Okay, so, I needed to get myself a Vietnam driving license. I’m living here now, and walking everywhere was getting old real fast. Plus, I wanted to explore more of this beautiful country. So, I decided to take the plunge and figure out how to get a local license.
First, I did some digging online. Found some information about what I needed. Seemed a bit complicated, you know? Like, a bunch of steps and paperwork. But I was determined.
Here’s what I did:
- Gathered my documents: I got my passport, visa, and residency card all in order. Made copies of everything, just in case.
- Translated and notarized my existing license: I already had a driver’s license from back home, so I needed to get that translated into Vietnamese and notarized. That cost me around 200,000 VND.
- Filled out the application form: I found the form online, printed it out, and filled it out carefully. Double-checked everything to make sure I didn’t make any mistakes.
- Studied up on the local rules: I found some resources online about Vietnam’s traffic laws and road signs. They’re a bit different from what I’m used to, so I spent some time studying those. Better safe than sorry!
- Paid the fees: There was an application fee of 135,000 VND and a postal fee of 30,000 VND, paid those. Total came out to 365,000 VND for the whole process, not too bad.
- Submitted everything: I went to the local transportation office, took a number, and waited my turn. When my number was called, I submitted all my documents and paid the fees.
- Waited for processing: This was the hardest part! Just had to wait and hope everything went smoothly. They told me it would take a few weeks.
- Got my license: Finally, after a few weeks, I got a notification that my license was ready! Picked it up from the office, and man, did it feel good to have that little card in my hand.
Overall
Honestly, it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. Just had to be patient and follow the steps. Now I can legally drive here, and it’s opened up a whole new world of possibilities. I can take road trips, explore the countryside, and not have to rely on taxis or public transportation all the time. If you’re thinking about getting a Vietnam driving license, just go for it! It’s definitely worth the effort.
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