Regulations on passenger transportation business by taxi in Vietnam from January 1, 2025

Regulations on passenger transportation business by taxi in Vietnam from January 1, 2025 (Image from the Internet)

On December 18, 2024, the Government of Vietnam issued Decree 158/2024/ND-CP regulating road transport activities.

Regulations on passenger transportation business by taxi in Vietnam from January 1, 2025

According to Article 6 of Decree 158/2024/ND-CP, a transport business unit holding a Transport Business License by automobile, including the type of passenger transport business by taxi, is allowed to engage in passenger transport business by taxi.

- Automobiles used for passenger transport business by taxi

+ Automobiles must comply with the provisions in Clause 9, Article 56 of the Road Law 2024;

+ Must have the "TAXI VEHICLE" insignia according to Form No. 04 of Appendix XIII attached to Decree 158/2024/ND-CP and it must be affixed permanently at the top right corner just below the Inspection Stamp position, on the inside of the front windshield; and must have all information posted on the vehicle as required;

+ Must have the phrase "TAXI VEHICLE" affixed (permanently attached) made of reflective material on the front and rear windows of the vehicle with a minimum size of 06 x 20 cm according to Form No. 05 of Appendix XIII attached to Decree 158/2024/ND-CP. In case of displaying with electronic devices, the phrase "TAXI VEHICLE" must always be lit and have a minimum size of 06 x 20 cm.

It is allowed to choose to mount a lightbox with the word "TAXI" permanently on the roof of the vehicle with a minimum size of 12 x 30 cm. If choosing to mount a lightbox with the word "TAXI" permanently on the roof of the vehicle, it is not required to have the phrase "TAXI VEHICLE" permanently attached to the front and rear windows of the vehicle.

- Trip fare calculated through the use of a fare meter

+ The vehicle must have a fare meter inspected and sealed by a metrology authority, and must have a device for printing invoices or cash receipts connected to the fare meter on the vehicle; the fare meter and the printing device must be permanently fixed in a position easily visible to passengers; the driver must issue an electronic invoice to the passenger at the end of the journey;

+ The cash receipt must contain minimum information, including: the name of the transport business unit, vehicle registration number, trip distance (km), and the total amount the passenger must pay.

- Trip fare calculated using a fare calculation software directly connected to passengers through electronic means for booking, canceling a trip, and calculating the trip fare (hereinafter referred to as fare calculation software)

+ The vehicle must have equipment directly connected to passengers for booking and canceling trips;

+ The trip fare is calculated based on the distance determined on a digital map;

+ The fare calculation software must comply with the legal regulations on electronic transactions; the interface for passengers must have the name or logo of the transport business unit, and must provide passengers with minimum content before performing transport including: the name of the transport business unit, the full name of the driver, vehicle registration number, itinerary, trip distance (km), total amount the passenger must pay, and a phone number for addressing passenger feedback.

- Trip fare by agreement with the transport business unit

The trip fare is agreed upon between the passenger and the transport business unit according to the cost table posted on the taxi or through the fare calculation software of the passenger transport business unit by taxi.

- At the end of the trip, the transport business unit using fare calculation software must send an electronic invoice of the trip to the passenger via the software and simultaneously send the invoice information to the Tax Authority as prescribed.

- The passenger transport business unit by taxi must notify the Department of Transport where the Transport Business License was issued, and the Tax Authority (where the transport business unit declares and pays taxes) about the fare calculation method used on the unit's taxis.

- Taxis are prioritized for stopping, parking to pick up and drop off passengers at bus stations, railway stations, airports, ports, tourism areas, tourist sites, accommodation establishments, tourist attractions, cultural, sports, commercial centers; they are prioritized for operation when organizing urban traffic.

Refer to the Decree 158/2024/ND-CP effective from January 1, 2025.

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