Vietnam Toll Roads Complete Guide: ETC, Rates and Payment 2026
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Vietnam Toll Roads Complete Guide
System: Fully automated Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) on all expressways; mixed ETC + manual cash lanes exclusively at non-expressway BOT highway plazas
Coverage: National expressway network (VEC-operated, BOT concessions, and state-funded routes) and national highway BOT toll stations
Currency: Vietnamese Dong (VND)
Technology: Passive RFID transponders (VETC and ePass/VDTC), automated license plate recognition (ANPR) enforcement
Operators: Vietnam Expressway Corporation (VEC), Department for Roads of Vietnam (DRVN for state-funded expressways), and private BOT concessionaires (e.g., VIDIFI, Deo Ca Group)
Do I Need an ETC Transponder for Vietnam? 2026 Update
Yes — an active ETC RFID tag (VETC or ePass) is mandatory to drive on all Vietnamese expressways. Since August 1, 2022, all expressways nationwide operate under a 100% ETC-only system with zero cash lanes. Cash payments are accepted exclusively at traditional BOT toll plazas on non-expressway national highways (e.g., QL1A).
Key Reality: Expressways do not have cash or video-match billing lanes for non-tagged vehicles. Foreign-registered vehicles entering Vietnam or rental cars must obtain a temporary ETC tag/sticker at designated border inspection stations or vehicle registry centers before entering the expressway network. Entering an ETC lane without an active tag or with insufficient account balance incurs fines from VND 2,000,000 to VND 3,000,000 and driver's license suspension of 1 to 3 months.
2026 Policy Update: Under Government Decree 130/2024/ND-CP implementing the 2024 Road Law, toll collection began across 18 previously free state-funded expressways (including key sections of the Eastern North-South Expressway corridor). All 18 routes operate strictly via 100% non-stop ETC.
Vietnam Toll Costs: Current Rates
Vietnam uses a flat-rate per-station model on most BOT national highways and a distance-based rate (per kilometer) on expressways. Rates on expressways vary depending on whether the route is operated by VEC, a private BOT concessionaire, or state-funded under Decree 130/2024/ND-CP.
Current Toll Rates by Vehicle Class (2026)
| Vehicle Class | Description | BOT National Highway (per station) | VEC / BOT Expressway (per km) | State-Funded Expressway (per km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Cars, jeeps, pickups up to 9 seats, trucks under 2 tonnes | VND 35,000 – 55,000 | VND 1,500 – 2,300 | VND 900 – 1,300 |
| Class 2 | Buses 10–30 seats, trucks 2 to under 4 tonnes | VND 55,000 – 85,000 | VND 2,100 – 3,200 | VND 1,200 – 1,800 |
| Class 3 | Buses 31+ seats, trucks 4 to under 10 tonnes | VND 90,000 – 140,000 | VND 3,000 – 4,800 | VND 1,800 – 2,600 |
| Class 4 | Trucks 10 to under 18 tonnes, 20-ft container trucks | VND 140,000 – 200,000 | VND 4,500 – 7,200 | VND 2,700 – 3,900 |
| Class 5 | Trucks 18+ tonnes, 40-ft container trucks | VND 200,000 – 280,000 | VND 6,000 – 9,600 | VND 4,500 – 6,500 |
| Motorbikes | Two-wheeled motorbikes and mopeds | Exempt from tolls | Prohibited on expressways | Prohibited on expressways |
Major Route Example Costs (2026)
| Route | Distance | Class 1 Car Toll | Operator / Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ho Chi Minh City – Long Thanh – Dau Giay (CT01) | ~55 km | VND 100,000 | VEC Expressway (100% ETC) |
| Phan Thiet – Dau Giay (CT01) | ~99 km | VND 128,700 (VND 1,300/km) | State-funded (Decree 130/2024) |
| Hanoi – Hai Phong (CT04) | ~105 km | VND 210,000 – 235,000 | VIDIFI BOT Expressway |
| Noi Bai – Lao Cai (CT02) | ~245 km | VND 300,000 – 380,000 | VEC Expressway (distance-based) |
| Mai Son – QL45 / Nghi Son – Dien Chau | ~113 km total | VND 101,700 – 146,900 | State-funded (Decree 130/2024) |
How to Pay Vietnam Tolls
Payment methods vary depending on the highway classification:
1. ETC RFID Transponder (Mandatory for Expressways):
- Authorized Service Providers: **VETC** (VETC Electronic Toll Collection JSC) and **ePass** (VDTC / Viettel Digital Transport JSC). Both systems are 100% nationwide interoperable.
- Note on Navigation Apps: Third-party mapping apps (such as VietMap) integrate ETC balance checks via API, but do not issue RFID tags or manage traffic accounts directly.
- Account Direct Linking: Under government framework (Decree 119/2020/ND-CP and updated Road Law provisions), traffic accounts link directly to personal bank accounts, e-wallets (Momo, Viettel Money), or credit cards for auto-deduction.
- Tag Installation Fee: Free for initial registration in select promotions, or a nominal ~VND 120,000 fee at registration centers and toll plaza service points.
- Expressway Entry Enforcement: Vehicles entering an expressway without an active RFID tag or with insufficient balance face automated camera ticketing and on-the-spot fines of VND 2,000,000 – 3,000,000 plus license suspension under Decree 123/2021/ND-CP.
2. Cash Payment (Non-Expressway BOT Plazas Only):
- Cash is accepted exclusively at designated manual lanes on traditional BOT stations located along national highways (e.g., National Highway 1A / QL1A stations such as Km 93+160, charging VND 35,000–55,000 for Class 1 up to VND 230,000 for Class 5).
- Cash is strictly prohibited on expressways. There are zero cash lanes at expressway interchanges or mainlines nationwide.
3. Commuter Passes and Local Exemptions:
- Commuters on national highway BOT routes can apply for monthly or quarterly subscriptions (10–20% discount).
- Residents residing within a 3–5 km radius of specific BOT national highway plazas qualify for local resident discounts (50% to 100% exemption) upon local registry verification.
Major 2026 Policy Changes
Toll Collection Rollout on 18 State-Funded Expressways:
- Implementation of Decree 130/2024/ND-CP under the 2024 Road Law: The Department for Roads of Vietnam initiated toll collection across 18 public-budget expressways.
- Two-Tier Pricing Standard:
- Level 1 (VND 1,300/km for Class 1): Applies to 4-lane expressways fully meeting safety standards with continuous emergency stopping lanes (e.g., Phan Thiet – Dau Giay, Mai Son – QL45).
- Level 2 (VND 900/km for Class 1): Applies to 4-lane routes with non-continuous emergency stopping lanes.
- Routes include key segments along the North-South Expressway corridor: Bai Vot – Ham Nghi, Nghi Son – Dien Chau, Vinh Hao – Phan Thiet, Cam Lo – La Son, and Quang Ngai – Nha Trang sections.
ETC Network Expansion and Non-Toll Urban Mobility:
- Airport and Parking Integration: VETC and ePass RFID tags now function for automatic non-stop barrier payment at major airport parking structures (Noi Bai, Tan Son Nhat) nationwide.
- 100% Interoperability: VETC and ePass accounts seamlessly operate at every toll plaza across Vietnam.
Regional Toll Information
Northern Vietnam — Hanoi Hub:
- Hanoi – Lao Cai Expressway (CT02): 245 km, main route to Sapa; VEC distance-based ETC tolling.
- Hanoi – Hai Phong Expressway (CT04): 105 km, high-speed logistics link to Hai Phong port; VIDIFI ETC system.
- Mai Son – National Highway 45 – Nghi Son: Key North-South links operating under state-funded ETC rates.
Central Vietnam — Da Nang Corridor:
- Da Nang – Quang Ngai Expressway (CT01): 130 km VEC-operated expressway.
- Cam Lo – La Son and Hoa Lien – Tuy Loan: State-funded expressway sections operating under Decree 130/2024 toll framework.
- Hai Van Tunnel: Flat toll collected via ETC at tunnel approach plazas for vehicles passing through the mountain pass bypass.
Southern Vietnam — Ho Chi Minh City Region:
- HCMC – Long Thanh – Dau Giay (CT01): Primary corridor connecting HCMC to Dong Nai and Long Thanh International Airport construction zone.
- Phan Thiet – Dau Giay and Vinh Hao – Phan Thiet: State-funded expressways linking HCMC to central coastal resorts under non-stop ETC.
- HCMC – Trung Luong Expressway: Re-introduced state toll collection under 2024 Road Law infrastructure utilization rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive on Vietnamese expressways without an ETC tag?
No. All expressways in Vietnam operate on a 100% ETC-only system. Non-ETC vehicles are prohibited from entering expressways. Driver rentals must be verified for active VETC or ePass tags prior to entry. Cash is accepted solely at non-expressway BOT plazas on national highways.
What happens if I enter an expressway ETC lane without a valid tag or balance?
Physical barriers will remain closed. Under Decree 100/2019/ND-CP as amended by Decree 123/2021/ND-CP, drivers who enter ETC lanes without an active tag or with an insufficient balance face fines of VND 2,000,000 – 3,000,000 and a 1 to 3 month license suspension.
Do motorbikes pay tolls in Vietnam?
No. Motorbikes and mopeds are completely prohibited from driving on national expressways. On traditional BOT national highway toll plazas, motorbikes are legally exempt from road tolls under Ministry of Transport regulations.
Which ETC provider should I choose?
Both VETC and ePass (VDTC) are fully interoperable across all national expressways and BOT plazas. Choose whichever service center or banking integration (e.g., Viettel Money for ePass or direct bank auto-top-up for VETC) is most convenient.
How do foreign-registered vehicles pay tolls?
Foreign-registered vehicles entering Vietnam via land borders must obtain a temporary ETC RFID sticker at designated border inspection offices or registration centers. Because expressways have no manual cash lanes, foreign vehicles must have an active RFID sticker affixed and funded to travel on expressways.
Official Resources
Key Authorities and Providers:
- Department for Roads of Vietnam (DRVN) — national road regulations, state-funded expressway toll management
- Vietnam Expressway Corporation (VEC) — VEC route maps, distance-based toll schedules
- VETC Electronic Toll Collection — RFID account portal, top-up, and station map
- ePass (VDTC) — Viettel digital transport account management and registration
To calculate exact toll costs for your route across Vietnam's expressway and BOT network:
