Driving Differences: United Kingdom vs. Vietnam Explained
Discover the striking contrasts in road regulations between the United Kingdom and Vietnam. From the distinct driving sides—left in the UK and right in Vietnam—to varying speed limits and signaling practices, understanding these nuances is crucial for ensuring safe navigation abroad. Equip yourself with essential knowledge for a secure driving experience in these two unique locales.
Lanes
| United kingdom | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid White Line | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). | No crossing or lane changes allowed. |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. | No crossing in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Near schools | Railroad crossings |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
united kingdom:
Left
vietnam:
Right
Markings: Solid White Line
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
vietnam:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
vietnam:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
vietnam:
No crossing in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
vietnam:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
vietnam:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
united kingdom:
Near schools
vietnam:
Railroad crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
vietnam:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
vietnam:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
vietnam:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
vietnam:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
vietnam:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
vietnam:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
united kingdom:
Yes
vietnam:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits.
vietnam:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| United kingdom | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30 mph | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 mph in some areas | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60 mph | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 50 mph | 50-70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50 mph | 40-60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 70 mph | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 60 mph | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60 mph | 80-100 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
united kingdom:
30 mph
vietnam:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
vietnam:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
united kingdom:
60 mph
vietnam:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
united kingdom:
50 mph
vietnam:
50-70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
united kingdom:
50 mph
vietnam:
40-60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
united kingdom:
70 mph
vietnam:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
united kingdom:
60 mph
vietnam:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
united kingdom:
60 mph
vietnam:
80-100 km/h
Speed Units
united kingdom:
mph
vietnam:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
united kingdom:
Yes
vietnam:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits
vietnam:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
vietnam:
Common
Signals
| United kingdom | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Prepare to go, not used in the USA | Not used in Vietnam |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | 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; symbols are standard | Vietnamese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with a red border | Triangle-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
vietnam:
Not used in Vietnam
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
vietnam:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
united kingdom:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
vietnam:
Commonly used in urban areas
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
united kingdom:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
vietnam:
Limited restriction
Horn Usage: Penalties
united kingdom:
Fines may apply for misuse
vietnam:
Fines in some areas for excessive use
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
united kingdom:
Not to be used to signal other messages
vietnam:
Discouraged for signaling other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
vietnam:
Vietnamese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
vietnam:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
Turns
| United kingdom | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not permitted in the UK | Prohibited unless granted by a sign |
| Left Turn: General | Left turns permitted; use caution | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed except where prohibited by signage | Prohibited in central urban areas; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
vietnam:
Prohibited unless granted by a sign
Left Turn: General
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
vietnam:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Left Turn: At Intersections
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
vietnam:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
U- Turns Allowed
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
vietnam:
Prohibited in central urban areas; check for signs
Documentation
| United kingdom | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays | An International Driving Permit is recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license | An International Driving Permit is recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not displayed; records are electronic | Displayed on the windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
vietnam:
An International Driving Permit is recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
vietnam:
An International Driving Permit is recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
vietnam:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
vietnam:
Displayed on the windshield
Road Etiquette
| United kingdom | 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 side and stop if necessary | Pull over and stop, if possible |
Flashing Lights: Usage
united kingdom:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
vietnam:
Common in heavy traffic to signal freedom of movement
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
united kingdom:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
vietnam:
Expected in congested traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
united kingdom:
Only in emergency situations
vietnam:
Common but limited by law in cities
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
united kingdom:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
vietnam:
Frequent use compared to Western countries
Pedestrians Priority
united kingdom:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
vietnam:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
vietnam:
Pull over and stop, if possible
Alcohol
| United kingdom | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.02%; strict enforcement |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines apply | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
united kingdom:
0.08%
vietnam:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
united kingdom:
0.02%
vietnam:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
united kingdom:
0.02%
vietnam:
0.02%; strict enforcement
Enforcement: Random Checks
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
vietnam:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
vietnam:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| United kingdom | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit | Use for first exit or straight |
Signaling: Entering
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
vietnam:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Lane Usage: Right
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
vietnam:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| United kingdom | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 or 112 | 113 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 or 112 | 113 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA | Check with insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
united kingdom:
999 or 112
vietnam:
113
Contact: Traffic Police
united kingdom:
999 or 112
vietnam:
113
Contact: Roadside Assistance
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
vietnam:
Check with insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| United kingdom | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points | 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 | £100 fine | VNÐ 100,000 to VNÐ 200,000 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | £200 and 6 penalty points | VNÐ 600,000 to VNÐ 1,000,000 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | £100 fine and 3 penalty points | VNÐ 300,000 to VNÐ 500,000 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Common for minor fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 28 days to pay | Typically around 10-15 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
vietnam:
Varies; VNÐ 500,000 to VNÐ 4,000,000
Common Fines: Alcohol
united kingdom:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
vietnam:
Heavy fines and possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
united kingdom:
£100 fine
vietnam:
VNÐ 100,000 to VNÐ 200,000
Common Fines: Phone Use
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
vietnam:
VNÐ 600,000 to VNÐ 1,000,000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
vietnam:
VNÐ 300,000 to VNÐ 500,000
Payment: On The Spot
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
vietnam:
Common for minor fines
Payment: Deadline
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay
vietnam:
Typically around 10-15 days