Vietnam's 'Fines on Sight' System Expands with Citizen Help

Vietnam's traffic police are increasingly relying on citizens to report violations, transforming the public into "traffic cameras." In the past six months, over 10,000 reports from the public have been submitted to traffic authorities.

These submissions, ranging from dashcam footage to clips recorded by ordinary citizens, are instrumental in the growing "fines on sight" system. Violations like motorcycles driving the wrong way, using sidewalks, or running red lights, once confined to online debates, are now being verified and acted upon by authorities.

From December 14, 2025, to June 14, 2026, traffic police nationwide processed 10,643 citizen reports. Of these, 2,864 resulted in fines, 1,374 led to demerit points on driver's licenses, 59 involved license suspensions, and 10 cases were escalated to criminal investigation.

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This citizen-driven approach expands traffic enforcement beyond traditional patrols and fixed cameras. Major General Do Thanh Binh, head of the Traffic Police Department, highlighted the role of technology in objective violation detection and management. The VNeTraffic app is the primary channel, receiving over 56% of reports, with social media and Zalo also contributing significantly.

Nguyen Cong Hung, vice chairman of the Vietnam Automobile Transport Association, noted this shift empowers every citizen to act as a mobile camera, fostering greater legal compliance and social consensus. This expanded surveillance network means drivers are aware their actions can be recorded anywhere, anytime.

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If before there were only cameras from the authorities, now every citizen can become a mobile camera. This helps to enhance awareness of law compliance and create social consensus.