Bắc Luân II international border gate, Móng Cái City, Quảng Ninh Province. — VNA/VNS Photo Quốc Khánh

Crossing into Việt Nam via one of the many land borders is normally a straight-forward procedure, but things can get a little tricky if you want to drive into the country in your own vehicle. Việt Nam News and Law answers some questions you might have about bringing a car into the country.

I’m a foreigner planning to enter Việt Nam via a land border gate. Can I bring my motor vehicle with me to drive in the country?

According to Government Decree 151, issued in 2024, which details a number of articles of and measures for implementing the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety (Decree 151), foreign visitors may drive their motor vehicles into Việt Nam but must comply with specific requirements.

First, it is important to note that in order to drive foreign-plated vehicles into Việt Nam, foreigners must apply for a written permit through a Vietnamese international tour operator licensed to organise self-drive tours for foreigners. In addition, foreign-plated vehicles must travel in a convoy led by a guide vehicle bearing Vietnamese plates, either a car or a motorcycle, depending on the type of vehicle in the convoy. The convoy must travel along specific routes as outlined in the permit issued by competent authorities.

With regard to the types of vehicles permitted for entry, under Decree 151, foreign-plated vehicles allowed to participate in traffic in Việt Nam include passenger cars with up to eight seats (excluding the driver’s), both left-hand and right-hand drive vehicles, motorhomes and two-wheeled motorcycles.

What are the procedures for me and my vehicle to enter Việt Nam, and how long will I be allowed to drive in the country?

Under Decree 151, you must carry out entry and exit procedures in accordance with regulations on foreigners’ entry into, exit from, transit through and residence in Việt Nam. At the same time, your vehicle must undergo customs procedures and procedures for temporary import and re-export in accordance with customs law at the port of entry.

To complete these procedures, you must possess:

- A passport and an entry visa or international travel document

- A document valid for residence in Việt Nam (unless you are exempted from visa requirements)

- You must also not fall into any categories prohibited from entry under Vietnamese law

Please note that if you enter Việt Nam under a unilateral visa exemption scheme, your passport must be valid for at least six months. If you enter with an e-visa, you must do so through one of the international border gates designated by the Vietnamese Government.

Additionally, you must hold a valid driver’s licence that corresponds to the type of vehicle you intend to drive in Việt Nam and is recognised by Vietnamese authorities.

As for your vehicle, it must be accompanied by:

- A valid vehicle registration certificate

- A license plate issued by the authority of the vehicle’s country of registration

- If it is a car, a valid certificate of technical safety and environmental protection inspection (or an equivalent document issued by the registration authority in your home country)

Once all required procedures are fulfilled, you may drive your vehicle in Việt Nam. However, you must remove your vehicle from the country before your visa or visa exemption period expires.

Tour cars from Dongxing city, China, enter Việt Nam through Móng Cái International Border Gate. — VNA/VNS Photo Văn Đức

If you experience an unforeseeable incident that prevents you from leaving Việt Nam or exporting your vehicle, despite having taken all necessary measures, you may stay in Việt Nam for up to 10 additional days. In such cases, your tour operator or another relevant party must inform the licensing agency and immediately contact the public security office in the locality where the incident occurred for coordinated handling.

Customs officers check a car entering the country. — Photo https://www.vietnam-immigration.org.vn

What documents must I carry while driving my vehicle in Việt Nam?

As stipulated, when driving in Việt Nam, you must comply with Vietnamese laws on road traffic order and safety and carry the following documents for presentation upon request by competent authorities:

+ Your passport or international travel document and a valid residence document in Việt Nam

+ Your driver’s licence, accompanied by an international driving permit

+ The vehicle’s certificate of technical safety and environmental protection inspection;

+ The vehicle registration certificate

+ A valid certificate of civil liability insurance for the motor vehicle, recognised in Việt Nam and

+ The customs declaration form for temporary import and re-export of the vehicle. — VNS