Vietnam introduces new traffic penalty rules under Decree 238/2026
Effective 15 August 2026, Vietnam’s Decree 238/2026/NĐ‑CP amends the existing traffic‑violation framework set out in Decree 168/2024/NĐ‑CP. The amendment keeps the fine for people aged 16 to under 18 who ride motorbikes or similar vehicles at 400 000–600 000 VND, but changes the way the violation is identified. Instead of using engine‑displacement (≥50 cm³) or electric‑motor power (≥4 kW) thresholds, the law now classifies the offence based solely on the vehicle type as “motorbike and similar vehicles”.
The decree also adds safety‑related penalties. Drivers who transport children under 10 years old and under 1.35 m in height without an appropriate child‑safety device face a warning penalty, except when the vehicle is a passenger‑bus. Additionally, such children may not sit on the same seat as the driver unless the vehicle has only a single seat. These measures aim to improve child safety on roads while leaving the monetary sanctions for under‑18 motorbike riders unchanged.
Entities: Decree 168/2024/NĐ‑CP · Decree 238/2026/NĐ‑CP · Government of Vietnam
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Decree 238/2026 amends Decree 168/2024/NĐ‑CP regarding traffic violation penalties. (new)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Children under 10 and under 1.35 m must not sit on the same seat as the driver, except in single‑seat vehicles. (new)
- [● 3 SOURCES] The engine‑displacement threshold is removed from the penalty criteria. (new)
- [● 3 SOURCES] New warning penalties apply to drivers who transport children under 10 years old and under 1.35 m without an appropriate safety device, except passenger‑bus vehicles. (new)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Decree 238/2026/NĐ‑CP comes into effect on 15 August 2026. (new)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Fines for persons aged 16 to under 18 operating motorbikes remain 400,000 to 600,000 VND. (new)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Violation classification now uses vehicle type rather than engine displacement (≥50 cm³) or electric power (≥4 kW). (new)