Short answer
On a motorcycle in Vietnam the limit is 60 km/h in built-up areas (50 km/h on two-way roads) and 70 km/h outside them (60 km/h on two-way roads).[1] Motorcycles of every size, big bikes included, are not allowed on expressways.[3]
Motorcycle speed limits
These are the maximum speeds for motorcycles set by Circular 38/2024/TT-BGTVT, in force since 1 January 2025.[1] They depend on whether you are inside a built-up area and on the type of road:
| Road | In a built-up area | Outside a built-up area |
|---|---|---|
| Divided road, or one-way road with 2+ lanes | 60 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Two-way road, or one-way road with 1 lane | 50 km/h | 60 km/h |
A divided road has a median or barrier between the two directions. Most mountain roads and the small roads between villages are two-way roads, so the lower figure applies.[1]
Mopeds under 50 cc are limited to 40 km/h on every road.[1] These are maximums: where a sign shows a lower limit, the sign applies.
What counts as a built-up area
A built-up area (khu đông dân cư) is a stretch of road inside a city or town, or lined with houses on both sides. It starts at a white sign reading “Bắt đầu khu đông dân cư” and ends at a sign reading “Hết khu đông dân cư”.[1]
In practice, most villages along the national highways are built-up areas, even small ones. Expect to slow to 50 or 60 km/h several times an hour on a riding day.
Expressways: no motorcycles
Vietnam’s expressways (đường cao tốc) are for cars and trucks only. Motorcycles and mopeds may not enter them, whatever their engine size, so a 1,250 cc adventure bike is banned just like a scooter.[3] Look for the blue expressway signs at the on-ramps.
Riding onto an expressway is fined 4 to 6 million VND, and penalty points are taken off the rider’s licence.[3] Cars on expressways run at up to 120 km/h,[1] so it is dangerous as well as illegal.
Fines for speeding on a motorcycle
Under Decree 168/2024/NĐ-CP, speeding on a motorcycle or moped is fined as follows:[2]
5 to under 10 km/h over
400,000 to 600,000 VND.
10 to 20 km/h over
800,000 to 1,000,000 VND.
More than 20 km/h over
6 to 8 million VND, and 4 points off the driving licence.
When you must slow down
The law also asks riders to watch out, slow down or stop to stay safe, whatever the posted limit. The cases most relevant on a motorcycle tour include:[2]
- Narrow roads, bends, winding roads, mountain passes and steep slopes.
- Pedestrian crossings, schools, markets, hospitals and built-up areas.
- Animals on the road or grazing at the roadside.
- Rain, fog, dust, slippery surfaces, mud, or stones and gravel on the road.
- Road works, accident scenes and police checkpoints.
Riding with DME
Our routes follow national highways, provincial roads and mountain passes, never expressways. The lead rider sets a pace that stays within the limits and slows the group through villages, bends and bad weather.
Any questions about the roads on a tour? Message us on WhatsApp.
Sources
- [1]Ministry of Transport of Vietnam. Circular 38/2024/TT-BGTVT on the speed and safe distance of motor vehicles on roads, in force from 1 January 2025. 15 November 2024. datafiles.chinhphu.vn
- [2]Hanoi legal information portal. Mức xử phạt đối với người điều khiển xe máy vi phạm tốc độ từ ngày 01/01/2025 (Fines for motorcycle speeding from 1 January 2025), on Decree 168/2024/NĐ-CP. 17 January 2025. pbgdpl.hanoi.gov.vn
- [3]Nghe An Provincial Police. Xe máy đi vào đường cao tốc sẽ bị xử phạt thế nào? (What is the fine for riding a motorcycle onto an expressway?). 16 March 2026. congan.nghean.gov.vn
This page summarises Vietnamese government sources for riders. It is not legal advice, and rules and fines can change. Always follow the speed signs on the road.
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