Vehicle priority order in traffic
According to the 2008 Road Traffic Law, there are five types of priority vehicles in Vietnam, with different orders of priority.
Therefore, when a priority vehicle signals its presence, road users should proactively stop or yield the right of way.
Priority vehicles
When driving, drivers will encounter certain types of vehicles that are given priority according to regulations.
According to Clause 1, Article 22 of the 2008 Road Traffic Law, there are five types of priority vehicles in Vietnam, including:
The vehicle is on an emergency firefighting mission.
Ambulances are performing emergency medical duties.
Military and police vehicles on urgent duty, and convoys with police escorts.
Vehicles used for disaster relief, epidemic response, or emergency missions as prescribed by law.
Funeral procession
According to the law, vehicles are in order of priority from highest to lowest.
Among the five priority vehicle categories, some vehicles have the right to proceed ahead of other vehicles when crossing intersections from any direction.
Because these vehicles have very important tasks and need to be given top priority, the priority vehicles are listed in the following order:
The vehicle is on a firefighting mission.
Military and police vehicles on duty, and convoys with police escorts.
Emergency ambulance
Vehicles used for disaster relief, epidemic response, or emergency missions as prescribed by law.
Funeral procession
Drivers are required to fully comply with traffic laws and regulations regarding priority vehicles in Vietnam. Failure to comply with these regulations will result in various penalties.
The penalty for motorcyclists failing to yield or obstructing priority vehicles.
According to Article 6 of Decree 100/2019/ND-CP, motorcyclists who fail to yield or obstruct priority vehicles displaying priority signals while on duty will be fined from VND 200,000 to VND 300,000 if they commit any of the following violations:
The driver fails to yield to a vehicle requesting to overtake when conditions permit, fails to yield to vehicles traveling on a priority road or main road from any direction at an intersection…
Vehicles not entitled to priority may install or use signal devices intended for vehicles with priority rights.
In addition to administrative penalties, violators may also have their driver's licenses revoked for 1-3 months, or for 2-4 months in cases of traffic accidents.
Penalties for cars failing to yield or obstructing emergency vehicles.
For cars, the fine will range from 3,000,000 VND to 5,000,000 VND for drivers who fail to yield or obstruct a priority vehicle that is signaling its priority status.
In addition to administrative penalties, vehicle owners may also have their driver's licenses revoked for 1 to 3 months. In cases of traffic accidents, the license revocation period can be extended to 2 to 4 months.
When encountering a "NO STOP" sign, emergency vehicles must still stop.
According to regulations, when encountering a red sign with the word STOP, drivers of priority vehicles must still stop as required.
Traffic signs are mandatory for all motorized and non-motorized vehicles, including priority vehicles as defined by the state. Vehicles must stop before the sign or the crosswalk line. Vehicles may only proceed when there is a traffic light signal or a signal from a traffic controller at that location.
