VietNamNet Bridge – The Ministry of Transport said that from 0h on January 1, 2012, the state-owned toll will be closed. Instead, people will pay road maintenance fees.

'Road tax': Over $600/year on cars




The Ministry of Transport decided to remove 14 state-owned toll stations; continue to collect tolls at a number of toll stations to return on investment for highways and roads built in the form of BOT (build-operate-transfer). These toll stations will also be shut down when the payback contracts are complete.

At present, there are 56 toll stations on highways, including 14 stations that their revenue is to be transferred to the state budget. The remaining stations collect toll to recover investment capital in building the highways.

The Ministry of Transport has instructed the General Department of Road to complete a comprehensive renovation project on management and maintenance of the national highway system, in the form of competitive bidding, for the participation of all economic sectors. This is considered a breakthrough for the management and maintenance of roads in Vietnam.

According to new regulations of the Ministry of Finance, automobiles and motorcycles have to pay road use charges. Car owners will pay the fee at the vehicle registry centers when the cars have periodical technical safety check. Motorcycle owners will pay the fee at the offices of communes and wards.

Compiled by Nam Nguyen