Discover the 2026 updates to Vietnam’s vehicle registration stickers and license plates, including fee changes, colour codes, and QR integration. Stay compliant – read now!
Starting in early 2026, Vietnam will roll out a series of tweaks to vehicle registration stickers and licence plates. The goal is to streamline enforcement, promote cleaner‑energy vehicles, and bring the system into the digital age. If you’ve just bought a car or are planning to, here’s the essential information you need to stay on the right side of the law.
Key Changes at a Glance
- Removal of the road‑tax sticker from the windshield.
- Adjusted monthly road‑fee rates for different vehicle categories.
- Introduction of colour‑coded registration stickers based on engine type.
- Heavier fines for vehicles without the correct sticker.
- Future integration of QR codes and electronic toll collection (ETC) for green vehicles.
Road‑Tax Sticker Removal
Decree No. 364/2025, which takes effect in 2026, officially eliminates the paper‑based road‑tax sticker that owners currently affix to the driver’s side window. From then on, each vehicle will display only a single, centrally‑issued registration sticker instead of the two‑sticker system used today.
Revised Monthly Fee Structure
The same decree revises the monthly road‑fee schedule:
- Passenger vehicles with up to eight seats (excluding the driver) that are not used for commercial transport will pay 130,000 VND per month.
- Commercial passenger‑transport vehicles will be charged 180,000 VND per month.
- All other vehicle categories retain the fees set under the previous regulations.
Colour‑Coded Registration Stickers
Beginning in 2025, registration stickers will be colour‑coded to instantly signal a vehicle’s energy source:
- Green – Fully electric cars and vehicles running on certified “green” energy.
- Orange – Conventional internal‑combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.
- Pink – Special‑use motorcycles.
This visual cue supports traffic‑management initiatives and helps authorities identify low‑emission vehicles at a glance.
Penalties for Missing Stickers
Owners who fail to display the appropriate registration sticker can face fines ranging from 4 million to 6 million VND. In addition, the driver’s licence may be suspended for one to three months.
Looking Ahead: QR Codes and Electronic Tolling
The Hanoi People’s Committee’s environmental‑action plan proposes a further upgrade for green vehicles. Future registration plates will feature a QR code that links directly to an electronic toll‑collection (ETC) account. This will enable:
- Dynamic toll pricing based on vehicle emissions.
- Real‑time monitoring of vehicle entry into Low‑Emission Zones (LEZ).
- Automated parking allocation for electric and hybrid cars.
In practice, electric, plug‑in hybrid (PHEV), hybrid (HEV) and hydrogen‑fuelled cars could receive plates with a distinct background colour and an embedded QR code, separating them clearly from gasoline‑powered models.
What This Means for New Car Owners
Understanding the new sticker colours and fee schedules helps you avoid costly fines and take full advantage of any preferential treatment in LEZs or dedicated parking zones. When you receive your vehicle’s registration documents, double‑check that the correct colour sticker is affixed and that the plate matches the fuel type of your car.
Stay tuned for official rollout dates and the upcoming QR‑code integration, which will further simplify compliance and support Vietnam’s push toward greener urban mobility.