Driving Differences: Uzbekistan vs Vietnam Explained
When exploring the driving landscapes of Uzbekistan and Vietnam, drivers encounter notable distinctions in road etiquette, speed regulations, and lane usage. While Uzbekistan typically enforces stricter overtaking rules, Vietnam embraces a more flexible approach. Understanding these variances is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey in both countries.
Lanes
| Uzbekistan | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Typically used to separate opposing traffic on undivided roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally discouraged, unless unavoidable. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use the rightmost lane where possible. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses in some areas. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often indicated by signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited, mostly in urban areas. | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles where present. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | May have bicycle symbols or distinct paint. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
uzbekistan:
Typically used to separate opposing traffic on undivided roads.
vietnam:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
uzbekistan:
Generally discouraged, unless unavoidable.
vietnam:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
uzbekistan:
List length: 4
vietnam:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
uzbekistan:
Use the rightmost lane where possible.
vietnam:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
uzbekistan:
Limited
vietnam:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
uzbekistan:
Reserved for buses in some areas.
vietnam:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
uzbekistan:
Labeled 'BUS'; often indicated by signs.
vietnam:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
uzbekistan:
Limited, mostly in urban areas.
vietnam:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
uzbekistan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
vietnam:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
uzbekistan:
May have bicycle symbols or distinct paint.
vietnam:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
uzbekistan:
N/A
vietnam:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
uzbekistan:
N/A
vietnam:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Uzbekistan | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 60 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 50-70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; issued by traffic police | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
uzbekistan:
60 km/h
vietnam:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
uzbekistan:
30 km/h
vietnam:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
uzbekistan:
100 km/h
vietnam:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
vietnam:
50-70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
uzbekistan:
80 km/h
vietnam:
40-60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
uzbekistan:
110 km/h
vietnam:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
vietnam:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
vietnam:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
uzbekistan:
N/A
vietnam:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
uzbekistan:
Yes; issued by traffic police
vietnam:
Common
Signals
| Uzbekistan | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Uzbekistan | Not used in Vietnam |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Commonly used in urban areas |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Discouraged at night in residential areas | Limited restriction |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Fines in some areas for excessive use |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Discouraged for signaling other messages |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Generally uncommon, as vehicle indicators are expected | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Uzbek and 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
uzbekistan:
Not used in Uzbekistan
vietnam:
Not used in Vietnam
Horn Usage: Allowed
uzbekistan:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
vietnam:
Commonly used in urban areas
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
uzbekistan:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
vietnam:
Limited restriction
Horn Usage: Penalties
uzbekistan:
Fines may apply for misuse
vietnam:
Fines in some areas for excessive use
Headlight Flash: Usage
uzbekistan:
To warn other drivers of your presence
vietnam:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
uzbekistan:
Not to be used to signal other messages
vietnam:
Discouraged for signaling other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
uzbekistan:
Generally uncommon, as vehicle indicators are expected
vietnam:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
uzbekistan:
Uzbek and Russian; symbols are standard
vietnam:
Vietnamese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
uzbekistan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
vietnam:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Uzbekistan | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise | Prohibited unless granted by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed except where prohibited by signs | Prohibited in central urban areas; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
uzbekistan:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
vietnam:
Prohibited unless granted by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
uzbekistan:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs
vietnam:
Prohibited in central urban areas; check for signs
Documentation
| Uzbekistan | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | An International Driving Permit is recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | An International Driving Permit is recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspections required | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
uzbekistan:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
vietnam:
An International Driving Permit is recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
uzbekistan:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
vietnam:
An International Driving Permit is recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
uzbekistan:
Annual inspections required
vietnam:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
uzbekistan:
Mandatory
vietnam:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
uzbekistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
vietnam:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Uzbekistan | 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 | Encouraged | Expected in congested traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Common but limited by law in cities |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Generally more frequent due to local driving habits | 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
uzbekistan:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
vietnam:
Common in heavy traffic to signal freedom of movement
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
uzbekistan:
Encouraged
vietnam:
Expected in congested traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
uzbekistan:
Only in emergency situations
vietnam:
Common but limited by law in cities
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
uzbekistan:
Generally more frequent due to local driving habits
vietnam:
Frequent use compared to Western countries
Pedestrians Priority
uzbekistan:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
vietnam:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
uzbekistan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
vietnam:
Pull over and stop, if possible
Alcohol
| Uzbekistan | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance for drivers under 21 | 0.02%; strict enforcement |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints are frequently utilized | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies by severity of infraction | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
uzbekistan:
0.00%
vietnam:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
uzbekistan:
0.00%; zero tolerance for drivers under 21
vietnam:
0.02%; strict enforcement
Enforcement: Random Checks
uzbekistan:
Common; checkpoints are frequently utilized
vietnam:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
uzbekistan:
Substantial, varies by severity of infraction
vietnam:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Uzbekistan | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 103 | 113 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 102 | 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
uzbekistan:
103
vietnam:
113
Contact: Traffic Police
uzbekistan:
102
vietnam:
113
Contact: Roadside Assistance
uzbekistan:
Check with your insurance provider
vietnam:
Check with insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
uzbekistan:
Mandatory
vietnam:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Uzbekistan | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit | 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 for non-compliance | VNÐ 100,000 to VNÐ 200,000 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using phone while driving | VNÐ 600,000 to VNÐ 1,000,000 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines issued, points on license possible | VNÐ 300,000 to VNÐ 500,000 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Not typical; fines often paid through bank or office | Common for minor fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 30 days | Typically around 10-15 days |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible for severe violations or unpaid fines | Possible if fines are not paid |
Common Fines: Speeding
uzbekistan:
Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit
vietnam:
Varies; VNÐ 500,000 to VNÐ 4,000,000
Common Fines: Alcohol
uzbekistan:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
vietnam:
Heavy fines and possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
uzbekistan:
Fines for non-compliance
vietnam:
VNÐ 100,000 to VNÐ 200,000
Common Fines: Phone Use
uzbekistan:
Fines for using phone while driving
vietnam:
VNÐ 600,000 to VNÐ 1,000,000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
uzbekistan:
Fines issued, points on license possible
vietnam:
VNÐ 300,000 to VNÐ 500,000
Payment: On The Spot
uzbekistan:
Not typical; fines often paid through bank or office
vietnam:
Common for minor fines
Payment: Deadline
uzbekistan:
Varies; typically within 30 days
vietnam:
Typically around 10-15 days
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
uzbekistan:
Possible for severe violations or unpaid fines
vietnam:
Possible if fines are not paid