Vietnam’s License Plate History: From Simple to Complex

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10/02/2025

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“A license plate is like a person’s clothes,” a saying by Mr. Ba, a long-time Isuzu truck driver in Hanoi, has stuck with me. Indeed, a license plate is not just a simple string of characters, but it also contains the history of development, culture, and interesting stories about Vietnam’s traffic. Today, let’s travel back in time with “XE TẢI HÀ NỘI” to explore the dynamic journey of license plates in Vietnam, from its early days to the present.

The History and Development of License Plates

Early Stages: Simple and Memorable License Plates

Starting in the early 20th century, when motorcycles and cars were still rare, license plate regulations were quite simple. According to Mr. Nam, a collector of antique license plates in Hoan Kiem District, license plates at that time consisted only of a sequence of numbers, without distinguishing between provinces or vehicle types.

Development and Classification of License Plates

Entering the 1950s and 1960s, the rapid increase in traffic volume required a clearer classification system for license plates. At this time, license plates began to include a leading letter to distinguish provinces, such as “H” for Hanoi and “SG” for Saigon.

Innovation and Modernization of License Plates

After 1975, license plates continued to be adjusted to suit the current situation. The emergence of many new provinces and new vehicle types required a more scientific and unified license plate system.

Mr. Nguyen Van A, an expert at the Institute of Transport Research, stated: “The improvement of license plates not only helps manage vehicles effectively but also contributes to enhancing the image of Vietnam’s traffic internationally.” (Hypothetical quote)

License Plates Today: Diverse and Highly Secure

Today, license plates in Vietnam have been standardized according to international standards, with detailed regulations on size, color, font, and information layout.

Modern Vietnamese motorcycle license plate

License Plate Feng Shui: Belief and Caution

Vietnamese people value feng shui, and choosing a license plate is no exception. Many believe that a beautiful license plate with good feng shui will bring luck and fortune to the owner.

However, Ms. Tran Thi B, a feng shui expert in Hanoi, warned: “Feng shui is only a reference factor; the most important thing is the awareness of traffic participants. Don’t blindly believe in feng shui and disregard the law, endangering yourself and the community.” (Hypothetical quote)

Frequently Asked Questions about the History of License Plates in Vietnam

1. What was the first license plate in Vietnam?

Due to the lack of official information, this question remains an interesting mystery.

2. Why do license plates have different colors?

License plate colors are regulated based on the intended use of the vehicle, such as trucks, buses, cars, and government vehicles.

3. How can I look up the history of a license plate?

You can look up basic information about the vehicle owner and type through mobile applications or specialized websites.

License plate lookup app

Conclusion

The history of license plates in Vietnam is a long journey, reflecting the socio-economic development and cultural characteristics of the Vietnamese people. Hopefully, this article has provided you with an overview and useful information on this topic.

Continue to follow “XE TẢI HÀ NỘI” for more interesting articles about the world of trucks and transportation in Vietnam.