Car Road Tolls in Vietnam: A Comprehensive Guide

Owning a car in Vietnam involves more than just the initial purchase price. A significant recurring expense is the road toll, a fee that often surprises new car owners. This guide provides a clear explanation of car road tolls in Vietnam, covering what they are, why they’re necessary, and how to pay them.

What are Car Road Tolls?

Definition and Purpose

Car road tolls are annual fees levied on car owners in Vietnam to contribute to the construction and maintenance of the country’s road infrastructure. This ensures the upkeep and improvement of roads and highways.

Example: Imagine driving on Nguyen Trai Street in Hanoi’s Thanh Xuan District. The smooth, wide road you’re traveling on is a direct result of effectively utilized road toll funds.

Nguyen Trai Street in Hanoi

Types of Car Road Tolls

Currently, there are two main types of car road tolls in Vietnam:

• Toll Booth Payments: These are applied to highways and national roads built under the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model.
• Electronic Toll Collection (ETC): This increasingly popular method allows for automated, non-stop toll payments, saving time and reducing traffic congestion.

According to Nguyen Van A, a transportation expert at the Vietnam Institute of Transport Strategy: “The implementation of ETC is a crucial step in modernizing the transportation system and enhancing national competitiveness.”