According to a 2006 mandate by the Ministry of Transportation, all foreigners can register for a license in Vietnam if they had a valid one issued to them in their home countries.
Each city or province’s Department of Transportation is in charge of granting driver’s licenses for foreigners with licenses issued in their home countries, tourists from neighboring countries driving their own cars in Vietnam, and Vietnamese who acquired a driving license abroad.
However, licenses are only granted to those who have valid travel visas for a period of at least three months in Vietnam (though the actual length of the visit does not have to be that long).
Many tourists make the mistake that it’s legal to drive here with an international driver’s licence, but they also have to register.
The period for which a registered license remains valid is based on the expiry date of one’s original license from home.
Standard driver’s licenses in Vietnam are good for five years. Motorbike licenses, on the other hand, have no expiry date.
An important point to note, however, is that the type of license issued in Vietnam will only be equivalent to the type granted in one’s home country.
For instance, a four-wheel driver’s license can not be registered to ride a motorcycle.
Those who have a four-wheel license but want to ride a motorcycle will have to pass an exam on riding techniques, but won’t have to take a written exam on traffic laws.
To begin, a form requesting a license must be obtained (see below) and filled out by any one of the following: the Vietnamese Embassy, the Consulate General, the Representative Office of International Organization in Vietnam, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Department of Planning and Investment or the General Director of Joint-Venture and Foreign-Capital Companies. A valid pass-port will also be required.
Overseas Vietnamese will need to have their documents completed by the Committee for Overseas Vietnamese. http://www.mofa.gov.vn/en/  c/o Ministry of Foreign Affairs
1. Go to the Transportation Administration office – 36 Cao Ba Quat Street to get the application form
2. You need your original driving license + a notarized (translated) copy
3. Original passport and a copy of the passport + visa
4. Letter from the employer
5. If you authorize somebody to do the procedure for you, an authorisation letter needs to be provided
6. 3 photos size 2×3
Seems to me a job for SuperViet ! There must be an agency that will do all the legwork for you. If you find it … let me know. The only thing I’m sure of in Vietnam is “change is inevitable” so double check with knowledgeable people.

DEALERS
There are 11 major car companies with manufacturing or assembly plants in Vietnam. Check the following websites for authorized dealers and mechanics. Sadly, the Lada, once the imported (from the Soviet Union) car of choice for the government ministers, is rarely seen anymore. It was incredibly good as a source of jokes – how do you double the value of a Lada ? Fill it up ! Should Buffalo Dan chose to start a LADA CLUB I’ll be the first member ! Secret handshakes ! Funny hats ! Sign me up !

Acura
www.acuraworld.com

BMW
Euro Auto
153 Yen Phu
Tay Ho, Hanoi
T: (04) 2243 0565
F: (04) 3718 4060
www.bmw.vn
 
Ford
www.ford.com.vn

GM Daewoo
www.vidamco.com.vn/agent.php

Honda
http://world.honda.com/Vietnam 

Hyundai
http://worldwide.hyundai-motor.com 
www.hyundaicorp.com

Isuzu
www.isuzu-vietnam.com/

Mercedes Benz
www.mercedes-benz.com.vn

Porsche
Currently (April 2008) only in HCMC
www.porsche.com/pap/_vietnam_/  

Rolls Royce
By early 2008 there were only 7 Rolls Royce cars in Vietnam. Support RR - buy one ! (one could check out Luong Van Can Street) (or Hang Ma). A Rolls was sited at Hoang Huy Showroom, 183 Ba Trieu Street, T: (04) 974 4166 www.hoanhuy.vn right next to a Mini !

Toyota
www.toyotavn.com.vn

Volkswagon
Soon to open a factory

BUY AND SELL
http://www.movevietnam.com/vietnam-cars-motos-2-en.html