Current maximum allowed speed of road vehicles in Vietnam

Current maximum allowed speed of road vehicles in Vietnam (Internet image) 

Regarding this issue, LawNet would like to answer as follows:

1. Current maximum allowed speed of road vehicles in Vietnam

1.1 Maximum allowed speed of road vehicles travelling in crowded area (except on expressway)

1.2 Maximum allowed speed of road vehicles travelling outside of crowded area (except on expressway)

1.3 Maximum allowed speed for heavy-duty machines, mopeds (including electric mopeds) and similar vehicles on the road (except on expressway)

With respect to heavy-duty machines, mopeds (including electric mopeds) and similar vehicles on the road, the maximum speed must not exceed 40 km/h.

1.4 Maximum speed of road vehicles and heavy-duty machines on expressway

- The maximum allowed speed on the expressway must not exceed 120 km/h.

- When participating in traffic on an expressway, a driver or operator of heavy-duty machines must comply with the maximum and minimum speed displayed on road signs and road markings.

Legal basis: Articles 6, 7, 8, 9 of Circular 31/2019/TT-BGTVT.

2. Cases of slowdown in Vietnam

A vehicle operator participating in road traffic must slow down to a stop safely when:

- He/she encounters a warning sign or obstacle on the road; or

- He/she changes in travel direction or has limited vision; or

- He/she arrives at an at-grade intersection; at a level crossing; at a road curve; at a road with hairpin turns or steep slopes; at a narrow or bumpy road; or

- He/she crosses a narrow bridge or culvert; crosses an overflowing damp, underground or tunnel; reaches near the peak of a slope, when descending it; or

- He/she passes an area with schools, hospitals, bus stations, crowded public constructions; an area with large population, with factory or office situated along the road; road construction sites; traffic accident scene; or

- He/she approaches a pedestrian or a person with disability confined to a wheelchair crossing the road; or

- He/she encounters livestock walking or herded along the road; or

- He/she avoids a vehicle from the opposite direction or gives way to a vehicle behind; receives a turn signal or an emergency flasher of a leading vehicle;

- He/she approaches a bus stop or a parking spot with passengers getting on or off of a vehicle; or

- He/she encounters a prioritized vehicle on a mission; a heavy transport vehicle; pedestrians; or

- He/she operates the vehicle in the rain, fog, dust; on slippery, muddy road or road with lots of scattered rocks and debris;

- He/she controls the vehicle through vehicle weigh stations, police stations or tollbooths for road vehicles.

(Article 5 of Circular 31/2019/TT-BGTVT.)

3. Rules on compliance with regulations on speed and distance during participation in road traffic in Vietnam

Article 4 of Circular 31/2019/TT-BGTVT. stipulates the rules on compliance with regulations on speed and distance during participation in road traffic as follows:

- While participating in road traffic, vehicle operators must stringently comply with regulations on minimum speed and safety distance between 2 vehicles (classified as road vehicles, heavy-duty vehicles) that are prescribed by road signs.

- With respect to roads that are not installed with speed limit signs or signs prescribing minimum safety distance between 2 vehicles, the vehicle operators participating in road traffic must comply with regulations in Articles 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 11 of Circular 31/2019/TT-BGTVT..

- The vehicle operators participating in road traffic must control their vehicles at such speed that when taking into account conditions of bridges, roads, traffic density, terrain, weather and other factors will ensure traffic safety.

Nguyen Ngoc Que Anh

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