Can Foreigners Drive in Vietnam?
What You Need to Drive Legally in Vietnam
To legally hit the road in Vietnam, foreigners need to possess an International Driving Permit (IDP) in accordance with the 1968 Vienna Convention and even so, it has to be converted into the temporary Vietnamese driver’s license if one wishes to self-drive. It is a simple process, and most car rental firms or local representatives will assist with the formality.
Documents typically required:
- Valid passport and visa.
- IDP (or national driving license if from one of the countries with an agreement with Vietnam)
- Application form (obtained from the local Departments of Transportation)
- Passport photos
- Small processing charge (around USD $10-15)
For ease and comfort, numerous visitors choose Car rental Vietnam with English English-speaking driver – the ideal method of relaxing and taking in the view, particularly if you don’t know Vietnam’s vibrant driving culture.
International Driving Permit (IDP) (Sours: jasminehagiang)
Minimum Age and Vehicle Restrictions
Planning to rent a motorcycle or sedan with 4 seats? These are what to consider:
- You have to be 18 or older to ride motorcycles and 21 and older to operate automobiles.
- Vehicle class should be in line with your license category. Don’t expect to hire a van if all that your license permits is driving small vehicles!
Most providers of car rental Vietnam, especially those providing airport transfers, day trips to tourist sites, or multi-day car services, will explicitly state the car types that are available to your license category.
Do You Need Insurance? Absolutely.
Travel in Vietnam is an adventure, and car rental in Vietnam must always be accompanied by coverage! Ensure that car rental with vehicle damage insurance and third-party liability is included. This is particularly important if driving yourself and shields you in the event of an accident or unforeseen delays. Good rental in Vietnam companies will offer a complete insurance breakdown. Request it before signing up!
Types of Car Rental Services in Vietnam
Time to hit the road? Wonderful! Let us discover the two most in-demand car rental Vietnam services – whether you’re adventurous and want to drive yourself or relaxed and want to sit back and enjoy the view with the company of an English speaking driver.
Self-Drive Car Rental
If freedom is your motto while traveling, self-driving car rental in Vietnam is beckoning you! Great for extended expatriates or experienced travelers who need to discover off-the-beaten-path sites from old towns to vibrant cities like Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City, this is the choice that allows complete control.
Where to Rent:
You can book with ease through established apps like Mioto or Chungxe, or contact local car rental firms in Nha Trang or Hanoi directly. These sites deliver to your hotel or airport so easy and convenient!
Documents & Deposit:
You’ll need:
- Passport & valid Vietnamese visa
- International or converted Vietnamese driver’s license
- Deposits: usually 20-30 million VND in cash or valuable items
Prices at a Glance:
- 4-seaters (Kia Morning, Toyota Vios): 500,000-800,000 VND/day
- 7-seaters (Innova, Fortuner): 700,000-1,600,000 VND/day
- SUVs & Premium cars: 1,000,000+ VND/day
Make sure to inspect the car thoroughly, ensure insurance coverage, and check the fuel policy before driving off into the distance.
Self-Drive Car Rental (Sours: dulichgiakhang)
Car Rental with Driver
Now, here is the crowd-pleaser and with good reason! The majority of foreign visitors opt for car rental Vietnam with a driver, and trust me, it’s a game-changer.
Why? Because you get:
- Safety & comfort driving on uncertain roads
- A neighborhood driver familiar with each shortcut, back road, and off-the-beaten-path cafe
- Zero paperwork hassles – book, get in, and enjoy
Whether the destination is airport transfers in Ho Chi Minh, a day trip to popular sites such as the Marble Mountains, or beach resorts like Nha Trang, the ease and affordability of this service is unsurpassed.
Cost Overview by City & Car Type (approx.):
- Hanoi to Ninh Binh (4-seater): ~$70
- Da Nang to Hoi An round trip (7-seater): ~$40
- Hue to Phong Nha (SUV): ~$100-120
- Ho Chi Minh City day tour (16-seater van): ~$90-130
Yes, and most car services these days offer Wi-Fi, aircon, water, and English-speaking drivers.
Car Rental with Driver (Sours: dulichgiakhang)
Best Car Rental Companies in Major Cities (Verified & Reviewed)
Hanoi
Duc Tai Car Rental
- Address: No. 19, Alley 79, Thai Thinh Street, Dong Da District, Hanoi
- Contact: 0332 429 999
- Services: Provides all types of vehicles from small to SUVs, ideal for city tour and outstation trips. Interestingly, they offer free night parking and have a limit of 300-kilometer/day, thus proving to be ideal for tourists traveling multi-day trips.
Trang Minh Car Rental
- Address: No. 1130G La Thanh Street, Dong Da District, Hanoi
- Contact: +84 989 898 984 / +84 967 785 566
- Services: They are known to offer trustworthy car rental services that range from airport transfers to city trips.
Chungxe
- Platform: A Website that allows users to book vehicles with nearby car rental operators
- Services: Provides both self-drive and chauffeur services, with flexibility available to allow visitors to tour Vietnam as and when they want.
Mioto
- Office Address: 2nd Floor, Ha Do Airport Building, No. 2 Hong Ha, Ward 2, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City
- Contact: 1900 9217
- Services: An easy-to-use app-based platform supplying a vast array of vehicles from economy to prestige, with English-speaking driver or self-drive options.
Auto Hoang Viet
- Address: C8/4A2 Pham Hung Street, District 8, Ho Chi Minh City
- Contact: 0106 904 460
- Services: Offers a range of well-maintained vehicles ideal for trips like city tours and long-distance road trips.
Auto Hoang Viet (Sours: thuexehoangviet)
Da Nang – Hoi An – Hue
VM Travel
- Da Nang Office: 34 An Nhon 1 Street, Son Tra District, Da Nang
- Contact: +84 934 29 7575
- Services: Offering specialized private transfer services with skilled drivers, popular routes such as the Hai Van Pass, Ba Na Hills, and My Son Sanctuary are covered.
Vietnam Car Rental
- Address: H57/18B, Alley 266, Hoang Dieu Street, Hai Chau District, Da Nang
- Contact: +84 77 535 3575
- Email: info@vietnamprivatecar.com
- Services: Provides vehicles with self-drive or chauffeur-driven options, perfect to visit local tourist sites in and from Da Nang.
Today Travel
- Address: 124-128 2/9 Street, Hai Chau District, Da Nang
- Contact: +84 931 525 258 / +84 919 190 975
- Services: Offering extensive car rental services in the form of airport transfers, urban city excursions, and tailored tour packages in central Vietnam.
VM Travel (Sours: tripadvisor)
Ho Chi Minh City
Gia Khang Car Rental
- Address: 102/20 Phan Huy Ich, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City
- Services: Provides a range of vehicles that are appropriate both for business visitors and tourists and are available in self-drive or English-speaking driver options.
Saigon Car Rental
- Services: Offering trustworthy car services for city travels, business travels and excursions to sites such as Cu Chi and Vung Tau, with the promise of pleasant traveling.
Du Lich Viet Car
- Address: 18B/4 Duong Dinh Hoi Street, Phuoc Long B Ward, Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City
- Contact: 0908 758 763 / 0911 114 161
- Email: hotro@dulichvietcar.com.vn
- Services: Expert in providing car rental services for different purposes, such as weddings, airport transfers, and tailor-made tours, serving different types of traveling needs.
Gia Khang Car Rental (Sours: vantaigiakhang)
Pros & Cons of Car Rental Vietnam – Is It Worth It?
Advantages
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Challenges
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Freedom to Explore
Go beyond the typical routes and make your schedule when you rent a car in Vietnam.
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Traffic Chaos
Vietnam’s bustling streets, especially in Ho Chi Minh City, can overwhelm first-time drivers.
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Great for Families & Groups
Spacious vehicles make traveling with loved ones both comfortable and economical.
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Parking Limitations
Finding parking in city centers like Da Nang or Nha Trang can be frustrating.
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Access to Remote Destinations
Discover lesser-known places like My Son Sanctuary or hidden beaches.
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Driving Rules
You’ll need an International Driving Permit (IDP) and may face local law confusion.
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Flexible Transfers
Enjoy convenient airport transfers and point-to-point travel across cities.
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Navigation Issues
Some areas lack English signage, and GPS isn’t always reliable.
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English Speaking Driver Option
Let a local expert handle the roads while you enjoy the scenery.
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Insurance Complications
Coverage varies between car rental companies. Read the fine print!
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My Son Sanctuary (Sours: wikipedia)
Alternatives to Car Rental Vietnam: Comparison Table for Smart Travelers
Option
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Ideal For
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Key Features
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Estimated Cost
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Pros
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Cons
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Motorbike Rental
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Solo travelers, couples, and short city trips
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Daily rental, flexible hours, freedom to explore
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$5-$10/day
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Cheap, thrilling, great for narrow streets
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Weather dependent, requires driving skills, less safe
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Private Tours
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Families, groups, and stress-free sightseeing
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Car + English-speaking driver + guide; includes pick-up, itinerary, and fuel
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$45-$80/day (4-7 seater)
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Comfortable, insightful, all-included
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Less spontaneous, fixed schedule
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Ride-Hailing Apps
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Urban travelers, short trips, tech-savvy explorers
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Grab / Be / Xanh SM via app; real-time booking; option for car/motorbike/electric
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$1-$2/km (short trips $5-$10)
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Easy to use, no paperwork, cashless payment
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Surge pricing during peak hours; limited availability in rural areas
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Conclusion
However, Ready to dive in deeper? With Car rental Vietnam, the doors are opened to driving the way you want to city-hopping between Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, or exploring off-the-beaten-path secrets not on the maps. Reserve early with the best car rental companies, and don’t miss tips from Vietnam travel new and Tipping in Vietnam to ensure that your trip is the best it can be. Let’s hit the road!