Driving licence check · PRT → VNM
Can you drive in Vietnam with a Portuguese licence?
Yes, with an IDP — Vietnam requires a 1968 permit alongside your Portuguese licence.
Both countries are parties to the Vienna Convention (1968), but Vietnam enforces the international driving permit: your national licence alone is not accepted at checks or rentals. Order the 1968 IDP at home before you travel — without it, converting to a local licence is the only legal way to drive.
Local exception
Vietnam REQUIRES the 1968 IDP together with your national licence — the licence alone is not accepted, and the 1949 IDP is not valid. Without a 1968 IDP the only legal route is converting to a Vietnamese licence.
What to carry
- Your national driving licence (physical card)
- International driving permit, 1968 type
- Passport / entry stamp (rental companies ask)
Common questions
Do I need an international driving permit (IDP) in Vietnam?
Yes — carry the 1968 IDP alongside your Portuguese licence. It is issued in your home country, usually same-day.
How long can I drive in Vietnam as a visitor?
Visit validity is typically limited (commonly 3–12 months) and always ends when you become a resident — residence triggers local exchange or testing rules.
Does this apply to rentals?
Rental companies apply their own paperwork on top of the law and frequently ask for an IDP plus a passport — bring both.
Sources
Other licences in Vietnam
Type case, not legal advice: rules change and enforcement varies. Verify with the local transport authority or your embassy before driving. Treaty facts are curated from the UN treaty register and re-verified twice a year. — Fiatmap