Is Vietnam right or left hand drive?

Right-Hand Drive in Vietnam: A Legacy of Colonial Influence

Vietnam’s roads exhibit a distinctive feature that sets it apart from some neighboring Asian countries: right-hand driving. This practice, where vehicles navigate the right-hand side of the road, finds its roots in the country’s colonial past.

During the French colonial period, Vietnam adopted the right-hand driving convention prevalent in France and other European nations. This driving style became firmly ingrained in Vietnamese society and has persisted since the country’s independence.

The right-hand drive system allows drivers to have better visibility of oncoming traffic when overtaking and provides them with a natural affinity for roundabouts, which are common in Vietnam. It also ensures consistency with neighboring countries such as Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos, which also drive on the right-hand side.

In contrast, many former British colonies in Asia, including India, Malaysia, and Singapore, drive on the left-hand side. This is because the British Empire implemented its own left-hand driving convention in these territories.

The choice between right-hand and left-hand drive is often a historical accident, influenced by dominant cultural and political influences. In the case of Vietnam, the legacy of French colonialism has shaped the driving conventions that persist today.

While some countries have changed their driving conventions over time, Vietnam has maintained its right-hand drive system. This decision has been influenced by several factors, including the country’s historical ties to France, the prevalence of right-hand drive vehicles in the region, and the need for consistency with its neighboring countries.

As a result, Vietnam’s roads continue to mirror the influence of its colonial past, with vehicles navigating the right-hand side. This driving convention has become a defining characteristic of Vietnamese infrastructure and a testament to the country’s enduring historical connections.