Road information for visitors

Vietnam driving guide

A practical reference to speed limits, selected road signs, traffic-camera enforcement, fines and what to do after a collision. Check signs and police instructions on the road.

Download driving guide (English PDF)Download driving guide (Vietnamese PDF)

Reviewed 12 October 2026 against the official sources below.

Before you drive

Drive on the right. Everyone in the car must wear a seat belt. Never drive after drinking alcohol or using drugs; put your phone away while moving. Yield to pedestrians and emergency vehicles, and leave a safe following distance.

Before pickup, ask Rocket which driving documents your rental requires. International permit eligibility and recognition depend on your circumstances and the competent authorities. See booking FAQs

Speed limits for passenger cars

For passenger cars with up to 28 seats, excluding the driver, the general limits below apply unless a sign or police direction sets a different limit. A divided road has a physical divider between opposing traffic. On a one-way road, the higher limit applies only when there are at least two motor-vehicle lanes.

Speed limits for passenger cars
Road area	Divided road or one-way road with at least two motor lanes	Other two-way or one-way road with one motor lane	Unit
Inside a built-up area	60	50	km/h
Outside a built-up area	90	80	km/h

Posted limits and police directions govern. On expressways, follow the posted minimum and maximum. The 120 km/h ceiling is not blanket permission to drive at that speed.

Road signs to recognize

These official sign examples are a quick reference. Supplemental plates, time periods, lane markings and the direction of travel can change how a sign applies.

Built-up area begins
R.420
Built-up area ends
R.421
Maximum speed limit
P.127
No entry
P.102
No stopping and no parking
P.130
No parking
P.131a
No U-turn
P.124a
No overtaking
P.125

Selected car fines and licence points

These examples cover ordinary car offences and exclude collisions and aggravating circumstances. Amounts and point deductions follow Decree 168/2024/ND-CP as amended by Decree 238/2026/ND-CP, effective 15 August 2026.

Selected car fines and licence points
Offence	Fine	Points deducted	Legal basis
Running a red light	VND 18–20 million	4 points	6(9)(b), 16(b)
Exceeding the limit by 5 to under 10 km/h	VND 800,000–1 million	No deduction	6(3)(a)
Exceeding the limit by 10 to 20 km/h	VND 4–6 million	2 points	6(5)(đ), 16(a)
Exceeding the limit by over 20 to 35 km/h	VND 6–8 million	4 points	6(6)(a), 16(b)
Exceeding the limit by over 35 km/h	VND 12–14 million	6 points	6(7)(a), 16(c)
Using a handheld phone while driving	VND 4–6 million	4 points	6(5)(h), 16(b)
Driving in the wrong lane	VND 4–6 million	2 points	6(5)(b), 16(a)
Driver not wearing a seat belt	VND 800,000–1 million	No deduction	6(3)(k)

Points are deducted under Vietnam’s driving-licence point system. Treatment of a foreign licence depends on the competent authority; no deduction outcome is promised here.

Traffic cameras may detect signals, lanes, speed, seat belts or phone use. An officer verifies evidence before a notice is issued.

If there is a collision

1
Stop safely, switch on hazard lights, check for injured people and call 115 for medical help. Report the collision to police at 113 or the local authority.
2
Preserve the scene and stay for police, except when a medical emergency or threat to life requires action. Do not move or repair the vehicles except for a lawful emergency or police instruction; record their positions before any rescue move when safe.
3
Notify Rocket and your insurer as soon as possible, with the location and time.
4
When safe, photograph all four sides of each vehicle, damage close-ups, plates, signs and the wider scene; save dash-camera footage. Share a driver-and-damaged-car selfie only if Rocket or the insurer requests it, through their private official channel, and only when safe.
5
Wait in a safe place and follow police and insurer directions. Cooperate with the assessor, check that any written record is accurate before signing, and keep a copy. Do not arrange repairs or a settlement before receiving their instructions.

Official sources

This guide is a concise reference, not a substitute for the current law, road signs or police directions. Check the linked official sources for the full rules.