Vietnam’s motorbike fines were raised sharply by Decree 168/2024/NĐ-CP, which took effect on 1 January 2025. This overview lists the commonly enforced violations with their exact provisions, as written in the decree text. Article 7 covers motorbikes, mopeds and similar vehicles at the same fine levels.
Fine bands (Article 7 and Article 18)
| Violation | Provision | Fine (VND) |
|---|---|---|
| No helmet or unfastened strap (rider) | Art. 7(2)(h) | 400,000 – 600,000 |
| Carrying a passenger without a helmet | Art. 7(2)(i) | 400,000 – 600,000 |
| Handheld phone use while riding | Art. 7(4)(đ) | 800,000 – 1,000,000 |
| Alcohol up to 50 mg/100 ml blood (0.25 mg/L breath) | Art. 7(6)(a) | 2,000,000 – 3,000,000 |
| Alcohol over 50–80 mg/100 ml | Art. 7 | |
| (8)(b) | 6,000,000 | |
| – 8,000,000 | ||
| Alcohol over 80 mg/100 ml | Art. 7(9)(d) | 8,000,000 – 10,000,000 |
| Running a red light | Art. 7(7)(c) | 4,000,000 – 6,000,000 |
| Riding the wrong way down a one-way street | Art. 7(7)(a) | 4,000,000 – 6,000,000 |
| Riding on the sidewalk (non-exempt cases) | Art. 7(7)(a) | 4,000,000 – 6,000,000 |
| Riding without a licence, invalid licence, or licence mismatched to the bike (≤125cc / ≤11 kW) | Art. 18(5) | 2,000,000 – 4,000,000 |
| Same licence offences on bigger bikes or three-wheelers | Art. 18(7) | 6,000,000 – 8,000,000 |
| Accident-causing conduct (failing to observe, wrong manoeuvre, speeding or lane violations causing a crash) | Art. 7(10) | 10,000,000 – 14,000,000 |
Beyond the money, licence points are deducted (4 points for red lights; 2 points for wrong-way or sidewalk riding; 4 points for the lowest alcohol band; 10 points for the 50–80 mg band), and the highest alcohol band also carries a 22–24 month licence suspension (Art. 7(12)(c), (13)). Riders under 16 get a warning; 16-to-under-18-year-olds on a 50cc-or-over motorbike are fined 400,000–600,000 VND (Art. 18(4)(a)).
Points to understand
- Fines are per offence and can compound after an accident
- Foreign riders are subject to the same fines
- Mopeds (including sub-4 kW electric mopeds) are fined at the same levels as motorbikes; only pedal-type electric bicycles fall under the lower non-motorised fine schedule (Art. 9)
- An invalid licence or alcohol involvement can also complicate insurance claims and liability — the paperwork after a crash usually costs more than the fine
- Fine levels have changed repeatedly in recent years; always check the current decree
Practical takeaway
The most commonly fined tourist mistakes — wrong way down a one-way street, sidewalk riding to skip traffic, red lights “when it looks clear” — now each cost more than a month of scooter rental. Ride like the fines are real, because they are.
Information, not legal advice. All figures verified against the full text of Decree 168/2024/NĐ-CP on 2026-09-21.