Driving in Lebanon vs. Vietnam: Key Differences Explained
Embarking on a journey through Lebanon or Vietnam? Understanding the distinct road regulations and practices in these countries is crucial for a safe experience. Key contrasts include lane usage, speed limits, and signaling techniques, which vary significantly. Stay informed to navigate confidently and enhance your travel safety while exploring these vibrant nations.
Lanes
Lebanon | Vietnam | |
---|---|---|
Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used as a separation line in some areas. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
lebanon:
Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited.
vietnam:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
lebanon:
Used as a separation line in some areas.
vietnam:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Bus Lanes: Presence
lebanon:
No
vietnam:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
lebanon:
N/A
vietnam:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
lebanon:
N/A
vietnam:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
lebanon:
No
vietnam:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
lebanon:
N/A
vietnam:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
lebanon:
N/A
vietnam:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
lebanon:
N/A
vietnam:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lebanon:
N/A
vietnam:
N/A
Speeds Limits
Lebanon | Vietnam | |
---|---|---|
Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 40 km/h |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 50-80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 50-80 km/h | 50-70 km/h |
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-80 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 | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
lebanon:
40-50 km/h
vietnam:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
lebanon:
30-40 km/h
vietnam:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
vietnam:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
vietnam:
50-70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
vietnam:
40-60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
vietnam:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
vietnam:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
lebanon:
80 km/h
vietnam:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lebanon:
N/A
vietnam:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
lebanon:
Yes
vietnam:
Common
Signals
Lebanon | Vietnam | |
---|---|---|
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Lebanon | 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 | Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas | 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 | Arabic and French; symbols are standard | Vietnamese; symbols are standard |
Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red borders | Triangle-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
lebanon:
Not used in Lebanon
vietnam:
Not used in Vietnam
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
lebanon:
Signal when entering and exiting
vietnam:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
lebanon:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
vietnam:
Commonly used in urban areas
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
lebanon:
Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas
vietnam:
Limited restriction
Horn Usage: Penalties
lebanon:
Fines may apply for misuse
vietnam:
Fines in some areas for excessive use
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
lebanon:
Not to be used to signal other messages
vietnam:
Discouraged for signaling other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
lebanon:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
vietnam:
Vietnamese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
lebanon:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
vietnam:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
Turns
Lebanon | Vietnam | |
---|---|---|
Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited unless granted by a sign |
U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited in central urban areas; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
vietnam:
Prohibited unless granted by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
vietnam:
Prohibited in central urban areas; check for signs
Documentation
Lebanon | 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 required | An International Driving Permit is recommended |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual inspection required | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection |
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
lebanon:
International Driving Permit recommended
vietnam:
An International Driving Permit is recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
lebanon:
International Driving Permit required
vietnam:
An International Driving Permit is recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
lebanon:
Yes, annual inspection required
vietnam:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
lebanon:
Displayed on windshield
vietnam:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
lebanon:
Mandatory
vietnam:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
Lebanon | 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 | Horn usage is more frequent 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
lebanon:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
vietnam:
Common in heavy traffic to signal freedom of movement
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
lebanon:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
vietnam:
Expected in congested traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
lebanon:
Only in emergency situations
vietnam:
Common but limited by law in cities
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
lebanon:
Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries
vietnam:
Frequent use compared to Western countries
Pedestrians Priority
lebanon:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
vietnam:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
lebanon:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
vietnam:
Pull over and stop, if possible
Alcohol
Lebanon | Vietnam | |
---|---|---|
Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02%; strict enforcement |
Enforcement: Random Checks | Common through checkpoints | Common |
Enforcement: Fines | Substantial for violations | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
lebanon:
0.05%
vietnam:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
lebanon:
0.00%; zero tolerance
vietnam:
0.02%; strict enforcement
Enforcement: Random Checks
lebanon:
Common through checkpoints
vietnam:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
lebanon:
Substantial for violations
vietnam:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
Lebanon | Vietnam | |
---|---|---|
Signaling: Entering | Signal when preparing to enter | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
lebanon:
Signal when preparing to enter
vietnam:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
Lebanon | Vietnam | |
---|---|---|
Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 113 |
Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 113 |
Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies; consult your insurance provider | Check with insurance provider |
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
lebanon:
112
vietnam:
113
Contact: Traffic Police
lebanon:
112
vietnam:
113
Contact: Roadside Assistance
lebanon:
Varies; consult your insurance provider
vietnam:
Check with insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
lebanon:
Mandatory
vietnam:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
lebanon:
Not mandatory
vietnam:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
Lebanon | Vietnam | |
---|---|---|
Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may lead to substantial fines | Varies; VNÐ 500,000 to VNÐ 4,000,000 |
Common Fines: Alcohol | Fines and potential incarceration | Heavy fines and possible jail time |
Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory for all passengers | VNÐ 100,000 to VNÐ 200,000 |
Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free | VNÐ 600,000 to VNÐ 1,000,000 |
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | VNÐ 300,000 to VNÐ 500,000 |
Payment: On The Spot | Possible; often paid at stations | Common for minor fines |
Payment: Deadline | Usually within 15-30 days | Typically around 10-15 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
lebanon:
Varies; may lead to substantial fines
vietnam:
Varies; VNÐ 500,000 to VNÐ 4,000,000
Common Fines: Alcohol
lebanon:
Fines and potential incarceration
vietnam:
Heavy fines and possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
lebanon:
Mandatory for all passengers
vietnam:
VNÐ 100,000 to VNÐ 200,000
Common Fines: Phone Use
lebanon:
Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free
vietnam:
VNÐ 600,000 to VNÐ 1,000,000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
lebanon:
Substantial fines
vietnam:
VNÐ 300,000 to VNÐ 500,000
Payment: On The Spot
lebanon:
Possible; often paid at stations
vietnam:
Common for minor fines
Payment: Deadline
lebanon:
Usually within 15-30 days
vietnam:
Typically around 10-15 days