Driving Differences: Germany vs. Vietnam Explained
Exploring the roads of Germany and Vietnam reveals intriguing contrasts in their traffic regulations and practices. From lane markings and speed limits to signaling styles and road etiquette, each country presents unique challenges and nuances. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Germany | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are standard. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks temporary lanes or roadworks. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally prohibited, except in traffic jams or on multi-lane roads when the left lane is moving slower. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. Bicycles may be allowed. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored lane. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
germany:
Not commonly used; white lines are standard.
vietnam:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
germany:
Marks temporary lanes or roadworks.
vietnam:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
germany:
Generally prohibited, except in traffic jams or on multi-lane roads when the left lane is moving slower.
vietnam:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
germany:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. Bicycles may be allowed.
vietnam:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
germany:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with signs.
vietnam:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
germany:
Bicycle symbols and colored lane.
vietnam:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
germany:
N/A
vietnam:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
germany:
Yes
vietnam:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
germany:
Electronic signs display current limits.
vietnam:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Germany | 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 | 100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 50-70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
Urban Areas: Standard
germany:
50 km/h
vietnam:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
germany:
30 km/h
vietnam:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
germany:
100 km/h
vietnam:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
germany:
80-100 km/h
vietnam:
50-70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
germany:
80 km/h
vietnam:
40-60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
germany:
Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum
vietnam:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
germany:
100 km/h
vietnam:
90-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
germany:
Yes
vietnam:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
germany:
Electronic signs display current limits
vietnam:
N/A
Signals
| Germany | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates the light is about to change to green | 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 | German; 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
germany:
Indicates the light is about to change to green
vietnam:
Not used in Vietnam
Horn Usage: Allowed
germany:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
vietnam:
Commonly used in urban areas
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
germany:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
vietnam:
Limited restriction
Horn Usage: Penalties
germany:
Fines may apply for misuse
vietnam:
Fines in some areas for excessive use
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
germany:
Not to be used to signal other messages
vietnam:
Discouraged for signaling other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
germany:
German; symbols are standard
vietnam:
Vietnamese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
germany:
Triangle-shaped with red border
vietnam:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Germany | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present | Prohibited unless granted by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in many areas; check for signs | Prohibited in central urban areas; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
germany:
Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present
vietnam:
Prohibited unless granted by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
germany:
Prohibited in many areas; check for signs
vietnam:
Prohibited in central urban areas; check for signs
Documentation
| Germany | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed | An International Driving Permit is recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for up to 6 months; International Driving Permit recommended | An International Driving Permit is recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory, every 2 years | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on rear license plate | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
germany:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed
vietnam:
An International Driving Permit is recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
germany:
Accepted for up to 6 months; International Driving Permit recommended
vietnam:
An International Driving Permit is recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
germany:
Mandatory, every 2 years
vietnam:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
germany:
Displayed on rear license plate
vietnam:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
germany:
Mandatory
vietnam:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
germany:
Mandatory
vietnam:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Germany | 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 | Move to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over and stop, if possible |
Flashing Lights: Usage
germany:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
vietnam:
Common in heavy traffic to signal freedom of movement
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
germany:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
vietnam:
Expected in congested traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
germany:
Only in emergency situations
vietnam:
Common but limited by law in cities
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
germany:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
vietnam:
Frequent use compared to Western countries
Pedestrians Priority
germany:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
vietnam:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
germany:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
vietnam:
Pull over and stop, if possible
Alcohol
| Germany | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02%; strict enforcement |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial, varies by offense | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
germany:
0.00%
vietnam:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
germany:
0.00%
vietnam:
0.02%; strict enforcement
Enforcement: Fines
germany:
Can be substantial, varies by offense
vietnam:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Germany | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 113 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 113 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ADAC | 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
germany:
112
vietnam:
113
Contact: Traffic Police
germany:
110
vietnam:
113
Contact: Roadside Assistance
germany:
Check with your insurance provider or ADAC
vietnam:
Check with insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
germany:
Mandatory
vietnam:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
germany:
Mandatory
vietnam:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Germany | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €10 to over €600, 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 | €30 to €60 | VNÐ 100,000 to VNÐ 200,000 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | VNÐ 600,000 to VNÐ 1,000,000 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €90 to €200, points on license | VNÐ 300,000 to VNÐ 500,000 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Common for minor fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay | Typically around 10-15 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
germany:
Varies; €10 to over €600, points on license
vietnam:
Varies; VNÐ 500,000 to VNÐ 4,000,000
Common Fines: Alcohol
germany:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
vietnam:
Heavy fines and possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
germany:
€30 to €60
vietnam:
VNÐ 100,000 to VNÐ 200,000
Common Fines: Phone Use
germany:
€100, points on license
vietnam:
VNÐ 600,000 to VNÐ 1,000,000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
germany:
€90 to €200, points on license
vietnam:
VNÐ 300,000 to VNÐ 500,000
Payment: On The Spot
germany:
Common
vietnam:
Common for minor fines
Payment: Deadline
germany:
Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay
vietnam:
Typically around 10-15 days