Driving in Cyprus vs. Vietnam: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Cyprus and Vietnam, drivers encounter distinct regulations and customs that shape their travel experiences. Key differences include driving on the left in Cyprus versus the right in Vietnam, varying speed limits, and unique road etiquette practices. Understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in each country.
Lanes
| Cyprus | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the edge of the road. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited. | 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 | Limited | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Usually reserved for public transport. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled; specific signs indicate usage. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
cyprus:
Left
vietnam:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
cyprus:
Marks the edge of the road.
vietnam:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
cyprus:
May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic
vietnam:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
cyprus:
Prohibited.
vietnam:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
cyprus:
Use leftmost lane.
vietnam:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
Limited
vietnam:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
cyprus:
Usually reserved for public transport.
vietnam:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Labeled; specific signs indicate usage.
vietnam:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
vietnam:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
cyprus:
N/A
vietnam:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
vietnam:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Cyprus | 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 | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 50-70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
cyprus:
50 km/h
vietnam:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
cyprus:
50 km/h
vietnam:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
80 km/h
vietnam:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
cyprus:
80 km/h
vietnam:
50-70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
80 km/h
vietnam:
40-60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
100 km/h
vietnam:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
cyprus:
100 km/h
vietnam:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
100 km/h
vietnam:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
vietnam:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
cyprus:
Yes
vietnam:
Common
Signals
| Cyprus | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Cyprus | 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 | Greek and English; symbols are standard | Vietnamese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangle-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
cyprus:
Not used in Cyprus
vietnam:
Not used in Vietnam
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
cyprus:
Signal when entering and exiting
vietnam:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
cyprus:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
vietnam:
Commonly used in urban areas
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
cyprus:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
vietnam:
Limited restriction
Horn Usage: Penalties
cyprus:
Fines may apply for misuse
vietnam:
Fines in some areas for excessive use
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
cyprus:
Not to be used to signal other messages
vietnam:
Discouraged for signaling other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
cyprus:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
vietnam:
Vietnamese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
cyprus:
Triangle-shaped with red border
vietnam:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Cyprus | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless granted by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Prohibited in central urban areas; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
cyprus:
Not allowed
vietnam:
Prohibited unless granted by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
cyprus:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
vietnam:
Prohibited in central urban areas; check for signs
Documentation
| Cyprus | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits without additional permits | 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 | Yes, periodic inspection required | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
cyprus:
Accepted for short visits without additional permits
vietnam:
An International Driving Permit is recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
cyprus:
International Driving Permit recommended
vietnam:
An International Driving Permit is recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
cyprus:
Yes, periodic inspection required
vietnam:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cyprus:
Mandatory
vietnam:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
vietnam:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Cyprus | 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
cyprus:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
vietnam:
Common in heavy traffic to signal freedom of movement
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
cyprus:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
vietnam:
Expected in congested traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
cyprus:
Only in emergency situations
vietnam:
Common but limited by law in cities
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
cyprus:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
vietnam:
Frequent use compared to Western countries
Pedestrians Priority
cyprus:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
vietnam:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
cyprus:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
vietnam:
Pull over and stop, if possible
Alcohol
| Cyprus | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02%; strict enforcement |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used routinely | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and strict | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
cyprus:
0.02%
vietnam:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
cyprus:
0.00%; zero tolerance
vietnam:
0.02%; strict enforcement
Enforcement: Random Checks
cyprus:
Common; checkpoints used routinely
vietnam:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
cyprus:
Substantial and strict
vietnam:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Cyprus | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering and intending to exit immediately | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
cyprus:
Signal when entering and intending to exit immediately
vietnam:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Cyprus | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 113 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 113 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
cyprus:
112
vietnam:
113
Contact: Traffic Police
cyprus:
112
vietnam:
113
Contact: Roadside Assistance
cyprus:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
vietnam:
Check with insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Cyprus | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | 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 | Strict enforcement | VNÐ 100,000 to VNÐ 200,000 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Strict enforcement, fines apply | VNÐ 600,000 to VNÐ 1,000,000 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines, points on license | VNÐ 300,000 to VNÐ 500,000 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Common for minor fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Typically around 10-15 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
cyprus:
Varies; can be substantial
vietnam:
Varies; VNÐ 500,000 to VNÐ 4,000,000
Common Fines: Alcohol
cyprus:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
vietnam:
Heavy fines and possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cyprus:
Strict enforcement
vietnam:
VNÐ 100,000 to VNÐ 200,000
Common Fines: Phone Use
cyprus:
Strict enforcement, fines apply
vietnam:
VNÐ 600,000 to VNÐ 1,000,000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cyprus:
Substantial fines, points on license
vietnam:
VNÐ 300,000 to VNÐ 500,000
Payment: On The Spot
cyprus:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
vietnam:
Common for minor fines
Payment: Deadline
cyprus:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
vietnam:
Typically around 10-15 days