Driving in Algeria vs Vietnam: Key Differences Explained
When planning a trip to Algeria or Vietnam, understanding the unique driving regulations is essential for a safe journey. From overtaking rules and lane usage to speed limits and penalties, these two countries present distinctive practices. Familiarize yourself with their road etiquette and legal requirements to ensure a smooth and secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Algeria | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited except on one-way roads. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Not applicable | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Not applicable | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Not applicable | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Not applicable | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
algeria:
Prohibited except on one-way roads.
vietnam:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
algeria:
No
vietnam:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
algeria:
Not applicable
vietnam:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
algeria:
Not applicable
vietnam:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
algeria:
No
vietnam:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
algeria:
Not applicable
vietnam:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
algeria:
Not applicable
vietnam:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
algeria:
Not applicable
vietnam:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
algeria:
Not applicable
vietnam:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Algeria | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 50-70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
algeria:
50 km/h
vietnam:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
algeria:
50 km/h
vietnam:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
algeria:
100 km/h
vietnam:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
algeria:
90 km/h
vietnam:
50-70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
algeria:
80 km/h
vietnam:
40-60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
algeria:
120 km/h
vietnam:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
algeria:
100 km/h
vietnam:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
algeria:
90 km/h
vietnam:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
algeria:
Not applicable
vietnam:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
algeria:
Yes
vietnam:
Common
Signals
| Algeria | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not typically used | Not used in Vietnam |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Commonly used in urban areas |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Limited restriction |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Fines in some areas for excessive use |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Discouraged for signaling other messages |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and French; symbols are standard | Vietnamese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Usually triangular with red borders | Triangle-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
algeria:
Not typically used
vietnam:
Not used in Vietnam
Horn Usage: Allowed
algeria:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
vietnam:
Commonly used in urban areas
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
algeria:
Excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
vietnam:
Limited restriction
Horn Usage: Penalties
algeria:
Fines may apply for misuse
vietnam:
Fines in some areas for excessive use
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
algeria:
Not to be used to signal other messages
vietnam:
Discouraged for signaling other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
algeria:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
vietnam:
Vietnamese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
algeria:
Usually triangular with red borders
vietnam:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Algeria | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated | Prohibited unless granted by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by sign | Prohibited in central urban areas; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
algeria:
Usually not allowed unless indicated
vietnam:
Prohibited unless granted by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
algeria:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by sign
vietnam:
Prohibited in central urban areas; check for signs
Documentation
| Algeria | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | An International Driving Permit is recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | An International Driving Permit is recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory every few years, varies based on vehicle age | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
algeria:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
vietnam:
An International Driving Permit is recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
algeria:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
vietnam:
An International Driving Permit is recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
algeria:
Mandatory every few years, varies based on vehicle age
vietnam:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
algeria:
Displayed on windshield
vietnam:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
algeria:
Mandatory
vietnam:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
algeria:
Recommended
vietnam:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Algeria | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | Common in heavy traffic to signal freedom of movement |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Expected in congested traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Common but limited by law in cities |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use than in some countries | Frequent use compared to Western countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over and stop, if possible |
Flashing Lights: Usage
algeria:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
vietnam:
Common in heavy traffic to signal freedom of movement
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
algeria:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
vietnam:
Expected in congested traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
algeria:
Only in emergency situations
vietnam:
Common but limited by law in cities
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
algeria:
More frequent use than in some countries
vietnam:
Frequent use compared to Western countries
Pedestrians Priority
algeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crosswalks
vietnam:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
algeria:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
vietnam:
Pull over and stop, if possible
Alcohol
| Algeria | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02%; strict enforcement |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Checkpoints used especially on holidays | Common |
Limits: General Drivers
algeria:
0.02%
vietnam:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
algeria:
0.00%
vietnam:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
algeria:
0.00%; zero tolerance
vietnam:
0.02%; strict enforcement
Enforcement: Random Checks
algeria:
Checkpoints used especially on holidays
vietnam:
Common
Emergency Services
| Algeria | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 1548 | 113 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 17 | 113 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact insurance provider or auto club | Check with insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
algeria:
1548
vietnam:
113
Contact: Traffic Police
algeria:
17
vietnam:
113
Contact: Roadside Assistance
algeria:
Contact insurance provider or auto club
vietnam:
Check with insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
algeria:
Mandatory
vietnam:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
algeria:
Recommended
vietnam:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Algeria | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can reach up to several thousand dinars | Varies; VNÐ 500,000 to VNÐ 4,000,000 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Heavy fines, possible jail time | Heavy fines and possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed for non-compliance | VNÐ 100,000 to VNÐ 200,000 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed for non-compliance | VNÐ 600,000 to VNÐ 1,000,000 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines imposed, may include points on license | VNÐ 300,000 to VNÐ 500,000 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; also through post or bank | Common for minor fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must be paid promptly | Typically around 10-15 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
algeria:
Varies; can reach up to several thousand dinars
vietnam:
Varies; VNÐ 500,000 to VNÐ 4,000,000
Common Fines: Alcohol
algeria:
Heavy fines, possible jail time
vietnam:
Heavy fines and possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
algeria:
Fines imposed for non-compliance
vietnam:
VNÐ 100,000 to VNÐ 200,000
Common Fines: Phone Use
algeria:
Fines imposed for non-compliance
vietnam:
VNÐ 600,000 to VNÐ 1,000,000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
algeria:
Fines imposed, may include points on license
vietnam:
VNÐ 300,000 to VNÐ 500,000
Payment: On The Spot
algeria:
Possible; also through post or bank
vietnam:
Common for minor fines
Payment: Deadline
algeria:
Varies; typically must be paid promptly
vietnam:
Typically around 10-15 days