Ho Chi Minh City’s 4-Digit Motorcycle License Plates: A Nostalgic Look Back

“Old license plates” – a phrase that evokes a sense of nostalgia and familiarity for those who remember old Saigon. Back then, there weren’t as many vehicles as there are today, and motorcycle license plates only had four digits, making them easy to remember. Whenever “Ho Chi Minh City’s 4-digit motorcycle license plates” are mentioned, people are reminded of a bygone era.

Four Digits, Countless Memories

In Ho Chi Minh City, 4-digit license plates were more than just a sequence of numbers used to distinguish vehicles; they held stories and memories for the city’s residents. For example, the 51A license plate prefix indicated where the 51A license plate is from, the city center, and was a source of pride for generations of Saigon residents.

People often said that beautiful, easy-to-remember 4-digit license plates brought good luck to their owners. Mr. Nguyen Van A, a vintage motorcycle collector in District 3, shared: “Back in the day, I had a Honda 67 with a quadruple-digit license plate. Everywhere I went, people would ask about it and admire it. And it’s true that since owning that bike, my business has become much more prosperous.”

From 4 Digits to 5: A Mark of Time

With the city’s continuous development, the number of vehicles increased dramatically. The use of 4-digit license plates no longer met management needs. And so, 5-digit license plates were born, replacing their 4-digit predecessors.

However, vehicles with Ho Chi Minh City’s 4-digit motorcycle license plates are still sought after by many and considered valuable “antiques.” They are not just a means of transportation but also a testament to the changes and development of the city named after Uncle Ho.

Learn More About License Plates

If you want to learn more about other types of license plates, you can refer to the following articles:

• Transferring provincial license plates to city license plates
• Distinguishing license plates of districts in Ho Chi Minh City
• Can motorcycle license plates be changed?
• License plates in Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City’s 4-digit motorcycle license plates have become a beautiful part of the city’s collective memory. Though time passes, these numbers retain their unique historical and cultural value.

Do you have any memorable experiences with Ho Chi Minh City’s 4-digit license plates? Share them with us!