No, eating while driving in Vietnam is not explicitly prohibited by national traffic laws, but it may violate broader safety regulations enforced by local authorities. The Ministry of Transport’s 2023 Circular 31/2023/TT-BGTVT mandates that drivers must maintain full control of vehicles, creating ambiguity around distracted eating. Provincial traffic police, such as Hanoi’s Department of Public Security, have issued supplementary directives warning against actions that impair driving, including eating, under Article 5 of the 2008 Road Traffic Law. While no fine exists solely for eating, distracted driving citations (up to VND 2–3 million) may apply under “unsafe driving practices.”
Key Regulations for Eating While Driving in Vietnam
- Distraction Clause: Circular 31/2023/TT-BGTVT requires drivers to avoid activities diverting attention from the road, including eating.
- Local Enforcement: Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City traffic police interpret “unsafe driving” broadly, targeting visible distractions like food consumption.
- 2026 Compliance Shift: Draft amendments to the 2008 Law propose explicit bans on eating/drinking while driving, pending National Assembly approval.
Violations are typically processed under “other unsafe acts” (Decree 100/2019/ND-CP), with fines escalating for repeat offenses. Drivers should prioritize adherence to local traffic directives to mitigate liability risks.