How Far Is Hanoi to Puluong private car?
- Distance from Hanoi to Puluong: 145-195 km, depending on your route
- Travel duration: 3.5 to 4.5 hours by automobile
- Best time to depart from Hanoi: Between 6:30 AM – 7:30 AM to miss traffic within Hanoi and arrive in Pu Luong before the mountain fog
Which Route from Hanoi to Puluong private car is Best?
There are two major driving routes when driving from Hanoi to Puluong:
- Through QL6 → Mai Chau → Co Luong → Pu Luong: About 145 km, mountainous road with curvy parts
- Via Hoa Lac Expressway → Xuan Mai → Cam Thuy → Pu Luong: Much more time-consuming (~195 km), although faster because roads are better
Wherever your journey takes you, keep in mind: you’re heading into mountain country. That’s why a solid, reliable Hanoi to Puluong private car with a seasoned driver is a necessity.
Detailed Price Comparison Table (Updated 2025)
Vehicle Type
|
Providers
|
1-Way Price
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2D1N Round-Trip
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Model Years
|
Key Features
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4-Seater (Sedan)
|
TaxiGo, Di Chung
|
1,200,000 – 2,200,000 VND
|
From 3,200,000 VND
|
2018 – 2020
|
Affordable, ideal for 2–3 people with light luggage
|
7-Seater (Innova, Xpander, Sedona)
|
Asia Transport, Puluong Express
|
1,400,000 – 3,500,000 VND
|
3,500,000 – 4,500,000 VND
|
2019 – 2022
|
Wifi, bottled water, customizable stops
|
16-Seater Minivan
|
Di Chung, Puluong Bus
|
2,300,000 – 2,800,000 VND
|
4,700,000 – 6,200,000 VND
|
2018 – 2020
|
Spacious luggage room, comfortable group travel
|
Limousine Dcar (10–17 seats)
|
Puluong Express, Travelcar
|
From 6,500,000 VND
|
8,800,000 VND for 3D2N
|
2020 – 2023
|
Premium interiors, perfect for VIP and photography trips
|
- Included in the cost are fuel, tolls, driver meals, and accommodations
- These are not included: VAT (10%), holiday surcharges, unforeseen itinerary changes
Pro tip: Reserving a round-trip (though you might use it one-way) can earn you up to a 50% discount for your return portion if done in conjunction with “empty leg” schedules.
16-Seater Minivan (Sours: datxegiare)
Who Offers the Best Value? Honest Reviews from Real Travelers
Asia Transport
If you’re a family, couple, or a private group leaving from Hanoi and you value comfort over frugality, Asia Transport promises you premium-quality cars. They provide Sedona and Carnival models, both from model years within 2019–2022, with wifi, cold bottles of water, and tidy, large inside spaces.
They have transparent pricing that even includes fuel, tolls, and driver assistance. The best part? Drivers cover meals and accommodations themselves, so no hidden fees.
This service caters to international travelers, providing assistance in the English language and careful customer service throughout each journey from Hanoi to Puluong.
Asia Transport (Sours: baodongkhoi)
TaxiGo
Seeking utmost savings without compromising reliability? TaxiGo matches passengers with cars returning from Pu Luong to Hanoi, giving up to 80% discounts for the back journey. Prices for a 7-seater start at a mere 1,200,000 VND one-way—and this includes fuel and tolls.
TaxiGo is also one of a limited number of suppliers with a contract written in plain language, specifying costs beforehand. Most users complimented them on being proactive communicators:
“I arranged a Friday morning pickup from Hanoi to Puluong. TaxiGo contacted me to confirm pickup, and our driver was patient and consistent throughout Cam Thuy’s challenging slopes,” a recent guest to Ban Don Eco Retreat reported.”
TaxiGo (Sours: TaxiGo)
Di Chung
Di Chung is a solid choice if ease of online booking, dynamic pricing, and variable departure times are most important to you. Their booking engine sorts out multiple vendors and vehicle sizes—4-seater sedans through to 16-seater vans.
But according to our review site analysis, along with user feedback, cars within this fleet vary more by model year (they are a mix of 2017-2018s here), and quality can vary depending on which sub-vendor provides your ride. Nonetheless, for people requiring a shuttle-bus experience with door-to-door convenience, it’s a solid choice.
Di Chung (Sours: ĐiChungViệtNam)
Puluong Express Bus
Contrary to its name, however, Puluong Express provides more than a typical express bus. Its private vehicle pool consists of Limousine Dcar (10–17 people) and 29–45 seat buses specifically designed for large teams or retreats.
What sets them apart? They have decades of experience operating the mountain road between Hanoi and Pu Luong, making them family travelers’ number one choice for road safety. They have specially trained drivers for fog-prone roads, tight bends, and wet weather driving throughout Ninh Binh and Thanh Hoa Province.
Puluong Express Bus (Sours: PuluongExpressBus)
Booking Tips & Cost-Saving Hacks You Must Know
Always Book a Round Trip (Even If You Only Need One Way)
Private companies such as TaxiGo and Asia Transport tend to match up legs with return passengers, reducing the return fare by 30% to 80%. Ask ahead of time if your return time can coincide with a shared route.
Avoid Booking via Unverified Agents
Too many travelers book through marketplaces whose operators are not clearly announced. The consequence? Unannounced fuel fees, old cars, or non-arriving drivers. Use names listed above, or trust travel agencies such as Impress Travel.
Ideal Departure Time? Between 6:30 AM – 7:00 AM
Early departure from Hanoi bypasses traffic congestion from trucks and gets you to Pu Luong Nature Reserve ahead of afternoon fog sweeping over Mai Chau and Cam Thuy. The weather here moves quickly, more so in summer.
Ask These Questions Before Paying
- Is gas included?
- Are toll fees included?
- Will additional payment for meals or accommodation be necessary for the driver?
- What’s the year and model of the vehicle?
- I cannot provide written answers.
Book 3–7 Days in Advance During Peak Months
Late May to mid-June is terraced rice field season, and private cars get booked up fast. If you are going from Hanoi to Puluong at this time, book your vehicle early and confirm again 24 hours beforehand.
Pu Luong Nature Reserve (Sours: vietnamcoracle)
Common Mistakes Travelers Make when Hanoi to Puluong private car(and How to Avoid Them)
Don’t get into these all-too-common traps
Choosing the Cheapest Car Without Checking the Model Year
Yes, 1,000,000 VND might sound like a very good bargain until your 2009 Toyota Innova chugs up the last 30 minutes of mountain road. Always request the year and picture of the vehicle.
Overlooking Hidden Fees
Certain carriers offer low fares, then add extra fees for gas, tolls, or after-hours drop-offs. Don’t pay a deposit until you know you’re paying the total, all-inclusive rate.
Self-Driving Without Experience in Mountain Terrain
Even veteran city drivers may be overwhelmed by driving from Hanoi to Puluong, not to mention navigating fog-shrouded, curved, mountain passes. If you are a novice at driving in Vietnam’s highland roads, hire a driver.
Failing to Confirm Vehicle & Driver Details in Advance
Every vehicle must arrive with a confirmed license tag, driver name, and vehicle category. Double-check a day ahead and again at 30 minutes before boarding to prevent any confusion.
Who Should Hire a Private Car (And Who Shouldn’t)?
Not all travelers require a Hanoi to Puluong private car, yet for most, it’s a matter of having a smooth journey versus a hassle. Here’s a quick run-down to assist you in making your decision.
You Should Hire a Private Car If:
- You are a group of between 4–7 travelers wishing to share expenses (which frequently works out less costly than group tours)
- You are a couple or solo traveler who would like to visit spots like Ban Don, Thac Hieu waterfalls, or Mai Chau.
- You are bringing young children or elderly travelers who require additional space and flexibility
- You’d like to personalize your route and stop at out-of-the-way destinations not included in regular tour buses
You Should Reconsider If:
- You’re going alone on a tight budget—choosing shared transport or Hanoi to Puluong bus options would be more advisable
- You don’t have much time and can’t be delayed—a shuttle service or express might be more reliable
Still unsure? Compare your requirements with other alternatives in our complete getting to pu luong from hanoi.
Final Thoughts: Make the Journey Part of the Adventure
To get from Hanoi to Puluong is more than a matter of a few numbers. It’s a change, from cacophonous capital roads to peaceful rice terraces, from city life to country charm. And how you get along that road makes a difference. A Hanoi to Puluong private vehicle isn’t a journey, it’s a choice to see Vietnam your way, your pace, with your comfort level, your stops. So bypass the hassle, ignore the throngs, and get your adventure going from the instant you shut the door.