Vietnam’s Lam Dong tightens motorcycle rental for foreign tourists

The provincial administration requires stricter oversight of rental services and penalties for businesses that hand over motorbikes in violation of existing rules.

In 2025, Lam Dong welcomed more than 20 million visitors, including some 1.3 million foreigners.

Between January and March this year, over 524,000 international tourists traveled to the province.

Alongside growing international tourist arrivals, authorities noted a corresponding increase in foreign tourists renting motorcycles for independent travel.

However, many visitors are unfamiliar with Vietnam’s traffic laws, road conditions, and dense urban traffic, raising safety concerns.

Multiple violations involving foreign riders, including serious traffic accidents – some fatal – as well as cases of drunk driving and assaults on law enforcement officers have been reported.

One incident occurred in Mui Ne Ward on March 18, when a taxi collided with a motorcycle driven by Damian Shrimanker, a 34-year-old British national.

During an exchange at the scene, Shrimanker allegedly used a knife and attacked Major Pham Nguyen Duc Lam, causing serious injuries, before fleeing on the motorcycle.

To minimize similar cases, the provincial administration has tasked police with coordinating inspections of motorcycle rental businesses, focusing on licensing requirements and compliance in vehicle handovers.

A key measure includes verifying the validity of international driving permits recognized in Vietnam under the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic and prevailing domestic regulations.

Individuals and businesses found to have provided vehicles to unqualified drivers will be fined.

The provincial Department of Foreign Affairs has been assigned to work with police and local authorities to address issues involving foreign nationals, while the provincial Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism is in charge of urging tourist sites and accommodation providers not to allow visitors to rent motorcycles without appropriate licenses.