During the 2026 Lunar New Year, many people are concerned about being penalized for alcohol concentration while driving the next day, despite having stopped drinking the night before. From a legal perspective, current Vietnamese regulations apply strict control standards for this behavior.
Specifically, according to the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety effective from early 2025, Vietnam maintains a zero-tolerance principle. This means that vehicle operators are considered in violation if authorities detect any alcohol concentration in their blood or breath at the time of inspection, regardless of when the drink was consumed.
Sanctions for alcohol concentration violations are structured progressively based on the measured index:
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For motorcycles: Fines range from 2 million to 10 million VND. Depending on the severity, riders may have points deducted from their driving license (4 to 10 points) or face a license suspension of up to 24 months.
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For cars: Fines start at 6 million and can reach up to 40 million VND for the highest level of violation. Additional penalties include license revocation for a maximum period of 2 years.
Authorities recommend that citizens allow sufficient rest for their bodies to completely eliminate alcohol before operating a vehicle to ensure safety and legal compliance.