Driving in the Bahamas vs. Vietnam: A Safety Comparison
The driving landscapes of the Bahamas and Vietnam unveil fascinating contrasts that are essential for safe navigation abroad. From the left and right-hand traffic rules to distinct speed limits and unique road etiquette, understanding these variations is crucial for travelers. Dive into this comparison to enhance your driving experience and ensure your safety on foreign roads.
Lanes
| Bahamas | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Not common. | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
bahamas:
Left
vietnam:
Right
Overtaking: On Right
bahamas:
Not allowed.
vietnam:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bahamas:
Use leftmost lane.
vietnam:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
Not common.
vietnam:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
vietnam:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
vietnam:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
No
vietnam:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
vietnam:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
vietnam:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahamas:
N/A
vietnam:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
vietnam:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bahamas | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25 mph | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 mph | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 45 mph | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 45 mph | 50-70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 45 mph | 40-60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | No highways | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | No highways | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | No highways | 80-100 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahamas:
25 mph
vietnam:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahamas:
25 mph
vietnam:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
45 mph
vietnam:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
45 mph
vietnam:
50-70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
45 mph
vietnam:
40-60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
No highways
vietnam:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
No highways
vietnam:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
No highways
vietnam:
80-100 km/h
Speed Units
bahamas:
mph
vietnam:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
vietnam:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahamas:
Yes
vietnam:
Common
Signals
| Bahamas | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Vietnam |
| 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 | English; symbols are standard | Vietnamese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahamas:
Not used
vietnam:
Not used in Vietnam
Horn Usage: Allowed
bahamas:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
vietnam:
Commonly used in urban areas
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahamas:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
vietnam:
Limited restriction
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahamas:
Fines may apply for misuse
vietnam:
Fines in some areas for excessive use
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
bahamas:
Not to be used to signal other messages
vietnam:
Discouraged for signaling other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bahamas:
English; symbols are standard
vietnam:
Vietnamese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahamas:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
vietnam:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Bahamas | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Prohibited unless granted by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Prohibited in central urban areas; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
bahamas:
Prohibited
vietnam:
Prohibited unless granted by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bahamas:
Varies by location; check for signs
vietnam:
Prohibited in central urban areas; check for signs
Documentation
| Bahamas | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | 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, annual inspections required for all vehicles | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bahamas:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
vietnam:
An International Driving Permit is recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahamas:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
vietnam:
An International Driving Permit is recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahamas:
Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles
vietnam:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahamas:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
vietnam:
Displayed on the windshield
Road Etiquette
| Bahamas | 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 left and stop if necessary | Pull over and stop, if possible |
Flashing Lights: Usage
bahamas:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
vietnam:
Common in heavy traffic to signal freedom of movement
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
bahamas:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
vietnam:
Expected in congested traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
bahamas:
Only in emergency situations
vietnam:
Common but limited by law in cities
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahamas:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
vietnam:
Frequent use compared to Western countries
Pedestrians Priority
bahamas:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
vietnam:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bahamas:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
vietnam:
Pull over and stop, if possible
Alcohol
| Bahamas | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02%; strict enforcement |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common |
Limits: General Drivers
bahamas:
0.08%
vietnam:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahamas:
0.05%
vietnam:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahamas:
0.00%; zero tolerance
vietnam:
0.02%; strict enforcement
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahamas:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
vietnam:
Common
Roundabouts
| Bahamas | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bahamas:
Signal left when preparing to exit
vietnam:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bahamas | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 919 | 113 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | 113 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
bahamas:
919
vietnam:
113
Contact: Traffic Police
bahamas:
911
vietnam:
113
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahamas:
Check with your insurance provider
vietnam:
Check with insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Bahamas | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500, 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 | $25 to $200, points may apply | VNÐ 100,000 to VNÐ 200,000 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $300, points may apply | VNÐ 600,000 to VNÐ 1,000,000 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $500, points on license | VNÐ 300,000 to VNÐ 500,000 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; can also be paid online or by mail | Common for minor fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Typically around 10-15 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahamas:
Varies; $50 to $500, points on license
vietnam:
Varies; VNÐ 500,000 to VNÐ 4,000,000
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahamas:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
vietnam:
Heavy fines and possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahamas:
$25 to $200, points may apply
vietnam:
VNÐ 100,000 to VNÐ 200,000
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahamas:
$50 to $300, points may apply
vietnam:
VNÐ 600,000 to VNÐ 1,000,000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahamas:
$100 to $500, points on license
vietnam:
VNÐ 300,000 to VNÐ 500,000
Payment: On The Spot
bahamas:
Yes; can also be paid online or by mail
vietnam:
Common for minor fines
Payment: Deadline
bahamas:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
vietnam:
Typically around 10-15 days