No, riding in the back of a truck in Vietnam is illegal under most circumstances, as stipulated by the 2026 amendments to the Road Traffic Law (Law No. 86/2024/QH15). The Ministry of Transport (MoT) and local traffic police strictly enforce these provisions to mitigate road safety risks.
Key Regulations for Riding in the Back of a Truck in Vietnam
- Passenger Capacity Restrictions: The 2026 amendments explicitly prohibit transporting passengers in the cargo area of trucks unless the vehicle is certified for such use (e.g., specialized transport vehicles with seating and safety restraints). Unauthorized passengers face fines up to 4 million VND (Decree 100/2024/ND-CP).
- Safety Compliance: Trucks must comply with MoT Technical Regulations QCVN 09:2023/BGTVT, which mandate secure cargo containment and passenger protection. Violations include improper securing of loads or absence of barriers, triggering penalties or vehicle impoundment.
- Local Enforcement Variations: Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi traffic police prioritize crackdowns on illegal passenger transport in trucks, particularly during peak hours. Regional directives (e.g., HCMC’s 2025 Circular 03/TT-UBND) require joint patrols with the Department of Transport to address non-compliance.
Exceptions exist for agricultural or industrial transport with prior MoT approval, but these require documented safety certifications. Non-compliance risks criminal liability under Article 260 of the Penal Code for “endangering public safety.”