Driving Differences: Austria vs. Vietnam Explained
When comparing the driving landscapes of Austria and Vietnam, notable distinctions emerge that can impact safety on the roads. From varying speed limits and lane usage to rules regarding alcohol consumption, understanding these unique regulations is essential for travelers. Discover how these two countries approach vehicular navigation differently to ensure a safer journey abroad.
Lanes
| Austria | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
austria:
Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks.
vietnam:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
austria:
Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress.
vietnam:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
austria:
Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn.
vietnam:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
austria:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
vietnam:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
austria:
N/A
vietnam:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
vietnam:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits.
vietnam:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Austria | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 50-70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may also be mailed. | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
austria:
50 km/h
vietnam:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
austria:
30 km/h
vietnam:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
100 km/h
vietnam:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
austria:
80-100 km/h
vietnam:
50-70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
70-80 km/h
vietnam:
40-60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
130 km/h
vietnam:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
austria:
100 km/h
vietnam:
90-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
vietnam:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits
vietnam:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
austria:
Common; fines may also be mailed.
vietnam:
Common
Signals
| Austria | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move. | Not used in Vietnam |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Commonly used in urban areas |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary 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 | German; symbols are standard | Vietnamese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangle-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
austria:
Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move.
vietnam:
Not used in Vietnam
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
austria:
Signal when entering and exiting
vietnam:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
austria:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
vietnam:
Commonly used in urban areas
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
austria:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
vietnam:
Limited restriction
Horn Usage: Penalties
austria:
Fines may apply for misuse
vietnam:
Fines in some areas for excessive use
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
austria:
Not to be used to signal other messages
vietnam:
Discouraged for signaling other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
austria:
German; symbols are standard
vietnam:
Vietnamese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
austria:
Triangular with red border
vietnam:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Austria | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light | Prohibited unless granted by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it | Prohibited in central urban areas; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
austria:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light
vietnam:
Prohibited unless granted by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
austria:
Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it
vietnam:
Prohibited in central urban areas; check for signs
Documentation
| Austria | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed | An International Driving Permit is recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | An International Driving Permit is recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof may be required | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
austria:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed
vietnam:
An International Driving Permit is recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
austria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
vietnam:
An International Driving Permit is recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
austria:
Yes, proof may be required
vietnam:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
austria:
Displayed on license plate
vietnam:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
austria:
Mandatory
vietnam:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
vietnam:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Austria | 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 | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to Western countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at 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
austria:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
vietnam:
Common in heavy traffic to signal freedom of movement
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
austria:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
vietnam:
Expected in congested traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
austria:
Only in emergency situations
vietnam:
Common but limited by law in cities
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
austria:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
vietnam:
Frequent use compared to Western countries
Pedestrians Priority
austria:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
vietnam:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
austria:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
vietnam:
Pull over and stop, if possible
Alcohol
| Austria | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.02%; strict enforcement |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies by offense | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
austria:
0.01%
vietnam:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
austria:
0.01%
vietnam:
0.02%; strict enforcement
Enforcement: Fines
austria:
Substantial; varies by offense
vietnam:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Austria | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 113 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 | 113 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ) | Check with insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
austria:
112
vietnam:
113
Contact: Traffic Police
austria:
133
vietnam:
113
Contact: Roadside Assistance
austria:
120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ)
vietnam:
Check with insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
austria:
Mandatory
vietnam:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
vietnam:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Austria | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license | Varies; VNÐ 500,000 to VNÐ 4,000,000 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Heavy fines and possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | VNÐ 100,000 to VNÐ 200,000 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | VNÐ 600,000 to VNÐ 1,000,000 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | VNÐ 300,000 to VNÐ 500,000 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Common for minor fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Typically around 10-15 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
austria:
Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license
vietnam:
Varies; VNÐ 500,000 to VNÐ 4,000,000
Common Fines: Alcohol
austria:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
vietnam:
Heavy fines and possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
austria:
Fines apply
vietnam:
VNÐ 100,000 to VNÐ 200,000
Common Fines: Phone Use
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
vietnam:
VNÐ 600,000 to VNÐ 1,000,000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
vietnam:
VNÐ 300,000 to VNÐ 500,000
Payment: On The Spot
austria:
Common
vietnam:
Common for minor fines
Payment: Deadline
austria:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
vietnam:
Typically around 10-15 days