Driving in Bangladesh vs. Vietnam: Key Safety Differences
When traversing the roads of Bangladesh and Vietnam, understanding the distinctive regulations and practices is essential for ensuring a secure journey. Key differences include driving sides—left in Bangladesh and right in Vietnam—as well as varying speed limits and lane usages. This comprehensive comparison illuminates crucial aspects to enhance your driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Bangladesh | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on some roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally 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 | Yes, in major cities | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Often marked with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles generally use the edge of the road. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
Driving Side
bangladesh:
Left
vietnam:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Marks the right edge on some roads.
vietnam:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe.
vietnam:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bangladesh:
Generally not allowed.
vietnam:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bangladesh:
Use leftmost lane.
vietnam:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
Yes, in major cities
vietnam:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
vietnam:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
Often marked with road signs.
vietnam:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
No
vietnam:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Bicycles generally use the edge of the road.
vietnam:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
N/A
vietnam:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Bangladesh | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 50-70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-70 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, in major areas | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
bangladesh:
25-50 km/h
vietnam:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bangladesh:
30 km/h
vietnam:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
vietnam:
50-70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
50-70 km/h
vietnam:
40-60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
vietnam:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
vietnam:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
vietnam:
80-100 km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bangladesh:
Yes, in major areas
vietnam:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bangladesh:
Yes, common practice
vietnam:
Common
Signals
| Bangladesh | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bangladesh | 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 | 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 | Bengali; symbols are standard | Vietnamese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Triangle-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bangladesh:
Proceed with caution, yield to other vehicles
vietnam:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bangladesh:
Not used in Bangladesh
vietnam:
Not used in Vietnam
Horn Usage: Allowed
bangladesh:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
vietnam:
Commonly used in urban areas
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bangladesh:
Unnecessary use discouraged
vietnam:
Limited restriction
Horn Usage: Penalties
bangladesh:
Fines may apply for misuse
vietnam:
Fines in some areas for excessive use
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
bangladesh:
Not to be used to signal other messages
vietnam:
Discouraged for signaling other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bangladesh:
Bengali; symbols are standard
vietnam:
Vietnamese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bangladesh:
Triangular-shaped with red border
vietnam:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Bangladesh | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not commonly permitted | Prohibited unless granted by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by area; check for signs | Prohibited in central urban areas; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
bangladesh:
Not commonly permitted
vietnam:
Prohibited unless granted by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bangladesh:
Varies by area; check for signs
vietnam:
Prohibited in central urban areas; check for signs
Documentation
| Bangladesh | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | An International Driving Permit is recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | An International Driving Permit is recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually, proof displayed on vehicle | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
vietnam:
An International Driving Permit is recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
vietnam:
An International Driving Permit is recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bangladesh:
Annually, proof displayed on vehicle
vietnam:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bangladesh:
Displayed on windshield
vietnam:
Displayed on the windshield
Road Etiquette
| Bangladesh | 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 | 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 side and stop if necessary | Pull over and stop, if possible |
Flashing Lights: Usage
bangladesh:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
vietnam:
Common in heavy traffic to signal freedom of movement
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
bangladesh:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
vietnam:
Expected in congested traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
bangladesh:
Only in emergency situations
vietnam:
Common but limited by law in cities
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bangladesh:
Frequent use compared to some countries
vietnam:
Frequent use compared to Western countries
Pedestrians Priority
bangladesh:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
vietnam:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bangladesh:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
vietnam:
Pull over and stop, if possible
Alcohol
| Bangladesh | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02%; strict enforcement |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in checkpoints | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies by offense | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
vietnam:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
vietnam:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
vietnam:
0.02%; strict enforcement
Enforcement: Random Checks
bangladesh:
Common in checkpoints
vietnam:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
bangladesh:
Substantial, varies by offense
vietnam:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Bangladesh | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bangladesh:
Signal left when preparing to exit
vietnam:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bangladesh | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 9999 | 113 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police | 113 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
bangladesh:
9999
vietnam:
113
Contact: Traffic Police
bangladesh:
Contact local police
vietnam:
113
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bangladesh:
Check with your insurance provider
vietnam:
Check with insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Bangladesh | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can include fines and points | Varies; VNÐ 500,000 to VNÐ 4,000,000 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Heavy fines and possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable, varies by enforcement | VNÐ 100,000 to VNÐ 200,000 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, varies by enforcement | VNÐ 600,000 to VNÐ 1,000,000 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies depending on the severity of the violation | VNÐ 300,000 to VNÐ 500,000 |
| Payment: On The Spot | More common than in the USA | Common for minor fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred | Typically around 10-15 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
bangladesh:
Varies; can include fines and points
vietnam:
Varies; VNÐ 500,000 to VNÐ 4,000,000
Common Fines: Alcohol
bangladesh:
Substantial fines, possible imprisonment
vietnam:
Heavy fines and possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bangladesh:
Fines applicable, varies by enforcement
vietnam:
VNÐ 100,000 to VNÐ 200,000
Common Fines: Phone Use
bangladesh:
Fines apply, varies by enforcement
vietnam:
VNÐ 600,000 to VNÐ 1,000,000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bangladesh:
Varies depending on the severity of the violation
vietnam:
VNÐ 300,000 to VNÐ 500,000
Payment: On The Spot
bangladesh:
More common than in the USA
vietnam:
Common for minor fines
Payment: Deadline
bangladesh:
Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred
vietnam:
Typically around 10-15 days