Public road stunts foreigners should avoid while in Vietnam

Violators can face not only public criticism but also legal consequences, regardless of whether they are Vietnamese or foreign nationals.

Authorities have recently taken action against several foreign citizens for dangerous motorcycle stunts performed on public roads and shared on social media.

The latest case occurred in Nha Trang, a popular beach destination in Khanh Hoa Province, south-central Vietnam.

On Wednesday, traffic police in Nha Trang confirmed they were verifying a video showing a foreign man holding onto a moving motorcycle while skateboarding on the street.

The 19-second clip sparked outrage online, with locals demanding action against unsafe stunts.

In another case, Khanh Hoa police and relevant agencies deported Russian national Nikitina Iuliia on September 15, after a court convicted her of disturbing public order over dangerous motorcycle riding and posting the footage on social media.

According to authorities, from January to June 2025, Iuliia repeatedly rode a Yamaha R15 on public roads in Cam Lam and Nam Cam Ranh.

She was filmed kneeling on the motorcycle seat, failing to wear protective equipment, and performing other dangerous poses.

She recorded and edited the stunts before posting them on social media.

Iuliia was fined VND30 million (US$1,155), deported from Vietnam, and had the Yamaha R15 and an iPhone 16 related to the case confiscated under the court’s ruling.

Foreigners face vehicle confiscation for dangerous stunts

In June this year, Armenian national Hovhannes had his motorcycle confiscated after being filmed riding in Da Nang City, central Vietnam with both hands off the handlebars.

Police issued an administrative violation record and confiscated the motorcycle under Government Decree 168.

On March 29, 2025, two South Korean nationals, Ryu Seongh Yeok and Bae Daesik, were filmed riding large-displacement motorcycles on Vo Chi Cong Street in Quang Nam, now part of Da Nang, with both hands off the handlebars.

After the video appeared on social media, the Quang Nam traffic police division worked with other authorities to identify the riders and motorcycles.

The two South Koreans were booked, while their documents and motorcycles were temporarily seized for further action.

Traffic laws apply equally to foreigners and Vietnamese

Vietnamese authorities stressed that traffic safety rules apply to everyone, regardless of nationality.

A notable case involved Tran Thi Ngoc Trinh, a well-known Vietnamese actress and model who was charged with disturbing public order in February 2024.

According to authorities, between September and October 2023, Trinh did not hold an A2 motorcycle license but repeatedly rode large-displacement motorcycles while performing stunts such as releasing both hands, lying and kneeling on the seat, and standing with both feet on one side of the motorcycle.

She recorded the stunts and posted them on social media.

She then received a one-year suspended sentence and two years’ probation.

What foreign riders should avoid

Based on the cases above, foreigners should avoid behavior that threatens traffic safety while in Vietnam, including performing stunts like wheelies, standing on seats, or riding hands-free; filming dangerous acts for social media; driving without a valid, recognized license; carrying passengers in unsafe positions.

Under Vietnam’s Government Decree 168, authorities may confiscate a vehicle when its rider commits violations including releasing both hands while riding, using the feet to control the motorcycle, sitting to one side while riding or lying on the motorcycle seat while the vehicle is moving.

Riders committing these violations may also have their driver’s licenses revoked for 22-24 months.

Authorities recommended checking license validity, wearing helmets, ensuring vehicles are legal, and respecting traffic rules.