Discover Vietnam’s 2026 changes to vehicle registration stickers and license plates, and how new car owners can stay compliant. Learn more now!
Starting in early 2026, Vietnam will roll out a series of updates affecting road‑tax stickers on windshields and the colour‑coded registration plates on all vehicles. If you’ve just bought a car, a motorcycle or plan to purchase one this year, these changes are crucial for staying legal on the road and for enjoying future green‑zone benefits.
Road‑Tax Sticker Removal
According to Decree No. 364/2025, effective from 2026 the traditional paper road‑tax sticker on the windshield will be eliminated. Instead, drivers will rely on a single, centrally‑issued sticker that combines registration verification and tax status.
New Road‑Tax Fee Structure
The decree also revises monthly road‑tax rates based on vehicle type:
- Passenger cars up to 8 seats (excluding the driver) not used for commercial transport: VND 130,000 per month.
- Cars used for commercial transport: VND 180,000 per month.
- All other vehicle categories: Fees remain unchanged from the previous schedule.
With the sticker simplification, each vehicle will now display only one verification label instead of the previous two‑paper system.
Colour‑Coded Registration Stickers
From the beginning of 2025, registration stickers are differentiated by colour to signal the vehicle’s power source:
- Green sticker: Pure‑electric cars and other “green‑energy” vehicles that are environmentally friendly.
- Orange sticker: Conventional internal‑combustion engine vehicles.
- Pink sticker: Motorcycles dedicated to two‑wheel use.
If a vehicle is found without the appropriate registration sticker, owners face a fine of VND 4–6 million and a possible suspension of the driver’s licence for 1–3 months.
Future Green‑Vehicle Identification
Hanoi’s city‑wide environmental action plan proposes further classification based on the energy source. Key elements include:
- Dedicated inspections for green‑energy vehicles.
- Smart traffic‑management systems and surveillance cameras that read colour‑coded plates.
- Background‑coloured licence plates combined with QR codes that link directly to an electronic toll‑collection (ETC) account.
- Possibility of distinct plate colours for electric, plug‑in hybrid (PHEV), hybrid (HEV) and hydrogen‑fuel cars.
These QR‑enabled plates will allow authorities to tailor road‑usage fees, allocate special parking zones, or enforce low‑emission zones (LEZ) more effectively.
What This Means for New Vehicle Owners
Understanding the new sticker colours and fee schedules will help you avoid penalties and take full advantage of green‑zone incentives. As Vietnam moves toward a more digitised, environmentally conscious transport system, staying informed now ensures smoother travel and potential cost savings in the years ahead.