The Regulation for foreign drivers and motor vehicles when participating in traffic in Vietnam

On 07/3/2024, the Government issued Decree No. 30/2024/ND-CP regulating the management of road motor vehicles registered abroad and brought into Vietnam by foreigners for tourism purpose.

This Decree regulates the management of road motor vehicles registered abroad and driven by foreigners participating in traffic in Vietnam for tourism purpose; the responsibilities of relevant organizations and individuals.

The Decree No. 30/2024/ND-CP stipulates that foreign drivers and motor vehicles entering Vietnam must go through Vietnamese international travel service businesses to complete the request procedures; enterprises have written approval to organize foreign tourists to bring foreign motor vehicles into traffic in Vietnam issued by the Ministry of Public Security. The vehicle must have a vehicle registration certificate and license plate issued by the competent authority of the country where the vehicle is registered and must be valid; have a certificate of technical safety and environmental protection inspection for motor vehicles or valid equivalent documents (for cars).

For foreign motor vehicles that are cars with right-hand drive, there must be a diplomatic note from a diplomatic mission, consulate or representative agency of an intergovernmental international organization in Vietnam sent the Ministry of Public Security a request and clearly stated the reason for the vehicle to participate in traffic in Vietnam. The maximum time allowed to participate in traffic in Vietnam is no more than 45 days, and in case of force majeure, an additional period of no more than 10 days is allowed.

Foreign motor vehicle drivers must have a passport or valid documents for international travel and visas or valid documents for residence in Vietnam, unless visa-exempt. In case of entry under unilateral visa exemption, the passport must be valid for at least 6 months; have a driver's license issued by a foreign country that is suitable for the type of vehicle being driven and is still valid...

The Decree also stipulates that foreign drivers and motor vehicles participating in traffic in Vietnam can only participate in traffic on routes within the provincial-level administrative boundaries and the time of circulation in the Vietnamese territory is in accordance with the regulations in the written approval of the Ministry of Public Security.

When operating a foreign motor vehicle in traffic, the driver must comply with the provisions of Vietnam's road traffic law; bring and present when the competent authority requests the following documents: Passport or valid documents for international travel, documents related to residence in Vietnam; driver's license issued by a foreign country is suitable for the type of vehicle being driven and still valid. The certificate of technical safety and environmental protection inspection for motor vehicles or equivalent documents issued by a competent authority of the country of vehicle registration that is still valid (for cars). Vehicle registration certificate is issued by the competent authority of the country of vehicle registration and still valid; customs declaration of temporarily import and re-export road transport vehicles; motor vehicle owner's civil liability insurance certificate is valid in Vietnam.

The Decree No. 30/2024/ND-CP stipulates the responsibilities of the Ministry of Public Security: Organizing and implementing the approval for Vietnamese international travel service businesses to organize for foreign tourists to bring their foreign motor vehicles participating in traffic in Vietnam.

To handle violations of the provisions of this Decree and other relevant legal regulations.

To coordinate with the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Finance in resolving temporary import and re-export procedures for foreign motor vehicles participating in traffic in Vietnam.

To coordinate with the People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities to manage, monitor and inspect foreign motor vehicles participating in traffic in Vietnam.

In some special cases to ensure order, traffic safety and national security, the Ministry of Public Security decides to refuse, suspend operations or request changes to appropriate time, route, and speed suitable for foreign motor vehicles participating in traffic in Vietnam for tourism purpose.

This Decree takes effect from May 1, 2024.

The Decree No. 152/2013/ND-CP dated November 4, 2013 regulating the management of motor vehicles brought by foreigners to Vietnam for tourism purpose and Decree No. 57/2015/ND-CP dated June 16 /2015 amending and supplementing a number of articles of Decree No. 152/2013/ND-CP dated November 4, 2013 of the Government regulating the management of motor vehicles brought by foreigners to Vietnam for tourism purpose expire from the effective date of this Decree.