Vietnam is phasing out windshield inspection stickers in favor of digital certificates by 2027. Discover how these changes affect car owners.
In a significant move toward administrative digitalization, the Vietnamese government has announced that the traditional practice of pasting inspection stickers on car windshields will soon become a thing of the past. According to the newly issued Decree 89/2026, the requirement for physical inspection stickers will officially end on January 1, 2027.
A Transition to Digital Certification
The shift is part of a broader effort to streamline vehicle management and reduce bureaucracy. Under the new regulations, vehicle owners will no longer need to clutter their windshields with adhesive labels to prove their vehicle’s roadworthiness.
This transition began as early as March 2026, when the Department of Registration started issuing electronic inspection certificates. While digital versions are now the standard, the government remains flexible; owners who still prefer a physical copy can request one, which will be printed directly from the management software and stamped for validation.
Cleaning Up the Windshield
The removal of the inspection sticker is the final step in a series of “decluttering” measures for vehicle owners. Previously, under Decree 364/2025 (effective early 2026), the requirement for road fee stickers on windshields was already eliminated.
For a brief period, the inspection sticker remained the only mandatory label on the glass. With the 2027 deadline approaching, Vietnamese drivers can look forward to a completely clear field of vision.
What About Eco-Friendly Vehicles?
The update also touches upon how “green” vehicles are identified. Currently, the Ministry of Construction is reviewing proposals to amend regulations regarding the identification of clean-energy and environmentally friendly vehicles.
The End of Color-Coded Stickers
- Current System: Eco-friendly vehicles receive a green-background inspection sticker, while conventional vehicles receive a yellow one.
- Proposed Change: The distinction between green and yellow stickers may be abolished.
Regardless of whether these specific color distinctions are removed sooner, the overarching rule remains: by the start of 2027, all physical inspection stickers—regardless of color or vehicle type—will be phased out entirely.
What This Means for Drivers
For the average driver, this change means less hassle during the inspection process and a more modern, digital approach to vehicle compliance. The move aligns Vietnam with international trends of replacing physical permits with cloud-based, easily accessible digital IDs.
As Vietnam continues to modernize its transport infrastructure, these digital reforms are expected to reduce congestion at inspection centers and minimize the risk of document loss or forgery.