Safety + Legality
1949 vs 1968 IDP for Vietnam: What’s the Difference?
When riders show us an IDP at the shop, the number we look for first is usually the convention year. A 1949 IDP and a 1968 IDP can both be genuine permits, but they come from different systems and they are not interchangeable in Vietnam.
Vietnam’s current statutory foreign-IDP route is based on the 1968 Vienna Convention. That means a rider can hold a genuine, properly issued 1949 permit and still have the wrong document for Vietnam.
The Convention Year Is the Important Difference
The easiest way to understand the difference is to look beyond the cover design and check the convention stated inside the permit. A 1949 IDP is issued under the Geneva Convention system, while Vietnam’s current statutory foreign-IDP route recognises permits issued under the 1968 Vienna Convention.
Both types of IDP are designed to present the driving entitlement contained in a national licence for use abroad, but they are not universally interchangeable. The destination country’s legal framework determines which convention route applies.
For a motorcycle tourist coming to Vietnam, the practical lesson is simple: do not check only whether you have an IDP — check which convention it was issued under.
| 1949 IDP | 1968 IDP | |
|---|---|---|
| Convention | 1949 Geneva Convention | 1968 Vienna Convention |
| Can be a genuine IDP | Yes | Yes |
| Vietnam’s current statutory foreign-IDP route? | No | Yes, subject to the legal requirements |
| National Licence still required | Yes | Yes |
| Motorcycle entitlement still required | Yes | Yes |
A Genuine 1949 IDP Is Not Automatically Fake
A 1949 IDP should not automatically be described as fake, invalid or a scam. A properly issued 1949 Convention permit can be completely genuine; the problem for a rider in Vietnam is that it is not the convention used by Vietnam’s current statutory foreign-IDP route.
That distinction is important. A genuine Convention permit that is not the correct type for Vietnam is very different from a privately produced translation card or commercial “international driving licence” that may not be an official Convention IDP at all.
AAA Is a Good Example
AAA is an authorised issuer of International Driving Permits in the United States. The permits issued through the authorised U.S. system use the 1949 Convention framework, so describing an AAA permit as “fake” simply because it is not the permit Vietnam’s current statutory route recognises would be incorrect.
If you have an AAA-issued IDP, the important question for riding in Vietnam is therefore not whether AAA is legitimate. It is whether the convention under which your permit was issued is recognised for the legal route you intend to use in Vietnam.
We cover AAA, AATA and privately marketed international driving documents separately in our AAA and IAA International Driving Permits in Vietnam guide.
The Home Licence Still Does the Heavy Lifting
Even the correct 1968 IDP is not a standalone driving licence. You must also carry the corresponding valid national driving licence, and that licence must include the motorcycle entitlement required for the bike you are riding.
If your national licence is car-only, has expired or restricts you to a motorcycle category below the bike you intend to ride, the IDP does not fix the problem. It cannot add a motorcycle entitlement or extend the permissions contained in your home licence.
This is particularly important when choosing a rental motorcycle in Vietnam. Before selecting a larger-capacity bike, check what your national licence actually allows you to ride rather than assuming that possession of a 1968 IDP is enough.
For a fuller explanation of motorcycle categories and foreign licence requirements, read our Vietnam Motorbike Licence for Foreigners: 2026 Legal Guide.
How to Tell Which Permit You Have
Start by looking for the convention wording printed in the permit rather than relying on its colour, cover design or the words “International Driving Permit”. A 1968 IDP should identify the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, while a 1949 permit will refer to the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic.
Next, check who issued the document. An official-looking booklet or card is not enough on its own; it should have been issued through a legitimate route for your country rather than simply purchased from a company selling an “international driving licence” online.
Finally, compare the motorcycle categories shown on the permit with your national driving licence. The IDP should reflect your existing entitlement rather than giving you additional permission to ride a larger motorcycle.
If you are still unsure which document you need, use our International Driving Permit for Vietnam guide before arranging your motorcycle rental.
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What If You Have the Wrong Permit?
If your country has a legitimate route for obtaining a recognised 1968 Convention IDP and your national licence includes the correct motorcycle entitlement, arrange the appropriate permit before travelling. Do not assume that a genuine 1949 IDP will be treated as though it were a 1968 permit once you arrive in Vietnam.
Some riders may have another legal route available. For example, certain ASEAN driving licences may be recognised in Vietnam, while foreigners living, working or studying here may be able to obtain or convert to a Vietnamese driving licence if they meet the relevant requirements.
If none of those routes applies to you, do not build a self-ride trip around documents that do not meet the requirements. You can still experience Vietnam by motorcycle as a passenger on an appropriate guided trip rather than riding illegally yourself.
For the complete overview of the different ways a foreign rider may be able to ride legally, use our How to Drive a Motorcycle Legally in Vietnam: 2026 Guide.
FAQ
Is a 1949 IDP fake?
Not necessarily. A 1949 IDP can be a genuine Convention permit issued through a legitimate national route. The issue for Vietnam is recognition: a real 1949 document is still not the same thing as the 1968 Convention permit used by Vietnam’s statutory foreign-IDP route.
Is a 1968 IDP enough on its own?
No. A 1968 IDP only works together with the corresponding valid national licence, and that national licence must contain the correct motorcycle entitlement. The permit translates or presents an existing entitlement; it does not replace or expand it.
Why do some countries issue 1949 IDPs?
Different countries participate in different international road-traffic convention arrangements, so they do not all issue the same type of IDP. That is why the convention year on the permit needs to be checked against the destination country rather than assumed to be universally interchangeable.
Can AAA issue a genuine IDP?
Yes. AAA is an authorised U.S. issuer, so an AAA permit should not be described as fake simply because Vietnam uses a different convention route. The U.S. permit is a 1949 Convention document, which is why the convention mismatch matters in Vietnam.
Where should I check the full Vietnam IDP rules?
Use the International Driving Permit for Vietnam guide for the complete Vietnam checklist. It covers the recognised 1968 route, the national-licence requirement, motorcycle entitlement and the validity checks you should make before renting.
Check the Convention, Not Just the Permit
Having an International Driving Permit does not automatically mean you have the right document for riding in Vietnam. A genuine 1949 IDP and a recognised 1968 Convention IDP are different documents operating under different international frameworks.
Before renting a motorcycle, check the convention stated on your permit, make sure your national driving licence is still valid, and confirm that it includes the correct motorcycle entitlement. These checks are far more useful than simply asking whether your IDP looks genuine or has not yet expired.
If your documents meet Vietnam’s requirements, you can then choose a motorcycle that matches both your legal entitlement and your riding experience. If they do not, resolve the licensing issue before planning a self-ride trip.