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While Vietnamese motorists are still coming to terms with tougher road rules and higher fines for breaking them, residents of the capital have been hit by a second shock on hearing of plans by city authorities to double some of the new fines.
The Hanoi People’s Committee wants to raise the penalties for 107 traffic violations by 1.5 to 2 times compared with the new regulations in Decree 168, which took effect nationwide on Jan. 1. When the measure comes into force in July, it will lead to fines of as much as 120 million Vietnamese dong, or US$4,800.
The 107 violations include many common ones such as ignoring traffic signs, driving in the wrong lane, illegal parking and not wearing a motorcycle helmet.
The committee said increasing fines would make people aware of the need to follow rules while cutting congestion and accidents.
“It is necessary to have regulations and sanctions that are specific to the capital,” it said.
Hanoi resident Vu Minh Tri said people have to drive on the sidewalk or run red lights as a “last resort” because of traffic jams as a result of inadequate road infrastructure that can’t handle drivers’ needs. He said increasing fines was unreasonable.
“It is clear that the fines are not suitable for the traffic situation in Vietnam. Any legal document issued must be based on the actual situation,” he said.
“The fines are completely unfair when compared to the crime of corruption and waste that causes billions of dong in state assets to be lost while no one is prosecuted.”
While the authorities are sensitive about criticism of Decree 168 – at least one person who complained on social media has been punished – many ordinary Hanoi residents would welcome an improvement on the city’s chaotic roads.
‘People are upset’
Many Vietnamese argue that new fines benefit the Ministry of Public Security because in just one week of Decree 168’s implementation, traffic police paid more than 187 billion dong ($7.4 million) to the state treasury. The Ministry of Public Security is allowed to keep 85% of the money. Hanoi’s move to raise fines even more is aimed at currying favor with the central government, according to one journalist.
“People are very upset. The Hanoi city government has not listened to or respected public opinion, but instead has been arrogant and challenged the people by increasing the fines,” the journalist, Nguyen Khac Toan, told Radio Free Asia.
“This is an opportunity for Hanoi leaders to please their superiors while disregarding public opinion. It makes us, the people, even more contemptuous of the thinking and mindset of Hanoi leaders.”
Another Hanoi resident described the proposed fines as extortion.
“The government is currently out of money. The revenue is not enough to cover expenses, so they find a way to collect money from the people, which means throwing out the net to collect money to spend for the government,” said Nguyen Khac Mai, who called on the country’s top leader to intervene.
“To Lam must wake up soon and make adjustments,” Mai said, referring to the general secretary of the ruling Communist Party.
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Economist Nguyen Huy Vu said Hanoi had several problems. The streets are too narrow and there are too many people, leading to motorists flouting traffic regulations. And he said many drivers of state agency vehicles believed their position allows them to break the rules.
“In the end, when the top is not righteous, the bottom will be in chaos,” Vu said. “The community no longer obeys traffic laws but only tries to find solutions for itself.”
“Even if the fines are increased, it will only make traffic police richer through corruption, and will not solve the problem of traffic violations. What needs to be done now is to re-direct traffic and widen certain roads to meet the travel needs of the people.”
Ministry of Labor statistics show that the average income of workers was 8.4 million dong per month ($330) in 2024. Even before the planned increases in fines in Hanoi, punishment under Decree 168 results in fines higher than the average monthly salary.
One Hanoi resident who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the subject told RFA that the Vietnamese people are suffering economically and under too much pressure from restrictions on freedom of speech, and human rights. He described it as a bubble about to burst.
“On the positive side, I hope that bubble bursts soon so that this regime is forced to change,” he said.
Translated by RFA Vietnamese. Edited by Mike Firn.