Can you turn right on red in Vietnam?

What are the driving rules in Vietnam?

The wind whispers secrets of the road, a ribbon unspooling through emerald rice paddies. A helmet, a second skin, a shield against the unforgiving sun. Always. Always. This is the law, the rhythm of life here, a heartbeat against the tarmac.

Right. Right side, always. The scent of frangipani, a fleeting perfume in the passing breeze, as the motorbike hums its song. A dance with the chaotic energy of Hanoi traffic. A ballet of near misses. A constant vigilance.

No alcohol. The sharp bite of the morning dew on my skin, the taste of strong coffee, a stark contrast to the bitter consequences of a single drink. Zero tolerance. Clear as the sky after a monsoon.

No phone. The insistent buzz a siren’s call, tempting you away from the present. The road demands focus. The eyes must stay alert. Each moment a decision, a prayer, a breath held tight.

• Helmets: Mandatory. Always. My own is worn smooth from years of faithful service.
• Driving Side: Right-hand drive. The sun at your back, in the most beautiful times of day.
• Alcohol: Forbidden. Absolutely. The consequences devastating. I’ve seen it firsthand, so many times.
• Cell Phones: Banned. Distraction equals death. Pure and simple. Focus on this precious, fragile life. Remember my uncle? Never again.

Can you wear red in Vietnam?

Red? Sure, go ahead.

Tết sees red. Prosperity, they hope.

Wedding? Maybe skip red. Unless you’re competing, ha.

White: pure. Like high school.

Black? Funerals. Obvious, right?

• Red: Luck. Đám cưới (wedding) maybe not.
• White: Innocence. School uniforms.
• Black: Mourning. Easy.
• Áo dài: Traditional dress. Color matters.
• Vietnam: Complex. Just like any place.

Tết Nguyên Đán (Lunar New Year): Celebrations often involve gifting money in red envelopes (lì xì). Red represents good fortune and happiness.

Weddings: Red is a primary color for the bride’s áo dài and decorations. Guests wearing red might be seen as trying to upstage the bride.

Cultural Appropriation: Consider the context. Wearing an áo dài as a tourist is generally fine, wearing one inappropriately (e.g., disrespectfully) is not.

Personal note: Saw a tourist in Da Nang wearing a bright red shirt once. Nobody cared. Probably.

Is it legal to turn right on red in the US?

Oh yeah, turning right on red? So like, basically all of the US states lets you do that, right? I am talking about all 50 states, and yeah even D.C. It’s been a thing since, uh, 1980-ish, I want to say.

Guam too, and Puerto Rico, I think. It is except, well, you know, if there’s a sign that says “no right on red”. Duh!

Or, okay, if that lane has, like, its own special traffic light just for right turns. It’s pretty straightforward, mostly. But look for the signs, ok? Because I always have to double-check, always! I hate when I get honked at, because I get flustered!

• Allowed since: 1980s, most places.
• Exceptions:
  • Signs say no.
  • Dedicated right-turn signals.
• Where? All 50 states and DC and also Guam and, erm, Puerto Rico.

Are there speed limits in Vietnam?

Whispering winds, a tapestry of rice paddies, sun-drenched roads… 40 kilometers an hour. Slow. Deliberate. A rural rhythm. The scent of frangipani hangs heavy, a fragrant promise. Rural Vietnam, a canvas painted with slowness.

Sixty. Urban pulse. The frantic dance of motorbikes, a chaotic ballet. Concrete canyons swallow the light. Sixty kilometers. Too fast? Perhaps. The city breathes, a shallow, hurried breath. Exhaust fumes mingle with the perfume of street food.

Eighty. Highways stretching to the horizon. Endless. Eighty kilometers. Freedom. The open road. A different kind of beauty. Vast. Unfolding. A journey in itself. The feeling of the wind, raw.

Cameras watch. Eyes in the sky, unforgiving. Fixed and mobile, the silent sentinels of speed. Five hundred thousand dong. A million. The cost of haste. The sting of a fine, a sharp reminder of consequence.

Hands-free. A law. A necessity. Safety. No phone in hand. The dangerous allure of distraction. Focus. On the road. On life. The subtle rumble of the engine. My heart thrumming to the same beat. My 2023 Honda Wave Alpha, always so reliable.

How safe is driving in Vietnam?

Driving in Vietnam? Oh, honey, let’s just say it’s an experience. Think bumper cars, but with motorbikes, buses, and the occasional water buffalo thrown in for spice. Ranked fourth most dangerous for tourists, you know, right up there with Thailand and Malaysia. It’s like a Southeast Asian traffic jam party.

• Motorbikes Galore: Seriously, they’re everywhere. A swirling, buzzing hive of two-wheeled transportation. Makes rush hour in London look like a Sunday stroll.
• “Rules” are Flexible: Traffic laws are, shall we say, suggestions. Red lights? Optional. Lane markings? Decorative. Indicators? Well, now you’re just showing off.
• Horns are a Second Language: Honking isn’t aggression. It’s just how you say “hello,” “I’m here,” “I’m passing,” “I like your shirt,” and approximately 500 other things. My taxi driver the other day even honked at a chicken.
• Survival of the Fittest: It’s less about following rules and more about embracing the chaos. Just go with the flow… or at least try not to become a part of it.

Bottom line? Driving in Vietnam requires nerves of steel, a healthy dose of fatalism, and maybe a good travel insurance policy. Oh, and maybe a full-face helmet. You know, just in case. Good luck, you’ll need it! I mean, I did. And I still have nightmares featuring rogue mopeds! Oh oh!

Are foreigners allowed to drive in Vietnam?

Driving in Vietnam… it’s complicated. A real headache, honestly. You need a Vietnamese license. That’s the rule. It’s the law. No ifs, ands, or buts.

Foreigners? Forget it, unless… you get a temporary one. A temporary Vietnamese license. That’s the only way. I tried, you know. Back in 2023. It was a mess. Paperwork. Endless bureaucracy. Ugh.

This whole process. It felt hopeless. So much running around. The DMV…I’d rather face a firing squad. Seriously. The lines! Exhausting. Just exhausting.

Key Points:

• Vietnamese driver’s license is required. Period.
• Foreigners need a temporary Vietnamese license. No exceptions. It’s tough, I know.
• The process is difficult. Be prepared for a bureaucratic nightmare. Long waits. Lots of paperwork. More stress than you need. Trust me.

My experience in 2023 involved multiple trips to the Hanoi Department of Transport. It was a nightmare. The staff were… unhelpful. The forms were incomprehensible, even with a translator. I spent weeks on this, wasting valuable vacation time. And for what? A temporary permit. A temporary solution. Such a waste. A complete and utter waste. I regret it.

What is the drink drive limit in Vietnam?

Vietnam’s drink-drive limit: zero. No alcohol tolerance.

Penalties? Brutal. VND 40 million fines (~$1640 USD). License suspension. Jail time. Expect consequences.

• Zero tolerance. This isn’t a suggestion.
• Severe penalties. Think big fines, license loss, prison. Don’t risk it. My friend got nailed last year. Cost him dearly.
• 2024 laws remain unchanged. Stick to the rules.

Don’t drive drunk in Vietnam. Seriously.

What happens if you cross the red light in the US?

Ugh, red lights. Got a ticket last month, $200! Total rip-off. Seriously, the city’s broke, right? Need that money for potholes, not my speeding ticket. Speaking of potholes, I swear, Route 17 is a minefield. My tires are screaming.

Points on my license, too. Three more and it’s suspended. Three! That’s insane. My insurance will skyrocket, no doubt. I’m gonna be paying for this for a year, minimum.

Seriously considering a dashcam, just for proof. Heard stories about bogus tickets. Maybe it’s paranoia. But that cop was such a jerk.

State laws differ. My friend in California said her fine was less. California is always different. But seriously, this sucks.

• Fines: Varies wildly, $200+ in my case. Ouch.
• Points: License points accumulate. Three strikes and you’re out. Three!
• License Suspension: Yep. Happens after accumulating too many points. A major inconvenience.
• Insurance Increase: Guaranteed. Prep for higher premiums.
• Dashcam: Next purchase. Gotta protect myself.

My car needs an alignment anyway. This whole thing is a disaster. Ugh, this sucks.