Permits & riding as a foreigner
Rules for foreign visitors in border areas and for riding a motorbike have changed in the past and can change again. Use this page to know what to ask, not as legal advice.
Border-area rules
- Parts of Hà Giang lie close to the border. Foreign visitors may be asked for ID and, depending on the current rules, a permit.
- Since mid-2026 many operators say foreign visitors need a border-area permit in districts such as Quản Bạ, Yên Minh, Đồng Văn and Mèo Vạc, for a small fee. As of June 2026 Time Out reported no confirmed official announcement, and we have found none since. Treat it as likely, and arrange it through your accommodation or operator.
- Your accommodation and your tour or transport operator will know what applies now. Ask before you leave Hà Giang city.
- Carry your passport with you on the loop, not in the hotel.
Riding a motorbike yourself
- Check the current Vietnamese rules for foreign driving licences and international permits before you rent. Do not rely on a forum post from a few years ago.
- Many travel and rental sites say Vietnam accepts only an International Driving Permit issued under the 1968 Vienna Convention, carried with your home licence, and that it must include a motorbike category. We did not find an official text, so confirm with the authorities and your insurer.
- Some sites say that a permit issued under the older 1949 Convention is not accepted. Check which convention your country's permit follows before you travel.
- Check your travel insurance. Many policies do not cover a rider who does not hold the correct licence for the vehicle.
- If you cannot show the right licence, or you are not an experienced rider, choose a driver instead of riding yourself.
Other ways to do the loop
- A local rider (often called an easy rider) takes you as a passenger.
- A car or van with a driver, which is more comfortable in rain and for families.
Sources: Vietnam Tourism (2026) for the general border-area note. For permits, licences and fines, check the official Vietnamese authorities and your own insurer.