This article is an extension of a specific aspect but the key to those who want the loop of Ha Giang motorbike and wonder about whether it is necessary to have passport international motorcycle to drive in Vietnam. For complete information about the loop, you can take a look at my guide to prepare for a trip to Ha Giang.

Can you drive legally in Vietnam with the card international?

Cards international cards issued by the countries that adhere to the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic of 1968 are valid in Vietnam, as the country has acceded to this treaty on August 20, 2014, as it also picks up the law of the vietnamese government. This means that the international driving permits issued by countries such as Brazil, Peru, Uruguay, Cuba, United Kingdom, and Greece can be legally used to drive in Vietnam.

However, Vietnam does not recognize the international permits based on the Geneva Convention of 1949, which leaves out countries that emit cards international are based on this convention, such as Spain, united States or Australia.

To drive legally in Vietnam, you must have:

• 1) The card original of your country,
• 2) the card international, or IDP, of the convention, 1968 issued in your country through the authority gubernalmental compentente.⚠️ This card cannot be obtained in Vietnam, and the websites that offer this type of cards are fake.

1949 vs 1968: why the permissions of 1949, are not valid in Vietnam

At first glance, it might appear that Vietnam is part of the Convention of Traffic of Geneva of 1949, as it appears as an acceding country in 1953. However, the State that signed the treaty was not the current Socialist Republic of Vietnam, but the former Republic of Vietnam, a state linked to the united States during the Vietnam War, which at the time of the signing was part of the French Indochina. This State was defeated by the communist forces during the so-called “Vietnam War” and disappeared as a result of the unification of the country in 1975.

Possible consequences of driving without a card international, 1968

► Controls of police in Ha Giang

Lto police Ha Giang is a very strict, much more than in most places of Vietnam. The police officers in the area of Ha Giang stop systematically to the tourists to make sure that you have international driving license valid corresponding of 1968, and to allow them to carry a bike. The controls are frequently located on the outskirts of the city of Ha Giang, but also sometimes there are controls on the roads of the loop further away from the city.

Many police officers do not know the difference between the two types of card international. ,however, cases have been reported in the area of Ha Giang in which individuals with the card international, 1949 or without a card, any international have been forced to pay fines of between€ 50 and € 100€. These people are rarely permitted to stay on track, although there is also the possibility that you seize the bike. I have known cases of first-hand through groups of travelers that I manage (WHATSAPP: group WhatsApp on Vietnam, FACEBOOK: group of Facebook about traveling to Vietnam).

► What happens if you have an accident and causes damage to a third party without having the driving licence of 1968?

Driving with the card incorrectly can lead to other serious consequences, especially in case you have an accident or commit a serious offense. For example, if you have an accident and hurt another person driving without carrying a card valid, this could mean that:

• You consider automatically guilty, regardless of the circumstances of the accident. Therefore, it is more than likely that you end up having to pay compensation to the person or persons, and have to cope with their medical expenses arising from the accident.
• You withdraw the passport or even you stop waiting for trial, depending on the severity of the incident.
• Your travel insurance may not cover your medical expenses, to be driving illegally. It may be the case that you call the insurance and this will cover the medical assistance without asking more questions, but it is also possible that not. I know a case of a first hand of a tourist from south Africa without card international, whose insurance will not covered medical expenses (thousands of dollars) arising out of an accident that he had not had the fault.

What is Ha Giang a good place to learn to ride a bike?

The loop of Ha Giang passes through a mountainous area, with roads full of curves and significant slopes. in Addition, at certain times of the year, may occur storms causing landslides, covering the road of mud and making driving much more dangerous.

Although the loop of Ha Giang is not the circuit is extremely dangerous when the weather is favorable, it involves certain risks, especially for inexperienced drivers. , In fact, in the last few years have been reported several deaths of foreign tourists due to traffic accidents on this route.

In conclusion, I disagree to rent a scooter to those without the necessary experience. you Can check out alternative ways to do the loop in my guide to prepare for a trip to Ha Giang.