DRIVING LICENCE UPDATE FOR FOREIGNERS IN VIETNAM Since July 1, 2026

 

DRIVING LICENCE UPDATE FOR FOREIGNERS IN VIETNAM

Planning a longer stay or already living in Vietnam? Here’s a useful update you may have missed.

Since July 1, 2026, Vietnam has expanded eligibility for foreigners to convert a valid foreign driving licence into a Vietnamese licence.

A visa, including a business visa, or a temporary residence card with at least 90 days remaining can qualify. A valid permanent residence card is also accepted, subject to the other application requirements.

However, there’s an important detail: a five-year visa exemption certificate is different from a visa. The exemption certificate alone is not listed as a qualifying document under this conversion rule.

You also need an existing, valid foreign driving licence. This update is about converting that license - not automatically receiving a licence without one. The Vietnamese licence covers the corresponding vehicle categories you’re already licensed to drive.

And it doesn’t automatically mean you’ll get a five-year driving licence. Its validity depends on your immigration document, your foreign licence’s expiry, and the limits for the Vietnamese licence category.

This is a positive update for eligible foreigners staying longer. Before applying, check your documents with the local Traffic Police licensing office so you know exactly what’s required.

Know someone planning to drive in Vietnam? Share this with them!

Source: Circular 108/2026/TT-BCA, Article 24: Hải Phòng Police guidance.

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