How to stop and park legally to avoid being fined?

The Road Traffic Law 2008 has provided some guidelines and regulations on stopping/parking vehicles on the road in accordance with the law.

This law explains: Stopping a vehicle is a temporary stationary state of a vehicle for a period of time necessary for people to get on/off the vehicle, load/unload goods or perform other work; Parking is a stationary state of a vehicle without time limit.

According to Clause 3, Article 18 of the Law on Road Traffic,People stopping and parking on the road must comply with the following regulations:

- There is a signal to let other vehicle drivers know.

- Only leave the vehicle after taking safety measures; if the vehicle is parked and occupies part of the road, a danger sign must be placed in front and behind to alert other drivers.

- Stop or park your vehicle at a place with a wide sidewalk or on land outside the roadway; in case the sidewalk is narrow or there is no sidewalk, you must stop or park your vehicle close to the right edge of the road in the direction of travel.

- In case there are built parking/stopping areas or designated parking/stopping points on the road, you must stop/park at those locations.

- After parking, you may only leave the vehicle after taking safety measures; if the vehicle is parked and occupies part of the roadway, you must immediately place a danger sign in front and behind the vehicle to alert other drivers.

- Do not open the car door, leave the car door open or get out of the car when safety conditions have not been ensured.

- When stopping the vehicle, do not turn off the engine and do not leave the driving position.

- Vehicles parked on slopes must have their wheels chocked.

Article 18, Clause 4 of the Road Traffic Law also stipulates that vehicles must not be stopped or parked at the following locations:

- Left side one way street.

- On curves and near the top of slopes visibility is obstructed.

- On the bridge, under the overpass.

- Parallel to another stopped or parked vehicle.

- On the crosswalk.

- At intersections and within 5 meters from the edge of the intersection.

- Bus stop.

- In front of the gate and within 5 meters on both sides of the gate of the headquarters of agencies and organizations.

- Where the road is only wide enough for one lane.

- Within the safety range of the railway.

- Obscuring road signs.

According to Article 19:Vehicles must be stopped or parked close to the curb or sidewalk on the right side, no more than 0.25m away. In case of narrow streets, vehicles must be stopped or parked at least 20m away from cars parked on the other side of the street.

Do not stop or park on tram tracks, on drainage manholes, telephone or high voltage power lines, or in areas reserved for fire trucks to get water.

Vehicles must not be parked on the road or sidewalk in violation of regulations.

Regarding the fine. According to Clause 3, Article 5 of Decree 46/2016/ND-CP,Fine from 100,000 - 200,000 VND for stopping or parking in violation of regulations in Clause 3, Article 18.

Fine from 300,000 - 800,000 VND if stopping or parking a vehicle in violation of regulations in Clause 4, Article 18 and Article 19.

Accordingly, drivers who park their cars where there is a "No parking" or "No stopping and parking" sign will be fined from 600,000 to 800,000 VND./.