Driving in China vs Vietnam: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the roads of China and Vietnam, understanding the nuances of their driving regulations is crucial for a safe journey. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol consumption guidelines. Familiarizing yourself with these driving norms will ensure a smoother experience while navigating the unique traffic landscapes of both nations.
Lanes
| China | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Separates directions on multi-lane roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed in certain cases; check local rules. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3] | Railroad crossings | Pedestrian crossings |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane if possible. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
vietnam:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
vietnam:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
vietnam:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
china:
List length: 4
vietnam:
List length: 5
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
vietnam:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
vietnam:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
vietnam:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
vietnam:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
vietnam:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
vietnam:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
vietnam:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
vietnam:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
vietnam:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits.
vietnam:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| China | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 50-70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, especially in urban areas | Common |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
china:
30 km/h
vietnam:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
vietnam:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
vietnam:
50-70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
china:
60-80 km/h
vietnam:
40-60 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
vietnam:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
vietnam:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
vietnam:
Common
Signals
| China | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Not used in Vietnam |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Commonly used in urban areas |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution | 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 | Chinese; symbols also used | Vietnamese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with red borders | Triangle-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
china:
Not used in China
vietnam:
Not used in Vietnam
Horn Usage: Allowed
china:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
vietnam:
Commonly used in urban areas
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
vietnam:
Limited restriction
Horn Usage: Penalties
china:
Fines may apply for misuse
vietnam:
Fines in some areas for excessive use
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
china:
Not to be used to signal other messages
vietnam:
Discouraged for signaling other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
vietnam:
Vietnamese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
vietnam:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
Turns
| China | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality | Prohibited unless granted by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs | Prohibited in central urban areas; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
vietnam:
Prohibited unless granted by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
vietnam:
Prohibited in central urban areas; check for signs
Documentation
| China | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid Chinese driver's license required | Valid driver's license required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required for short visits | An International Driving Permit is recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required | An International Driving Permit is recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles | 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 | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
vietnam:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
vietnam:
An International Driving Permit is recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
vietnam:
An International Driving Permit is recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
vietnam:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
china:
Displayed on windshield
vietnam:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
vietnam:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
vietnam:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| China | 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 in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai | 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
china:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
vietnam:
Common in heavy traffic to signal freedom of movement
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
china:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
vietnam:
Expected in congested traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
china:
Only in emergency situations
vietnam:
Common but limited by law in cities
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
vietnam:
Frequent use compared to Western countries
Pedestrians Priority
china:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
vietnam:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
vietnam:
Pull over and stop, if possible
Alcohol
| China | 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 | Common, especially near bars and clubs | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines, license suspension possible | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
china:
0.02%
vietnam:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
china:
0.00%
vietnam:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
china:
0.00%; zero tolerance
vietnam:
0.02%; strict enforcement
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
vietnam:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
vietnam:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
vietnam:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| China | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight ahead | Use for first exit or straight |
Lane Usage: Right
china:
Use for first exit or straight ahead
vietnam:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| China | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 113 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | 113 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
vietnam:
113
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
vietnam:
113
Contact: Roadside Assistance
china:
Check with your insurance provider
vietnam:
Check with insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
vietnam:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| China | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, 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 | ¥50 to ¥200 | VNÐ 100,000 to VNÐ 200,000 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | VNÐ 600,000 to VNÐ 1,000,000 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | VNÐ 300,000 to VNÐ 500,000 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | Common for minor fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Typically around 10-15 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
vietnam:
Varies; VNÐ 500,000 to VNÐ 4,000,000
Common Fines: Alcohol
china:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
vietnam:
Heavy fines and possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
vietnam:
VNÐ 100,000 to VNÐ 200,000
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
vietnam:
VNÐ 600,000 to VNÐ 1,000,000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
vietnam:
VNÐ 300,000 to VNÐ 500,000
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
vietnam:
Common for minor fines
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
vietnam:
Typically around 10-15 days