Vietnam mandates electronic stability control for new sleeper buses

Vietnam's Ministry of Construction has released a draft national technical regulation (QCVN XXX:2026/BXD) to replace the existing QCVN 09:2024/BGTVT. The new standard will apply to all newly produced, assembled or imported vehicles before they enter the market and introduces a range of safety requirements, including stricter braking performance, mandatory anti‑lock braking systems (ABS) for vehicle groups M and N, and the inclusion of advanced driver‑assistance systems (ADAS) for electric, hybrid and hydrogen‑fuel vehicles.

For sleeper buses (xe khách giường nằm), the draft specifically requires the installation of an electronic stability control (ESC) system or an equivalent function to reduce the risk of loss of control and roll‑overs. Additional provisions tighten specifications for brake distance, brake force, and hill‑hold performance, and set detailed safety criteria for clean‑fuel vehicles such as LPG, CNG, LNG and hydrogen.

The regulations aim to keep Vietnamese vehicle safety standards in line with emerging automotive technologies and to improve road safety for passengers and other road users.