Can a 16-year-old legally ride a scooter in Ho Chi Minh City without a licence?

From messages by 3 participants in 2 sources · Last activity: 79 days ago

TL;DR

At age 16, you may legally ride only a moped or e-scooter under 50 cc (or 4 kW) in Vietnam, without a driving licence. Standard 110–125 cc rental scooters require the appropriate licence and riders must be at least 18.

What the community said

For a 16-year-old, the legal option is a low-powered moped: petrol up to 50 cc or electric up to 4 kW. No licence is required for this class, but a helmet is mandatory.

up to 50 cc / up to 4 kW

Most scooters rented in Ho Chi Minh City are 110–125 cc models. A 16-year-old cannot legally ride them: the correct motorcycle licence is required and the minimum age is 18.

110–125 cc scooters

Even experienced riders should expect very different traffic in Ho Chi Minh City: dense motorbike flow, limited spacing, and constant manoeuvring. Start on quieter streets and avoid rush-hour traffic.

Ho Chi Minh City