Tonga vs Vietnam: Key Driving Differences Explained
Discover the intriguing distinctions in road regulations and practices between Tonga and Vietnam. While Tonga adheres to left-side driving and imposes a more relaxed approach to speed enforcement, Vietnam emphasizes right-side navigation with stricter alcohol limits and dedicated bus lanes. Understanding these variations is vital for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in either locale.
Lanes
| Tonga | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Often used to separate traffic directions. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| 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
tonga:
Left
vietnam:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
tonga:
Often used to separate traffic directions.
vietnam:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
tonga:
Use leftmost lane.
vietnam:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
tonga:
No
vietnam:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
tonga:
N/A
vietnam:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
tonga:
N/A
vietnam:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
tonga:
No
vietnam:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
tonga:
N/A
vietnam:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
tonga:
N/A
vietnam:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
tonga:
N/A
vietnam:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
tonga:
N/A
vietnam:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Tonga | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 50-70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | No specific highways with designated higher speed limits | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | N/A | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | N/A | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No widespread use | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; paid directly to traffic officers | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
tonga:
40-50 km/h
vietnam:
40-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
tonga:
70-80 km/h
vietnam:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
tonga:
70-80 km/h
vietnam:
50-70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
tonga:
70-80 km/h
vietnam:
40-60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
tonga:
No specific highways with designated higher speed limits
vietnam:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
tonga:
N/A
vietnam:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
tonga:
N/A
vietnam:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
tonga:
N/A
vietnam:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
tonga:
No widespread use
vietnam:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
tonga:
Common; paid directly to traffic officers
vietnam:
Common
Signals
| Tonga | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used in Tonga | Not used in Vietnam |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Use indicators appropriately | Signal when exiting |
| 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 Tongan; 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
tonga:
Not commonly used in Tonga
vietnam:
Not used in Vietnam
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
tonga:
Use indicators appropriately
vietnam:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
tonga:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
vietnam:
Commonly used in urban areas
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
tonga:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
vietnam:
Limited restriction
Horn Usage: Penalties
tonga:
Fines may apply for misuse
vietnam:
Fines in some areas for excessive use
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
tonga:
Not to be used to signal other messages
vietnam:
Discouraged for signaling other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
tonga:
English and Tongan; symbols are standard
vietnam:
Vietnamese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
tonga:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
vietnam:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Tonga | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Prohibited unless granted by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Prohibited in central urban areas; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
tonga:
Prohibited
vietnam:
Prohibited unless granted by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
tonga:
Varies by location; check for signs
vietnam:
Prohibited in central urban areas; check for signs
Documentation
| Tonga | 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 | Required; proof may be required | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
vietnam:
An International Driving Permit is recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
vietnam:
An International Driving Permit is recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
tonga:
Required; proof may be required
vietnam:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
tonga:
Displayed on windshield
vietnam:
Displayed on the windshield
Road Etiquette
| Tonga | 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
tonga:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
vietnam:
Common in heavy traffic to signal freedom of movement
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
tonga:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
vietnam:
Expected in congested traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
tonga:
Only in emergency situations
vietnam:
Common but limited by law in cities
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
tonga:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
vietnam:
Frequent use compared to Western countries
Pedestrians Priority
tonga:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
vietnam:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
tonga:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
vietnam:
Pull over and stop, if possible
Alcohol
| Tonga | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Zero tolerance | 0.02%; strict enforcement |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common at specific times or checkpoints | Common |
Limits: General Drivers
tonga:
0.08%
vietnam:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
tonga:
0.04%
vietnam:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
tonga:
Zero tolerance
vietnam:
0.02%; strict enforcement
Enforcement: Random Checks
tonga:
Common at specific times or checkpoints
vietnam:
Common
Roundabouts
| Tonga | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
tonga:
Signal left when preparing to exit
vietnam:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Tonga | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 113 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police | 113 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
tonga:
911
vietnam:
113
Contact: Traffic Police
tonga:
Contact local police
vietnam:
113
Contact: Roadside Assistance
tonga:
Check with your insurance provider
vietnam:
Check with insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Tonga | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police | 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 | Mandatory; fines for non-compliance | VNÐ 100,000 to VNÐ 200,000 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for handheld phone use while driving | 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 | Common; fines usually paid immediately | Common for minor fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Immediate payment preferred | Typically around 10-15 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
tonga:
Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police
vietnam:
Varies; VNÐ 500,000 to VNÐ 4,000,000
Common Fines: Alcohol
tonga:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
vietnam:
Heavy fines and possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
tonga:
Mandatory; fines for non-compliance
vietnam:
VNÐ 100,000 to VNÐ 200,000
Common Fines: Phone Use
tonga:
Fines for handheld phone use while driving
vietnam:
VNÐ 600,000 to VNÐ 1,000,000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
tonga:
Fines apply
vietnam:
VNÐ 300,000 to VNÐ 500,000
Payment: On The Spot
tonga:
Common; fines usually paid immediately
vietnam:
Common for minor fines
Payment: Deadline
tonga:
Immediate payment preferred
vietnam:
Typically around 10-15 days