Alright, let me tell you about this little adventure I had trying to get a driver’s license in Vietnam. It was a bit of a mess, but I figured it out in the end, and I’m here to share the whole story.
So, first off, I found out that my good old driver’s license from back home was basically useless in Vietnam. Apparently, foreign driver’s licenses are not valid here. Who knew? I was bummed out at first, thinking I’d be stuck taking taxis everywhere. But then, I started digging around, asking people, and checking online forums to see what my options were.
Turns out, there’s a way to get a Vietnamese driver’s license if you’re a foreigner, but it’s not exactly a walk in the park. You gotta be at least 18, which I am, thankfully. And you need to have been living, working, or studying here for more than three months. Check and check.

Here’s how it went down for me:
- First, I had to gather a bunch of documents. My passport, my residency card (which, by the way, was a whole other adventure to get), and my original driver’s license from home.
- Then, I had to get my foreign license translated and notarized. That cost me around 200,000 VND. Not too bad, but just another hoop to jump through. I tried to ask locals around for help to get this done.
- Next, I had to fill out this application form. It wasn’t too complicated, just basic info. I found it online somewhere, I don’t remember exactly where.
- After that, I had to take my pile of papers to one of these permit-granting offices. There are only three in the whole country, apparently. Luckily, there was one in the city I’m staying in.
- I went to the office, handed over all my documents, and paid the application fee. That was another 135,000 VND.
- Finally, I paid a postal fee of 30,000 VND so they could mail me the license when it was ready.
The whole process took a few weeks. There was a lot of waiting around, a bit of confusion, and a few moments where I thought I’d never get it sorted. But, eventually, I got a letter in the mail saying my license was ready!
I went back to the office, picked it up, and let me tell you, it felt like winning the lottery. Finally, I could legally drive in Vietnam! No more relying on taxis or trying to navigate the crazy traffic on a motorbike.
So, yeah, it’s definitely doable to get a Vietnamese driver’s license as a foreigner. It just takes some patience, perseverance, and a bit of spare change. If I can do it, anyone can. Just be prepared for a bit of an adventure, and you’ll be cruising around Vietnam in no time!
Honestly, the total cost wasn’t too bad – 365,000 VND in total. Cheaper than I expected, to be honest. It’s a small price to pay for the freedom of being able to drive legally.
Anyway, that’s my story. I hope this helps anyone out there who’s thinking about getting a driver’s license in Vietnam. It’s a bit of a process, but trust me, it’s worth it in the end!