Nearly 10,000 self-modified and three-wheeled vehicles ply the roadsnationwide, despite their being banned in 2008, according to theMinistry of Transport.

It said on December 13 thatthe banned vehicles were in frequent use in Hanoi's suburban districtsof Phu Xuyen, Ung Hoa and Chuong My, as well as provinces like Hoa Binh,Gia Lai, Kon Tum, Dak Lak, Hau Giang and Long An.

In the Central Highland province of Dak Lak, for example, some 5,000unregistered and manually driven mini tractors were being used inagricultural production.

Many owners had modifiedtheir vehicles' steering mechanism by replacing their shafts withoutpermission from relevant authorities, according to the province'sDepartment of Transport.

The province had organisedclasses to help procure driving license, but only two to three percentof the total owners of such vehicles passed the theory and practicalexaminations, a representative from the province's Department ofTransport revealed.

Tran Van Toan, a 54-year-oldowner of a three-wheeled vehicle in Tu Liem district, said that he hascontinued to drive the vehicle because this is his only means of incomethat helps him feed his 5-member family residing in the northernprovince of Hung Yen.

Toan added that he has alreadyheard about the financial support packages announced for vehicleowners, but has not received any such package so far.

"However, even if I am given such support, 5 million VND (230 USD)will surely neither help me set up a business nor buy another vehicle,"he said.

According to the Vietnam Register, thecountry is yet to establish any standards for motor vehicles, soself-modified vehicles' quality cannot be verified.

Therefore, last week the Ministry of Transport was urged to formulate regulations regarding the issue soon.

In addition to the shortcomings in policies and poor enforcement ofrules, Deputy Minister of Transport Le Dinh Tho, blamed the prevalenceof such vehicles on the lack of other suitable options meant to replacethese banned vehicles.

Mini trucks recommended toreplace modified vehicles have been found suitable for running in thedelta, but not mountainous areas, he pointed out.

In2007, the Government decided to ban and seize self-modified vehiclesacross the country to ease the growing traffic jams and reduce thenumber of accidents.

To help poor residents whooperate these vehicles to earn a living, the government announcedincentives and support measures two years later that will help theseindividuals find new jobs or buy other kinds of vehicles to replacetheir banned ones.

Accordingly, each family, whichhas two or more three and four-wheeled vehicles, will receive 230 USDper vehicle as assistance.-VNA