Can a driver's license issued in Indonesia be used in Vietnam?

Specifically:

1. Am I allowed to use my Indonesian driver’s license to drive in Vietnam?

2. Indonesia is a member of ASEAN. Under ASEAN agreements, is a driver's license issued by Indonesia recognized in Vietnam?

3. If my Indonesian driver's license is not directly recognized, what procedures do I need to complete in order to drive legally in Vietnam? For example, should I exchange it for a Vietnamese driver’s license or obtain an international driving permit?

4. As a Belarusian citizen holding an Indonesian driver's license, would I face any particular legal difficulties?

Lawyer Hoang Ha of the Ho Chi Minh City Bar Association responds:

Although you are a Belarusian citizen, your driver’s license was issued in Indonesia. Vietnam takes into account not only the driver's nationality but also the country that issues their license, the type of license, the duration of residence, and applicable international agreements.

Regarding the first question, if you are staying in Vietnam for a short period and hold a valid driver's license issued by Indonesia that is not a temporary or learner’s license, and you operate a vehicle within the category permitted by the license, there is a basis for using it in Vietnam under the ASEAN framework for recognition of driving licenses.

The ASEAN Agreement on the Recognition of Domestic Driving Licenses provides that member states recognize domestic driver’s licenses issued by competent authorities of ASEAN countries, except temporary and learner’s licenses.

Holders of such licenses may drive appropriate vehicles during temporary stays in another ASEAN member state.

If the license is not issued in English, it must be accompanied by a certified English translation.

However, if you reside, work, or study in Vietnam on a long-term basis, you should not assume that you may continue driving indefinitely using only an Indonesian license.

Circular No. 12/2025/TT-BCA, issued by the Ministry of Public Security on February 28, 2025 and effective from March 1, 2025, stipulates that foreigners and Vietnamese citizens residing overseas who wish to drive in Vietnam must exchange their foreign driver's license for the corresponding Vietnamese license, unless otherwise provided by an international treaty to which Vietnam is a party.

Regarding the second question, Indonesia is an ASEAN member and is specifically listed among the countries participating in the ASEAN Agreement on the Recognition of Domestic Driving Licenses.

In principle, a driver’s license issued by Indonesia is recognized by other ASEAN member states, including Vietnam.

However, this mechanism is primarily intended to facilitate travel and temporary stays and is not a basis for a foreign national to live in Vietnam long-term without exchanging the license.

Regarding the third question, if you do not fall under the category permitted to use the license directly or if you intend to drive regularly in Vietnam, you should apply to exchange your Indonesian driver's license for a Vietnamese one.

Under Article 24 of Circular No. 12/2025/TT-BCA, foreigners residing, working, or studying in Vietnam who hold a valid driver’s license and possess a temporary resident card or permanent resident card valid for at least three months are eligible to exchange their license for the corresponding Vietnamese driver’s license.

Required documents include an application for license exchange, a certified Vietnamese translation of the foreign driver’s license, a health certificate where required, and copies of relevant residence documents.

Applications may be submitted to traffic police divisions or commune-level police offices designated to receive such applications.

The driver’s license must be printed and issued within five working days from the date a complete and valid application is received.

As for international driving permits, it is important to note that they do not automatically replace the license exchange procedure.

Circular No. 12/2025/TT-BCA stipulates that international driving permits issued by Vietnam under the 1968 Vienna Convention are not valid for use within Vietnamese territory.

The recognition of international driving permits issued by foreign countries in Vietnam depends on international treaties to which Vietnam is a party, and it cannot be assumed that holding an international driving permit automatically entitles a person to drive in Vietnam.

Regarding the fourth question, your Belarusian nationality does not create any special legal obstacle, provided that your Indonesian driver’s license is lawful, valid, appropriate for the vehicle category being operated, and that you possess valid immigration and residence documents in Vietnam.

One practical issue is that authorities may conduct more careful checks because the driver's nationality differs from the country that has issued the license.

Therefore, you should carry your passport, residence documents in Vietnam, the original Indonesian driver’s license, and a certified English or Vietnamese translation, and only operate vehicles within the categories specified on the license.

If you plan to reside in Vietnam for a long time, the safest option is to exchange your Indonesian driver’s license for a Vietnamese one.