VietNamNet Bridge – The Vietnam Road Administration on November 3 granted the first international driving licenses. 

Mr. Hoang Manh Anh Vu, 40, from Quan Hoa Ward, Cau Giay District, Hanoi was the first to get the license.

In a brief interview with Giao Thong Newspaper (Transportation), Vu excitedly said that the procedures went very quickly.

"I got the licence in less than two hours. I travel between Vietnam and Iceland very often so I need this kind of driving licence badly,” Vu said.

Vu said it was difficult to get a driving license in Iceland so he had been closely keeping track with the information on the granting of international driving licences in Vietnam. He was among the first who applied for the licence.

“After having the international driver's license, I will immediately buy a car in Iceland. If all other procedures are being performed as quickly as this, I think our country will be a civilized country, indeed," Vu said.

Mrs. Do Thi Kim Dung, 56, a Vietnamese in Australia who has just returned home was also among the first who got an international driving license.

Dung said: "I had been keeping a close eye on the information on the granting of international driving license in Vietnam. Overseas Vietnamese like me need this kind of driving license very much. As knowing that this kind of paper was granted from this morning, I came here immediately."

Nguyen Van Quyen, Deputy Director General of the Vietnam Road Administration, said there are several Vietnamese who live and work overseas so it is anticipated that at least two million people need the international driving licence.

To get the international driving licences, Vietnamese applicants only need to submit their passport, a copy and the original driving licence, a 3x4cm portrait and fill in the form required.

Foreigners residing in Vietnam are requested to submit their long-term residence permit.

It is expected that the international driving licence will be granted online from 2016.

Linh Nhat