How to Legally Ride a Moped in Vietnam: Essential Tips

Riding a motorbike through Vietnam is one of the great backpacker experiences — winding mountain roads in the north, coastal highways in the centre, buzzing city streets in the south. It's genuinely unforgettable. But a lot of people arrive without a clue about the legal requirements, and end up riding unlicensed, uninsured, and one police checkpoint away from a very expensive problem.

Here's what you actually need to know before you get on the bike.

Understanding Vietnam's Moped Laws

First, a small but important note: the bikes you'll be riding in Vietnam aren't technically mopeds. Mopeds are low-powered machines up to 50cc. Most rentals in Vietnam are 110-125cc semi-automatic or automatic bikes — closer to a motorcycle in legal terms. They're manageable for beginners, but they have considerably more power than people expect.

To ride one legally as a UK visitor, you need two things: a full motorcycle licence (A2 or full A) and a 1968 Convention International Driving Permit with the motorcycle ("A") category clearly endorsed. Your IDP must show the "A" stamp — a car-only licence ("B") does not cover motorcycles, and riding on one is treated as riding without a licence entirely.

Getting caught without the right documents carries a fine of around 5 million VND (roughly £150-200), and police checkpoints are a real thing — particularly in tourist areas and on the main north-south highway. More seriously, riding without valid documentation typically voids your travel insurance, which means any accident — however minor — comes out of your own pocket.

The IDP: Get It Before You Go

The 1968 International Driving Permit for Vietnam must be obtained in the UK before you travel. You cannot get one in Vietnam or on the road.

You can apply at any PayPoint store in the UK. It costs £5.50 and you'll need:

• Your full, valid UK driving licence (photocard or paper)
• The £5.50 fee (cash or card)
• A passport-standard photograph
• Your original valid passport as proof of ID

Make sure when you apply that the motorcycle category is included — a permit that only covers cars won't help you on a bike. Find your nearest PayPoint store to apply before you leave.

Getting Your UK Licence in Order: Step by Step

1. Check your licence category. You need a full A2 or A motorcycle licence. A CBT certificate, AM licence, or A1 are not sufficient. If you only have a car licence, that won't cover you for motorcycles either.
2. Apply for your 1968 IDP at a PayPoint store before you travel, with motorcycle category included.
3. Carry both documents at all times when riding — your original UK licence and your IDP. Don't leave either at your accommodation.
4. Take a photo of both documents on your phone as a backup. It won't replace the originals at a checkpoint, but it's useful if things go wrong.

Buying vs. Renting: What Backpackers Need to Know

You'll hear plenty of advice in hostels about buying a cheap "Honda Win" for $200-300 in Hanoi and selling it at the end of the trip in Ho Chi Minh City. It sounds appealing. The reality is messier.

Most of the cheap Honda Wins circulating in the backpacker market are old, poorly maintained Chinese copies rather than genuine Hondas. They break down frequently, spare parts aren't always available outside major cities, and mechanical shops in remote areas may not be able to help you. Spending two days of your trip waiting for a bike to be fixed on the side of a mountain road is less romantic than it sounds.

If you're doing a one-way north-to-south (or south-to-north) trip, one-way rentals from a reputable shop are increasingly the smarter option. You get a properly maintained bike, transparent deposit terms, and you're not gambling your whole trip on a $200 purchase. Rental prices vary by bike and location, but expect roughly $5-15 USD per day for a semi-automatic 110-125cc.

If you do buy, stick to genuine Honda or Yamaha bikes — they're the most common brands in Vietnam, which means repair shops are everywhere and parts are readily available.

Either way: take photos of any existing damage before you ride away, and never hand over your passport as a deposit. Leave cash instead.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Riding on just a CBT certificate. A CBT is not a full licence and is not recognised for riding in Vietnam. Rental shops may not check — but the police will, and your insurer will, if it comes to it.

Forgetting the IDP. Your UK licence alone is not enough. You need the 1968 IDP with motorcycle category, obtained before you leave home.

Underestimating Vietnamese traffic. Cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi have some of the most chaotic urban traffic in the world. If you've never ridden in a city before, spending a day or two getting comfortable on quieter roads before hitting the urban sprawl is a genuinely good idea.

Skipping travel insurance that covers motorcycles. Many standard travel insurance policies exclude motorcycles entirely, or only cover them if you hold a full licence in your home country. Read the small print before you go, and make sure your policy explicitly covers motorcycling.

Riding at night on unfamiliar roads. Road conditions, signage, and lighting vary enormously across Vietnam. Mountain roads in the north are spectacular during the day and genuinely hazardous at night. If you're not going to make it to your next stop before dark, stop somewhere and go in the morning.

The Classic Routes

Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi (or the reverse) is the iconic one — roughly 1,700km along the coast, typically taking 2-4 weeks depending on how many stops you make. Most riders go via Mui Ne, Da Lat, Nha Trang, Hoi An, Hue, and Phong Nha before hitting Hanoi. Some prefer north-to-south to avoid riding into the prevailing wind.

The Ha Giang Loop in the far north is what a lot of experienced riders consider the highlight of Vietnam. Dramatic limestone karst scenery, switchback mountain passes, and very little traffic — but the roads demand respect. This one is not ideal for first-timers.

The Central Highlands (Da Lat to Kon Tum to Hoi An) is a less-travelled alternative to the coastal route, with cooler temperatures, coffee plantations, and significantly fewer tourist bikes on the road.

The Bottom Line

Vietnam by motorbike is one of those trips that genuinely delivers on the hype. The roads, the scenery, the freedom of choosing your own pace — it's hard to overstate how good it can be. But it requires a full motorcycle licence, a properly obtained IDP, and a realistic respect for both the traffic and the terrain.

If you're planning a trip in the next 12 months and you only have a car licence, now is a good time to get that sorted. A full motorcycle licence can be achieved in a matter of days with the right training, and it's the thing that stands between you and riding legally — and insured — through one of the most incredible countries in the world.

Start with your CBT training and work up from there, or if you want to fast-track the whole thing, a Direct Access Scheme course gets you to a full licence in one go.

Vietnam will wait. Get the licence first.

This information is provided as a guide to support your travel planning. RideTo has made every effort to ensure accuracy, but licence and permit requirements can change. Always verify current requirements with the relevant Vietnamese authorities and your insurer before travelling. RideTo accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising from use of this information.