Decoding Vietnamese License Plates: A Comprehensive Guide

People often say that “looking at a license plate reveals intentions,” and that’s not entirely wrong! A license plate is not just an identification tag for a vehicle but also a story about its origin, locality, and sometimes even the owner’s personal touch. Knowing how to read Vietnamese license plates gives you a valuable tool for understanding vehicles on the road.

Regional codes on license plates act like the vehicle’s “household registration,” easily identifying its province of origin. For example, a vehicle with a 30F license plate is immediately recognizable as originating from Hanoi. Seeing a license plate starting with 51 evokes images of bustling Ho Chi Minh City with its busy streets.

A Vietnamese traffic officer explaining license plate codes to a driver. However, the story of a license plate doesn’t end there! Besides the regional code, the numbers and letters carry other interesting information. Mr. Nguyen Van An, a traffic culture researcher and author of “License Plates – Untold Stories,” shared: “Each number and letter on a license plate carries a specific meaning, reflecting the owner’s desires, beliefs in feng shui, and spirituality.”

Unveiling the Secrets of License Plates

Regional Code: The Vehicle’s “Household Registration”

A license plate is divided into two parts: the regional code at the beginning and a sequence of numbers and letters following it. The regional code consists of two digits, uniquely assigned to each province. For example, Hanoi is 30, Ho Chi Minh City is 51, Da Nang is 43…

Number Sequence: The Vehicle’s “Destiny”

The number sequence following the regional code usually consists of 5 digits, assigned in registration order. Many believe this sequence influences the fate of the vehicle and its owner. For instance, the sequence “68” is considered “fortune and prosperity,” “39” signifies “wealth god,” and “79” represents “seven stars.”

A collage of Vietnamese license plates with explanations of their symbolic meanings.

Letters: The Owner’s “Personal Mark”

License plates also include one or two letters, differentiating vehicles within the same regional code and number sequence. Owners choose these letters based on personal preferences, feng shui, or individual meanings.

Ho Chi Minh City License Plates 2018 also have specific regulations regarding letters and number sequences.

Decoding Common License Plate Questions

How to Read a Vietnamese License Plate?

To read a Vietnamese license plate, you need to:

• Identify the regional code: Use the first two digits to determine the province.
• Read the number sequence: Read from left to right.
• Distinguish the letters: Read in the order they appear on the plate.

What is the Significance of a 5-Digit License Plate?

5-digit license plates were issued in the past when fewer vehicles existed. Currently, most provinces have transitioned to issuing 6-digit license plates.

How to Renew an Old Motorcycle License Plate is also a common concern.

What’s Special About Yellow License Plates?

Yellow license plates are issued to commercial passenger transport vehicles.

Understanding Vehicles on the Road: Important Considerations

• Avoid relying solely on the spiritual meaning of license plates.
• Always obey traffic laws and drive safely.

XE TẢI HÀ NỘI – Your Partner on Every Road

For any inquiries regarding trucks and license plates, please contact:

• Phone: 0968239999
• Email: [email protected]
• Address: No. TT36 – CN9 Road, Tu Liem Industrial Zone, Phuong Canh Ward, Nam Tu Liem District, Hanoi.

XE TẢI HÀ NỘI – always ready to accompany you!