If you’ve driven in Vietnam for more than five minutes, you know the “organized chaos.” You’ve likely adopted the local mentality towards traffic lights: Green means go, Red means stop (usually), and Yellow means “accelerate rapidly before the Red.”
As of January 1, 2025, that mentality will cost you a fortune.
Vietnam has introduced massive legal changes under Decree 168/2024, fundamentally altering how traffic signals are enforced. The days of “squeezing through” on an amber light are over.
Here is everything you need to know to save your wallet — and perhaps your life — on Vietnam’s roads under the new regulations.
To see the bigger picture, note that this post is part of our Vietnam Motorcycle Legal Vault, where you can access our full library of legal advice and rider requirements.
Forget what you learned in Western driving schools. In many countries, a steady yellow light means “stop if it is safe to do so.”
The interpretation is strict. You must bring your vehicle to a complete halt before the white stop line.
The law acknowledges physics. If you have already crossed the stop line (or are directly on it) at the precise moment the light turns yellow, you are permitted to clear the intersection to avoid causing a hazard.
If you are approaching the line and see yellow, and you hit the gas instead of the brake? That is now a major violation.
Why the sudden urgency? Because the government is serious about enforcement, and they have used massive financial penalties to prove it.
Effective January 2025, the penalty for running a yellow light is legally identical to running a red light. The fines have increased astronomically compared to just a year ago.
Perspective: Before 2025, this fine was barely $30.
Getting caught just once on a motorbike can now cost more than a month’s rent in a shared apartment.
Knowing the law is one thing; surviving the reality of Vietnamese streets is another.
Almost every traffic light in Vietnam has a countdown timer. This timer creates a dangerous psychological zone in the final 3 seconds of a green light.
Despite the new laws, old habits die hard. When the timer hits “3… 2…”, many drivers instinctively accelerate to “beat” the red.
This creates a terrifying situation for the law-abiding driver. If you slam on your brakes the second the light turns yellow, the person behind you — who is accelerating — will hit you.
Live here? Ride like you own it. Our long-term expat rentals are made for those working or living in Vietnam.
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The driver (you) is legally responsible for all traffic violations committed during the rental period. If you receive a “Cold Fine” (caught by traffic cameras), the notification is sent to the owner (the rental shop). Rental agencies can check the police database upon the bike’s return. If a violation is found, the fine amount will be deducted from your deposit.
Yes. Under Decree 168/2024, traffic police have the authority to impound your vehicle for up to 7 days for serious violations, which now includes failing to stop at a red or yellow light. In addition to the inconvenience, you will be liable for towing costs and daily storage fees (typically 50,000–100,000 VND per day). We will also charge you rental for those 7 days.
Yes, this system is known as “Phat Nguoi” (Cold Fines). Major cities like Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City have expanded their AI camera networks. 1 If you run a light, the camera records your license plate and a violation notice is sent to the registered owner. 2 You may be stopped weeks later or denied vehicle registration renewal until the fine is settled.
Yes. Foreigners and tourists are subject to the exact same traffic laws and penalties as Vietnamese citizens under Decree 168. Being a tourist does not grant immunity. If you are stopped, you must pay the fine. For serious offenses, police may temporarily confiscate your vehicle or driving license to ensure compliance.
Yes. Electric motorbikes (such as VinFast scooters) are classified as motorized vehicles. Drivers of electric motorbikes face the same fines as petrol motorbike drivers for running lights, speeding, and alcohol violations. While some low-speed electric bicycles have different rules, most modern e-scooters fall into the full motorbike category.
Remember:
1. Treat a solid Yellow light exactly the same as a Red light.
2. Do not rush. Saving 30 seconds is not worth a 6 Million VND fine.
3. Be as afraid of the vehicle behind you as you are of the police ahead of you when braking.
Drive safe, and keep your money in your pocket, not the traffic police treasury!
Engine Type
air-cooled, single cylinder, SOHC
Displacement
411 cc
Bore X Stroke
78 mm x 86 mm
Ignition
TCI
Fuel System
fuel injection
Compression Ratio
9.5:1
Starter
electric
Gearbox
5-speed
Front Suspension
telescopic forks; stanchion diameter 41 mm
Rear Suspension
linkage-type monoshock
Front Brakes
single disc brake, diameter 300 mm, 2-piston floating caliper
Rear Brakes
single disc brake, diameter 240 mm, single-piston floating caliper
Front Tyres
90/90 – 21
Rear Tyres
120/90 – 17
Wheelbase
1465 mm
Seat Height
800 mm
Ground Clearance
220 mm
Kerb Weight
199 kg
Fuel Capacity
15 litres
Dimensions
2190 mm (L) x 840 mm (W) x 1360 mm (H)
Daily
Total
Rider (CRF 300)
$220
Pillion
$120
Damage Waiver
$20
Private Room
$40
Support Vehicle*
$150
* All prices given are in USD and apply per rider except for the support vehicle. The support vehicle is free for groups of 7 or more, otherwise the cost is shared across the group.
Daily
Total
Rider (XR 150)
Rider (CRF 300)
Rider (CB 500X)
Rider (Himalayan 400)
$220
Rider (GS 1250)
Pillion
$120
Damage Waiver
$20
Private Room
$40
Support Vehicle*
$150
* All prices given are in USD and apply per rider except for the support vehicle. The support vehicle is free for groups of 7 or more, otherwise the cost is shared across the group.
Daily
Total
Jeep (1 PAX)
$210
Jeep (2 PAX)
$120
Jeep (3 PAX)
$90
Jeep (4+ PAX)
$80
Rider (Easy Rider)
$115
Rider (Self-Drive)
$105
Private Room
$15
* Our jeep tour prices operate on a sliding scale. The larger your group, the less each person pays—each member of your group will pay the lowest daily rate shown. For example, if you have a group of 4 or more, you will each only pay $80/day. All prices are given in USD.
Engine Type
air-liquid cooled, twin cylinder, DOHC, boxer engine
Displacement
1255 cc
Bore X Stroke
102.5 mm x 76 mm
Ignition
FI
Fuel System
fuel injection
Compression Ratio
12.5:1
Starter
electric
Gearbox
6-speed
Front Suspension
BMW Motorrad Telelever; stanchion diameter 37 mm
Rear Suspension
single-sided swing arm with BMW Motorrad Paralever
Front Brakes
dual disc brake, floating brake discs, diameter 305 mm, 4-piston radial calipers
Rear Brakes
single disc brake, diameter 276 mm, double-piston floating caliper
Front Tyres
120/70 R19
Rear Tyres
170/60 R17
Wheelbase
1514 mm
Seat Height
850 mm
Ground Clearance
790 mm
Kerb Weight
249 kg
Fuel Capacity
20 litres
Dimensions
2207 mm (L) x 952.5mm (W) x 1430 mm (H)
Engine Type
air cooled, OHC, single cylinder
Displacement
149 cc
Bore X Stroke
57.3 mm x 57.8 mm
Ignition
CDI
Fuel System
20 mm piston valve carburettor
Compression Ratio
9.5:1
Starter
electric with kick starter backup
Gearbox
5-speed
Front Suspension
telescopic fork, 180 mm axle travel
Rear Suspension
single shock swing arm, 150 mm axle travel
Front Brakes
dual piston caliper, 240 mm disc
Rear Brakes
mechanical drum
Front Tyres
90/90 19
Rear Tyres
110/90 17
Wheelbase
1362 mm
Seat Height
825 mm
Ground Clearance
243 mm
Kerb Weight
129 kg
Fuel Capacity
12 litres
Dimensions
2091 mm (L) x 811 mm (W) x 1125 mm (H)
Engine Type
liquid cooled parallel-twin four stroke
Displacement
470 cc
Bore X Stroke
67 mm x 66.8 mm
Ignition
PGMI – FI
Fuel System
fuel injection
Compression Ratio
10.7:1
Starter
electric
Gearbox
6-speed
Front Suspension
41 mm SFF-BP USD Forks
Rear Suspension
Prolink Mono with 5 stage pre load adjuster
Front Brakes
dual 296 mm discs with 4 piston calipers; ABS
Rear Brakes
240 mm disc; ABS
Front Tyres
110/80R19M/C (59H)
Rear Tyres
160/60R17M/C
Wheelbase
1445 mm
Seat Height
830 mm
Ground Clearance
180 mm
Kerb Weight
199 kg
Fuel Capacity
17.7 litres
Dimensions
2,155 mm (L) x 830 mm (W) x 1,410 mm (H)
Engine Type
single cylinder, DOHC, liquid cooled
Displacement
286 cc
Bore X Stroke
76 mm x 63 mm
Ignition
Full Transistor Digital
Fuel System
PGM-FI electronic fuel injection
Compression Ratio
10.7:1
Starter
electric
Gearbox
5-speed
Front Suspension
43 mm telescopic upside down
Rear Suspension
Prolink Mono with 5 stage pre load adjuster
Front Brakes
Rear Brakes
220 mm disc, single piston caliper
Front Tyres
80/100 21
Rear Tyres
120/80 18
Wheelbase
1455 mm
Seat Height
880 mm
Ground Clearance
285 mm
Kerb Weight
142 kg
Fuel Capacity
7.8 litres
Dimensions
2230 mm (L) x 820 mm (W) x 1200 mm (H)
