The license plate symbol, indicating the locality where the vehicle is registered, is a mandatory and crucial component of the vehicle license plate as stipulated in Circular 24/2023/TT-BCA (amended and supplemented by Circular 51/2025/TT-BCA).
1. List of License Plate Codes for Provinces and Centrally-Governed Cities
Below is a compilation of vehicle license plate codes for provinces and centrally-governed cities nationwide, issued concurrently with Circular 51/2025/TT-BCA, effective from July 1, 2025. Specifically:
| No. | Locality Name | Symbol(s) |
| 1 | An Giang | 67, 68 |
| 2 | Bac Ninh | 98, 99 |
| 3 | Ca Mau | 69, 94 |
| 4 | Can Tho | 65, 83, 95 |
| 5 | Cao Bang | 11 |
| 6 | Da Nang | 43, 92 |
| 7 | Dak Lak | 47, 78 |
| 8 | Dien Bien | 27 |
| 9 | Dong Nai | 39, 60, 93 |
| 10 | Dong Thap | 63, 66 |
| 11 | Gia Lai | 77, 81 |
| 12 | Ha Noi | 29, 30-33, 40 |
| 13 | Ha Tinh | 38 |
| 14 | Hai Phong | 15, 16, 34 |
| 15 | Hung Yen | 17, 89 |
| 16 | Khanh Hoa | 79, 85 |
| 17 | Lai Chau | 25 |
| 18 | Lam Dong | 48, 49, 86 |
| 19 | Lang Son | 12 |
| 20 | Lao Cai | 21, 24 |
| 21 | Nghe An | 37 |
| 22 | Ninh Binh | 18, 35, 90 |
| 23 | Phu Tho | 19, 28, 88 |
| 24 | Quang Ngai | 76, 82 |
| 25 | Quang Ninh | 14 |
| 26 | Quang Tri | 73, 74 |
| 27 | Son La | 26 |
| 28 | Tay Ninh | 62, 70 |
| 29 | Thai Nguyen | 20, 97 |
| 30 | Thanh Hoa | 36 |
| 31 | Thua Thien Hue | 75 |
| 32 | Ho Chi Minh City | 41; 50, 51-59; 61, 72 |
| 33 | Tuyen Quang | 22, 23 |
| 34 | Vinh Long | 64, 71, 84 |
| 35 | Traffic Police Department | 80 |
2. Arrangement of Characters and Numerals on Vehicle License Plates
2.1. Arrangement of Characters and Numerals on Automobile License Plates
Automobiles are issued two license plates: one short plate with dimensions of 165 mm height and 330 mm length; and one long plate with dimensions of 110 mm height and 520 mm length.
- Arrangement of characters and numerals on automobile license plates for domestic agencies, organizations, and individuals: The first two digits represent the locality code of vehicle registration, followed by the registration series (alphabetic characters); the second group of numbers constitutes the sequential registration number, comprising five natural digits from 000.01 to 999.99.
- Arrangement of characters and numerals on automobile license plates for foreign agencies, organizations, and individuals: The first two digits represent the locality code of vehicle registration; the subsequent second group is the country, territory, or international organization code, consisting of three natural digits; the third group is the series plate indicating the category of foreign organization or individual; and the fourth group is the sequential registration number, consisting of two natural digits from 01 to 99.
- License plates for tractors, trailers, and semi-trailers: One plate is affixed to the rear of the vehicle, with dimensions of 165 mm height and 330 mm length. The arrangement of characters and numerals on these plates is the same as for domestic automobile license plates.
2.2. Arrangement of Characters and Numerals on Motorcycle License Plates
Motorcycles are issued one license plate affixed to the rear of the vehicle, with dimensions of 140 mm height and 190 mm length.
- Arrangement of characters and numerals on motorcycle license plates for domestic agencies, organizations, and individuals: The first group of numbers consists of the locality code of vehicle registration and the registration series. The second group of numbers is the sequential registration number, comprising five natural digits, from 000.01 to 999.99.
- Arrangement of characters and numerals on motorcycle license plates for foreign organizations and individuals: The first group is the locality code of vehicle registration; the second group is the country, territory, or international organization code of the vehicle owner; the third group is the registration series; and the fourth group is the sequential registration number, comprising three natural digits from 001 to 999.
3. Distinguishing Vehicle Types by Background Color, Character Color, and Numerals of License Plates
The table below distinguishes vehicle types based on vehicle ownership through the background color, character color, and numerals of the license plate:
| Describe | Vehicle type granted |
|---|---|
| Car and motorcycle license plates with blue background , white letters and numbers | Vehicles of the following agencies and organizations: – Party agencies; – Office of the President; – Office of the National Assembly and agencies of the National Assembly; – Office of the National Assembly Delegation; – People’s Councils at all levels; – Central Steering Committees; – People’s Public Security, People’s Court, People’s Procuracy; – Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, agencies under the Government; – National Traffic Safety Committee; – People’s Committees at all levels and specialized agencies under the People’s Committees at provincial and district levels; – Socio-political organizations (including the Vietnam Fatherland Front, Vietnam Trade Union, Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, Vietnam Women’s Union, Vietnam Veterans Association, Vietnam Farmers’ Association); – Public service units, except for public driving training and testing centers; – Project management boards with state management functions |
| Car and motorcycle license plates with white background , black letters and numbers | Vehicles of domestic organizations and individuals |
| Car license plate with yellow background , black letters and numbers | Vehicles operating in the automobile transportation business |
| Car and motorcycle license plates with yellow background, red letters and numbers | Vehicles of special economic-commercial zones or international border gate economic zones |
