Autonomous vehicles not yet ready for Vietnamese road infrastructure, suggests Ministry's assertion
In the rapidly evolving world of transportation, autonomous vehicles are making significant strides, but their adoption varies greatly across different regions. This article provides an overview of the current status and regulatory frameworks for autonomous vehicles in Vietnam, China, Southeast Asia, the US, and the EU.
In Vietnam, Level 1 to Level 3 smart vehicles are currently in use, offering partial automation that assists but does not replace the driver. These vehicles are deemed suitable for the country's traffic conditions and do not require restrictions or special permits. However, the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security (MoPS) has proposed restricting and requiring operational permits for fully autonomous motor vehicles, reflecting concerns over safety and the complexity of Vietnam's traffic environment. Fully autonomous vehicles (Levels 4 and 5) are not yet suitable or widely deployed in Vietnam due to local road conditions and regulatory constraints [1].
In stark contrast, China is aggressively pushing for Level 3 and higher autonomy. The Chinese government has mandated that by 2025, at least 30% of new vehicles sold must have these capabilities. Pilot programs for driverless taxis exist in several large Chinese cities, but they remain under safety evaluation and are not yet fully mass-deployed. The Chinese market is thus more advanced in adoption and regulatory support for higher levels of autonomy, although full deployment is still emerging [1][2][4].
Southeast Asia is also exploring the integration of Level 4 autonomous vehicles into ride-hailing services, with companies like Grab testing these vehicles in limited-area automated operation with minimal human intervention. The goal is to adapt these vehicles to the region’s diverse and complex road conditions, aiming to advance safe deployment [3].
In developed countries like the US and EU, fully autonomous vehicles are also still in the testing phase, with regulatory environments evolving. The EU plans a unified AV certification system by 2027 to facilitate deployment across member states [1][2].
The following table summarizes the compatibility of autonomous vehicles with local conditions in these regions:
| Region | Autonomous Level Status | Compatibility with Local Roads | Regulatory Status | |----------------|------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------| | Vietnam | Mostly Levels 1-2; fully autonomous (L4-5) restricted | No for L4-5; road traffic considered complex and unsuitable | Requires operational permits for L4-5 vehicles[1] | | China | Active push for L3+; pilot driverless taxis ongoing | Pilot zones in cities; still testing safety and reliability | Mandate for L3+ on 30% of new vehicles by 2025[2][4]| | Southeast Asia | Emerging Level 4 trials with companies like Grab | Testing to adapt to diverse conditions; limited routes | Still developmental; pilots and partnerships ongoing[3] | | US/EU | Testing and limited deployment | Regulatory and certification systems in progress | EU planning unified certification by 2027[2][1] |
Features such as lane keeping, distance maintenance, emergency braking, lane change warnings, and automatic parking are designed for smart vehicles to reduce driver fatigue, ensure safety distances, and respond quickly to unexpected hazards. However, global trials for Level 4 and Level 5 (fully autonomous) vehicles are still limited, with pilot programs underway but not yet ready for mass deployment. In these testing phases, fully autonomous vehicles typically require a driver or supervisor to be present in the vehicle.
In conclusion, fully autonomous vehicles are mostly in the testing or pilot stage globally, with countries like China advancing fastest under supportive regulation, while Vietnam remains cautious due to local traffic complexity. Southeast Asia’s deployment is nascent and tailored to regional conditions, and developed countries are working on certification and regulatory frameworks to enable safe wider adoption.
[1] https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/vietnam-proposes-regulations-for-autonomous-vehicles-2021-04-27/ [2] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-22/europe-s-self-driving-car-certification-plan-could-boost-u-s-sales [3] https://www.grab.com/sg/newsroom/press-releases/grab-and-nanyang-technological-university-launch-singapores-first-autonomous-vehicle-trials/ [4] https://www.scmp.com/tech/transport/article/3145164/china-aims-have-30-new-cars-autonomous-driving-capabilities-2025-and-why-it
In Vietnam, the current use of autonomous vehicles is primarily Level 1 to Level 3, providing partial automation, while fully autonomous vehicles (Levels 4 and 5) are restricted due to local road conditions and regulatory constraints.
In contrast, China is pursuing Level 3 and higher autonomy, with a mandate for 30% of new vehicles to have these capabilities by 2025, yet pilot driverless taxis remain under safety evaluation and are not fully mass-deployed.
