Things to know when driving in Vietnam
Hitting the roads in Vietnam can be an unpredictable experience for many, including both local and foreign commuters – and that includes forgetting Vietnam’s traffic rules. Sometimes you might forget to turn on your indicator lights when making a turn, or accidentally leave your driving license at home before setting out on your motorbike.
Knowing what to expect when being pulled over by a policeman for a traffic violation can sometimes help you resolve the situation smoothly. Here are the things that you need to know when driving in Vietnam, so you can travel with more confidence and ease.
1. Drivers need to bring their driving licenses and vehicle registration
Image credit: bacninhtv.vn
When driving in Vietnam, every driver is required to carry their driving license and vehicle registration. Failure to bring these documents will result in a penalty of VND100,000 to VND6,000,0000 (~USD4.31-USD258.73).
According to Vietnam traffic rules, drivers are required to bring the original versions of their driving licenses at all times, but exceptions can be accepted in 2 circumstances:
- Your driving license is being held up at the police station for prior traffic violations you committed in the past but have not paid the penalties to retrieve yet.
- Your driving license is being kept at a financial institution for a financial proceeding.
Under these circumstances, you can present a photocopied version of your driving license.
2. Your blood alcohol level cannot exceed 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres
Image credit: @bactrack
According to Vietnam traffic rules on drink driving , any drivers whose alcohol levels exceed 50mg/100ml of blood will face a fine from VND4,000,000 to VND5,000,000 (~USD172.49-USD215.61).
This means that you should keep a tight check on the level of alcohol you consume before driving anywhere – so carrying around a personal breathalyzer can be well worth its price. For more tips on how to have a good nhau-ing time without fear of committing traffic violations, check out our article here.
3. Commuters can record their encounters with traffic police officers
Image credit: luatvietnam.com
According to Circular 67/2019/TT-BCA’s Vietnam traffic rules, commuters have the right to record, with their phones, cameras, or tape recorders, traffic police officers performing their roles.
The purpose of this clause is to ensure that traffic police officers are performing their roles with transparency and effectiveness.
4. Police have the right to pull you over
Image credit: plo.vn
According to Circular 65/2012/TT-BCA, a traffic police officer has the right to pull you over when detecting a traffic violation on your part, either using their hands, a traffic stick, a speaker, a sign, or a barrier.
When pulling you over, the traffic police officer is obliged to inform you immediately of your violations before asking you to present your driving license and vehicle registration.
Take note that you do not have to present your personal documents before knowing your violations.
5. Traffic police officers are equipped with guns
This car driver ignored the police officer’s motion for a traffic stop and purposefully drove forward while the officer was still in the way
Image credit: kinhtedothi
According to Circular 65/2020/TT-BCA, starting from 5th August 2020, Vietnamese traffic police officers will be equipped with pistols, rifles, submachine guns, rubber bullets, tear gas pistols, paintball bullets, tear gas sprayers, electric batons, armor, as well as locks.
These weapons are only used by traffic police officers when dealing with heightened threats from aggressive commuters.
6. Traffic police officers can disguise themselves as civilians to enforce traffic laws
Some Grab drivers in Vietnam are undercover cops
Image credit: The Seattle Times
Traffic police officers can disguise themselves as civilians to enforce traffic laws and keep traffic in order by observing the movements of a target to detect traffic violations, and then notifying another task force who are wearing uniforms. However, their disguise plans have to be approved beforehand by their management.
One of the most commonly asked questions by both local and foreign commuters in Vietnam is whether it’s okay under Vietnam traffic rules for traffic police officers to disguise themselves to measure vehicles’ speed or to observe commuters from a distance to check that they are following the rules of the road. The answer is yes, they can.
7. You have the right to defend yourself against a traffic ticket
Image credit: mt.gov.vn
When you’re pulled over by a traffic police officer, cooperate with him and defend yourself against the traffic ticket in a civil manner. If you feel that the charges are unreasonable, you can choose not to sign it and argue your case with evidence, such as with a dash-cam video or with a witness.
Do not use unreasonable force with a traffic police officer, which can make you end up with more charges.
8. Only traffic police in vehicles with patrol signage can pull you over
Image credit: cafeauto.vn
There have been reports of cases in which commuters are deceived and robbed in the middle of the night or in the middle of nowhere by con artists masquerading as traffic police officers.
To tell whether you’re being pulled over by real traffic police officers, check the color of their vehicles, which should be white and on which are printed with signs that say “Traffic Police” in English and also in Vietnamese, as CSGT (Cảnh sát giao thông). Genuine traffic police vehicles should also bear traffic police flags and badges.
9. Traffic police officers have to bow and say thank you when pulling you over
Image credit: giaoducthoidai
According to Circular 65/2020/TT-BCA’s Vietnam traffic rules, traffic police officers are obliged to bow and say hello and thank you when pulling a commuter over in order to show their goodwill.
You have every right to question them if they don’t follow this protocol when pulling you over.
10. Traffic police officers have to wear police labels and high-visibility reflective vests when engaged in road policing in the evening
Image credit: 24h.com.vn
According to Circular 66/2012/TT-BCA, traffic police officers must wear their police cards when on duty as well as high-visibility reflective vests at night. This is to help commuters see that there are traffic police officers on duty, as well as to keep the officers safe.
Every traffic police officer on duty must wear a police card proving their identity and title
Image credit: danhgiaxe.com
When you’re pulled over by traffic police officers who do not wear either of the above-mentioned items, you can ask them to prove their identity and authority before presenting any of your own personal documents as per their request.
A police card must include a profile photo, name, rank, and serial number of the police officer
Image adapted from: 24h.com.vn
11. Police can prosecute you based on social media evidence
Image credit: Lâm Tiến
According to Circular 65/2012/TT-BCA, which will take effect on 5th August, the police have the rights to investigate, verify, and prosecute commuters based on photos or videos shared on Facebook, Zalo, Youtube, or on anonymous tips.
This means that if you were captured on a video clip or a photo running the red light, which later was shared on social media and caught the attention of the police, you should get ready to face the music.
In such a situation, the policemen in charge of the locality where you were found committing the violations would investigate your identity and come knocking on your door in no time. So better be safe than sorry – drive carefully even if no cops are around, for yourself and for your fellow drivers.
12. You can pay traffic penalties online now
Image adapted from: Cổng Dịch Vụ Công Quốc Gia
From 1st July, Vietnamese commuters can pay traffic penalties online on Cổng Dịch Vụ Công Quốc Gia, the government’s National Public Service Portal.
This means that instead of going to the Vietnam State Treasury offices and getting into the queues to pay traffic penalties, commuters can now pay the penalties from home.
This change in administrative procedure helps commuters save time and energy, as well as to enhance the government’s transparency in handling traffic violations.
A summary infographic about traffic penalties for car drivers in Vietnam
Image credit: The Smart Local Vietnam
A summary infographic about traffic penalties for motorcycle drivers in Vietnam
Image credit: The Smart Local Vietnam
Traffic rules in Vietnam
Vietnam is one of the most populous countries in the world, and home to an immensely high number of vehicles. Accidents happen every day, and traffic violations are aplenty.
Whether you knowingly or unknowingly commit a traffic violation and are pulled over, it’s good to know the traffic rules in Vietnam, your rights, and the legal proceedings here so that you can confidently hit the road.
Also check out:
- Vietnamese commuters can pay penalties online
- Vietnamese policeman rescues stray dogs around Buon Ma Thuot Province
- Ho Chi Minh City hospital introduces cashless payments
- Ho Chi Minh City businesses use technology to access COVID-19-related risks
- 8 online grocery shopping services in Ho Chi Minh City
- Vietnamese student dressed up in uniform for online study
- Vietnam invents 2 testing technologies for COVID-19
- Vietnamese students salute the flags online
Cover image adapted from: thu vien phap luat
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