International Driving Permits Issued in Korea Now Accepted in Vietnam

From now on, it will be possible to drive in Vietnam with an international driving permit issued in South Korea.

The National Police Agency signed the "Korea-Vietnam Mutual Recognition Agreement on International Driving Permits" on the 23rd of last month, and the agreement will take effect on the 23rd of this month, 30 days after the signing.

Accordingly, it is now possible to drive in Vietnam within the validity period (one year from the date of issuance) using an international driving permit issued in South Korea.

On the 22nd, during the summer vacation season, travelers are using driver's license administrative services such as international driver's license issuance and driving license aptitude test deferral applications at the International Driver's License Issuance Center in Terminal 2 of Incheon International Airport. The newly established International Driver's License Issuance Center in Terminal 2 is located on the 2nd floor of the Government Comprehensive Administrative Center, and its operating hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays.
Yeongjongdo - Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Until now, South Korea, a signatory to the Geneva Convention, recognized international driving permits from Vietnam, a signatory to the Vienna Convention, but Vietnam only recognized international permits from Vienna Convention countries, causing inconvenience for Korean nationals visiting Vietnam.

The National Police Agency, together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has been requesting this agreement from the Vietnamese side since 2019 to expand human and material exchanges between the two countries.

International driving permits can be applied for at △nationwide driver’s license test centers and police stations △Incheon International Airport International Driving Permit Issuance Center △Gimhae International Airport International Driving Permit Issuance Center △online, among other methods.

The police expect that more than 4.3 million Vietnamese tourists will benefit from driving convenience annually as a result of this agreement.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.