· SOUTHEAST ASIA · VIETNAM ·
Travel Insurance in Vietnam: a Solution to the IDP Scooter Problem
Scribbled by Claire ⬩ 01 May 2026
Are you planning a scooter or motorbike trip around Vietnam but cannot obtain a valid license due to the 1968 IDP problem? Well, we’ve found a solution that ensures you are fully insured (including touring!).
If you’re planning a motorbike/scooter trip in Vietnam and are from Canada, the USA, Australia or any other country that has not ratified the International Driving Permit agreement within the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, then you may have come up with a snag in your trip planning.
Your perfectly decent, valid motorbike license is not accepted in Vietnam, all because of some silly, pesky bureaucracy.
This means you cannot legally ride in a country that is best traversed by bike, and are simultaneously uninsured if you decide to do it anyway.
This post can’t change the laws in Vietnam (obviously), but we can show you a way to be insured even though you don’t have a valid license. So, if the worst happens, you’ll at least be able to get treatment and expatriation.
Note: you are responsible for the insurance policy you choose. Ensure you read the wording carefully. What we’ve written here can change and we are not responsible for any decisions made.
IN THIS GUIDE //
The Vietnamese IDP Issue
Who is This Post For?
What are the Laws: Quick Version
Motorbike Touring
Why Bother With Travel Insurance?
– My Experience with Insurance
– The GoFundMe Issue
Things to Look For in a Policy
– Scooter Engine Sizes
Travel Insurance Companies
Genki
True Traveller
Columbus Direct
Where to Next?
This post may contain affiliate links. If you book through these links we may make a small commission at zero cost to you. It helps us pay for the upkeep of this blog. Thank you!
Who is this Post For?
This post is aimed at two types of traveller:
1. a traveller who is going to Vietnam, intends to ride a scooter, and does not have a motorbike license from any country, so cannot obtain an IDP (we don’t recommended doing this, honestly, but if you’re going to do it, at least have valid insurance).
2. a traveller who is going to Vietnam, intends to ride a scooter or motorbike, and has a valid motorbike license from the USA, Canada, Australia or any other country that has not ratified the 1968 agreement, so cannot obtain the correct, valid IDP.
Vietnam Scooter/Bike Laws: Quick Version
We’ve written about the legalities of riding a scooter or motorbike in Vietnam in detail already, so take a look if you’re thinking of doing it and want more detailed information (it covers the IDP situation thoroughly if you don’t fully understand it).
However, here’s a quick summary of the two-wheeler laws in Vietnam updated for 2026:
⬩ You must wear a helmet.
⬩ An A1 or A2 license from your home country only allows you to ride up to 125cc scooter/motorbikes.
⬩ An A license allows unrestricted use of engine sizes in Vietnam.
⬩ A CBT from the UK is not valid in Vietnam.
⬩ You should be carrying a 1968 IDP.
⬩ Scooters and motorbikes are considered the same.
Motorbike Touring
This is the term that I think catches people out the most because they don’t realise to even look for it.
In Vietnam, popular motorbike routes like the Ha Giang Loop will likely be classed as touring by your insurance provider (and you definitely want to be covered on these types of roads!).
Some policies specifically exclude touring, so it’s worth checking if you want to do any trip where you’ll be riding from one location to another, even if you have a 1968 IDP already.
So, be aware that anytime you change accommodation between riding your bike, you may be uninsured. Check the policy wording carefully.
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Why Bother With Travel Insurance?
Some people opt to skip the travel insurance. This seems crazy to me, because you just never know what crazy crap life will throw at you, right?
Standard travel insurance typically covers some kind of cancellation, lost baggage, and, more importantly, if you need emergency treatment for an unforeseen accident or illness while abroad.
In this post, we’re specifically focusing on the latter health-related concern as it’s the most problematic aspect of travel and also highly relevant to riding a motorbike.
My Experience with Insurance
I had relatively minor outpatient treatment and procedures last year in Bangkok for an undiagnosable pain. This cost £2000. It was reimbursed by my insurance and I’m very grateful that I took out that policy!
Imagine how much that could have cost if I’d been in a big road accident and needed surgery or longer-term hospital stays. It scares me when I think about it.
The GoFundMe Issue
There’s a running theme of people using GoFundMe campaigns to pay for their healthcare after uninsured scooter accidents (particularly in Thailand, but also in other southeast Asian countries, too). Some have requested tens of thousands of UK pounds or more. In one of the most recent I’ve seen, the poor guy died of traumatic brain injury, but the bill still ran into the hundreds of thousands of pounds.
An annoying part of these online campaigns is that they’re often written from a particular perspective: one that implies that the insurance company swindled the policy holder. However, that’s almost never true. It’s actually always because the policy agreement was broken in some way. For example:
⬩ maybe the rider wasn’t wearing a helmet;
⬩ maybe they didn’t have the correct license;
⬩ maybe they were drinking alcohol;
⬩ maybe they were on a touring trip;
⬩ or the scooter engine was too large.
This is why you need the right insurance for your requirements – there’s no guarantee that your GoFundMe will get as much attention as the dude I mentioned above. Unless you’re absolutely minted, of course, but then I guess you probably wouldn’t be reading this!
Got More Time in Vietnam?
Get more inspo:
Find out why we didn’t enjoy the Tam Coc Boat Tour in Ninh Binh
Plan your perfect days in Ninh Binh
Plan the perfect self-drive trip around the Ha Giang Loop
Read about why we don’t recommend visiting Cat Cat Village in SaPa
Check out some essential things for any first-time Hanoi visit
Book an affordable alternative to the traditional HaLong Bay cruise
or figure out your trip logistics:
Find out what Vietnamese sleeper buses are like
Organise the perfect one-week itinerary in Vietnam
Figure out your Vietnam scooter license situation
Check out how much we spent in Vietnam during one month
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Things to Look for in a Policy
Insurance policies are nightmares. They are typically a billion pages long, written in tiny print, only available online, and designed to break the will of anyone who tries to read them fully. They’re especially difficult to process if you have certain learning difficulties.
However, there are definitely some specific things to look out for when reading through them. (Be careful if using AI to read your policy – we wouldn’t do this because it’s sketchy. If you do, double check everything it says).
Anyway, below are some basic things to look for in your policy:
⬩ Search the document for the word ‘motor’ and two-wheeled’. This usually brings up any hidden statements regarding motorbikes that they may have inexplicably not been included together in the same section.
⬩ Watch for ambiguous language. Phrases like ‘touring’, ‘light bike’, ‘local safety laws’ are less than transparent. These don’t actually tell you anything specific and generally need clarification to know if you’re covered.
⬩ What do they cover exactly: aspects relating to death, repatriation, treatment, loss of limb etc. are often excluded in certain circumstances. It’s worth understanding exactly what you need and what they offer.
What Scooter engine sizes does Vietnam have?
Vietnam has, as standard, scooters with engines of 110-125cc and above.
If you’re looking for a 50cc, you’ll likely be shit-out-of-luck (I’ve never seen one).
For a policy with engine restrictions, be really careful with the bike you rent and make sure you know the engine size.
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Travel Insurance That Covers You Without a Valid IDP in Vietnam
We contacted a bunch of insurance companies for travel insurance quotes that covered the use of a motorbike/scooter abroad.
(We actually did this initially for a general motorbike insurance post relating to Thailand because it’s the world capital of the GoFundMe scooter issue).
During our research, one company stood out due to their very clear policy on insuring anyone riding a scooter abroad, no matter their license status.
They are called Genki. This company covers any nationality, any license status, pillion passengers, and allows touring on routes like the Ha Giang Loop.
Genki (no license/IDP required)
Genki is a German health insurance provider that sells subscription based health insurance primarily for digital nomads and long term travellers (basically, anyone who is travelling for a month or more – although you can use them for less time and just pay for one month).
They operate via a subscription model – so you pay monthly instead of a bulk amount upfront and can cancel whenever you want. This is particularly useful for people travelling for multiple months on a budget.
This is the gold-standard of traveller medical insurance if you need coverage without a valid license in Vietnam. We had an excellent experience during our research with Genki – they were one of the easiest companies for contacting to clarify information.
They also cover touring, so the Ha Giang Loop is included in your policy automatically without an add-on.
Highlights: no LICENSE Required, touring ok, Subscription model
Lowlights: EVERYTHING IS ONLINE
Positives
+ Covers up to 69-year-olds
+ Quick response to queries
+ No motorbike license required for 125cc
+ Touring allowed
+ No engine size restriction with full bike license
+ No helmet required if you are a pillion passenger
+ Responsive on social media
+ Subscription model means no large upfront payment
+ Can purchase cover while already travelling
+ Cover all nationalities
+ Simple policy plans (no tiers)
Negatives
– No phone number as fully online
– Not designed for short term trips
Policies based on the follow rules:
⬩ Motorbikes covered as standard: yes
⬩ Limit on motorbike size: 125cc without a license, no limit with a full motorbike license and IDP
⬩ License required: none up to 125cc with a max speed of 110 km/h, full license and IDP required above this
⬩ Helmet required: yes for rider, no for pillion
⬩ Motorbike touring allowed: yes
The Genki Traveller policy is valid for up to 69 year olds. The price does increase with age.
Their touring definition: ‘by “motorbike touring,” we’d generally treat this as normal, recreational motorcycle riding (for example: riding between towns/countries as part of a trip), rather than racing or doing risky off-road activities’.
If You’re From the UK with just a CBT
If you’re from the UK and only have a CBT (therefore cannot get a valid 1968 IDP with the required ‘A’ stamp), you can also consider the two companies below who will provide coverage without a full license.
True Traveller (only CBT required)
True Traveller are a U.K. based insurer that specialises in backpacker and more adventurous travel.
Highlights: ONLY CBT required, offroad option, engine limit options
Lowlights: no touring, EURO/UK citizens only
Positives
+ Only requires CBT license for 125cc on ‘Traveller Pack’ policy
+ Allows offroad biking (with ‘Extreme’ add-on)
+ Speedy, detailed customer service
+ Can purchase cover when already travelling
+ Livechat availability on weekends
+ WhatsApp customer service available
+ Aim to settle claims within 10 days
+ Moderate price without add-ons
+ No engine limit with ‘Adventure’ add-on
Negatives
– No touring (and with some unclear language)
– No electric scooter use
– Phone lines not open weekends
– Expensive with add-ons
– Only available for European and U.K residents
Policies based on the following rules:
⬩ Motorbikes covered as standard : yes
⬩ Limit on motorbike size: 125cc as standard, above 125cc with ‘Adventure’ add-on, or 250cc off-road (with ‘Extreme‘ add-on)
⬩ License required: coverage valid with CBT up to 125cc, full license required above 125cc
⬩ Helmet required: yes
⬩ Motorbike touring allowed: no
This policy is valid for up to 65 year olds, but the policy might be more expensive if you’re older.
Their touring definition: “If you intend to use a motorbike as your main form of transport or plan to engage in motorcycle touring, we cannot provide coverage. Motorcycle touring refers to taking a lengthy trip on your motorcycle with your luggage for overnight stays.”
Columbus Direct (only CBT needed)
This is a U.K. based travel insurance company that offers all sorts of travel-based policies, including long-term backpacker options. They’re quite affordable and do not require a full license for scooter coverage in Vietnam.
Highlights: High AGe LIMIt, only cbt required, affordable
Lowlights: no touring, 125cc only
Positives
+ Affordable
+ 5-minute response to live chat query
+ Only require CBT license for 125cc
+ Age-positive (up to 85)
+ Claims made through online portal
+ Has webchat
Negatives
– UK residents only
– Limit on engine size (125cc)
– No touring allowed
– Ambiguous policy wording
– Can’t purchase if already travelling
– Trip must start and end in the U.K.
– It’s a small issue but their website has so much out of date info!
Policies based on the following rules:
⬩ Motorbikes covered as standard: yes
⬩ Limit on motorbike size: 125cc
⬩ License required: CBT
⬩ Helmet required: yes
⬩ Motorbike touring allowed: no
This policy is valid for up to 65 year olds for longer term travel, single-trip cover is available up to 85 years old.
Their touring statement: from email “I can confirm we do not cover motorbike touring.”
Fines
Be aware that if you choose to ride in Vietnam with the incorrect (or no) IDP, you may be subject to fines by police for driving illegally.
These traffic stops are very common around the Ha Giang Loop, but generally not so much around the rest of the country (as long as you don’t ride like a dick).
We just thought it right to mention about them.
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Thanks for reading.
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Where to Next?
If you are dead-set on scooting around Vietnam on two wheels (which I can confirm is incredible, excellent fun), please make sure you have some kind of insurance, even if you consider yourself a really accomplished, safe rider. The thing is, lots of other people aren’t, and it’s likely that if you’re involved in an unfortunate accident, it will be because of a mechanical issue or an incompetent rider/driver.
I’ve seen way too many abysmal riders run into other riders in Thailand, for example – it’s not even funny.
Also, wear a helmet (preferably bring your own – we do now). It’s the smart thing to do – your head is really soft.
So, check out Genki, they’re a reputable company that offer a unique product – one that might save you in an emergency.
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