Driving Differences: Samoa vs. Vietnam Explained
Exploring the contrasting driving landscapes of Samoa and Vietnam reveals intriguing distinctions that are vital for ensuring road safety abroad. From lane regulations to speed limits and traffic etiquette, these countries demonstrate unique practices. Understanding these variations can greatly enhance your driving experience and safety while navigating the roads in these diverse nations.
Lanes
| Samoa | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | 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 | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
samoa:
Left
vietnam:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
samoa:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
vietnam:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
samoa:
No
vietnam:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
samoa:
Yes
vietnam:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
samoa:
Use leftmost lane.
vietnam:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
samoa:
No
vietnam:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
samoa:
N/A
vietnam:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
samoa:
N/A
vietnam:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
samoa:
No
vietnam:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
samoa:
N/A
vietnam:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
samoa:
N/A
vietnam:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
samoa:
N/A
vietnam:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
samoa:
N/A
vietnam:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Samoa | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 55-80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 55-80 km/h | 50-70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 55-80 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 | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
samoa:
25-40 km/h
vietnam:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
samoa:
20 km/h
vietnam:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
samoa:
55-80 km/h
vietnam:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
samoa:
55-80 km/h
vietnam:
50-70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
samoa:
55-80 km/h
vietnam:
40-60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
samoa:
Not applicable
vietnam:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
samoa:
Not applicable
vietnam:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
samoa:
Not applicable
vietnam:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
samoa:
N/A
vietnam:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
samoa:
Yes
vietnam:
Common
Signals
| Samoa | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Samoa | 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 | English and Samoan; 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
samoa:
Not used in Samoa
vietnam:
Not used in Vietnam
Horn Usage: Allowed
samoa:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
vietnam:
Commonly used in urban areas
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
samoa:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
vietnam:
Limited restriction
Horn Usage: Penalties
samoa:
Fines may apply for misuse
vietnam:
Fines in some areas for excessive use
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
samoa:
Not to be used to signal other messages
vietnam:
Discouraged for signaling other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
samoa:
English and Samoan; symbols are standard
vietnam:
Vietnamese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
samoa:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
vietnam:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Samoa | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | 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
samoa:
Not allowed
vietnam:
Prohibited unless granted by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
samoa:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
vietnam:
Prohibited in central urban areas; check for signs
Documentation
| Samoa | 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 | Annual inspection required | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
vietnam:
An International Driving Permit is recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
vietnam:
An International Driving Permit is recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
samoa:
Annual inspection required
vietnam:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
samoa:
Displayed on windshield
vietnam:
Displayed on the windshield
Road Etiquette
| Samoa | 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 left and stop if necessary | Pull over and stop, if possible |
Flashing Lights: Usage
samoa:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
vietnam:
Common in heavy traffic to signal freedom of movement
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
samoa:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
vietnam:
Expected in congested traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
samoa:
Only in emergency situations
vietnam:
Common but limited by law in cities
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
samoa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
vietnam:
Frequent use compared to Western countries
Pedestrians Priority
samoa:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
vietnam:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
samoa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
vietnam:
Pull over and stop, if possible
Alcohol
| Samoa | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance | 0.02%; strict enforcement |
Limits: General Drivers
samoa:
0.08%
vietnam:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
samoa:
0.02%
vietnam:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
samoa:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
vietnam:
0.02%; strict enforcement
Roundabouts
| Samoa | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
samoa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
vietnam:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Samoa | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 113 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 685-22-222 | 113 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
samoa:
911
vietnam:
113
Contact: Traffic Police
samoa:
685-22-222
vietnam:
113
Contact: Roadside Assistance
samoa:
Check with your insurance provider
vietnam:
Check with insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Samoa | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, 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 | ST$100 to ST$200 | VNÐ 100,000 to VNÐ 200,000 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | ST$50 to ST$300 | VNÐ 600,000 to VNÐ 1,000,000 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | ST$100 to ST$500, points on license | VNÐ 300,000 to VNÐ 500,000 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards | Common for minor fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Typically around 10-15 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
samoa:
Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license
vietnam:
Varies; VNÐ 500,000 to VNÐ 4,000,000
Common Fines: Alcohol
samoa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
vietnam:
Heavy fines and possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$200
vietnam:
VNÐ 100,000 to VNÐ 200,000
Common Fines: Phone Use
samoa:
ST$50 to ST$300
vietnam:
VNÐ 600,000 to VNÐ 1,000,000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$500, points on license
vietnam:
VNÐ 300,000 to VNÐ 500,000
Payment: On The Spot
samoa:
Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards
vietnam:
Common for minor fines
Payment: Deadline
samoa:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
vietnam:
Typically around 10-15 days