provincial Public Transportation Service of the Vietnamese Department of Communications and Transport to obtain a Vietnamese driver's license. The U.S. Embassy in Hanoi and Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City cannot assist U.S. citizens in obtaining Vietnamese driver's permits or notarize U.S. drivers' licenses for use in Vietnam.

http://travel.state....s/cis_1060.html

http://www.vietnam.a...als_vietnam.php

http://www.vietnam.e...in_Vietnam.html

[Teacher Mark 53]

http://www.expatservices.tk/

[BinhJerome 14]

Thanks guys, I did not have much luck with google and your links helped out greatly. Thanks again Jerome

[luckytxn 2,264]

Guess that will explain when I tried to sneak away and take a scooter that my babes brothers ran out and jumped me to stop me.

[Jake & Phuong 0]

Jerome, I did get a Vietnamese license called A1 in Saigon last year. What you need is your US driver license with a motorcycle license (M1) and they will let you transfer that into a Vietnamese license. You still keep your US license. My local friend did with me and I forgot the exact process and offices. I remember that I had to get an application at one office, filled it out, got it translated (costed 70,000 dong), took pictures at a regular photo store, went to an office assisting to VIET KIEU (Vietnamese from other Countries) to get the application certified (no cost but it was obvious that I had to put money in the donation box). The last step was to submit the application, 30,000 dong fee, and waited for five days to have the license. The whole thing cost me about 120,000 dong. Amazing!!!! With this license, I can drive a car and motorbike under 175cc. Anthing above 175cc will require an A2 license which only given out to special circumstances or you are belonged to the HOCHIMINH motorcycle group. That was the explanation that they gave me eventhough I have the M1 license in the US which allows me to ride any motorcycle.

My recommendation to you is just renting a regular motorbike or even a HONDA SH 150i ($15 to $20 a day). You just have to ride it safely and obey the traffic law in Vietnam (there are some traffic laws similar to the US, I think). When you rent it, make sure you have the phone number of the place you rent the bike. In case you get pulled over for doing a wheelie, you can call them to rescue you or pay your way out. Before getting my legal license last year, I just rode without one and never got pulled over.

I also hear that the traffic cops typically don't stop the foreigners because they don't speak any English. Unless you are doing some thing that is crazy, they will stop you and confiscate your bike. Jerome, keep on riding. It's a challenge in Saigon but you'll love it. Try to take your love one on a trip to VUNG TAU on a motorbike, it's really fun. Good luck and let me know if you have any questions.

[BinhJerome 14]

Jerome, I did get a Vietnamese license called A1 in Saigon last year. What you need is your US driver license with a motorcycle license (M1) and they will let you transfer that into a Vietnamese license. You still keep your US license. My local friend did with me and I forgot the exact process and offices. I remember that I had to get an application at one office, filled it out, got it translated (costed 70,000 dong), took pictures at a regular photo store, went to an office assisting to VIET KIEU (Vietnamese from other Countries) to get the application certified (no cost but it was obvious that I had to put money in the donation box). The last step was to submit the application, 30,000 dong fee, and waited for five days to have the license. The whole thing cost me about 120,000 dong. Amazing!!!! With this license, I can drive a car and motorbike under 175cc. Anthing above 175cc will require an A2 license which only given out to special circumstances or you are belonged to the HOCHIMINH motorcycle group. That was the explanation that they gave me eventhough I have the M1 license in the US which allows me to ride any motorcycle.

My recommendation to you is just renting a regular motorbike or even a HONDA SH 150i ($15 to $20 a day). You just have to ride it safely and obey the traffic law in Vietnam (there are some traffic laws similar to the US, I think). When you rent it, make sure you have the phone number of the place you rent the bike. In case you get pulled over for doing a wheelie, you can call them to rescue you or pay your way out. Before getting my legal license last year, I just rode without one and never got pulled over.

I also hear that the traffic cops typically don't stop the foreigners because they don't speak any English. Unless you are doing some thing that is crazy, they will stop you and confiscate your bike. Jerome, keep on riding. It's a challenge in Saigon but you'll love it. Try to take your love one on a trip to VUNG TAU on a motorbike, it's really fun. Good luck and let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks for the insight, I just bought a 125 cc Yahama with an automatic, the thing is that I just had my regular drivers license from the US I never had the motorcycle endorsement on it. And I do not read Vietnamese yet, so how will I go about taking the test, my license simply says no endorsements. I just know that I want to do it the right way, if it is worth doing then it is worth doing right. Thanks again Jerome

[Teacher Mark 53]

1.) I wouldn't recommend a Vung Tau trip anytime soon. Not on a motorbike at least. You're 4 times more likely to die in an accident outside of the city limits. Get some experience first.

2.) Easy on the front brake.

3.) The trucks, buses and taxis are reputed to have a yearly limit of 2 fatalities, so steer clear(literally). Money talks here. Your life is worth about 40M VND. Truckers will back over you to make sure you're dead. Otherwise they have to pay for your care.

4.) The roundabouts are deathtraps. The trick is to try and stay to the outside. Always try to line yourself up with some blockers, like a football game. Stay to their outside and then cut in to block the other oncoming traffic. It's an artform.

5.) Vietnamese passenger = a translator for the cops. You're an ATM on wheels with a Viet on the back. If you're alone, they'll leave you alone.

6.) Don't say anything to anyone who pi$$es you off. Remember, the have Vietnam Vets here too. It's also wise to remeber that guns are illegal, knives aren't.

7.) They do it to each other too. That spreads all the way across the spectrum regarding life here.

8.) The horn doesn't cost anything, so use it. Out of sight = out of mind. The vast majority of the drivers merge without looking.

9.) Watch the red lights. It only means slow down to a few.

10.) Motorbikes have the right of way, but that doesn't stop pedestrians from stepping in front of you. Hit one and you could end up paying them for life.

11.) You're already an oddity, being white. Adding the motorbike makes you an absolute freak. Prepare to be stared at constantly.

12.) Keep an eye on Goober, down at the fillin' station. He'll try to short you sometimes.

13.) Keep your right hand on the throttle. Never try to hold something while the bike is running. You're asking for trouble if you do. Alos make sure your foot is planted solid when starting off or stopping. A good pair of shoes is essential.

14.) watch out for the manhole covers and the lines on the road. They're a bit slick.

15.) The real fun starts in June.

On a personal note, I agree that any job worth doing is worth doing right. Few share that sentiment here though. You'll go crazy if you don't accept that.

Good luck.

Edited March 22, 2010 by Mr. Saigon

[BinhJerome 14]

1.) I wouldn't recommend a Vung Tau trip anytime soon. Not on a motorbike at least. You're 4 times more likely to die in an accident outside of the city limits. Get some experience first.

2.) Easy on the front brake.

3.) The trucks, buses and taxis are reputed to have a yearly limit of 2 fatalities, so steer clear(literally). Money talks here. Your life is worth about 40M VND. Truckers will back over you to make sure you're dead. Otherwise they have to pay for your care.

4.) The roundabouts are deathtraps. The trick is to try and stay to the outside. Always try to line yourself up with some blockers, like a football game. Stay to their outside and then cut in to block the other oncoming traffic. It's an artform.

5.) Vietnamese passenger = a translator for the cops. You're an ATM on wheels with a Viet on the back. If you're alone, they'll leave you alone.

6.) Don't say anything to anyone who pi$$es you off. Remember, the have Vietnam Vets here too. It's also wise to remeber that guns are illegal, knives aren't.

7.) They do it to each other too. That spreads all the way across the spectrum regarding life here.

8.) The horn doesn't cost anything, so use it. Out of sight = out of mind. The vast majority of the drivers merge without looking.

9.) Watch the red lights. It only means slow down to a few.

10.) Motorbikes have the right of way, but that doesn't stop pedestrians from stepping in front of you. Hit one and you could end up paying them for life.

11.) You're already an oddity, being white. Adding the motorbike makes you an absolute freak. Prepare to be stared at constantly.

12.) Keep an eye on Goober, down at the fillin' station. He'll try to short you sometimes.

13.) Keep your right hand on the throttle. Never try to hold something while the bike is running. You're asking for trouble if you do. Alos make sure your foot is planted solid when starting off or stopping. A good pair of shoes is essential.

14.) watch out for the manhole covers and the lines on the road. They're a bit slick.

15.) The real fun starts in June.

On a personal note, I agree that any job worth doing is worth doing right. Few share that sentiment here though. You'll go crazy if you don't accept that.

Good luck.

Thanks I appreciate the insight, I know when I practice I am going to have Binh yell stop often , kinda simulate someone pulling out infront of me at random times. I know that the Yahama nuvo that I got has a touchy throttle, something I am going to have to get used to, I take it the real fun is when the roads are flooded from all the rain? I did make sure that I got the automatic to start with, I figured the last thing I wanted to worry about was a clutch. Thanks again, lots of things to watch out for, and I am one of the people that walk infront of motor bikes, but that is the only way to cross the street. jerome