Vietnam's 'Fine-by-Mail' System Catches Unsuspecting Drivers

Drivers in Ho Chi Minh City are increasingly finding themselves caught by the "fine-by-mail" system, often referred to as "phat nguoi." Many are taken aback when they receive official notices for traffic violations at their homes, having previously assumed their infractions went unnoticed due to a lack of visible traffic police or cameras at the scene.

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I thought since people directed us to park there, there wouldn't be any problem.

This system relies on recorded data to identify and verify violations. For instance, one driver, Mr. Nguyen Huu H., recalled parking his vehicle based on directions from an event organizer, only to later receive a notice for illegal parking. He expressed surprise, stating, "I thought since people directed us to park there, there wouldn't be any problem." Similarly, Mr. Nguyen Thanh D., a bus driver, was fined for stopping to let a passenger out in a no-stopping zone, a common practice he believed went unrecorded. "At that time, I thought there were no cameras, so no one would know," he admitted.

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Now, when I know my violations can be recorded at any time, drivers will be more careful.

Despite the initial shock, many drivers are coming to terms with the "fine-by-mail" system. Mr. H. acknowledged that while he couldn't dispute the violation with the event organizers, he saw the image-based enforcement as a positive development. "Now, when I know my violations can be recorded at any time, drivers will be more careful," he said. Mr. D., despite the inconvenience, accepted the penalty and vowed to learn from the experience, recognizing that his actions were indeed captured.

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At that time, I thought there were no cameras, so no one would know.

Even experienced drivers, like container truck driver Mr. Do Thanh N., with nearly 30 years of experience, are subject to the system. He was fined for exceeding the speed limit by less than 10 km/h on Phu My Bridge. He admitted to suspecting he was speeding downhill but only confirmed it upon checking his phone later. While some drivers may have initially felt they could "get away with it," the "fine-by-mail" system ensures that traffic violations are consistently recorded and addressed, promoting greater adherence to traffic laws.

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When I checked later, it turned out I was indeed fined.