VietNamNet Bridge – The Directorate for Roads of Vietnam, the Departments of Transport in Hanoi and HCM City will begin issuing international driving licences to Vietnamese citizens for use in 85 countries in the world as of October 2015.

Deputy General Director Nguyen Van Quyen of the Directorate for Roads of Vietnam said the international driving permit (IDP) will be issued in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, then in other provinces in the country.

"The international driving permits have security signs for anti-piracy so other provinces need some time to invest in modern printing equipment," Quyen says.

To get the permit, Vietnamese just need to submit an application form, their driver's license, their ID cards or passports and VND150,000 fees to agencies. They will receive the license after five days. The international driving permit is valid for three years under the provisions of the Vienna Convention applied in 85 countries.

The license looks like a passport with a gray cover. The first page is noted with basic information and the scope of use in Vietnamese and English. The following pages contain information about the driver and vehicle classification in Russian, French, and Spanish. This license is not valid in Vietnam.

The persons who are granted an international driving permit are Vietnamese, foreigners with permanent residence cards in Vietnam, and a valid national driving license.

Foreigners who control vehicles in Vietnam must carry with them both the international driving permit and their national driving license.

Similarly, Vietnamese who drive a car abroad must bring with them both international and domestic driving licenses.

Mai Lan