Driving in France vs. Vietnam: Key Differences Explained
Exploring the road regulations of France and Vietnam reveals fascinating contrasts in vehicular norms and safety practices. From speed limits to lane usage, each country showcases unique driving principles. Notably, France emphasizes strict enforcement of speed regulations, while Vietnam employs a more lenient approach to overtaking, highlighting the rich tapestry of global driving cultures.
Lanes
| France | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
france:
Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks.
vietnam:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
france:
Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe.
vietnam:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
france:
Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended.
vietnam:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
france:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists.
vietnam:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
france:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
vietnam:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
france:
Yes
vietnam:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
france:
Electronic signs display current limits.
vietnam:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| France | 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 | 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 | 130 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
france:
50 km/h
vietnam:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
france:
30 km/h
vietnam:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
france:
80 km/h
vietnam:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
france:
80 km/h
vietnam:
50-70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
france:
80 km/h
vietnam:
40-60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
france:
130 km/h
vietnam:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
france:
100 km/h
vietnam:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
france:
90 km/h
vietnam:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
france:
Yes
vietnam:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
france:
Electronic signs display current limits
vietnam:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
france:
Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation
vietnam:
Common
Signals
| France | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in France | 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 especially at night; 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 | French; 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
france:
Not used in France
vietnam:
Not used in Vietnam
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
france:
Signal when entering and exiting
vietnam:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
france:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
vietnam:
Commonly used in urban areas
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
france:
Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply
vietnam:
Limited restriction
Horn Usage: Penalties
france:
Fines may apply for misuse
vietnam:
Fines in some areas for excessive use
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
france:
Not to be used to signal other messages
vietnam:
Discouraged for signaling other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
france:
French; symbols are standard
vietnam:
Vietnamese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
france:
Triangular with red border
vietnam:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
Turns
| France | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless granted by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs | Prohibited in central urban areas; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
france:
Not allowed
vietnam:
Prohibited unless granted by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
france:
Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs
vietnam:
Prohibited in central urban areas; check for signs
Documentation
| France | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits | 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, an MOT style test is required periodically | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory in vehicle | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory in vehicle | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
france:
Accepted for short visits
vietnam:
An International Driving Permit is recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
france:
International Driving Permit recommended
vietnam:
An International Driving Permit is recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
france:
Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically
vietnam:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
france:
Displayed on windshield
vietnam:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
vietnam:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
vietnam:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| France | 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 | Reserved mainly for use in emergencies | 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 and stop if necessary | Pull over and stop, if possible |
Flashing Lights: Usage
france:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
vietnam:
Common in heavy traffic to signal freedom of movement
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
france:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
vietnam:
Expected in congested traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
france:
Only in emergency situations
vietnam:
Common but limited by law in cities
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
france:
Reserved mainly for use in emergencies
vietnam:
Frequent use compared to Western countries
Pedestrians Priority
france:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
vietnam:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
france:
Pull over and stop if necessary
vietnam:
Pull over and stop, if possible
Alcohol
| France | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02%; strict enforcement |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
france:
0.02%
vietnam:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
france:
0.00%
vietnam:
0.02%; strict enforcement
Enforcement: Random Checks
france:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
vietnam:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
france:
Can be substantial
vietnam:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| France | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering if turning right | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
france:
Signal when entering if turning right
vietnam:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| France | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 113 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 17 or through local police | 113 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or assistance service | 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
france:
112
vietnam:
113
Contact: Traffic Police
france:
17 or through local police
vietnam:
113
Contact: Roadside Assistance
france:
Check with your insurance provider or assistance service
vietnam:
Check with insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
france:
Mandatory
vietnam:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
france:
Mandatory
vietnam:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| France | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points | Varies; VNÐ 500,000 to VNÐ 4,000,000 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation | Heavy fines and possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €135 | VNÐ 100,000 to VNÐ 200,000 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €135 | VNÐ 600,000 to VNÐ 1,000,000 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €135 | VNÐ 300,000 to VNÐ 500,000 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses | Common for minor fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 45 days to pay | Typically around 10-15 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
france:
Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points
vietnam:
Varies; VNÐ 500,000 to VNÐ 4,000,000
Common Fines: Alcohol
france:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation
vietnam:
Heavy fines and possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
france:
€135
vietnam:
VNÐ 100,000 to VNÐ 200,000
Common Fines: Phone Use
france:
€135
vietnam:
VNÐ 600,000 to VNÐ 1,000,000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
france:
€135
vietnam:
VNÐ 300,000 to VNÐ 500,000
Payment: On The Spot
france:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses
vietnam:
Common for minor fines
Payment: Deadline
france:
Varies; typically 45 days to pay
vietnam:
Typically around 10-15 days