The Government has just issued Decree 241/2026/ND-CP, amending and supplementing several articles detailing the implementation of the Law on Roadways and the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety. Starting from July 1, double-cabin pickup trucks and cargo vans with a gross vehicle weight of up to 3.5 tons will be classified as passenger cars in traffic management.

With this new rule, almost all popular pickup truck models in Vietnam, such as Ford Ranger, Mitsubishi Triton, Toyota Hilux, Isuzu D-Max, and Mazda BT-50, will be allowed to travel like passenger cars. 

This means they are no longer restricted on roads where trucks are banned, are permitted to travel in the passenger car lane on highways, and are subject to other eased regulations.

Many pickup owners expressed immense excitement. Do Hoang An (Hanoi), owner of a Ford Ranger, said that over the past half-year, he had constantly faced inconveniences when his vehicle, despite having dimensions similar to many SUVs, was treated like a commercial truck.

"I use my truck mainly for family needs and daily work. Constantly watching out for truck ban signs or restricted hours on many routes was very frustrating. Now that the vehicle can travel like a passenger car, it is only logical and matches real-world use," An said.

Huynh Anh Dzung, who owns a Mitsubishi Triton in Hai Phong, believed that the new regulation not only helps owners commute within cities but also offers peace of mind when traveling between provinces and on highways.

"Previously, I frequently visited construction sites in Hanoi and other localities, and often didn't know if those routes banned trucks, making it very easy to get fined. Driving on the highway, I didn't dare use the left lane at high speeds. Now that the regulation is unified, using the vehicle will be much more convenient," Dung said.

Nguyen Van Hai, a Toyota Hilux owner in Da Nang, shared the same view, saying the new rules would encourage more people to consider buying pickup trucks.

"Pickups offer advantages that few other vehicles can match, including high ground clearance, strong off-road capability, a spacious cargo bed and high towing capacity, while still providing enough room for the whole family.

"Many people liked pickups but hesitated because they were classified as trucks on the road. With that barrier removed, I believe more buyers will consider this segment," Hai said.

Pickup truck market 

Earlier this month, the Vietnam Register proposed that the Ministry of Construction report to the Government on revising the regulations to allow double-cab pickup trucks and vans with a gross vehicle weight of up to 3.5 tonnes to be managed under the same traffic rules as passenger cars while maintaining the current vehicle classification system.

Before 2024, pickup trucks with a payload of less than 950kg were treated as passenger cars under National Technical Regulation 41:2019/BGTVT. However, National Technical Regulation 41:2024/BGTVT removed that provision, resulting in most pickups being classified as trucks for traffic purposes.

The change created difficulties for both vehicle owners and dealerships, as pickups became subject to restrictions on roads where trucks were prohibited or during designated restricted hours, despite being similar in size to many mid-size SUVs and MPVs.

According to the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers' Association (VAMA), 10,786 pickup trucks were sold nationwide in the first five months of 2026, up slightly from the same period last year. However, compared with the market peak several years ago, demand has declined considerably.

Marketing expert Nguyen Van Phuong said the classification of pickups as trucks over the past period had significantly affected purchasing decisions among individual buyers.

"Many customers switched to seven-seat SUVs because they offered similar interior space without traffic restrictions. Now that this barrier has been removed, pickups will regain their key advantages of versatility, strong cargo capability and suitability for both family and work purposes," he said.

According to Phuong, allowing pickups to operate as passenger cars removes one of the biggest obstacles facing the segment. While the policy may not trigger an immediate sales boom, it is expected to help improve sales during the remaining months of the year, particularly among buyers seeking a vehicle that can serve both family and business needs.

However, he noted that the new rules do not mean pickup trucks will be regulated entirely as passenger cars, because policies regarding registration fees, vehicle service life and technical classification remain unchanged.

Hoang Hiep