Around 200,000 over-nine-seat coaches, container trucks and tractor-trailers will have to be equipped with cameras to monitor driver and passenger conduct, according to the Transport Department under the Directorate for Roads of Vietnam.

Transport firms to install cameras on vehicles before July 1. Photo: Tran Cuong

Deputy Head of the transport department Do Cong Thuy said that the department had requested transport firms to install cameras on vehicles before July 1 in line with the government's Decree 10/2020/ND-CP providing for auto transport business and conditions for auto transport businesses.

Accordingly, transport operators have to equip their vehicles with 4G or 5G security camera, Thuy said, adding that the vehicle cameras must send the visuals 12-20 times an hour to transport firms and regulatory agencies.

The installation of cameras in vehicles is aimed to enhance the safety of passengers, help State regulatory agencies better oversee travel activities, monitor drivers, prevent them from picking up more passengers than the seating capacity, Thuy stressed.

Transport businesses are required to store camera footage recorded within 24 hours for vehicles traveling up to 500 kilometers, and 72 hours for those running over 500 kilometers. Footage would be provided to authorities, including police and traffic inspectors, to keep track of driver conduct and prevent them from excessively picking up passengers.

In 2020, the Vietnam Automobile Transport Association requested the Ministry of Transport extend the installation deadline to two years as transport firms faced losses caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the proposal was rejected.

Chairman of the Vietnam Automobile Transport Association Nguyen Van Quyen said that the cost of camera installation and internet connection would be high. Each vehicle must have three to four cameras, while each camera costs VND3 million (US$130). Camera installation would cost each vehicle around VND10 million (US$436.42).