Vietnam electronic toll collection fee investigation

The Vietnam Ministry of Construction has initiated an investigation into proposed monthly fees for electronic wallets linked to electronic toll collection (ETC) accounts. The inquiry follows announcements by providers VETC and Viettel Money (ePass) regarding intended charges of 6,600 VND per month for individuals and 66,000 VND per month for organizations.

Authorities directed the Department of Roads to investigate the basis for these charges and the specific subjects they apply to. In response to public feedback, the companies were requested to temporarily suspend the implementation of these fees to research options that better align with customer usage frequency and ensure transparency.

The Ministry clarified that these proposed costs are considered payment instrument usage fees governed by banking laws, rather than road usage or traffic account maintenance fees. While providers offer various payment methods—with VETC supporting five options and VDTC supporting 11—the Ministry noted that service providers’ explanations regarding the nature of these fees and available user options were not sufficiently clear. Users maintain the right to choose their preferred payment method or cancel existing links.