EN QCVN 41 2016 BGTVT

SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM

QCVN

41: 2016/BGTVT

NATIONAL TECHNICAL REGULATION ON TRAFFIC SIGNS AND SIGNALS

HANOI - 2016


QCVN 41: 2016/BGTVT

Foreword
- QCVN 41 : 2016/BGTVT is composed by Directorate for Roads of Vietnam, verified by
Ministry of Science and Technology and issued by Minister of Transport by Circular
No.06/2016/TT-BGTVT dated 08 April, 2016.


QCVN 41: 2012/BGTVT

CONTENTS


QCVN 41: 2016/BGTVT

PART 1: GENERAL PROVISIONS
Article 1. Scope of regulation
This document provides regulations on the system of traffic signalization including: orders by
traffic controllers, traffic signals, road/traffic signs, road/pavement markings, road/guard posts,
protecting wall and fence, kilometer posts, H posts, right of way (RoW) markers, convex mirror

and separator and guardrail.
This regulation is applicable to all roadways in Vietnam roadway network including:
expressway, national highway, provincial road, district road, communal road, urban road, service
road, and other kinds of ways in the system participating in international treaties of which
Vietnam is a member – herein after referred to as Asian highways (GMS-CBTA; agreements in
ASEAN and other international agreements).
Article 2. Objects of regulation
This regulations is applied to road users in Vietnamese road network and relevant entities,
organizations and individual involved in management, construction investment, protection,
maintenance, operation and utilization of roadway transport infrastructure facilities.
Article 3. Interpretation of terminology
The following words and expressions are interpreted with meanings as assigned to them in this
context:
3.1. Expressway (Express) refers to the road for use of motorized vehicles and some other
special vehicles allowed to enter as regulated by Law on Road Traffic, with separator to divide
two distinctive carriageways and vehicles are not permitted to drive on this separator; no atgrade intersection with one or more ways; to be fully equipped with facilities to promote smooth
traffic and safety, with the aim at shortening travel time and entrance and exit are only arranged
at certain points;
3.2. National highway (NH) is the way linking Hanoi Capital with provincial level
administration center; way linking provincial administration center for three localities or more;
linking international seaports, international airports to international border gates and main border
gates on land-way; to be based at location of special importance to regional socio-economic
development;
3.3. Provincial road (PR) refers to the way connecting provincial administration center with the
counterpart of district or neighboring provinces; to be of significance to provincial socioeconomic development;
3.3. District road (DR) is the route joining district administration center with that of commune,
commune cluster or adjacent district; having crucial role in socio-economic development of the
said district;
3.5. Communal road (CR) means the route for junction of communal administration center with
hamlets, villages, mountain villages, or equivalences or connecting with neighboring communes;

it is important to communal socio-economic growth;
3.6. Urban road (UR) is the way located in the scope of inner city administrative borders.
3.7. Roads through populated areas refers to the section in inner city, township, town let, and
sections with residence by two sides, having activities which might have impact on roadway


QCVN 41: 2012/BGTVT

traffic safety and is determined by signs for roads through populated areas (when necessary, to
determine direction for each road).
3.8. Service road (SR) indicates those used for special purposes such as transportation or
travelling of some organizations, agencies, individuals.
3.9. Roadway or land road includes roads, roadway bridges, tunnels, ferries.
3.10. Road for motorized vehicles use only means any route or drive way or lane for motorized
vehicles traffic in isolation from carriageway for non-motorized vehicles and pedestrian by
separator or longitudinal solid markings and guided by sign or marking;
3.11. Road for some kinds of vehicles means the route, driveway or lane used specially for some
or more kinds of vehicles in traffic in isolation from driveway for other vehicles and to be
guided by traffic signs or marking.
3.12. Road for non-motorized vehicles and pedestrian use only is the way or part of way of lane
which is distinguished from road for motorized vehicles by separator strips or longitudinal solid
markings;
3.13. Major road is the way on which means of transport are given with way by other vehicles
from other directions when passing intersections, to be provided with sign for major road.
3.14. Major lane is the lane on which means of transport are given with priority over others
giving way in traffic at the same time
3.15. Minor roads refers to those of at-grade intersection with major road.
3.16. One-way road pertains to those on which vehicles can only travel in one direction.
3.17. Two-way road implies to roads for shared use by both directions on the same carriageway
without separators.

3.18. Dual carriageway indicates those with both directions, arrival and departure, are isolated
by separators (if divided by road marking, it is not dual carriageway)
3.19. Carriageway/drive way means the part of road used for traffic travelling;
3.20 Road section for motorized vehicles means the part of roadway to be used for motorized
vehicles and dedicated motorcycles in traffic.
3.21. Road section for non-motorized vehicles means the part of roadway to be used for nonmotorized vehicles in traffic.
3.22. Traffic lane is a part of carriageway, to be split on longitudinal basis, with width enough
for safe vehicular traffic. One carriageway may have one or more lanes;
3.23. Strip/separator is a component of road that no vehicle is allowed to drive thereon and to
divide the carriageway into two distinctive directions or to divide the carriageway for motorized
from non-motorized vehicles, or drive way for various types of vehicles on the same traffic
direction
3.24. Intersections are any places where two or more roadways are in junction or roadway
intersects with railway on the same plane, except for junctions with alley, by-street, back-street,
or entrance to adjacent land lots unless being stated as intersections by relevant authorities.


QCVN 41: 2016/BGTVT

3.25. Motorized vehicles term insinuates to categories of car; tractors, trailers or semi-trailers
powered by automobiles, two-wheeled motorcycles; three-wheeled motorcycles; motor-assisted
pedal cycles (including electric motorbike) and whatsoever to be designed likewise to carry
goods and passenger on roadway. Motorized vehicles include trolley (a kind of electric bus not
running on railway)
3.26. Self-weight of vehicle refers to the weight of vehicles itself, measured in kilogram (kg) or
ton (t) in static status and to be stated with parameters required in the technical safety and
environmental protection inspection certificate for roadway motorized vehicles excluding weight
of passenger and commodities on vehicles.
3.27. Gross weight of vehicle (total load) is self-weight of vehicles plus weight of passengers
and commodities it is carrying (if any).

3.28. Allowable gross vehicle weight is gross of vehicle plus allowable carrying loading stated in
the technical safety and environmental protection inspection certificate for roadway motorized
vehicles.
3.29. Axle load means the part of gross weight to be allocated on each vehicle axle (single,
double and triple axle).
3.30. Motorcar (in short car) refers to vehicles determined in the technical safety and
environmental protection inspection certificate for roadway vehicles, a kind of passenger car of
no more than 9 seats including driver, or cargo car with carrying capacity of no more than
1.5000kg. Motorcar also includes vehicles with similar structure to three wheeled motorbikes but
its self-weight is more than 400kg or above and capacity of less than 1,5000kg;
3.31. Pickup truck has cab enclosed with the vehicle body, with carrying load as permitted in the
technical safety and environmental protection inspection certificate for roadway motorized
vehicles less than 1,500kg and from 5 seats or less
3.32. Truck (or called lorry) means vehicles for transporting cargo or dedicated equipment with
truck tonnage as indicated in the technical safety and environmental protection inspection
certificate for roadway motorized vehicles of 1500kg ton or more;
3.233. Passenger car refers to car as defined in the technical safety and environmental protection
inspection certificate for roadway motorized vehicles for passenger transport with more than 9
seats.
3.34. Bus is a kind of passenger car with setts less than footholds.
3.5. Semi-trailer tractor truck is used to point motorize vehicles used exclusively for cargo or
passenger transport of which vehicle body is semi-trailer designed to connect with tractor and to
transmit a considerable part of loading onto the tractor and the tractor truck has no component
for cargo or passenger carrying (tractor is designed to power semi-trailer);
3.36. Trailer tractor truck indicates vehicle designed for special purpose to pull trailer.
3.37. Trailer is a means with structure so that total weight of trailer is not put on the tractor.
3.38. Tractor is a kind of traction engineer self-moving on its chain or rubber tire to perform
works of digging, excavation, lifting, bulldozing, leveling, pulling and pushing;
3.39. Motorcycle (or motorbike) is motorized vehicles of two or three wheels and whatsoever
powered with motor with cylinder capacity of 50cm3 or more, self-weight no more than 400kg

QCVN 41: 2012/BGTVT

for two wheeled motorcycle or allowable carrying capacity as stated in the technical safety and
environmental protection inspection certificate for roadway motorized vehicles of 350kg to
500kg for three wheeled motorcycle. This concept shall not cover motor-assisted pedal cycle
specified in section 3.40 herein under.
3.40. Motor-assisted pedal cycle refers to vehicle driven by motor, of two or three wheels and
maximum design velocity of no more than 50km/h. If driving is thermos-motor, working
capacity or equivalent capacity shall not be more than 50cm3.
3.341. Non-motorized vehicles includes bicycle (including electric bike and motor-assisted bike),
tri-cycle, cycle rickshaw, cart, wheelchair for the disable and whatever of the like nature using
no engineer for driving;
3.42. Bicycle is two or three wheeled vehicle which is moved by human power, including special
vehicle for the disable with similar functions;
3.43 Carrier cycle is arranged for carrying goods on a frame or binding on two sides;
3.344. Human powered vehicle (HPV) refers to non-motorized vehicles of one or more wheels to
be driven by human force pulling or pushing, excluding baby buggy and dedicated vehicle for
the invalids;
3.45. Cart means non-motorized vehicles powered by animals.
3.46. Road users (traffic participants) refer to any one controlling and using means of transport
in roadway, animal controllers or guides; walkers;
3.47. Priority vehicles designates vehicles being given with priority according Law on Road
Traffic;
3.48. Right of way (RoW) markers is used to show any marker to be erected at edges of
pavement to clarify boundaries of land for roadway on horizontal direction;
3.49. Overhead gantry pertains to any framework as hanger for signs over the road surface. 3.50.
Cantilever post is a kind of structure to install signs or traffic lights on a roadside post with its
arm like an outrigger. Cantilever post when necessary is used for road with section for motorized

vehicles in one direction from 2 lanes or more; place with high vehicular speed; many buses and
trucks; in limited sight places or those with high traffic volume.
3.51 Dangerous or hazardous goods means any item containing dangerous substances when
moving on roads, and there is likelihood to harm personal life, health, the environment, safety
and national security;
3.52. Operation velocity means the speed that the driver operates his/her vehicle.
3.53. Design speed refers to the speed selected to design basic elements of the road in hard
conditions.
3.54. Accumulative velocity rate 85% (V85) means the operation velocity that 85% drivers
operate at this speed or more slowly.
3.55. Maximum speed limit refers to the maximal speed on a road section, route, or lane as
defined by competent authorities. The driver would in no case operate vehicle at higher speed.


QCVN 41: 2016/BGTVT

3.56. Minimum speed limit implies the minimal speed on a road section, route, or lane as defined
by competent authorities. The driver would in no case operate vehicle at a more slower speed
when it is preferable for higher speed.
3.57. Sight distance refers to the distance measured along the road surface from the head of a
running vehicle to one object ahead.
3.58. Stopping Sight Distance (SSD) is the distance measured along the road surface from the
head of a running vehicle that is able to stop with safety before a static object suddenly appear
on the same lane ahead.
3.59. Passing Sight Distance (PSD) is the distance measured along the road surface from the
head of a vehicle so that a running vehicle on two-direction, two-lane way is able to pass other
one driven more slowly in the same direction by overtaking the land of opposite direction and
return to the previous lane in a safe manner.
3.60. Passing maneuvers on the right is one traffic situation in which one means of transport
overtakes the other one to the right of the overtaken on the same direction in roads with only one

motorized vehicles land for each direction. Vehicles are not allowed for passing maneuvers
except for some special cases defined in the Law on Road Traffic.
3.61. Vehicle driving fasters on lanes refers to a traffic situation that vehicles on lanes of the
same direction of roads with more than two lanes each direction may drive faster than the others
as long as they conform to regulations on speed and type of vehicle. When changing into other
lane, follow road traffic regulations.
3.62. Giving way to other vehicle is a traffic situation where a vehicles giving way by
discontinuing its movement so that other vehicles will not have to turn to other direction or stop
suddenly.
3.63. Grade-separate interchange means the intersection of roadways with a combination of
various flyovers or underpasses and ramps where vehicles may divert to roads of different levels.
3.64. Ramp refers to a road to connect directions in the interchange.
3.65. Exit is place where vehicles diverge from the traffic flow of the main traffic.
3.66. Entrance is the place where vehicles merge into the traffic flow of the main road.


QCVN 41: 2012/BGTVT

PART 2: TECHNICAL REGULATIONS
CHAPTER I – ENFORCEABILITY PRIORITY OF SIGNALING SYSTEM AND
PRIORITY OF ROADS

Article 4. Enforceability priority of signaling system
4.1. When forms of signaling are arranged at the same time in the same area, with confusing
meanings, road users shall follow orders in the following sequence of priority:
4.1.1. Orders by traffic controllers;
4.1.2. Traffic light signals;
4.1.4. Orders by traffic signs;
4.1.4. Pavement markings or other signs on the road surface.
4.2. When at the same location where a traffic sign is available but then other sign is temporarily

installed nearby, and two signs have different meanings, road users must comply with orders by
the temporary signs. Temporary signs are situational to organize traffic in short term such as in
event, traffic incident or road construction or repair.
Article 5. Order of major roads
5.1. Regulation on priority of major road is as below:
- Expressway;
- National highway;
- Urban road;
- Provincial road;
- District road;
- Communal road;
- Service road.
5.2 If two roads of the same order, at-grade intersection; major road is defined as below:
5.2.1. To be defined by competent authorities as major road;
5.2.2. Whichever has higher technical grade is regarded as major road;
5.2.3. When traffic volume is different, whichever has larger average traffic volume per day
night is prioritized.
5.2.4. When traffic volume per day night is identical, whichever has more public transport cars is
main road;
5.2.5. Whichever has greater grade of pavement will be prioritized.
5.3s. It is invalid to specify both ways of at-grade intersection to be major roads.


QCVN 41: 2016/BGTVT

CHAPTER II
TRAFFIC CONTROL ORDERS
Article 6. Methods of traffic control
6.1. Means of traffic control:
6.1.1. By arm;

6.1.2. By flag;
6.1.3. By traffic baton of alternate black and white stripes (light or no light inside);
6.1.4. By light signal
6.2. Method of traffic commanding:
6.2.1. Controller;
6.2.2 By automatic traffic light system.
Article 7. Traffic controllers’ orders
7.1. Orders made by traffic controllers are shown by hands, flags or traffic baton or traffic lights.
In order to attract attention by road users, traffic controllers, in addition to above means, may
also whistle;
7.2. Orders by highway police:
7.2.1.Raising arm upright to command all road users in directions to stop;
7.2.2.Extending one or both hands to signal road users from his front and behind side to stop;
beckoning users from the controller’s left and right approaching in every directions; folding left
arm behind his nape many times to signal road users on his left to go faster, or folding his right
arm before his chest to show road users on his right side to come faster; or his left or right hand
is on belt position, raising hand up and down to order road users from his left or right,
respectively to slow down; left of right hand of traffic controller raising vertically in
perpendicular with the ground to show that users from his left or right hand to stop;
7.2.3.Right arm extending to the front to signal road users from the behind and right of controller
to stop; users form the front is permitted to turn right; road users from the left of controller may
go in any direction; pedestrian crossing behind controllers may go; and his left arm extending to
the front repeatedly in parallel with right arm to signal road users on the left of controller to turn
left in front of the traffic controller.
7.3. Regulations on use of whistle for traffic control by police:
7.3.1. One long, strong whistle: stop
7.3.2. One short whistle: Go
7.3.3. One long and one short whistle: turn left;
7.3.4. Two short and strong whistles: Danger, please slow down;
7.3.5. Three short and quick whistles: Faster;

QCVN 41: 2012/BGTVT

7.3.6. Continuous several whistles, strong: Stop for checking or signaling of violation.
7.4. Regulations on use of light in stop command by highway police as below: To use light with
red surface to turn to the approaching vehicle.
7.5. Provided that there is signal or order to stop while vehicles already passes the markinf 7.1
“Stop line” and stopping will lead to unsafe traffic, vehicle may go ahead; Pedestrian still on
pedestrian crossing must accelerate or stop at safety islands, if island are unavailable, stop at the
marking dividing two streams of traffic on reverse direction;
7.6. Controller points his traffic baton to any direction, such direction must stop.
Article 8. Authorities of traffic controllers
All and any driver and walkers must strictly comply with orders by traffic controllers no matter
how his orders are in contrary with traffic light, traffic signs or markings.
Article 9. Traffic controllers
Traffic controllers must be police wearing uniform as required by Ministry of Public Security or
authorized person wearing red badge of 10cm width at the middle of his right arm.
Article 10. Traffic control with traffic light
10.1. Traffic light for traffic control is commonly used with 3 colors: green, yellow (amber) and
red, mainly in round shape, to be installed vertically or horizontally;
10.1.1. Order of light colors vertically: red on top, yellow in the middle and green underneath;
10.1.2. Order of light colors horizontally: red on the left, yellow in the middle and green on the
right of traffic direction
10.2. In addition to three main types aforementioned, additional lights may be provided upon
scope of intersections and traffic organization: Arrangement of additional lights is applied in
wide intersections and places with many large sized buses and trucks in traffic hiding the
visibility.
10.2.1. Additional lights have arrows or symbols as appropriate to these regulations; to be
mounted on horizontal plane with green signal; Symbols on additional lights may the image of a

certain vehicle or pedestrian.
10.2.2. For traffic light without additional lights, in each signal of main light, we may insert
arrow. If arrow of this kind indicates turn-left permission, U-turn movement is also allowable
unless Sign P.124 (a, b) “No U-turn” is placed;
10.2.3. Traffic light attached with count down timer is useful for showing valid duration of the
main light; color of number on the timer must be the same with signal of main light in effect.
10.2.4. Traffic light with red-cross symbol signaling to stop. In case vehicle is inside
interchange, it shall get out of that quickly.
10.3. Meanings of traffic light:
10.3.1. Green signal: Go
10.3.2. Yellow signal: Transition of signal. When it luminesces, drivers must stop before “Stop
line”. If there is no marking of “Stop line”, stop before the traffic light by driving direction.


QCVN 41: 2016/BGTVT

Should vehicle and pedestrian go over the “Stop line”, and stopping may result in danger, keep
on passing interchanges quickly;
10.3.3. Flickering yellow lights: Going is permissive but be cautious in observation and giving
way to pedestrian crossing or other vehicles as stated in Law on Road Traffic
10.3.4. Red signal: Stop before the stop line. If there is no stop line, stop before the traffic light
by driving direction
10.4. Implications by arrow additional lights:
10.4.1. If lights are provided with additional lights of green arrow shape, vehicles are permitted
going only when the arrow gives a light. Signal of arrow permits left-turn also U-turn movement
unless u-turn prohibition is indicated;
10.4.2. If additional light has image of any vehicle in green color, that vehicle may go.
10.4.3. When green arrow turns on at the same time with red or yellow light, vehicle controllers
follow the arrow but giving way to vehicles from other directions;
10.4.3. When red arrows turns on at the same time with main green signal, vehicles shall not

follow the arrow direction. At places where such red arrows are provided, establish a turning
waiting lane for vehicles running on prohibited direction.
10.5. Traffic control with two-colored lights
10.5.1. Traffic control for pedestrian is made by two-colored lights: When signal turns to red
with symbol of person in standing position or word “Stop”; When signal turns to green with
symbol of person in walking or word “Go”;
Pedestrian are allowed to go over the road when the signal displays green and walk within the
rows of studs fixed on the pavement or line marking. Flickering green lights signals that light is
about to turn to red; at this time pedestrian should not start passing.
10.5.2. Lights with two colors of green and red without flickering is used to control traffic at
intersections with railway, ferry, drawbridges, runway for airplane at negligible elevations, and
so on. Green light: To go. Red light: To stop. Green and red lights shall not turn on
simultaneously;
10.5.3. Double red lights with alternate flickering function at intersection with railway, when it
turns to red, every vehicle must stop and go only when the light switches itself off. Beside
flickering red lights, to call attention, electric bell or voice speaker may be equipped to remind of
train approaching.
10.6. So as to control traffic for each type of vehicle, on specific lane, it is possible to apply
double light to be hung on the carriageway, green light with arrow pointing downward, and red
light with two crosses. Signals have meanings as below:
10.6.1. Green signal allows going on the lane denoted;
10.6.2. Red signal: To stop following point 10.3.4, section 10.3 this Article on lane with red
light.
Article 11. Priority vehicles and Signal of Priority vehicles
11.1. The following vehicles are prioritized to go over other vehicles at intersections from any
direction in the following sequence:


QCVN 41: 2012/BGTVT

11.1.1 Fire engines on duty;
11.1.2. Military vehicles and police on emergency duty; road-clearance highway police;
11.1.3. Ambulance on duty of emergency;
11.1.4. Dyke protection car, vehicles performing the tasks of overcoming consequences of
natural disasters, epidemic or emergency state vehicles as required by laws.;
11.1.5. Convoy of hearse;
11.2. Vehicles defined in points from 11.1.1 to 11.1.4 of section 11.1 herein above, when on duty,
showing signal such as horn, flag, light as required is not speed limited; allowed to enter reverse
direction way, other accessible ways, even when the traffic light turns red and only follow
guidance from traffic controllers.
11.3. Signals of fire engines on duty:
11.3.1.The fire engines are furnished with rotary lamps on their roofs emitting red or blue light and with
horns to blow priority signals.

11.4. Signals of military vehicles on emergency duty;
11.4.1. Cars are with equipped with rotating lights or flash lights in green or red color attached
on the roof, military flag at the front end on the left of drivers; horn to signal priority;
11.4.2. Motorbikes are furnished with revolving lights or flash lights in red to be attached on
shaft, in the front or rear, military flag on the front and horn to signal priority;
11.5. Signals of police on emergency duty:
11.5.1. Cars are mounted with rotary lamps on roofs emitting blue-red lights, with police
pennants at the heads of cars to the left of the drivers and with horns to blow priority signals;
11.5.2. Motorbikes are furnished with blue or red light-emitting lamps on front or rear forks,
with police pennants at the heads of the vehicles and with horns to blow priority signals.
11.6. Signals of road-clearance highway police:
11.6.1. Cars are mounted with rotary lamps on roofs emitting blue-red lights, with police
pennants at the heads of cars to the left of the drivers and with horns to blow priority signals;
11.6.2. Motorbikes are furnished with blue or red light-emitting lamps on front or rear forks,
with police pennants at the heads of the vehicles and with horns to blow priority signals;
11.7. Signals of ambulances on duty:

The ambulances are furnished with rotary lamps on roofs emitting red light and with horns to
blow priority signals.
11.8. Signals of dyke protection car or cars on duty in emergency following legal provisions:
11.8.1. Vehicles performing the task of dyke protection carry the signboard "XE HO DE" (dyke
protection vehicle) at the heads of cars to the left of the drivers;
11.8.2. Vehicles performing the tasks of overcoming consequences of natural disasters, epidemic
or emergency state vehicles:


QCVN 41: 2016/BGTVT

a) Vehicles performing the tasks of overcoming consequences of natural disasters, epidemic shall
bear separate signboards;
b) Emergency state vehicles as required by laws are furnished with flag “EMERGENCY” at the
heads of cars to the left of the drivers.
11.9. Using priority vehicles' signals
11.9.1. The priority vehicles may use priority signals only when they are on urgent missions and
devices emitting priority signals must be provided with use permit by competent authorities
11.9.2. Land road traffic means other than the priority vehicles are strictly forbidden to install or
use priority vehicles’ horns, pennants, lamps and/or signboards, while priority vehicles must
install horns, pennants, and lights prescribed in Article 11.3, 11.4, 11.5, 11.6 and 11.7 of herein
above.
11.8. When priority vehicles signal, road users must as soon as possible slowdown, detour or
stop close to the right roadside to give a way. Never obstruct prioritized vehicles.
Article 12. Enforceability of traffic lights
At intersections where both traffic lights, pavement marking and traffic roads are set up at the
same place, driver shall follow traffic lights firstly. In case traffic lights are not used for control
of each lane, signals of traffic lights are regarded as enforceable for the whole carriageway by
the approaching direction. In case of turn-off or flickering, they follow traffic signs and marking
in validity sequence.

Article 13. Traffic light mounting position and height
13.1. Surface of lights must be in perpendicular with driving direction, to the right of road users
by going direction;
13.2. By road horizontal direction: Lights must be positioned at the roadside or separator and to
be 0.5-2m far from the carriageway edges;
13.3. Vertically:
13.3.1. When arranging lights vertically on roadside posts: Height from the lowest light surface
to carriageway edges ranges from 2m to 3m for three-color-light and from 2m to 2.5m for twocolor light of pedestrian crossover.
13.3.2. When lights are place horizontally, minimum elevation must be 5.2m from the lowest
point of light to the road or sidewalk surface;
13.3.3. Lights must be arranged so that it become visible with road user from distance enough to
slowdown and stop.
13.3.4. Lights must be installed on cantilever posts at far distance, preferably in the middle of
junctions in wide intersections or when arranging additional lights with arrow for left-turning
direction. For the approaching side (coming closer), arrange “double” light right before the stop
line.
13.3.5. In populated areas, urban areas with narrow streets, lights might be arranged on the body
of vertical posts installed on roadside to the right of way as stated in point 13.3.1, Article 13.3
before the stop line.


QCVN 41: 2012/BGTVT

13.4. Dimension (size) and luminance of light bulb must be designed as appropriate to
operational conditions, especially they must be visible given that road users drive in opposite
with the sunlight.
Article 14. Dimensions, shape and other regulations on traffic lights
Dimensions, shape and other regulations are stated herein under in Appendix A.

CHAPTER III

TRAFFIC SIGNS
Article 15. Classification of traffic signs
Road traffic signs in the context of this Regulations are generally classified into 5 groups:
Prohibitory signs; regulatory signs; danger and warning signs; guide signs; additional panels and
lettering signs;
Traffic signs on expressway and Asian highways must be in accordance with regulations stated
in international treaties that Vietnam is a member;
15.1. Prohibitory or Restrictive Signs: to set up prohibitions or restrictions that road users must
not violate. Prohibitory signs are typically round in shape, with red border, white background,
with image or letter, number in black color to express the prohibition, except for some special
cases.
15.2. Regulatory signs include those indicating regulations or commands to comply. Road users
must comply with regulations on the signs. Apart from some special signs, most signs are in
round shape on blue background with white image typically for regulation to inform the road
users.
15.3. (Danger) Warning Signs: to warn road users to foresee of danger on roads and to be
prepared for timely prevention. These signs are equilateral triangle with red border, yellow
background with black image describing the thing to be signaled.
15.4. Guide Signs: to provide road users with necessary instruction or useful information,
typically in rectangular or square or arrow shape on blue background.
15.5. Additional panels or lettering signs are used to provide supplementary description to main
signs or used solely.
Article 16. Dimensions of traffic signs
16.1. This regulation specifies parameters on sign dimensions, images inside and lettering for
urban roads with factor 1 (Refer to Figure 1 and Table 1);
16.2. For other roads, sign dimensions, images and lettering must be multiplied by
corresponding factor in Table 2, dimensions are rounded on the following principle:
- Unit digit ≤ 5, rounded to 5;
- Unit digit > 5, take value of 0 and increase tens digit by 1 unit;

QCVN 41: 2016/BGTVT

Figure 1 – Dimensions of main signs
Table 1 – Basic dimensions for sign of factor 1
Unit: cm
Round sign

Sign

Octagonal sign
Triangular signs

Dimension
External diameter of sign, D
Width of red border, B
Width of red line, A

Size
70
10
5

External diameter of sign, D
Width of white border, B
Length of triangular side, L
Width of red border, B
Curve radius of red border, R
Distance from peak of circle segment to peak of
basic triangular, c

60
3
70
5
3.5
3

Table 2 – Factors of sign dimensions
Type of road
Prohibitory, regulatory, danger and
warning signs
Guide signs

Expresswa
y

Suburb
Dualway

Urban road
(***)

1.8

Normal
highway
(*)
1.25

2
(**)

2.0

1.5

1

1

Notes
(*): Normal highway means highway rather than expressway, dual way and urban road.
(**): Factors of sign dimensions in Table 2 above is not applied to expressway. Expressway has
its own regulations in Chapter 9 of this Regulation.
(***): For signs installed on overhead gantry, cantilever posts of dual way in urban area, use
factor of dimension as stated for suburb dual way.
16.3. Details of letters, sign dimensions, image in the signs are stated in Appendix K, M and P of
this Regulation. For guide signs, depending on actuality, we may increase dimension to confirm
the clearness of information and good looking appearance.


QCVN 41: 2012/BGTVT

16.4. For rural roads, upon scope and operational condition, we may apply dimension factor of
1.25, 1.00 or 0.75.
16.5. Dimensions of removable signs, temporary signs in short term and signs used in special
cases (in narrow separator, on alley, by-street...) may be adjusted with factor of 0.5 or 0.75 (to be
rounded as required).
16.6. For Asian highways, lettered signs dimension may be adjusted to make room for lettering

as regulated by this Regulation.
Article 17. Letters and colors of signs
17.1. Letters on signed must be conformable to regulations on letter font in Appendix K of this
Regulations, of which:
17.1.1. Using standard font “gt1 – Compressed style” and “gt2 – normal style” for lettering.
17.1.2. Capital letters are in compressed or normal style to indicate instructions for direction,
proper nouns, or highlighted information catching attention of the road users. It is advisable to
use compressed letters only when it is necessary to limit sign dimensions.
17.1.3. Normal letters are used to express English geographic names, information of services
and on additional panels.
17.1.4. On the same line, use one type of writing.
17.1.5. Letters on signs must be diacritic Vietnamese language. Spacing between letters ranges
from 25% to 40% letter high, and spacing between any letters on the same line ranges from 75%
to 100% of letter high. The spacing by vertical direction between lines must be at least 50%-75%
of the largest letter high of the rear line. Distance between the top and bottom line from the sign
edge is at least 40% the high of the highest letter in the line. Horizontal spacing between letters
on the top and bottom corners to the sign edge for capital letter and normal letter is 60% and
100%, respectively.
17.1.6. Spacing between letter indicating measurement unit (t, m, km) and the preceding number
is 50% of the letter high stating the measurement unit.
17.1.7. Letter high must be selected based on vehicular speed so that road users can read clearly
in both day time and night time. Minimum letter high on guide signs is 100mm for normal road
and urban road; 150mm for suburb dual way and 300m for expressway. Letters for geographic
names and way direction has minimum high of 150mm. It is preferable to use big letter size
given that harmony and aesthetic element for signs are confirmed.
11.7.8. Select the shortest and most easily understandable lettering; information on signs must be
consistent with others.
11.7.9. Only use colors for lettering as below: White color on black blue or red background,
black color on white, yellow background, or yellow letters on blue background.
11.7.10. Letters on guide signs on expressway, in addition to above regulations in section 17.1,

Article 17, must follow Clause 49.3, Article 49 of this Regulation.
17.2. Color on signs
Color on signs must conform to technical regulations on color and consistent in groups of signs
used on roadway network.


QCVN 41: 2016/BGTVT

Article 18. Variable Message Signs (VMS)
18.1. Variable Message Signs (VMS) refers to a kind of electronic sign showing variable
messages on the same sign. Sign is used when information displayed on the sign needs changing
by traffic situations. Depending on its intended use, messages on signs may be for instruction,
prohibition, regulation or danger and warning. This sign is not used for advertisement, nor using
animation, flash or movement images.
Where traffic sign with statistic information is at the same place with VMS, while these two
signs are different, road users must follow regulation by the VMS.
18.2. Information display on VMS
18.2.1. Information on VMS may be letter, image or symbol showing meaning of signal.
18.2.2. When information is display in letters, do not arrange more than three lines, each line has
no more than 20 characters. Spacing between characters and letters ranges from 25% - 40% of
letter high. Spacing between words in the same line is from 75% to 100% letter high. Spacing
between lines ranges from 50% to 75% letter high. Information must be in diacritic Vietnamese.
Letter high is at least 450mm for road with speed limit of 70km/h or more and 300mm for road
with speed limit of less than 70 km/h.
18.2.3. Ratio of letter width and high is 0.7 to 1.0; for compressed letter style, this ratio may be
reduced to the lowest 0.2.
18.2.4. Brightness of VMS must satisfy technical requirements and be visible in both day and
night time. Letters must be lighted on black or darker background.
18.2.5. Color used on signs must be suitable to typical color of prohibitory, regulatory, warning
and guide signs. Red color letter indicates prohibition, yellow for warning information, white for

regulatory information and blue one is for guidance while orange color indicates temporary
signals, florescent pink color refers to traffic control by actual condition, and florescent yellowgreen color for pedestrian and cyclist.
18.2.6. Each information is not more than two sentences. Each sentence is not more than 3 lines
on signs. Its meaning is clear, understandable and not confusing.
18.2.7. Contents on signs must be displayed at once, do not use effect: flash, dim, or gradual
clearer, horizontal and longitudinal sliding, animation.
Article 19. Enforceability of signs by horizontal direction
19.1. Danger warning and guide signs are enforceable on all lanes of the same direction;
19.2. Prohibition and regulatory signs may enforce either upon all lanes or just one or some lanes
of the same direction. If enforceability of prohibitory and regulatory signs is limited on one or
some lanes, it is imperative to hang signs on overhead gantry or cantilever post.
Article 20. Mounting on vertical and horizontal position
20.1. Traffic signs must be mounted so as to make it easily visible to road users and they have
enough time to be in anticipation or change of speed or direction but signs shall in no way
obstruct vision or travelling of road users;


QCVN 41: 2012/BGTVT

In case it is impossible to determine visible distance, or where signs is hidden, we may take the
sight, as long as the road users can see traffic signs, of 150m for ways of high speed and several
lanes, 100m for roads out of populated areas and 50m for roads in populated areas.
20.2. Signs must be mounted vertically on the right hand side (unless it is possible to do so) and
sign surface is perpendicular with direction of travel. In necessary cases when the carriageway is
wide, it is essential to install signs on the left of the approaching direction to repeat the right
counterpart. Position of the duplicated signs is the same with the right one.
Lettered signs are applied exclusively for non-motorized vehicles and pedestrian, in restricted
cases, sign surface may be installed in parallel with direction of travel.
20.3. Distance from the sign external edge by road horizontal direction is from the edge of
carriageway of 0.5m minimum and 1.7m maximum. In difficult cases such as no roadside, no

footpath, or hidden sight or any similar case may be, it is possible to displace signs horizontally
but sign edges to the carriageway side shall not cover over the carriageway edge or to be far
from carriageway of no more than 3.5m;
20.4. In populated areas or on sections which with sidewalk higher than the carriageway, it is
permissible to install signs on the sidewalk but sign edge must be 0.5m from sidewalk edge and
sign surface shall not be in projection over the sidewalk and occupy more than width of the
sidewalk. Unless satisfying this principle, signs shall be mounted overhead the carriageway;
20.5. On sections with areas for non-motorized vehicles separately, distinguished by separator,
allow to place sign on the separator but external edge of signs must be 0.5m from edge of the
separator or island.
20.6. On carriageway that each direction has two lanes or more, signs are mounted on overhead
gantry of cantilever post. In case it is impossible to do so, we may install additional signs on the
left of driving direction.
Article 21. Overhead gantry and cantilever post
21.1. Overhead gantry and cantilever post is a steel structure bearing its own weight, weight of
signs and wind, storm level 12;
21.2. Standing post of overhead gantry and cantilever post is installed on the roadside, sidewalk,
to be at least 0.5m far away from the road surface external border including places with
emergency lanes, acceleration and deceleration lane. Once standing post of the overhead gantry
is in the scope of separators, it must be situated at 0.5m far from the external edges of the
separator;
21.3. When mounting signs on the overhead gantry, the lower side of signs (or lower edge of
beam if it is lower than lower side) is at least 5.2m from the pavement for expressway and 5.0m
for other ways (Refer to Figure 2).

Article 19. Sign mounting height
19.1. Signs are steadily mounted on its own post as regulated in Article 21. However, in urban,
residential areas, signs are permitted to be installed on electric poles or permanent works as long
as it satisfies technical specifications in terms of location, height, visibility distance stated
herein;

QCVN 41: 2016/BGTVT

19.2. In case of hanging signs on post: Mounting height from lower edge of sign to the
carriageway edge is 18m for roads out of populated areas and 2m for roads in populated areas.
Sign 507 “Turn Direction” is situated at 1m to 1.5m. Lettered signs used exclusively for nonmotorized vehicles and pedestrian are placed at 1.8m higher than roadside or sidewalk surface;
19.3. Should signs be suspended overhead the carriageway, lower sign of signs must 5m to 5.5m
higher than carriageway center;
19.4. If it is necessary to install many signs at the same place, such signs may be placed on the
same post but no more than 3 pieces in priority: prohibitory signs (1), warning sign (2),
regulatory sign (3), guide sign (4) as in the below figure:

Figure 4 – Combination chart of signs on the same post
19.5. Distance between sign edges is 5cm, elevation from the center of sign part with
carriageway edge is 1.8m for roads out of populated areas and 2m for roads and streets in
populated areas.
Article 20. Reflection on sign surface
All land road traffic signs must be covered by reflective film in accordance with TCVN
7887:2008 Reflective Film for traffic signs to be visible in both day time and night time.
Article 21. Regulations on sign posts
21.1. Sign posts have to be made of solid material (steel or other materials of equivalent
durability) with minimum dimension of 8cm;
21.2. Sign posts must be painted with alternate, parallel or 30 odiagonal red and white stripes
compared to ground plane. Width of each painting stripe is 25cm÷ 30cm, white and red part
width is identical.

CHAPTER IV
PROHIBITORY SIGNS
Article 22. Intended use of prohibitory signs

QCVN 41: 2012/BGTVT

Prohibitory signs give effect to prohibitions. Road users must conform to such prohibition shown
by signs.
Article 23. Implications by prohibitory signs
23.1. Prohibitory signs include 40 types to be numbered from 101 to 140 with implication as
below:
-

Sign 101: No traffic;

-

Sign 102: No entry;

-

Sign 103 (a): No automobiles;

-

Sign 103 (b, c): No automobiles turning left and right;

-

Sign 104: No motorcycles;

-

Sign 105: No automobiles and motorcycles;

-

Sign 106 (a, b): No trucks;

-

Sign 106 (c): No truck carrying dangerous goods (Sign C, 3h- GMS);

-

Sign 107: No passenger cars and trucks;

-

Sign 108: No automobiles, trailer or semi-trailer tractors;

-

Sign 109: No tractors;

-

Sign 110 (a): No bicycles;

-

Sign 110 (b): No carrier cycles;

-

Sign 111 (a): No motor-assisted pedal cycles;

-

Sign 111 (b) or (c): No motorized three-wheeled vehicles (auto-rickshaw or electric cycle
rickshaw);

-

Sign 111 (d): No non-motorized three-wheeled vehicles (cycle rickshaw);

-

Sign 112: No pedestrians;

-

Sign 113: No human powered vehicles’

-

Sign 114: No cart

-

Sign 115: Weight limit

-

Sign 116: Axle weight limit (single axle);

-

Sign 117: Height limit;

-

Sign 118: Width limit;

-

Sign 119: Length limit;

-

Sign 120: Length limit for trailer or semi-trailer tractors;

-

Sign 121: Safety distance;


QCVN 41: 2016/BGTVT
-

Sign 122: Stop;

-

Sign 123 (a, b): No turn (left, right):

-

Sign 124 (a): No U-turn;

-

Sign 124 (b): No car U-turn;

-

Sign 125: No overtaking;

-

Sign 126: No truck overtaking;

-

Sign 127: Speed limit;

-

Sign 128: No horn;

-

Sign 129: Stop for control;

-

Sign 130: No stopping and parking;

-

Sign 131 (a, b. c): No parking;

-

Sign 132: Give way to motorized vehicles in opposite direction over narrow roads;

-

Sign 133: End of no overtaking;

-

Sign 134: End of speed limit;

-

Sign 135: End of all prohibitions;

-

Sign 136: No straight ahead;

-

Sign 137: No left turn and right turn;

-

Sign 138: No straight ahead and no left turn;

-

Sign 139: No straight ahead and no right turn;

-

Sign 140: No “cong nong” (a kind of tractor for farm use).

23.2. Uses of each sign is detailed in Appendix B.
Article 24. Prohibitory signs with time limit
When it is necessary to prohibit traffic on time limit basis, additional panel Sign 508 should be
installed under the prohibitory sign with notes in Vietnamese and English inscription (if
foreigners to be in traffic in that area or highways of international treaties).
Article 25. Prohibitory signs for several vehicles
To prohibit traffic for several means of transport, we may combine inserting symbols of
prohibited vehicles on the same sign as below:
25.1. Motorized vehicles are combined on the same sign (for example Sign 105 and Sign 107);
25.2. Non-motorized vehicles are combined on the same sign (Sign 113 may be combined with
Sign 114);
25.3. To make it easy to see and to make room for arranging images, on each sign only combine
no more than two vehicles;

QCVN 41: 2012/BGTVT

25.4. Do not combine in one sign for restricting both non-motorized vehicles and motorized ones
except for complex traffic when it is necessary to forbid one type of non-motorized vehicle and
one type of motorized vehicle (for instance, to prohibit cycle rickshaw and lorry, we may
combine Sign 111 and Sign 106);
25.5. Do not mix prohibition of pedestrians and vehicles on the same sign.
Article 26. Dimensions, shape and color scheme of prohibitory signs
Signs are typically round in shape apart for Sign 122 “Stop” to be in octagonal shape; color
scheme is white background, except for Sign 102 and Sign 122 is on red background, Sign 130,
Sign 131 is on blue background. Signs are enclosed by a red border of 10cm width
(corresponding signs of dimension factor 1). Particularly Sign 133, Sign 134 and Sign 135 has
blue border of 2cm width and Sign 122, refer to Appendix B for more details. Signs have
diagonal crosses of 45o, in 5cm wide red color (corresponding signs of dimension factor 1) cut in
center from the upper left to the lower right side (excluding Sign 129 is a horizontal line). Except
for certain signs to be detailed in Appendix B, in general signs have black images overlapping
red crosses.
Dimensions, shape and color of signs are specified in Appendix B and Article 15.
Article 27. Location of placing prohibitory signs by direction of travel and enforceability of
signs
27.1. Prohibitory signs are placed at intersections or put in advance on a certain place on
prohibited way;
Signs become enforceable from the location of placement towards. If due to some reasons, signs
must be placed far from the prohibitory place, establish Sign 502 to clarify distance (stated on
additional panel) from the rear of the prohibitory sign to the point that sign starts to be
enforceable.
27.2. When necessary to indicate effect direction of signs and starting and ending of sign, set up
Sign 503 “Effect direction of signs”;
27.3. There is no need to specify scope of effect/enforceability of signs for those ranging from

Sign 101 to Sign 120, no sign for prohibition ending.
27.4. As attachment to prohibitory signs mentioned in section 27.3, set up directional guide signs
for prohibited vehicles (except for the case road is restricted because of traffic jam without ramp)
as stated in Chapter VIII for guide signs;
27.5. Sign 121 and Sign 128 have effect till the end of the prohibited distance stated on Sign 501
or placement location of Sign 135 “End of all prohibitions”;
Sign 123 and Sign 129 are enforceable at their place;
Sign 124 is given with effect at intersections or based on Sign 503;
Signs 125, 126, 127, 130, 131 (a, b, c) are valid to reach intersections or places set up with end
of prohibition signs (Sign 133, 134, 135), Sign 130 and 131 (a, b, c) follows Sign 503.
27.6. If prohibition is applied for a very long road section, at intersections in prohibited area
where vehicles may enter, prohibitory signs must be repeated.


QCVN 41: 2016/BGTVT

CHAPTER V
WARNING SIGNS
Article 28. Uses of warning signs
Warning signs target to giving precaution of dangerous situations which are likely to occur. They
are used to inform in advance road users, mainly motorized vehicles drivers, of hazard ahead for
prevention. When facing warning signs, drivers have to slow down to necessary velocity, paying
attention to observation and to be ready for handling any possible case to prevent accident.
Article 29. Meanings of warning signs
29.1. There are 47 types of warning signs to be numbered from 201 to 247 as below:
-

Sign 201 (a, b): Dangerous bend;

-

Sign 202 (a, b): Double bend;

-

Sign 203 (a, b, c): Narrow carriageway;

-

Sign 204: Two-way traffic;

-

Sign 205 (a, b, c, d, e): Intersections;

-

Sign 206: Traffic circle/Roundabout;

-

Sign 207 (a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, k): Intersection with minor roads;

-

Sign 208: Intersection with major roads;

-

Sign 209: Traffic lights;

-

Sign 210: Railway crossing with barrier;

-

Sign 211 (a): Railway crossing without barrier;

-

Sign 211 (b): Tram crossing;

-

Sign 212: Narrow bridge;

-

Sign 213: Temporary bridge;

-

Sign 214: Drawbridge;

-

Sign 215: Riverside road;

-

Sign 216: Underground way;

-

Sign 217: Ferry;

-

Sign 218: Underpass;

-

Sign 219: Descending hill;

-

Sign 220: Ascending hill;

-

Sign 221 (a): Bumpy road;

-

Sign 221 (b): Uneven road;

-

Sign 222 (a): Slippery road;

QCVN 41: 2012/BGTVT
-

Sign 222 (b): Dangerous roadside;

-

Sign 223 (a, b): Dangerous mountain side;

-

Sign 224: Pedestrian crossing;

-

Sign 225: Children crossing ahead;

-

Sign 226: Cyclist crossing;

-

Sign 227: Roadworks

-

Sign 228 (a, b): Falling rocks;

-

Sign 228 (c): Loose chippings;

-

Sign 229: Airplane runway;

-

Sign 230: Cattle;

-

Sign 231: Wild animal crossing;

-

Sign 232: Cross wind;

-

Sign 233: Danger;

-

Sign 234: Intersection with two-way traffic;

-

Sign 235: Start of dual carriageway;

-

Sign 236:End of dual carriageway;

-

Sign 237: Hump bridge road;

-

Sign 238: Expressway ahead;

-

Sign 239: Overhead electric cable;

-

Sign 240: Tunnel;

-

Sign 241: Traffic queue;

-

Sign 242 (a, b): Railway perpendicular crossing;

-

Sign 243: Railway non-perpendicular crossing;

-

Sign 244: Hazard of accident;

-

Sign 245 (a, b): Slow (a), Slow by international treaties (b);

-

Sign 246 (a, b, c): Obstacle ahead;

-

Sign 247: Parking ahead

29.2. See Appendix C for further details of these signs uses.
Article 30. Dimensions, shape and color of warning signs
30.1. Warning signs usually take the shape of an equilateral triangle, with its apexes to be turned
round; having one horizontal side and its opposite apex is upward, except for Sign 208
“Intersection with major roads” where opposite apex is downward;