Driving in Mexico vs. Vietnam: Key Differences Uncovered
When navigating the roads of Mexico and Vietnam, understanding their unique traffic regulations is crucial for a secure journey. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol limits, with Mexico permitting higher speeds in urban areas while Vietnam enforces stricter pedestrian rights. Equip yourself with this essential knowledge for safer travels abroad.
Lanes
| Mexico | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Mainly in urban areas for bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Bus Lanes: Usage
mexico:
Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation.
vietnam:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
mexico:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations.
vietnam:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
mexico:
Mainly in urban areas for bicycles.
vietnam:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
mexico:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
vietnam:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
mexico:
N/A
vietnam:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
mexico:
N/A
vietnam:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Mexico | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 70-80 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, particularly in high traffic areas | Common |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
mexico:
30 km/h
vietnam:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
mexico:
80 km/h
vietnam:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
mexico:
80 km/h
vietnam:
50-70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
mexico:
70-80 km/h
vietnam:
40-60 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
mexico:
80-100 km/h
vietnam:
90-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
mexico:
N/A
vietnam:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
mexico:
Yes, particularly in high traffic areas
vietnam:
Common
Signals
| Mexico | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Mexico | 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 | Spanish; symbols are standard | Vietnamese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular signs with red border | Triangle-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
mexico:
Not used in Mexico
vietnam:
Not used in Vietnam
Horn Usage: Allowed
mexico:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
vietnam:
Commonly used in urban areas
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
mexico:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
vietnam:
Limited restriction
Horn Usage: Penalties
mexico:
Fines may apply for misuse
vietnam:
Fines in some areas for excessive use
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
mexico:
Not to be used to signal other messages
vietnam:
Discouraged for signaling other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
mexico:
Spanish; symbols are standard
vietnam:
Vietnamese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
mexico:
Triangular signs with red border
vietnam:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Mexico | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited unless granted by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited | Prohibited in central urban areas; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
mexico:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
vietnam:
Prohibited unless granted by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
mexico:
Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited
vietnam:
Prohibited in central urban areas; check for signs
Documentation
| Mexico | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | An International Driving Permit is recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | An International Driving Permit is recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by state; proof may be required | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
vietnam:
An International Driving Permit is recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
vietnam:
An International Driving Permit is recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
mexico:
Varies by state; proof may be required
vietnam:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
Road Etiquette
| Mexico | 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 | Moderate 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 right and stop if necessary | Pull over and stop, if possible |
Flashing Lights: Usage
mexico:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
vietnam:
Common in heavy traffic to signal freedom of movement
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
mexico:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
vietnam:
Expected in congested traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
mexico:
Only in emergency situations
vietnam:
Common but limited by law in cities
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
mexico:
Moderate use compared to some countries
vietnam:
Frequent use compared to Western countries
Pedestrians Priority
mexico:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
vietnam:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
mexico:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
vietnam:
Pull over and stop, if possible
Alcohol
| Mexico | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02%; strict enforcement |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in urban areas, especially during holidays | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
mexico:
0.08%
vietnam:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
mexico:
0.04%
vietnam:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
mexico:
0.00%
vietnam:
0.02%; strict enforcement
Enforcement: Random Checks
mexico:
Common in urban areas, especially during holidays
vietnam:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
mexico:
Can be substantial
vietnam:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Mexico | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 113 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 066 or 911 | 113 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes' | Check with insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
mexico:
911
vietnam:
113
Contact: Traffic Police
mexico:
066 or 911
vietnam:
113
Contact: Roadside Assistance
mexico:
Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes'
vietnam:
Check with insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Mexico | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $40 to $200, 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 | Varies, up to $50, points in some states | VNÐ 100,000 to VNÐ 200,000 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; can lead to significant fines | VNÐ 600,000 to VNÐ 1,000,000 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | VNÐ 300,000 to VNÐ 500,000 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred | Common for minor fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; system improvements for online payments | Typically around 10-15 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
mexico:
Varies; $40 to $200, points on license
vietnam:
Varies; VNÐ 500,000 to VNÐ 4,000,000
Common Fines: Alcohol
mexico:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
vietnam:
Heavy fines and possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
mexico:
Varies, up to $50, points in some states
vietnam:
VNÐ 100,000 to VNÐ 200,000
Common Fines: Phone Use
mexico:
Varies; can lead to significant fines
vietnam:
VNÐ 600,000 to VNÐ 1,000,000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
mexico:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
vietnam:
VNÐ 300,000 to VNÐ 500,000
Payment: On The Spot
mexico:
Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred
vietnam:
Common for minor fines
Payment: Deadline
mexico:
Varies; system improvements for online payments
vietnam:
Typically around 10-15 days