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Miss an exit or see a warning light on the expressway, and the first instinct is often to stop, which is exactly when the heaviest fines apply.
Stopping on an expressway is one of the costliest mistakes a driver can make. This guide sets out the fines, the safe steps if you really break down and what to do if you miss your exit.
Photo: Bien Hoa-Vung Tau expressway with overhead sign by MinhVN1863, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Never reverse or turn around. Continue to the next interchange and re-enter.
If a tyre warning appears at 110 km/h, ease off gently, signal and head for the emergency lane or the next rest area. Put on hazard lights early, keep passengers behind the barrier if there is one and call for help. Avoid standing between your car and traffic. If you would rather not handle situations like this yourself, consider a car with a driver for expressway legs.
Tip from Car Rental Vietnam: Save the expressway hotline and your rental company's number in your phone before you set off.
VND 12 to 14 million plus 6 licence points.
Never reverse; go to the next interchange.
The rental company or expressway hotline.
Want peace of mind on the expressway? Send your pickup point, group size and dates; quotes include the driver's wage and road tolls, and our team confirms everything with you before you book.
Note the service areas on your route before leaving and plan a break every two hours. Fill up and use toilets there.
If you break down, turn on hazard lights, move to the shoulder, put out the warning triangle and wait behind the barrier.
See 10 expressway mistakes and ETC guide.
Can I stop to take photos? No, not on the expressway.
What if I miss my exit? Continue to the next one.
If passengers want a toilet break, food or a photo, choose a designated stopping area or leave the expressway and find a place where stopping is permitted. Plan the first break before the trip begins. A fuel station can be physically close to the expressway and still require leaving it at an interchange. Check the driving direction and access before adding the stop to your itinerary. Have a second option if the preferred stop is unavailable, and tell passengers which one you are heading for.
If your vehicle develops a fault that forces you to stop, Article 25 describes two situations. If the vehicle can reach the emergency lane in the direction you are travelling, use it and switch on the hazard lights. If the car cannot be moved into that lane, use the hazard lights and place a warning sign or light at least 150 metres behind the vehicle. Promptly notify the traffic police responsible for the route or the expressway operator. Explain your exact position and follow their instructions, especially if live traffic makes the warning placement difficult. Do not wait for a rental-company reply before notifying the appropriate road authority.
A useful location report includes the road name, direction of travel, the last junction or kilometre marker you passed and whether the vehicle is blocking a running lane. If a passenger can safely share a location pin, give it along with those details. A map pin by itself may place you on the wrong carriageway or on a parallel road. Mention if there are injuries or passengers who need assistance. Once you have notified the appropriate authority, tell the rental company where you are and ask how it handles recovery or a replacement vehicle under your agreement.
Before setting off in a self-drive rental, ask where to find the warning equipment and save the contact for roadside assistance. If you will be driving on a specific expressway, check who operates it and what support contact is shown on the route. Keep the rental agreement accessible from your phone in case you need the plate, booking number or assistance details.
If you are travelling with children, older relatives or anyone who needs more frequent breaks, tell Car Rental Vietnam before booking. Give the pickup address, destination, expected departure time and any stops you want included. For a round trip, also share your expected return time so the team can estimate how the stops affect the schedule. Ask which stops are already included in the quote and how an unplanned detour or added waiting would be handled.
For example, a family going from an airport to a coastal resort can ask for one meal stop with room for everyone and a place to unload only the bags they need. Sharing these details early also helps the team choose a vehicle with enough luggage space and plan a stop that fits the direction of travel.
Request a chauffeured trip with planned stops.
Sources — Road Traffic Order and Safety Law, Article 25, Decree 238/2026/NĐ-CP amending the penalty rules.
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