Hanoi traffic police conduct late-night drink-driving checks (Photo by Tran Thanh)
The Traffic Police Department said officers conducted 37 coordinated alcohol control operations over 24 days, targeting fixed time windows set by the department’s chief.
Nearly 60,000 violations were detected during these focused checks. Compared with the previous period, the number of offenders rose by more than 30,000 cases, an increase of 23.85 per cent.
The department said the rising penalties show that many road users still fail to comply with drink driving laws and underestimate the dangers of alcohol use on the road.
Nationwide alcohol level checks will continue regularly and without interruption, including holidays and Lunar New Year, until the habit of no driving after drinking is firmly established.
Under Government Decree 168, effective January 1, 2025, car drivers with alcohol levels not exceeding 50 mg per 100 ml of blood or 0.25 mg per litre of breath face a fine of VND 6 million to 8 million (approximately USD 228 to 304) and a deduction of four licence points.
Those with alcohol levels above 50 mg to 80 mg per 100 ml of blood or 0.25 mg to 0.4 mg per litre of breath face a fine of VND 18 million to 20 million and a deduction of ten points.
The highest penalty, VND 30 million to 40 million (approximately USD 1,140 to 1,520), applies to drivers with alcohol levels exceeding 80 mg per 100 ml of blood or 0.4 mg per litre of breath. Their driving licence will be suspended for 22 to 24 months.
