Seat Belt Rules in Taxis in Vietnam for Tourists

A 2019 report says a seat belt fine for drivers and passengers took effect in Saigon on January 1, 2018. We have no fresh source for Phu Quoc, so confirm the current rule on WhatsApp. In practice, wear your belt in every taxi, in the front or the back, and ask the driver for help if it is hidden.

Must passengers wear seat belts in taxis in Vietnam?

A report from 2019 says yes in Saigon, where a seat belt fine for drivers and passengers took effect on January 1, 2018.

That is the main fact we have, and it is limited. It concerns Saigon, not Phu Quoc, and it is a few years old. Laws and enforcement can change, so operators and local sources should be asked for the current position. Message us on WhatsApp and we will confirm it with local partners.

What the report also tells us:

• from March 17 to June 17, officers were to impose stricter regulations and fines on seat belt violators in Saigon
• public transport management centres and taxi parking stations were expected to promote the seat belt rule to drivers
• police said many drivers and passengers did not comply, although the rule had been in force for a long time

The practical lesson is simple. A rule can exist and still be ignored, but a belt protects you whether or not anyone checks. Use it every time.

What are the rules for the front seat and the rear seat?

The report speaks of drivers and passengers without splitting seats, so we cannot give a separate rule for rear seats.

Many tourists sit in the back of a taxi and do not think about the belt. Do not assume that the back is exempt. Operators and local sources report that rules can apply to all passengers, but confirm the current rule on WhatsApp.

A simple habit covers every case:

• fasten the belt before the car moves, in whichever seat you take
• check the belt is not twisted and sits across the hip and shoulder
• ask passengers in the back to do the same, since a loose adult can hurt others in a sudden stop
• if you have a bag or a child, secure it as well

Seat belt use is also a safety matter on the island’s busy roads, with motorbikes, tour buses and sudden stops. A belt costs nothing and takes a second.

How is the rule enforced, and what are the fines?

The report describes checks at taxi and bus stations, and mentions fines but gives no amount.

According to the report, vehicles that violate the seat belt law are not allowed to leave taxi and bus stations. Before a vehicle leaves a bus station, an employee checks that drivers and passengers comply. That means a driver may ask you to put on your belt before leaving, and it is not a sign of rudeness.

We do not quote a fine, because the report does not give an amount, and a guess could mislead you. Amounts and enforcement vary and can change.

Your best protection against a fine, and against injury, is to wear the belt.

What if the belt is missing, hidden or broken?

Ask the driver to free it, and if it cannot be used, choose another car.

In some cars, the belt is tucked under the seat cover, buried between the seats or tied back. You can ask in a friendly way: “Could you help me find the belt, please?” Most drivers will do it at once.

If the belt is broken or missing, do not simply ride without one. Options:

• ask the driver for another seat with a working belt
• ask for another car at the rank or in the app
• order a ride in a ride-hailing app, where you can see the car type first
• tell the operator in the chat before a booked ride that you need working belts for every seat

Never take a belt that is jammed or tied in a way that does not let you fasten it properly. It is reasonable to say, “I need a working belt, please.” The driver’s answer tells you something about the ride.

If you book a car with us, say how many adults and children will travel, and we will check with local partners that every seat has a working belt.

What are the seat belt rules for children?

We do not give an age or height rule for taxis, because the sources we reviewed do not state one.

An adult belt is made for adult bodies. A young child needs a proper child seat or booster, and the guide on child seats explains how to ask in advance and what to do if no seat is available. A child should never share a belt with an adult.

For now, remember:

• sit children in the back seat
• use a suitable seat if you can, and tell the operator when you book
• never hold a baby or toddler in your arms during the ride
• check the belt across the child’s body, and not across the neck or stomach

Families who plan ahead have a much easier time. The guide on the best taxi for families, linked below, can help you choose.

What to do next

Decide to wear a belt in every taxi, and ask on WhatsApp if you want the current rule for your trip. Read about child seat rules for taxis if you are travelling with young children, and see how motorbike or taxi compare on legal rules and costs. For family trips, the guide to the best taxi for families will help you choose.

Message us on WhatsApp for a booked car. We arrange it with local partners and confirm the exact price in the chat before you pay.