Vietnam pays citizens to report traffic violators
Vietnam has announced that people who report traffic offenders can now earn up to five million dong ($200) as part of efforts to reduce road violations.
Under the new rule, informants will receive 10% of the fine issued for a verified traffic violation. Officials say the identity of informants will remain private to protect their safety.
This comes as the government significantly increased fines for breaking traffic rules in a bid to improve safety on Vietnam’s busy and chaotic roads.
For example, running a red light with a motorbike now costs over six million dong, compared to one million dong before. Car drivers who commit the same offence face fines of nearly 20 million ($800) dong, up from six million dong.
Using a mobile phone while driving also carries much higher penalties, with fines more than doubling.
The stricter penalties come as road safety remains a serious issue in Vietnam.
Official data shows the country has 77 million motorbikes and 6.3 million cars on its roads. In 2024, road accidents claimed 30 lives every day.
Traffic in major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City remains slow and disorderly, with drivers often ignoring traffic lights and road signs.
So far, no one has received a reward for reporting a violation, according to state media citing police.
