Conditions for operating foreign vehicles in Vietnam

Under a new decree from the Government, foreigners who wish to bring foreign vehicles to Vietnam for general use shall have to obtain approval from relevant authority.

 The Government has recently promulgated Decree No. 151/2024/ND-CP on detailed implementation of several provisions of the new Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety, the Government News has reported.

Under the decree, foreigners who wish to bring foreign vehicles to Vietnam for general use shall have to obtain approval from relevant authority.

Foreign nationals shall have to request a Vietnamese travel agency to carry out procedures for approval if they wish to bring passenger cars with right-hand or left-hand drive (up to eight seats excluding driver's seat), mobile homes, and two-wheeled motorbikes.

Foreign nationals shall have to submit a diplomatic note from diplomatic mission, consular office or representative office of an inter-governmental international organization in Vietnam. The diplomatic note shall have to specify the reasons for use of foreign vehicles (for carrying passengers, not intended for tourism).

A foreign vehicle operating in Vietnam shall have to meet the following conditions:

- Having valid registration certificate and valid number plate issued by the relevant authority in the country where the registration certificate is issued.

- Having valid certificate for technical safety and environmental protection or equivalent papers issued by the relevant authority in the country where the registration certificate is issued.

Meanwhile, a foreigner who wishes to operate foreign vehicle in Vietnam shall have to meet the following conditions:

- Having valid passport, visa or other recognized paper for international travel, and valid residence status in Vietnam, unless exempted from visa or restricted from entry into Vietnam under the Vietnamese immigration law.

In case of unilateral visa exemption, foreign national's passport must remain valid for at least six months prior to entry.

- Having valid driving license suitable for the type of vehicle approved to operate in Vietnam.

A foreign national shall also have to bring the following documents when he/she drives foreign vehicle in Vietnam:

- Valid passport or recognized paper for international travel, and papers proving their residence status in Vietnam;

- Valid driving license suitable for the type of vehicle permitted to operate in Vietnam;

- Valid technical safety and environmental protection certificate or equivalent papers issued by relevant authority in country of registration;

- Valid vehicle registration certificate issued by relevant authority in the country of registration;

- Civil liability insurance certificate for the vehicle, valid in Vietnam; and

- Temporary import-export customs declaration for the vehicle.