Conditions for foreigners operating foreign motor vehicles participating in traffic in Vietnam

Conditions for foreigners operating foreign motor vehicles participating in traffic in Vietnam​ (Image from the Internet)

1. Conditions for foreigners operating foreign motor vehicles participating in traffic in Vietnam

According to Clause 5 Article 32 of Decree 151/2024/ND-CP, the conditions for foreigners operating foreign motor vehicles in traffic in Vietnam are as follows:

- Possess a passport, visa, or documents valid for international travel, documents valid for residence in Vietnam, except for cases exempt from visas and not subject to entry prohibition as per the law on entry, exit, transit, and residence of foreigners in Vietnam.

For foreigners entering under unilateral visa exemption, the passport must be valid for at least 6 months; foreigners using electronic visas must enter through international checkpoints as determined by the Government of Vietnam according to the law on entry, exit, transit, and residence of foreigners in Vietnam;

- Hold a valid driver's license corresponding to the type of vehicle being operated, valid within the territory of Vietnam.

2. Conditions for foreign motor vehicles in traffic in Vietnam

The conditions for foreign motor vehicles in traffic in Vietnam according to Clause 4 Article 32 of Decree 151/2024/ND-CP are as follows:

- Have a vehicle registration certificate and number plate issued by the competent authority of the country registering the vehicle and remain valid;

- Have a certificate of inspection for safety and environmental protection for motor vehicles or equivalent documents issued by the competent authority of the country registering the vehicle, valid for automobiles.

3. Regulations on foreigners operating foreign motor vehicles in traffic in Vietnam

According to Article 34 of Decree 151/2024/ND-CP, regulations concerning foreigners operating foreign motor vehicles in traffic in Vietnam are as follows:

- Foreigners operating foreign motor vehicles in traffic in Vietnam must travel in groups and have a lead vehicle to guide throughout the process. The guide vehicle must be an automobile or motorcycle suitable for the vehicle used in the group.

- Be allowed to participate in traffic on road routes, road sections, and operating times within Vietnam's territory as stipulated in the approval document by the competent authority.

- When operating foreign motor vehicles in traffic, foreigners must comply with Vietnam's legal provisions on road traffic order and safety; carry and present when required by the competent authority the following documents:

+ Passport or document valid for international travel, related documents for residence in Vietnam;

+ Driver’s license appropriate for the vehicle type being operated, valid within Vietnam’s territory;

+ Certificate of inspection for safety and environmental protection for motor vehicles or equivalent documents issued by the competent authority of the country registering the vehicle, valid for automobiles;

+ Vehicle registration certificate issued by the competent authority of the country registering the vehicle, valid;

+ Certificate of civil liability insurance for motor vehicle owners valid in Vietnam;

+ Customs declaration for temporarily imported, re-exported road vehicles.

4. Responsibilities of relevant authorities in management of foreigners operating foreign motor vehicles in traffic in Vietnam

The responsibilities of relevant authorities in managing foreigners operating foreign motor vehicles in traffic in Vietnam according to Article 36 of Decree 151/2024/ND-CP are as follows:

- The Ministry of Public Security is responsible for:

+ Leading the organization, inspection, and control of exit and entry at border gates under its management scope; executing visa issuance, granting temporary residence certificates for foreigners entering according to the law on entry, exit, transit, and residence of foreigners in Vietnam;

+ Coordinating with the Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Finance in handling procedures for temporary import and re-export of foreign motor vehicles participating in traffic in Vietnam;

+ Inspecting and handling violations by international travel service businesses of Vietnam, organizations, and individuals involved in organizing foreigners operating foreign motor vehicles in traffic in Vietnam; and foreigners operating foreign motor vehicles in traffic in Vietnam;

+ Notifying the Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Transport, and diplomatic missions, consular offices, or offices of international organizations in Vietnam regarding violations of law or traffic accidents involving foreigners operating foreign motor vehicles, or incidents involving foreign motor vehicles during traffic participation in Vietnam.

- The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is responsible for:

+ Guiding organizations and individuals in procedures for bringing foreign motor vehicles into traffic in Vietnam as per Decree 151/2024/ND-CP;

+ Collaborating with the Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Finance in managing the operations of foreigners, foreign motor vehicles entering Vietnam;

+ Collaborating with units, localities, and enterprises to research and develop programs, routes, and road trips for foreign tourists.

- The Ministry of National Defense is responsible for leading the organization, inspection, and control of exit and entry at border gates under its management scope; executing border control procedures, issuance, modification, revocation, or cancellation of visas, and granting temporary residence certificates for foreigners entering as per the law; cooperate with specialized state management agencies at border gates to supervise vehicle procedures for temporary import and re-export as per the law.

- The Ministry of Finance is responsible for leading, cooperate with the Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of National Defense in executing procedures for temporary import and re-export of foreign motor vehicles brought into Vietnam as per the law.

- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Transport is responsible for cooperating with the Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and foreign representative offices in Vietnam in organizing and managing the activities of foreigners and foreign motor vehicles brought into Vietnam.

- The People’s Committee of provinces and centrally-run cities is responsible for directing local functional agencies to manage and inspect activities of foreigners and foreign motor vehicles brought into Vietnam as per the regulations; notifying the Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Transport, and diplomatic missions, consular offices, or offices of international organizations related to the Government of Vietnam regarding violations of law or traffic accidents involving foreigners operating foreign motor vehicles, or incidents involving foreign motor vehicles during traffic participation in Vietnam.

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