What are conditions for foreign motor vehicles joining in traffic in Vietnam?

What are conditions for foreign motor vehicles joining in traffic in Vietnam?

Pursuant to Clause 18 Article 3 of the Law on Road Traffic in 2008 stipulating as follows:

Road motor vehicle (below referred to as motor vehicle) means automobile; tractor; trailer or semi-trailer drawn by automobile or tractor; motorcycles, three-wheeled motor vehicle, moped (including electric moped) and the like.

Pursuant to Article 3 of the Decree 152/2013/NĐ-CP (amended by Article 1 of the Decree 57/2015/NĐ-CP) stipulating conditions for foreign motor vehicles joining in traffic in Vietnam as follows:

1. They must through Vietnamese international travel enterprises do procedures for request for approval and organization of implementation. Duration of permission to join in traffic in Vietnam maximally not exceed 30 days. In case of force majeure (natural disasters, traffic accidents, vehicles are decayed and not able to repair in Vietnam), vehicles may be stayed in Vietnam additionally not exceeding 10 days.

2. Having written acceptance of the Ministry of Transport;

3. Conditions applicable to vehicles:

a) Being automobiles carrying passengers with the left-hand steering wheel of less than or equal to 9 seats, and motor bikes;

b) Under ownership of foreign organizations and individuals, registered in foreign countries and affixed the foreign number plates;

c) Having certificate of vehicle registration issued by competent agencies of countries where vehicles are registered and still valid;

d) Having certificate of technical safety verification and environmental protection for motor vehicles issued by competent agencies of countries where vehicles are registered and still valid (for automobiles).

4. Conditions applicable to drivers of vehicles:

a) Being foreign citizens;

b) Having passports or papers valued to replace passport and still valid for use of at least 06 months, from the day of immigration and must have visa (except for case of visa exemption) in conformity with duration of temporary residence in Vietnam;

c) Having license of driving in conformity with the driven vehicle kind.

The international motorcycles can join in traffic in Vietnam for maximum 40 days in case of force majeure. Your friend's vehicle shall go through Vietnamese international travel enterprises, have written acceptance of the Ministry of Transport. In addition, your friend must satify conditions as above.

What are procedures for acceptance for foreign motor vehicles joining in traffic in Vietnam?

Pursuant to Article 4 of the Decree 152/2013/NĐ-CP (amended by Article 1 of the Decree 57/2015/NĐ-CP) stipulating procedures for acceptance for foreign motor vehicles joining in traffic in Vietnam as follows:

1. The Vietnam international travel enterprises shall send to the Ministry of Transport 01 set of dossier, including the following papers:

a) Official dispatch requesting for acceptance of organization for foreign tourists to put motor vehicles in traffic in Vietnam. In which clearly state quantity of vehicles, quantity of persons, date and border-gates of immigration, date and border-gates of emigration, road map of routes in tourism program;

b) Copies of documents stated in point c, point d Clause 3 and point b, point c Clause 4 Article 3 of this Decree;

c) List of vehicle drivers; List of vehicles, the number plates of vehicles, color of vehicles, frame numbers, machine numbers (the international travel enterprises will sign, affix their seal and take responsibility for accuracy of information already stated);

d) Copy of license of trading in international travel issued by The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

2. Not later than 03 working days from the day on which the satisfactory application specified in Clause 1 of this Article is received, the Ministry of Transport shall issue a written permission for the use of the foreign motor vehicle to on public roads in Vietnam. The written permission shall be sent to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Finance, the Border Guard High Command and relevant People’s Committees of provinces for cooperation in management. If the application is rejected, a written response shall be sent within 03 working days containing the explanation.

3. The written acceptance of the Ministry of Transport must clearly state border gate of immigration and emigration, quantity of persons, quantity of motor vehicles, frame numbers, machine numbers, color of vehicles, the vehicle number plate, name of driver, scope of route and duration of joining in traffic in Vietnam.

4. For case of force majeure defined in Clause 1 Article 3 of this Decree, after receiving the written report of tourist enterprises, the Ministry of Transport shall send a written notice to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Finance, the Command of Border Guard for coordination in management.

Above are procedures for acceptance for foreign motor vehicles joining in traffic in Vietnam.

Your friend's vehicle shall join in traffic in Vietnam after the Vietnam international travel enterprises sends the dossier to the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Transport issue a written permission for the use of the foreign motor vehicle to on public roads in Vietnam.

If the application is rejected, a written response shall be sent within 03 working days containing the explanation.

What are regulations on the foreign drivers and motor vehicles joining in traffic in Vietnam?

Pursuant to Article 5 of the Decree 152/2013/NĐ-CP stipulating foreign drivers and motor vehicles joining in traffic in Vietnam as follows:

1. It must have vehicles go ahead to lead way for foreign motor vehicles during course of joining in traffic in Vietnam. Vehicles to lead way are automobiles or motor bikes (if tourists carry motor bikes) and are arranged by the Vietnamese international travel enterprises and they must be fixed the logos or flags containing symbol of such enterprises. 

2. The vehicles must join in traffic in scope of routes and duration of circulation on Vietnam’s territory in accordance with provisions in the written acceptance of the Ministry of Transport.

3. When driving the vehicle to join in traffic, driver must strictly comply with regulations of law on road traffic of Vietnam and must carry along the following papers:

a) Passports or papers valued to replace passport and still valid for use of at least 06 months, from the day of immigration;

b) License of driving in conformity with the driven vehicle kind;

c) Certificate of technical safety verification and environmental protection for motor vehicles (for automobiles).

d) Certificate of vehicle registration issued by competent agencies of countries where vehicles are registered and still valid;

dd) Certificate of civil liability insurance of motor vehicle owner which is valid in Vietnam;

e) Vouchers of temporary import of vehicles.

Above are regulations on the foreign drivers and motor vehicles joining in traffic in Vietnam.

Best regards!