Driving Differences: Pakistan vs Vietnam for Safe Travels
When navigating the roads of Pakistan and Vietnam, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their experiences. Key variances include driving sides—left in Pakistan and right in Vietnam—as well as differing speed limits and lane usage. Understanding these crucial disparities is essential for ensuring a secure and smooth journey in either nation.
Lanes
| Pakistan | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Prohibited | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, allowed on open roads. | 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 | Yes, in major cities | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily in some urban areas. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols on road. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
pakistan:
Left
vietnam:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
vietnam:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
pakistan:
Prohibited
vietnam:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
vietnam:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
pakistan:
Use leftmost lane.
vietnam:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
vietnam:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
vietnam:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
vietnam:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
pakistan:
Limited
vietnam:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
vietnam:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
vietnam:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
pakistan:
N/A
vietnam:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
pakistan:
N/A
vietnam:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Pakistan | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 50-70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-110 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines can be issued on the spot | Common |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
vietnam:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
vietnam:
50-70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
vietnam:
40-60 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
vietnam:
90-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
pakistan:
N/A
vietnam:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
vietnam:
Common
Signals
| Pakistan | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | 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 in residential 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 |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Used in some rural areas | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Urdu; symbols are standard | Vietnamese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard warning signs used | Triangle-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
pakistan:
Not used
vietnam:
Not used in Vietnam
Horn Usage: Allowed
pakistan:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
vietnam:
Commonly used in urban areas
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
vietnam:
Limited restriction
Horn Usage: Penalties
pakistan:
Fines may apply for misuse
vietnam:
Fines in some areas for excessive use
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
pakistan:
Not to be used to signal other messages
vietnam:
Discouraged for signaling other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
vietnam:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
vietnam:
Vietnamese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
vietnam:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Pakistan | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows | 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
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
vietnam:
Prohibited unless granted by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
vietnam:
Prohibited in central urban areas; check for signs
Documentation
| Pakistan | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | An International Driving Permit is recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | An International Driving Permit is recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by province; proof may be required | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually not required | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
vietnam:
An International Driving Permit is recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
vietnam:
An International Driving Permit is recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
vietnam:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
pakistan:
Usually not required
vietnam:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
vietnam:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Pakistan | 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 | Commonly used in urban areas | Common but limited by law in cities |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | 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
pakistan:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
vietnam:
Common in heavy traffic to signal freedom of movement
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
pakistan:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
vietnam:
Expected in congested traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
pakistan:
Commonly used in urban areas
vietnam:
Common but limited by law in cities
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
pakistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
vietnam:
Frequent use compared to Western countries
Pedestrians Priority
pakistan:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
vietnam:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
pakistan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
vietnam:
Pull over and stop, if possible
Alcohol
| Pakistan | 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 | Common; checkpoints used | Common |
| Test Refusal | Can result in fines and legal action | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
pakistan:
0.00%
vietnam:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
pakistan:
0.00%
vietnam:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
pakistan:
0.00%
vietnam:
0.02%; strict enforcement
Enforcement: Random Checks
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
vietnam:
Common
Test Refusal
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
vietnam:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Pakistan | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) | 113 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 15 for assistance | 113 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan | Check with insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
vietnam:
113
Contact: Traffic Police
pakistan:
15 for assistance
vietnam:
113
Contact: Roadside Assistance
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
vietnam:
Check with insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
pakistan:
Not mandatory
vietnam:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Pakistan | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle | Varies; VNÐ 500,000 to VNÐ 4,000,000 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Strict penalties, including imprisonment | Heavy fines and possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine if not worn where mandatory | VNÐ 100,000 to VNÐ 200,000 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | VNÐ 600,000 to VNÐ 1,000,000 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and possible license points | VNÐ 300,000 to VNÐ 500,000 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot | Common for minor fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Typically around 10-15 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
vietnam:
Varies; VNÐ 500,000 to VNÐ 4,000,000
Common Fines: Alcohol
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
vietnam:
Heavy fines and possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
vietnam:
VNÐ 100,000 to VNÐ 200,000
Common Fines: Phone Use
pakistan:
Fines apply
vietnam:
VNÐ 600,000 to VNÐ 1,000,000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
vietnam:
VNÐ 300,000 to VNÐ 500,000
Payment: On The Spot
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
vietnam:
Common for minor fines
Payment: Deadline
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
vietnam:
Typically around 10-15 days