Driving in Madagascar vs Vietnam: A Safety Comparison
Driving regulations can vary significantly between countries, impacting your travel experience. In this comparison, we explore the distinctions between Madagascar and Vietnam, focusing on lane usage, speed limits, and road etiquette. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in either nation.
Lanes
| Madagascar | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Typically not used. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not recommended; local conditions may vary. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Stay to the right lane when possible. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Available mainly in urban areas | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved mostly for buses. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be marked clearly in major cities. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Sparse | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicles unless marked. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| Lane Change: Signal Mandatory | Yes, when possible. | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are fixed. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
madagascar:
Typically not used.
vietnam:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
madagascar:
Not recommended; local conditions may vary.
vietnam:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
madagascar:
Stay to the right lane when possible.
vietnam:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
madagascar:
Available mainly in urban areas
vietnam:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
madagascar:
Reserved mostly for buses.
vietnam:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
madagascar:
May be marked clearly in major cities.
vietnam:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
madagascar:
Sparse
vietnam:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
madagascar:
Shared with vehicles unless marked.
vietnam:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
madagascar:
N/A
vietnam:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Lane Change: Signal Mandatory
madagascar:
Yes, when possible.
vietnam:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
madagascar:
Speed limits are fixed.
vietnam:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Madagascar | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 50-70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 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 |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, particularly in urban areas. | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common. | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
madagascar:
50 km/h
vietnam:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
madagascar:
50 km/h
vietnam:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
vietnam:
50-70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
vietnam:
40-60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
vietnam:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
vietnam:
90-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
madagascar:
Not applicable
vietnam:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
madagascar:
Yes, particularly in urban areas.
vietnam:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
madagascar:
Yes, common.
vietnam:
Common
Signals
| Madagascar | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used | Not used in Vietnam |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling | Commonly used in urban areas |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged | Limited restriction |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | May apply for misuse | Fines in some areas for excessive use |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers or signal overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Discouraged for signaling other messages |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Occasionally used, especially in rural areas | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | French and Malagasy | Vietnamese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular signs with red borders | Triangle-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
madagascar:
Not commonly used
vietnam:
Not used in Vietnam
Horn Usage: Allowed
madagascar:
Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling
vietnam:
Commonly used in urban areas
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
madagascar:
Excessive use discouraged
vietnam:
Limited restriction
Horn Usage: Penalties
madagascar:
May apply for misuse
vietnam:
Fines in some areas for excessive use
Headlight Flash: Usage
madagascar:
To warn other drivers or signal overtaking
vietnam:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
madagascar:
Not to be used to signal other messages
vietnam:
Discouraged for signaling other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
madagascar:
Occasionally used, especially in rural areas
vietnam:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
madagascar:
French and Malagasy
vietnam:
Vietnamese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
madagascar:
Triangular signs with red borders
vietnam:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Madagascar | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Prohibited unless granted by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless specified otherwise | Prohibited in central urban areas; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
madagascar:
Prohibited
vietnam:
Prohibited unless granted by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
madagascar:
Prohibited unless specified otherwise
vietnam:
Prohibited in central urban areas; check for signs
Documentation
| Madagascar | 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 recommended | An International Driving Permit is recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory for all vehicles | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Indication may vary | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
vietnam:
An International Driving Permit is recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
vietnam:
An International Driving Permit is recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
madagascar:
Mandatory for all vehicles
vietnam:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
madagascar:
Indication may vary
vietnam:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
madagascar:
Mandatory
vietnam:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
madagascar:
Recommended
vietnam:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Madagascar | 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, particularly in heavy traffic | Expected in congested traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Use is more frequent in urban areas | Common but limited by law in cities |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Significantly used for communication with other drivers | Frequent use compared to Western countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side if necessary | Pull over and stop, if possible |
Flashing Lights: Usage
madagascar:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
vietnam:
Common in heavy traffic to signal freedom of movement
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
madagascar:
Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic
vietnam:
Expected in congested traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
madagascar:
Use is more frequent in urban areas
vietnam:
Common but limited by law in cities
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
madagascar:
Significantly used for communication with other drivers
vietnam:
Frequent use compared to Western countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
madagascar:
Pull over to the side if necessary
vietnam:
Pull over and stop, if possible
Alcohol
| Madagascar | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.08% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.02%; strict enforcement |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in urban areas | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Results in penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
madagascar:
0.08%
vietnam:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
madagascar:
0.08%
vietnam:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
madagascar:
0.02%
vietnam:
0.02%; strict enforcement
Enforcement: Random Checks
madagascar:
Common in urban areas
vietnam:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
madagascar:
Can be substantial
vietnam:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
madagascar:
Results in penalties
vietnam:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Madagascar | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Not commonly practiced | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
madagascar:
Not commonly practiced
vietnam:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
madagascar:
Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit
vietnam:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Madagascar | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 117 | 113 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Could vary; commonly police contact | 113 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies by provider, public services might be limited | Check with insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
madagascar:
117
vietnam:
113
Contact: Traffic Police
madagascar:
Could vary; commonly police contact
vietnam:
113
Contact: Roadside Assistance
madagascar:
Varies by provider, public services might be limited
vietnam:
Check with insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
madagascar:
Mandatory
vietnam:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
madagascar:
Recommended
vietnam:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Madagascar | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines | Varies; VNÐ 500,000 to VNÐ 4,000,000 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels | Heavy fines and possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-use | VNÐ 100,000 to VNÐ 200,000 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use while driving | VNÐ 600,000 to VNÐ 1,000,000 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Monetary fines applied | VNÐ 300,000 to VNÐ 500,000 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common for minor offenses | Common for minor fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Determined by issuing authority | Typically around 10-15 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
madagascar:
Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines
vietnam:
Varies; VNÐ 500,000 to VNÐ 4,000,000
Common Fines: Alcohol
madagascar:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels
vietnam:
Heavy fines and possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
madagascar:
Fines applicable for non-use
vietnam:
VNÐ 100,000 to VNÐ 200,000
Common Fines: Phone Use
madagascar:
Fines applicable for use while driving
vietnam:
VNÐ 600,000 to VNÐ 1,000,000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
madagascar:
Monetary fines applied
vietnam:
VNÐ 300,000 to VNÐ 500,000
Payment: On The Spot
madagascar:
Common for minor offenses
vietnam:
Common for minor fines
Payment: Deadline
madagascar:
Determined by issuing authority
vietnam:
Typically around 10-15 days