Differs from all Indochinese congeners by having a smaller eye with eye diameter 6.2-6.5% SL (vs. 8.6-12.0% SL). Other features useful to separate this species from other species of Glyptothorax in central Vietnam include thoracic adhesive apparatus consisting of striae arranged in a broad oval field, caudal peduncle length 20.5-21.2% SL, caudal peduncle depth 7.5-7.6% SL, body depth at anus 13.7-20.9% SL, head width 17.9-18.8% SL, 14-16 serrae on posterior margin of pectoral spine, and body dark-brown with indistinct pale midlateral and mid-dorsal stripes (Ref. 79574).

Description: A iv,10; V i+5 (Ref. 79574).