Find out which pickup models face travel bans in Ho Chi Minh City’s inner districts and how exemptions work. Stay informed—read more now!
Starting in 2025, Vietnam’s new Decree 53 reclassifies most pickup trucks as light trucks. That technical shift means they must obey the same urban traffic rules that apply to cargo‑hauling vehicles, including the strict time‑of‑day bans that many big cities have already put in place.
What the law says
Decree 53, issued by the Ministry of Transport (now the Ministry of Construction), defines vehicle categories based on the label used on the registration certificate. If the “Vehicle Type” field reads “Truck Pickup”, the vehicle is treated as a light truck for regulatory purposes.
In practice, this means that a pickup will be subject to the same restrictions that apply to light trucks under Decision No. 23/2018 and its 2019 amendment. Those rules are already in effect in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) and Hanoi.
Ho Chi Minh City’s current ban schedule
- 6:00 – 9:00 a.m. – Morning rush hour
- 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. – Evening rush hour
During these windows, light trucks are prohibited from entering the city’s inner districts. The goal is to ease congestion and reduce emissions in the most crowded zones.
Which pickups are affected?
Because the decree treats any vehicle classified as a “Truck Pickup” as a light truck, virtually all popular models sold in Vietnam—such as the Toyota Hilux, Isuzu D‑Max, Ford Ranger (post‑2021), and Mitsubishi Triton—will face the ban.
There are a few notable exceptions:
- Older Ford Ranger Raptor units built before 2021 that were registered as passenger cars remain exempt and can travel in the inner city at any hour.
- Vehicles that have been explicitly listed as service or emergency trucks under Decision No. 23/2019 are allowed temporary access during restricted periods.
Service‑vehicle exemptions
Decision No. 23/2019 amended the 2018 rules to create a temporary‑access list for certain essential‑service trucks. The list includes:
- Electric‑system repair trucks operated by power‑distribution companies.
- Maintenance vehicles for public lighting, traffic signals, bridges, roads, water supply, drainage, and urban greenery.
- Road‑rescue and traffic‑control trucks run by dedicated rescue agencies.
- Medical trucks transporting blood, vaccines, oxygen, and other critical supplies.
- Other light‑truck categories that are deemed essential for public safety or infrastructure upkeep.
These vehicles can travel within the restricted zones during the ban hours, provided they have the proper permits.
What does this mean for pickup owners?
If you own a pickup that is registered as a “Truck Pickup,” you will need to plan routes that avoid the inner districts during the 6‑9 a.m. and 4‑8 p.m. windows, or apply for a service‑vehicle exemption if your business falls under one of the listed categories.
Failing to comply may result in fines or other penalties, as the city’s traffic police are increasingly equipped with automated license‑plate readers that flag violations in real time.
Bottom line
Vietnam’s updated vehicle classification system brings pickup trucks under the same traffic‑control umbrella as light trucks. While most models will be subject to Ho Chi Minh City’s rush‑hour bans, certain older registrations and essential‑service vehicles enjoy an exemption. Stay aware of your vehicle’s official classification and consider applying for a special permit if your work requires unrestricted city access.
For the latest updates on Vietnamese traffic regulations, keep an eye on official releases from the Ministry of Transport and local city authorities.