Starting October 1, 2025, car owners in Vietnam who have not converted their toll accounts to traffic accounts linked to cashless payment methods will be unable to pass through non-stop toll stations (ETC).

Article 31 of Decree 119/2024/NĐ-CP stipulates that vehicle owners must switch their current toll accounts to traffic accounts connected with non-cash payment methods. The regulation allowed a one-year transition period from October 1, 2024, to October 1, 2025, for both vehicle owners and toll service providers to complete this change.

This means that from October 1, 2025, any car owner without a traffic account linked to a non-cash payment method will be barred from passing through ETC toll booths.

Currently, Vietnam has about 6.3 million cars using ETC services, but only around 30% have made the switch. That leaves roughly 70% - more than 4.4 million cars - yet to convert, raising concerns among drivers.

According to To Nam Toan, Head of the Department of Science, Technology, Environment, and International Cooperation at the Directorate for Roads of Vietnam (under the Ministry of Construction), the current toll accounts store information about the vehicle, its owner, and prepaid amounts for toll payments. These accounts are exclusively for toll collection, meaning the funds cannot be used for other purposes and do not earn interest.

The limited integration between toll accounts and non-cash payment systems causes inconvenience, especially for large transport companies. The need to pre-load funds without interest has drawn complaints from users. Furthermore, the Ministry of Construction does not have the expertise to manage the funds in these accounts, creating difficulties in cash flow management.

During the drafting of Decree 119, the former Ministry of Transport and the State Bank of Vietnam agreed to separate toll accounts into traffic accounts linked to non-cash payment methods such as e-wallets, bank accounts, or credit cards. Vehicle owners can choose the payment method that suits them best. This way, funds in linked accounts can earn interest, and the range of payment options will make things easier for users, particularly large transport companies.

A representative from VETC Automatic Toll Collection Company confirmed the rule applies to all ETC service providers, not just VETC. They explained that from October 1, 2025, all traffic accounts for ETC payments must be verified (personal information authenticated) and linked to a non-cash payment method.

If not converted in time, vehicle owners will be unable to top up their traffic accounts, effectively preventing them from using ETC services and causing travel disruptions. VETC noted that users can complete the verification and linking process via the VETC app or at official support points, free of charge, in as little as 3–5 minutes. After October 1, unverified accounts will no longer be able to receive top-ups.

How to switch to a traffic account: Do it via the VETC app or at official support locations. Update personal information (citizen ID, facial photo) and scan the NFC chip. Link a bank account or e-wallet. Ensure personal details match between ID and bank account. Verification is a one-time process that protects user assets and rights.

Proposed fine for ETC card misuse: The Ministry of Construction’s draft regulation proposes fines of 5–10 million VND (about 196–392 USD) for car owners who transfer ETC cards between vehicles, destroy, counterfeit, delete data, or tamper with the card’s content.

N. Huyen