Recently, Da Nang has seen a significant increase in the number of foreign traffic violators.  The main reason is thought to be that foreigners are unaware of the city’s traffic laws and are unfamiliar with local traffic patterns.  In addition, local motorcycle rental establishments do not strictly obey the city’s rules for renting vehicles.

In July, in an attempt to solve the problem, the city's Traffic Police Department (PC67) launched a campaign to deal with foreign traffic violators in the city.  A group of 5 police officers who are fluent in English were chosen to implement this campaign.  They have been on duty during rush hours on local tourism streets, including Hoang Sa, Vo Nguyen Giap, Pham Van Dong, Bach Dang, Tran Phu, 2 September and Nguyen Tat Thanh streets, along with the Hai Van peak.

As a result, the group has detected a total of 18 foreigners who have broken local traffic laws.  Four of them were reminded about the city’s traffic laws whilst the remainder, who were caught without legal driving licences or vehicle registration certificates, have had their motorcycles detained by the local police.  Fines totalling 10 million VND were imposed on 5 of the 14 cases above.

Additionally, these traffic police officers are becoming actively involved in publicising the city’s traffic laws to local residents, tourism organisations and motorcycle rental establishments.

An owner of a local motorcycle rental shop on Dien Bien Phu street said that his shop only allows foreign visitors who have international driving permits or passports to rent vehicles.  He also introduces them to some basic traffic rules in Viet Nam. 

A representative from PC67 said that foreigners are required to present valid documents, including international driving permits, passports, and driving licences in accordance with Viet Nam’s Traffic Law when they want to hire motorcycles.