Vietnam is deploying AI traffic cameras to catch common violations. Learn which mistakes lead to automatic fines and how to stay safe. Read more!
For years, many motorists in Vietnam’s bustling cities found ways to “outsmart” traffic police, slipping through gaps in manual surveillance. However, the era of easy escapes is ending. With the wide-scale deployment of AI-integrated traffic cameras—often referred to as “digital eyes”—violations that once went unnoticed are now being captured in high definition, leading to automatic fines (commonly known as “cold fines”).
No More Sidewalk Shortcuts
In major urban centers, it is a common sight to see motorcyclists hopping onto the sidewalk to bypass grueling traffic jams. While this was once a frequent habit due to the difficulty of policing every street corner, AI cameras are changing the game. These systems can now instantly detect vehicles riding on pedestrian walkways.
- Motorbikes: Riding on the sidewalk (except when entering a home or office) carries a fine of 4 to 6 million VND and a deduction of 2 points from the driver’s license.
- Cars: While less common, cars caught on sidewalks face steeper penalties of 6 to 8 million VND and a 4-point license deduction.
The Seatbelt Crackdown
Road safety is taking center stage with the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety 2024. The law mandates that all drivers and passengers must wear seatbelts wherever they are provided. AI cameras are now specifically calibrated to detect unbuckled belts, particularly in the front seats.
Under Decree 168, failing to wear a seatbelt—or allowing a passenger to drive without one—results in a fine ranging from 800,000 to 1 million VND.
The effectiveness of this system is already evident. A pilot AI camera system at Km20 on the Noi Bai – Lao Cai expressway recently recorded 12,724 vehicles in a single day (April 3rd), identifying numerous seatbelt violations.
Put the Phone Down: AI is Watching
Distracted driving is a leading cause of accidents. Using a handheld mobile device or electronic gadget while operating a vehicle is strictly prohibited under Article 9 of the 2024 Traffic Law. Because AI cameras can easily spot a phone in a driver’s hand, this violation is now a primary target for automatic enforcement.
The penalties for phone use are significant:
- Car drivers: Fines range from 4 to 6 million VND.
- Motorcyclists: Fines range from 800,000 to 1 million VND.
To ensure both your safety and your wallet, it is essential to avoid handheld device usage entirely while on the road.
Parking Pitfalls: Avoiding Costly Mistakes
Previously, illegal parking and stopping were largely dependent on physical patrols. Now, as AI surveillance blankets cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, “convenient” but illegal parking is becoming a costly mistake.
Fines for Car Drivers:
- General Violations: Stopping or parking against the flow of traffic, on fixed medians, or in “No Stopping/No Parking” zones results in a fine of 600,000 to 800,000 VND.
- Causing Congestion: If illegal parking leads to traffic jams, the fine jumps to 4 to 6 million VND.
- Causing Accidents: In the most severe cases where illegal parking causes an accident, fines can soar to 20 to 22 million VND.
Fines for Motorcyclists:
- Roadway Obstruction: Parking on the roadway in suburban areas with shoulders, or in “No Parking” zones, carries a fine of 400,000 to 600,000 VND.
- Bridges & Tunnels: Parking on a bridge results in a fine of 600,000 to 800,000 VND, while illegal parking in road tunnels can cost between 800,000 and 1 million VND.
As Vietnam moves toward a more automated and transparent traffic enforcement system, the best way to avoid these heavy penalties is simple: follow the rules of the road, prioritize safety, and assume that the “digital eyes” are always watching.