Do I need to buy a car in Vietnam?

Expert Info

Posted by

on 13 Apr 2011

I'm considering teaching English in Vietnam next year and I'm wondering if it's necessary to buy a car for the duration of my stay - should be roughly a year. I've read that Ho Chi Minh City Transport is fast-paced and difficult to master if you don't speak the language...can anyone give me a little info about getting around (efficient and economical methods welcome...)

WilliamN (not verified) on 21 Dec 2011 - 06:38

Hello Stephanie, I am Williams Nguyen, a vietnamese. I am very happy and welcome you to Vietnam. As a teacher of english i think you should travel by motobyke or scooter, cause the traffice in Ho Chi Minh city is very much and it is difficult to find a parking car. For the long-time working you should buy a motobyke, it will be 500 usd for a second hand but still good. If you need any information about hochiminh city, don't hesitate contact me at contact@vietmaid.com Good luck and Merry Christmas, Williams

Anonymous (not verified) on 21 Dec 2011 - 07:01

Do you need a license to drive a motorbike or scooter in Ho Chi Minh City? Can you use a standard American license, or do you need an International license or do you need to get a special license approved by the Vietnamese government. Also, what is driving a motorbike in Vietnam like? Is it dangerous? Is there a lot of congestion like in many Asian cities, or are things quite orderly, with drivers respecting and abiding by traffic laws?

Anonymous (not verified) on 23 Oct 2012 - 04:13

Hi I live a few weeks in ho chi Minh city and I would like to know what is the price of used but good can ? Thanks

Anonymous (not verified) on 2 Aug 2013 - 17:39

The best advice I can give you is to buy a used scooter. Traffic is extremely congested most of the time. You will need a motorbike license to drive, but there are ways around that. If you have never drive a scooter before, I suggest hiring a motorbike driver for a small fee. They can take you any where for very little money if you learn the art of negotiation.

Anonymous (not verified) on 18 Sep 2013 - 03:16

Foreigners are not allowed to own cars. The owner of the car needs to be Vietnamese (could be girlfriend or wife) but may not possess a driving license. It's possible to convert to a local driver's license if you have home license issued by certain countries (not the dubious ones). It is valid for 10 years from date of issue. Cars are more expensive via imports but many makes are assembled locally. A teacher's pay may not be enough to maintain a car, it's more popular and prudent to own a motorbike or scooter. But the risk is there as there are zero traffic laws and many reckless riders around.

Anonymous (not verified) on 17 Oct 2013 - 04:07

Hello, ... just heading here for job, would like to have advice to buy a car because I think it will help me to travel in location and discover the site ...welcome, thks

Anonymous (not verified) on 4 Jul 2014 - 20:51

As someone who visited Vietnam for all of 10 days but has done research on the subject and experienced the traffic, I would say do not buy a car. In HCMC, you will be stuck in traffic, and on the country roads, you will hit potholes and probably end up in an accident as Vietnamese drivers drive in a pretty wild way. Instead, buy a motorcycle and get around by taxi or even motorbike taxi. If possible, get your employer to pay for transportation to and from work, and for sightseeing, walking can be quite nice.

Anonymous (not verified) on 23 Aug 2014 - 07:52

In every country or state, there are some rules at the time of buying a car or any other vehicle. As per their rules, you have to follow and do everything, when buy a car in Vietnam then you have to follow their systems for better. Mercedes Mechanic Los Angeles

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