暗网禁区

Short answer: Yes. I had heard from friends previously htat they laid off tourists and 暗网禁区s. That is not the case. I'm not sure what a beenie helmet is . But there are some guide lines for helmets. I do know that it is necessary to have the chin strap locked. Basically, they see $$$. So they will take what they can from you. They will propose a fine of 1.5mil, You can settle it for 200k - 500k. But best to just comply and not deal with it. They want to waste a ton of your time and get you to give them some lunch money. Also, you must have either a vn dl or an international driving permit. The police here can randomly stop you Without cause. There are no "rights". They can stop you just to chat. Also technically you are not supposed to wear a head set - got stopped for this outside Saigon.

Ive got a tiny beenie biker helmet probably not legal ,...

It would be legal here.

but like most scofflaw countries people wear hardhats, bicycle helmets potsn pans , icecream buckets backwards helmets or just no helmet at all.

I've no doubt that in "...most scofflaw countries..." they do just that. In Vietnam, however, the law states that operators and passengers on motorbikes must wear a helmet, with a strap which must be closed/worn when in motion. The police are quite vigilant in enforcement, which would account for the almost 100% adherence to the law.

Im sure 5 bucks to the cops cures any disdain for your helmet status ,am I right?

Maybe, maybe not. I've seen people's bikes being carried away in police pickup trucks, the rider having to find alternative arrangements for their onward travel, having been caught not wearing a helmet.聽

Or are they sticklers for DOT rated helmets????

Absolutely not. See this recent thread on helmets.

Do they target foreigners for helmet infractions ?

No, the police do not discriminate against any ethnicity when it comes to enforcing helmet laws. Foreigners and locals alike are subject to being stopped for not wearing a helmet.

Or can you drive around fearless?

If you mean without fear of repercussion or of being stopped/fined for not wearing a helmet, then no, you cannot.

Having ridden motorcycle in Vietnam for 7 years, I'd be more concerned about the fear of concussion, but that's just me. Mind you, I ride too fast (or so the locals tell me).

I drove around the philippines fo 5 yrs with a half helmet ( full face required)聽 never got stopped once .聽 聽 聽 聽 聽-@Luckydratsab

That half-helmet would be in accordance with the law in Vietnam.

Hello everyone,

Please note that some unhelpful posts were put aside. I recommend members to share factual information.

all the best

Bhavna

Im sure 5 bucks to the cops cures any disdain for your helmet status ,am I right?聽 聽 聽
聽 聽 -@Luckydratsab

It's a fact that if you act on that assumption, things could go badly quickly for you. At the very least you will almost certainly be disappointed at the response of the officer.

@Aidan in HCMC Thanks for the clarification on the rules. He is talking about Da Nang and in my observation they do target tourists and the company I rent moto from echos that sediment. I helped a friend who got nabbed at the beach road which is how I know what they were asking 1.5 mil. Then he waited a bit and they told him to get 1 mil in cash. I took him the cash. Every single person they had there was a foreigner - I did not do a head count but maybe 8-10 guys.

In Saigon, Another friend got his moto stolen by the police and it was never returned. Even with his viet boss attempting to recover it. Saigon is getting nasty about speeding but I never see them with crotch rockets pulled over...LOL

聽 聽 @Aidan in HCMC Thanks for the clarification on the rules. He is talking about Da Nang and in my observation they do target tourists and the company I rent moto from echos that sediment.

Da Nang? I don't see that mentioned in the OP.

I helped a friend who got nabbed at the beach road which is how I know what they were asking 1.5 mil. Then he waited a bit and they told him to get 1 mil in cash. I took him the cash.

What did your friend do to warrant his being fined? No helmet? Speeding?

Every single person they had there was a foreigner - I did not do a head count but maybe 8-10 guys.

I'll take a stab at the reason why and guess the majority were riding without a valid license, and/or no helmet, and/or speeding.

In Saigon, Another friend got his moto stolen by the police and it was never returned. Even with his viet boss attempting to recover it. Saigon is getting nasty about speeding but I never see them with crotch rockets pulled over...LOL
聽 聽 聽 聽 -@mitsmaak

I'd written this on another thread.

"Over the past 7 years (2.5 years Saigon, 2.5 years T.P.Thai Nguyen/Hanoi, 2 years Phu Quoc) I've been stopped more than a dozen times. Unless it was for something egregious, I was invariably waved on with a "Enjoy Vietnam, sir!"... (mind you, I hold an A2 B2 VN license)

...In my experience, and in speaking with other riders, what has become known colloquially as "coffee money" would in fact be best described as a "reduced fine".

As an example, you're caught doing 85 Kph in a 50 Kph zone. The official fine (starting at +20 Kph over the limit) is I believe something like 1 million VND. The officer offers you the choice of being ticketed and paying the official fine, or paying a lesser amount and being let off with a warning. It is, I believe, really that simple.

I've yet to hear of anybody being stopped by the police for nothing, and having money extorted/stolen from them. Mostly it's people griping about being caught, and having to pay anything."

Conidering that you can buy a "helmet" for $6.00 at any roadside stand (which will also sell you a years' worth of "insurance" for your moto for a similar $6.00/ yr, yes, you can get away with a hello kitty ice cream bucket and not get stopped for it.聽 Now, if you actually value your life, you might spend a few more bucks for something a bit better.

@OceanBeach92107 thats why im asking .聽 i spec said 鈥� am i right?鈥澛� 聽 聽 ive been in mexico 20 yrs i never get stopped but you just put 100 pesos under your license , they pocket it , tell you slow down and bid you adieu .

聽 聽 @OceanBeach92107 thats why im asking .聽 i spec said 鈥� am i right?鈥澛� 聽 聽 ive been in mexico 20 yrs i never get stopped but you just put 100 pesos under your license , they pocket it , tell you slow down and bid you adieu .
聽 聽 聽 聽 -@Luckydratsab

If you wear your beanie, or for that matter any helmet with a chin strap, you'll not have to worry about being stopped due to any helmet law infraction.

Off topic but of major importance is the holding of a driver's license/permit which is valid in VN.聽 That's where people tend to get netted by the police.

@Aidan in HCMCthx thwnk you, I hold an Arizona , mexico and a Philippines license all current , does聽 any if them work in Vietnam ?

聽 聽 @Aidan in HCMCthx thwnk you, I hold an Arizona , mexico and a Philippines license all current , does聽 any if them work in Vietnam ?聽 聽 聽 聽 聽-@Luckydratsab

Unfortunately, no. Prior to arrival in Vietnam, get yourself an I.D.P. (int'l driver's permit). You will not be able to get an I.D.P. allowing you to drive in VN after you've arrived here.

In Canada the only authorized issuer of an I.D.P. would be CAA. Only an I.D.P. will be accepted if (when?) stopped by the police. There are other permits available out there, with names like International Driving License (out of New York), but those certificates are not accepted in VN, in spite of what the issuer's website might state. There has been some debate (and confusion) regarding this, but (one must also carry the valid license from the issuing country along with the I.D.P., if/when stopped)

Here are a few links for you to peruse. I'm linking mostly to my own comments in the threads only because it's easier to search through one's own comments. You should scroll back to the first comment in the thread and read from there. Apologies if some of these links jump to different posts in the same thread.

/forum/viewtopic.p 鈥� 82#5884773

/forum/viewtopic.p 鈥� 92#5660135

/forum/viewtopic.p 鈥� 00#5579176

/forum/viewtopic.php?id=982463

/forum/viewtopic.p 鈥� =2#5545383

/forum/viewtopic.p 鈥� 01#5508203

/forum/viewtopic.p 鈥� =2#5485040

Some of those links might not be directly related to licensing, but you'll find valuable info on road rules, regulations etc.

There's plenty more from other members, and though our "Search" function (on the right, near top, here) can be iffy, it's worth giving a shot.

Hope this helps. Feel free to ask additional questions as they arise.

@Luckydratsab聽 hello, as聽 it was mentioned @Aidan in HCMC you need an International driver license following his mentioned rules, not those fakes you can order in internet.

In most of the countries I was before, tourist are allowed to hold their own national driver license during 30 or 90 days (depending of the local country). But in case in Vietnam that is not permitted....聽 only permitted options are the I.D.P., or if you are granted to stay more than 90 days you can convalidate your license into a vietnamese one without any exam

聽 聽 @Luckydratsab聽 hello, as聽 it was mentioned @Aidan in HCMC you need an International driver license following his mentioned rules, not those fakes you can order in internet.
In most of the countries I was before, tourist are allowed to hold their own national driver license during 30 or 90 days (depending of the local country). But in case in Vietnam that is not permitted....聽 only permitted options are the I.D.P., or if you are granted to stay more than 90 days you can convalidate your license into a vietnamese one without any exam
聽 聽
聽 聽 -@ajairon

Good post, sir, but I must stress that an "...International driver license...", of which there are many issued by various vehicle clubs/associations, will not be valid.

Your statement, "...only permitted options are the I.D.P...." is absolutely correct for people here on a tourist visa.

@Luckydratsab

I want to add something which may/may not have been covered in the links provided above.

I.D.P.s are issued by agents of the gov'ts of signatory countries. As mentioned, in Canada it is the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA). Paradoxically, I had read a while back that in the US the American Automobile Association (AAA) does not issue valid, internationally recognized I.D.P.s. If I recall, they do issue a certificate verifying/validating an American driver's license as being valid. If I'm wrong about this I'd be happy to be corrected.

Other countries use either an agent (like Canada), or issue I.D.P.s directly from their driver's licensing offices.

Prior to investing in (and relying on) what one believes to be a valid driver's permit for Vietnam, important to confirm that the issuing agency has federal gov't approval to do so.

@Aidan in HCMC

Unfortunately, for me, I live in Mexico, so I don鈥檛 think they offer anything like that here so how much of a fine am I gonna have to pay every time they pull me over on my scooter? What鈥檚 the standard bribe?

聽 聽 @Aidan in HCMC
Unfortunately, for me, I live in Mexico, so I don鈥檛 think they offer anything like that here...

No problem, as you already hold a Mexico driver's license.

"Citizens or residents of Mexico who wish to drive out of Mexico need to process a PIC (International Driving Permit) at ANA Autom贸vil Club A. C. to guarantee their driver鈥檚 license in another country."

See .

...so how much of a fine am I gonna have to pay every time they pull me over on my scooter?

"A fine ranging from VND 4,000,000 to VND 5,000,000 (i.e. ~$250 - $300 CDN) shall be imposed upon an operator of a motorcycle whose engine displacement is under 175 cm3 and motorcycles with three wheels who commits any of the following violations:

a) Possessing a driving license inconsistent with the operated vehicle;

b) Failure to have a driving license or using a driving license that is not issued by a competent authority, or using a falsified driving license"

One would also face the possibility of having the motorbike seized by the police.

However (!), should a person driving without a valid license for Vietnam be involved in (the not so uncommon event of ) a traffic accident (minor, or otherwise) the fine escalates sharply (add to that a possible prison term). See for details.

It would do well for members of the forum, as well as casual readers alike, to familiarize themselves with the details found in that link, especially those found in section II.3.

What鈥檚 the standard bribe?
聽 聽 聽 聽 -@Luckydratsab

There is no standard amount. Further, this option will not exist with all officers, and most certainly not if stopped at a checkpoint where multiple officers are present.

Get your I.D.P., sir, prior to leaving Mexico. Forewarned is forearmed.

Official I.D.P. Offices throughout Mexico

CDMX Office

Av. Revoluci贸n 528, Col. San Pedro de los Pinos, BJ, CDMX CP 03800 Hours: Monday to Friday / 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tels:

Monterrey Office

Plaza Pueblo Serena, Local B-009, Carr. Nacional 500, Valle Alto, Monterrey, NL, Cp. 64989, Hours: Monday to Friday / 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tels: (81)3183 - 6509 and (81) 3183 - 6154 /

Official Commission Agents

Azcami Travel (Puebla)

Av. C. 7 Sur 105, CH de Puebla, Puebla, Pue. Cp. 72000 Hours: Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Tels: (222) 242 2111

Monterrey Office

Av Paseo de los Leones 672-Local 8, Leones, Monterrey, NL Cp. 64460 Hours: Monday to Friday: 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Tels: (811) 804 - 0828 and (818) 063 - 7914

@Luckydratsab Just ride a 50cc which does not require a license until you can actually get your license. Ive been pulled over 3 times now by the police in Saigon just the past 5 months so it really does happen. All just document checks. Never got pulled over before this year. 50cc may not sound like much but in Vietnam it goes more than fast enough for the majority of traffic. 50km/hr feels fast here with all the traffic.

Thank you all