Driving in Russia vs Vietnam: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Russia and Vietnam, understanding the distinct driving regulations and practices is vital for ensuring a safe journey. Key differences include speed limits, lane usage, and emergency protocols. This comparison highlights the nuances between these two countries, empowering travelers to drive confidently and responsibly in unfamiliar territories.
Lanes
| Russia | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with specific road signs or markings. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
russia:
Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads.
vietnam:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Bus Lanes: Usage
russia:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
vietnam:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
russia:
Labeled with specific road signs or markings.
vietnam:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
russia:
Yes
vietnam:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
russia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
vietnam:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Russia | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 60 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 50-70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; but fines are also mailed | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
russia:
60 km/h
vietnam:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
russia:
20 km/h
vietnam:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
russia:
90 km/h
vietnam:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
russia:
90 km/h
vietnam:
50-70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
russia:
70-80 km/h
vietnam:
40-60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
russia:
110 km/h
vietnam:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
russia:
90 km/h
vietnam:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
russia:
Yes
vietnam:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
russia:
Electronic signs display current limits
vietnam:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
russia:
Yes; but fines are also mailed
vietnam:
Common
Signals
| Russia | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Russia | 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 | Russian; symbols are standard | Vietnamese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
russia:
Not used in Russia
vietnam:
Not used in Vietnam
Horn Usage: Allowed
russia:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
vietnam:
Commonly used in urban areas
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
russia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
vietnam:
Limited restriction
Horn Usage: Penalties
russia:
Fines may apply for misuse
vietnam:
Fines in some areas for excessive use
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
russia:
Not to be used to signal other messages
vietnam:
Discouraged for signaling other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
russia:
Russian; symbols are standard
vietnam:
Vietnamese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
russia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
vietnam:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Russia | 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
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
vietnam:
Prohibited unless granted by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
vietnam:
Prohibited in central urban areas; check for signs
Documentation
| Russia | 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 | Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually indicated in vehicle documents | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
vietnam:
An International Driving Permit is recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
vietnam:
An International Driving Permit is recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
russia:
Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles
vietnam:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
russia:
Usually indicated in vehicle documents
vietnam:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
russia:
Mandatory
vietnam:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Russia | 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 | 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 right and stop if necessary | Pull over and stop, if possible |
Flashing Lights: Usage
russia:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
vietnam:
Common in heavy traffic to signal freedom of movement
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
russia:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
vietnam:
Expected in congested traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
russia:
Only in emergency situations
vietnam:
Common but limited by law in cities
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
russia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
vietnam:
Frequent use compared to Western countries
Pedestrians Priority
russia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
vietnam:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
russia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
vietnam:
Pull over and stop, if possible
Alcohol
| Russia | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.035% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02%; strict enforcement |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially in cities | Common |
Limits: General Drivers
russia:
0.035%
vietnam:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
russia:
0.00%
vietnam:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
russia:
0.00%
vietnam:
0.02%; strict enforcement
Enforcement: Random Checks
russia:
Common, especially in cities
vietnam:
Common
Emergency Services
| Russia | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 113 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check local numbers; 113 is common | 113 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
russia:
112
vietnam:
113
Contact: Traffic Police
russia:
Check local numbers; 113 is common
vietnam:
113
Contact: Roadside Assistance
russia:
Check with your insurance provider
vietnam:
Check with insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
russia:
Mandatory
vietnam:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Russia | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines | 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 | Fines apply | VNÐ 100,000 to VNÐ 200,000 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points in the record | VNÐ 600,000 to VNÐ 1,000,000 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | VNÐ 300,000 to VNÐ 500,000 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer | Common for minor fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay | Typically around 10-15 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
russia:
Varies; substantial fines
vietnam:
Varies; VNÐ 500,000 to VNÐ 4,000,000
Common Fines: Alcohol
russia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
vietnam:
Heavy fines and possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
russia:
Fines apply
vietnam:
VNÐ 100,000 to VNÐ 200,000
Common Fines: Phone Use
russia:
Fines apply, points in the record
vietnam:
VNÐ 600,000 to VNÐ 1,000,000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
russia:
Fines apply
vietnam:
VNÐ 300,000 to VNÐ 500,000
Payment: On The Spot
russia:
Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer
vietnam:
Common for minor fines
Payment: Deadline
russia:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay
vietnam:
Typically around 10-15 days