Drivers in Vietnam now learn to queue in congestion

On Thursday, two accidents involving nine cars caused a massive traffic jam on the expressway from Ho Chi Minh City to Phan Thiet beach town. Vehicles moved forward inch by inch as a large number of people headed back to their hometowns for the Lunar New Year, creating a long, slow-moving line.

Cars queue neatly on the expressway linking HCMC and Phan Thiet during a traffic jam. Photo by VnExpress

What stood out to me was how drivers handled the situation. Pictures of the scene showed cars waiting and moving patiently in neat rows instead of cutting into the emergency lane—a common tactic in the past to get ahead in traffic.

This change is largely due to Decree 168, which came into effect on Jan. 1 and increases fines for traffic violations.

Now, drivers stopping in emergency lanes without proper signals or parking in unauthorized spots now face fines of VND12–14 million (US$478-558), double the penalties before the decree.

Reversing, driving against traffic, or making U-turns on expressways now carries fines of VND30–40 million ($1,196-1,595)—about three times the previous amount. Drivers who change lanes improperly or without signaling also face fines of VND4–6 million ($159-239).

These stricter penalties are clearly making a difference, encouraging drivers to adopt safer habits. As these changes take root, I believe Vietnam's traffic conditions will improve significantly in the near future.