IDP 1949 not recognized by the Vietnamese police

During my recent trip to Vietnam, I was stopped by the Vietnamese police and learned that my IDP 1949 is not valid in Vietnam. Are there solutions to this problem, besides getting an IDP 1968 which is not possible for a US citizen? thanks! - @TyNg

There is no legal solution for someone on a tourist visa.

An American citizen here on a 1-year visa or Temporary Resident Card can apply to take the test and receive a legal driver's license

During my recent trip to Vietnam, I was stopped by the Vietnamese police and learned that my IDP 1949 is not valid in Vietnam. Are there solutions to this problem, besides getting an IDP 1968 which is not possible for a US citizen? thanks! - @TyNg

Hello TyNg. Sorry to hear about your trouble.

I've a couple of questions, please.

Where did you purchase your IDP?

Why did the police stop you?

Did you have to pay a fine? If so, what was the amount?

I have noticed that the Australian Consulate website in HCMC says, only a Vietnamese licence can be used...no class of IDP OK in VN now?

During my recent trip to Vietnam, I was stopped by the Vietnamese police and learned that my IDP 1949 is not valid in Vietnam. Are there solutions to this problem, besides getting an IDP 1968 which is not possible for a US citizen? thanks! - @TyNg
Hello TyNg. Sorry to hear about your trouble.
I've a couple of questions, please.
Where did you purchase your IDP?
Why did the police stop you?
Did you have to pay a fine? If so, what was the amount? - @Aidan in HCMC

i got my IDP from aaa.com. They randomly stopped me without a just cause (this is legal in Vietnam unlike the US where you need a just cause to stop someone). They threatened to tow away my car so I gave them some "coffee" money approximately $400.

I have noticed that the Australian Consulate website in HCMC says, only a Vietnamese licence can be used...no class of IDP OK in VN now? - @KKK36

According to an insurance agent from Mercedes in Vietnam, IDP 1968 would work. 1949 no bueno.

According to the AAA website, Vietnam is OK for IDP usage, "Not party to 1949 Convention: International Driving Permit Honored," but all of us are at the mercy of the traffic cops in VN. There is a Vietnamese saying "phép vua thua lệ làng."  I had driven in VN a few yrs ago in HCMC city and when pulled over for the so-called civilized document check, they just waved me away without incident.

According to the AAA website, Vietnam is OK for IDP usage, "Not party to 1949 Convention: International Driving Permit Honored," but all of us are at the mercy of the traffic cops in VN. There is a Vietnamese saying "phép vua thua lệ làng." I had driven in VN a few yrs ago in HCMC city and when pulled over for the so-called civilized document check, they just waved me away without incident. - @yng68bld

you're a US citizen and they let you off? Doesn't sound like the behavior of typical traffic cops in Vietnam.

Up to recently, it was an OK thing to drive in Saigon with an AAA IDP.  I was driving a tiny Vinfast 1st gen gasoline car and I was speaking fluent Vietnamese.  I still think it is legal with 1949 convention one due to Vietnam honoring the IDP even if it was not part of the driving world back then.

During my recent trip to Vietnam, I was stopped by the Vietnamese police and learned that my IDP 1949 is not valid in Vietnam. Are there solutions to this problem, besides getting an IDP 1968 which is not possible for a US citizen? thanks! - @TyNg
Hello TyNg. Sorry to hear about your trouble.
I've a couple of questions, please.
Where did you purchase your IDP?
Why did the police stop you?
Did you have to pay a fine? If so, what was the amount? - @Aidan in HCMC

i got my IDP from aaa.com. They randomly stopped me without a just cause (this is legal in Vietnam unlike the US where you need a just cause to stop someone). They threatened to tow away my car so I gave them some "coffee" money approximately $400.
- @TyNg

When you say, "...threatened to tow away my car...", might you mean 'the car'?

Do you own a car, registered/licensed in your own name in Vietnam, or was it a rental?

Up to recently, it was an OK thing to drive in Saigon with an AAA IDP. I was driving a tiny Vinfast 1st gen gasoline car and I was speaking fluent Vietnamese. I still think it is legal with 1949 convention one due to Vietnam honoring the IDP even if it was not part of the driving world back then. - @yng68bld

Agreed.

There was a recent related discussion of this back in June, titled "Legally Recognized Driver's License(s) for Vietnam" (Link).

In that thread, there is a link to a Vietnam News article, "IAA int’l driving permits not valid in Việt Nam: Police", "Only International Driving Permit (IDP) is valid for use in Việt Nam, other types of international driver's license, including IAA license, are not valid for use in the country."

I'd written in another thread...

"In it, Vietnam was listed as a country which accepted an IDP (1949) from Canada. See here, United Nations Treaty Collection, Convention on Road Traffic, Geneva, 19 September 1949 (Link) to which Vietnam and Canada are signatories. To the best of my knowledge, the 1968 convention covering the validity of IDPs did not supersede the previous conventions, rather, it incorporated additional countries to the list of the convention's member states."

And...

"Prior to purchasing a new motorcycle in 2017, I went to the local D7, Saigon, office of the CSGT (traffic police) and confirmed my IDP's validity. The absolute last thing I wanted/needed was to be fined (extorted?) or to have my brand spanking new bike confiscated." (Link, post #9)

According to an insurance agent from Mercedes in Vietnam, IDP 1968 would work. 1949 no bueno.
- @TyNg

Vietnam is a signatory to the 1949 Convention on Road Traffic

There's a lot of conflicting information regarding this matter, but it's re-assuring that there are some sources supporting the validity of IDP 1949. I'll continue to drive with my IDP 1949 in Vietnam, and hope I don't get stopped by cops that refuse to honor the IDP 1949. It was my first time getting stopped by Vietnamese cops in my 5 years of driving in Vietnam, so this was probably a bad luck encounter being stopped for no reason.

@TyNg

Ouch! 'Coffee money' sounds more 'weekend away with the wife and kids money.' I'd think a couple hundred thousand would have cleared up the problem.

@TyNg

I have my 'home' drivers licence officially translated and notarised in Vietnam.

Then go to the local government building with passport and original drivers licence to have a Vietnamese drivers licence issued, cost 200k plus translation/notarisation fees (about 150k) plus postage (20k)

They will post the VN drivers licence within a week to your nominated address.

The thing with endorsing home licenses into VN licenses is the expirations.  I was told at the Land and Transport Authority of exp date to be the visa exp date.  For 5 yrs visas free or permanent resident cards, it would make perfect sense but tourist visas would be a disadvantage.  Some people also prefer IDP due to the ability to drive in multiple countries if they are the frequent travelled kinds.

Reports from members is that it it is not possible for a visitor on a 90 day visa to be granted a VN driver's license.

@QPR_FC

I have done the same a few time and now my TRC is getting renewed again, but just heard from my VN wife that

now you also need to do a extra health check when you re-new your driving license  B1/Car.

Any experiences on this ?