Driving Differences: Maldives vs. Vietnam Explained
When navigating the unique roads of the Maldives and Vietnam, understanding their distinct regulations and customs is crucial for a safe journey. From driving sides—left in the Maldives and right in Vietnam—to varying speed limits and road markings, each nation presents its own set of driving practices that travelers must adapt to. Stay informed and drive safely abroad!
Lanes
| Maldives | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, when safe and legal. | 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 | Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be designated with road signs or markings. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Minimal | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Usually not specifically marked in many areas. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Driving Side
maldives:
Left
vietnam:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
vietnam:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
maldives:
Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives.
vietnam:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
maldives:
No
vietnam:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
vietnam:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
vietnam:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Limited
vietnam:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
vietnam:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
vietnam:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Minimal
vietnam:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
vietnam:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
vietnam:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
maldives:
Not applicable
vietnam:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
vietnam:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Maldives | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 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 | Not applicable | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Not applicable | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Not applicable | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Urban Areas: Standard
maldives:
30 km/h
vietnam:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
maldives:
25 km/h
vietnam:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
80 km/h
vietnam:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
maldives:
80 km/h
vietnam:
50-70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
80 km/h
vietnam:
40-60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
Not applicable
vietnam:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
maldives:
Not applicable
vietnam:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
Not applicable
vietnam:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
vietnam:
N/A
Signals
| Maldives | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used in Maldives | Not used in Vietnam |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies | 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 | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard | Vietnamese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Country-specific shapes and colors | Triangle-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
vietnam:
Not used in Vietnam
Horn Usage: Allowed
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
vietnam:
Commonly used in urban areas
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
maldives:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
vietnam:
Limited restriction
Horn Usage: Penalties
maldives:
Fines may apply for misuse
vietnam:
Fines in some areas for excessive use
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
maldives:
Not to be used to signal other messages
vietnam:
Discouraged for signaling other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
vietnam:
Vietnamese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
vietnam:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Maldives | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless signed | Prohibited unless granted by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated | Prohibited in central urban areas; check for signs |
| Special Turn Lanes | Limited, mainly at main intersections | Yes, marked with arrows |
Right Turn On Red
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
vietnam:
Prohibited unless granted by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
vietnam:
Prohibited in central urban areas; check for signs
Special Turn Lanes
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
vietnam:
Yes, marked with arrows
Documentation
| Maldives | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | An International Driving Permit is recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | An International Driving Permit is recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic checks required | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on the windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
vietnam:
An International Driving Permit is recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
vietnam:
An International Driving Permit is recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
maldives:
Periodic checks required
vietnam:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
vietnam:
Displayed on the windshield
Road Etiquette
| Maldives | 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 | 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
maldives:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
vietnam:
Common in heavy traffic to signal freedom of movement
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
maldives:
Common practice
vietnam:
Expected in congested traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
maldives:
Only in emergency situations
vietnam:
Common but limited by law in cities
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
maldives:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
vietnam:
Frequent use compared to Western countries
Pedestrians Priority
maldives:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
vietnam:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
vietnam:
Pull over and stop, if possible
Alcohol
| Maldives | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02%; strict enforcement |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Fines can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
vietnam:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
vietnam:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
vietnam:
0.02%; strict enforcement
Enforcement: Random Checks
maldives:
Less common
vietnam:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
vietnam:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Maldives | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Usage: Right | Appropriate lanes as per signage | Use for first exit or straight |
| Lane Usage: Left | Appropriate lanes as per signage | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Lane Usage: Right
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
vietnam:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
vietnam:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Maldives | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 113 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police for traffic issues | 113 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
maldives:
119
vietnam:
113
Contact: Traffic Police
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
vietnam:
113
Contact: Roadside Assistance
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
vietnam:
Check with insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Maldives | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 | Varies; VNÐ 500,000 to VNÐ 4,000,000 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties including license suspension | Heavy fines and possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-compliance | VNÐ 100,000 to VNÐ 200,000 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for 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 for minor offenses | Common for minor fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a specified time | Typically around 10-15 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
vietnam:
Varies; VNÐ 500,000 to VNÐ 4,000,000
Common Fines: Alcohol
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
vietnam:
Heavy fines and possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
vietnam:
VNÐ 100,000 to VNÐ 200,000
Common Fines: Phone Use
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
vietnam:
VNÐ 600,000 to VNÐ 1,000,000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
maldives:
Substantial fines
vietnam:
VNÐ 300,000 to VNÐ 500,000
Payment: On The Spot
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
vietnam:
Common for minor fines
Payment: Deadline
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time
vietnam:
Typically around 10-15 days