Request a Demo
On December 18, 2024, Vietnam issued Decree No. 161/2024/ND-CP stipulating the List of dangerous goods, transportation of dangerous goods and procedures for granting licenses and certificates of completion of training programs for drivers or escorts transporting dangerous goods on roads. The Decree takes effect from January 1, 2025.
This Decree consists of 33 articles and 6 chapters, setting out strict requirements for means of transport, drivers, as well as licensing and certification procedures for individuals and organizations participating in the transportation of dangerous goods on roads.
Notably, as per Article 31, Chapter VI of this Decree, the existing Decree 34/2024/ND-CP is now amended to cover only the transportation of dangerous goods by inland water vehicles.
List of Dangerous Goods
The list of dangerous goods is classified by type, group with UN code and hazard code specified in Appendix I attached to this Decree. It contains 2921 entries consistent with the existing TDG regulation (Decree 34/2024/ND-CP).
The level of hazard is indicated by a hazard code with a group of 2 to 3 digits specified in Appendix II attached to this Decree.
Classification of Dangerous Goods
According to the Decree, depending on physical and chemical properties, dangerous goods are classified into the following 9 types and groups:
Type 1. Explosives and explosive items
Group 1.1: Substances and articles having a wide explosion hazard.
Group 1.2: Substances and articles which have a risk of splashing but not of wide explosion.
Group 1.3: Substances and articles having a fire hazard and a minor explosion or splash hazard or both, but not a widespread explosion hazard.
Group 1.4: Substances and articles of negligible risk.
Group 1.5: Insensitive substances but with a wide explosion hazard.
Group 1.6: Special articles which are not sensitive and do not present a general explosion hazard.
Type 2. Gas
Group 2.1: Flammable gases.
Group 2.2: Non-flammable, non-toxic gases.
Group 2.3: Toxic gases.
Type 3. Flammable liquids and desensitized liquid explosives
Type 4
Group 4.1: Flammable solids, self-reactive substances and solid explosives immersed in liquid or desensitized.
Group 4.2: Substances liable to spontaneous combustion.
Group 4.3: Substances which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases.
Type 5
Group 5.1: Oxidizing agents.
Group 5.2: Organic peroxides.
Type 6
Group 6.1: Poisonous substances.
Group 6.2: Infectious substances.
Type 7: Radioactive substances
Type 8: Corrosive substances
Type 9: Other dangerous substances and articles
The requirements for hazard placards and hazard signs are specified in Appendix III attached to this Decree.
Licenses for Transporting Dangerous Goods
The Ministry of Public Security shall issue Licenses for transporting dangerous goods of types 1, 2, 3, 4, and 9. The Ministry of Industry and Trade shall organize the issuance of Licenses for type 5 and type 8. The Ministry of National Defense shall issue Licenses for organizations and enterprises, or carriers under its special management.
Transportation of dangerous goods that are flammable and explosive substances through tunnels and ferries will be denied for license issuance.
The following cases are exempted from granting a License for transporting dangerous goods:
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) and compressed natural gas (CNG) with a total mass of less than 1,080 kilograms;
Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) with a total mass of less than 2,250 kilograms;
Liquid fuel with a total capacity of less than 1,500 liters;
Plant protection chemicals with a total mass of less than 1,000 kilograms;
Remaining dangerous toxic chemicals in the types and groups of dangerous goods of Type 6.
The Decree is available here.
