No, lane splitting remains illegal in Vietnam under the 2008 Law on Road Traffic, with no amendments as of 2026. The Ministry of Transport (MoT) and the National Traffic Safety Committee (NTSC) enforce strict penalties, including fines up to 4 million VND for motorcyclists caught lane splitting. Urban centers like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City prioritize enforcement via automated surveillance and police checkpoints, particularly on high-traffic routes such as Ring Road 3 in Hanoi.
Key Regulations for Lane Splitting in Vietnam
- Strict Prohibition: Article 6 of the 2008 Law on Road Traffic bans motorcyclists from overtaking by weaving between lanes, classifying it as a “dangerous maneuver” under Article 8.
- Penalties: Violators face fines of 1–4 million VND (Decree 100/2019/ND-CP, amended 2023), with repeat offenses potentially leading to license suspension.
- Enforcement Focus: Local traffic police (Cảnh sát giao thông) deploy mobile radars and motorcycle-specific patrols in districts like Bình Thạnh (HCMC) and Đống Đa (Hanoi), targeting peak hours (7–9 AM, 5–7 PM).
The NTSC’s 2025–2026 road safety action plan further tightens compliance, mandating AI-driven traffic cameras to detect lane splitting in real time. Motorcyclists violating these rules risk not only fines but also liability in accident claims, as courts often rule against lane splitters under comparative negligence principles. No pilot programs or exemptions for lane filtering exist, despite advocacy from the Vietnam Motorcycle Manufacturers Association.