Having ridden a couple of times in Vietnam on hired bikes, not scooters, I was told on my last trip that unless you have a valid local license all insurance(inc medical/travel from uk) is invalid, that's why the top gear clowns took their test on camera. I get an international license from the RAC for Thailand, but not recognised in Vietnam.

If anybody is going to to Thailand I can recommend the Mea Hong Son loop, 700km and nearly 2000 bends with race track smooth roads, hired a bike from Tony's big bikes in Chang mai.

Al.