Car with or without a driver for 3 weeks in Vietnam from North to South (Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh)
FR

Translated into English.

Original post
FC
Hi everyone,

I couldn’t find any recent posts on this topic, so I thought I’d create a new one. We’ve just started planning our family trip to Vietnam this coming August. We’d like to travel from North to South, starting in Hanoi and ending in Ho Chi Minh.

Usually, we rent a car when we arrive and manage on our own. But I get the feeling that in Vietnam, it’s more complicated... It seems like the only option we have is to rent a car with a driver? Is that really the case?

I’m thinking of starting with a cruise in Halong Bay since we arrive on my partner’s birthday, and I wanted a beautiful setting to celebrate it. So, is the option of having a driver wait for 2 days while we’re on the cruise really feasible?

The rest of the itinerary isn’t planned at all yet. I’d love to hear your tips. We’re traveling from August 8th (morning) to the 26th (afternoon).

Thanks for your advice.
SO Songsam Veteran ·
Hi,

It seems like the only option we have is to rent a car with a driver? Is that really the case?

No, there’s also public transport.
VD Vdquynh Regular ·
Hello,

Usually, we rent a car when we arrive and manage on our own. But I get the feeling that in Vietnam, it’s more complicated... It seems like the only option we have is to rent a car with a driver? Is that really the case?

I know that self-drive car rental services have been available in Vietnam for some time now, at least in major cities. Out of curiosity, I did a Google search with the query "thuê xe tự lái Hà Nội đi TP HCM" (which means: rent a car to drive from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City). Among the results, I checked out Van Minh’s page: https://otochothuetulai.vn/gioi-thieu - It’s in Vietnamese, but with today’s AI translation tools, that’s no longer a real issue! From what I see on this page, this company rents cars for long-term (monthly) use and also to foreigners.

That said, driving a car in Vietnam isn’t the same as driving one in France. If you’ve never been to Vietnam before, you’ll understand why once you’re there—just look at the traffic in big cities and how locals interpret the rules of the road!

Best regards,
Vu Do Quynh (Hanoi, Vietnam) http://vdquynh.blogspot.com/
FC FCaribouX Regular ·
True.

That said, with kids, it’s still easier not to depend on fixed schedules and to be able to come and go as we please.
FC FCaribouX Regular ·
Thanks for the reply.

So, would you advise against renting a self-drive car? I have to admit that after checking out the usual rental companies, I’m starting to think a chauffeur-driven rental might be the best option.

Any recommendations?
VD Vdquynh Regular ·
Thanks for the reply. So, would you advise against renting a self-drive car? I have to admit that after checking out the usual rental companies, I’m starting to think a chauffeur-driven rental might be the best option.

Any recommendations?

I don’t have any specific recommendations. I only travel by bicycle, and for long distances, I prefer public transport. When traveling with family and for short distances in the city, my wife prefers Grab cars (the Uber equivalent).

Quynh
Vu Do Quynh (Hanoi, Vietnam) http://vdquynh.blogspot.com/
CH Chalembert Regular ·
Hi there, Living in Vietnam, I’d agree with Quynh—the traffic here is nothing like France’s. It’s more about navigating than driving. For me, the best option is to take public transport for long distances (buses, trains, flights) and use regular taxis or apps like Grabs for shorter trips. Personally, I’ve been using XanhSM lately—it’s like Grabs but with electric vehicles only. If you’d rather not take public transport, for long distances you can arrange something with hotels—they’ll always find you a driver.
FC FCaribouX Regular ·
Thanks for sharing your experience!

We don’t have our itinerary set yet, but based on past trips, we also like to get off the beaten path and explore spots that are a bit less touristy or outside the cities. Is that doable using public transport?

I’ll admit my only reference point for this region is Thailand from 15 years ago... I imagine things have changed a lot since then, but back then, we definitely couldn’t have done our route using only public transport. And the flexibility a car offers is really nice, especially with kids—schedules, especially in the mornings, can be tough to stick to! :D
SO Songsam Veteran ·
And the flexibility a car offers is still really appreciated, especially with kids when schedules—especially in the morning—can be tough to stick to :D

The excuse of kids being slow to get going in the morning can just as easily be an argument in favor of the bus:

In Southeast Asia, when you "miss" an intercity bus, there’s a technique I don’t hesitate to share: just wait for the next one 😎. Often, it leaves 20 minutes to an hour later, depending on the destination—a delay you’ll learn from locals (the ticket agent, for example) and can use to find a nearby spot to grab a bite (breakfast, etc.) or stroll around the bus station, observe local life, check it out, "soak it in," chat with people, let the kids make friends with local kids—basically all those little things that help you discover a country, which you’d miss if you’re cooped up in a car. So don’t overuse the car; only use it when it’s really necessary. You’ll travel slower, but you’ll gain so much more.
FL FloAsie ·
Hey,

Haha, you’re touching on a hotly debated topic in the Southeast Asia travel community. Honestly, you’re right to ask—it’s way more complicated than in Thailand, for example, where you can easily rent a car on your own.

To be frank, in Vietnam, if you want to drive yourself, technically it’s not impossible, but it’s a real battle. The international French license, insurance, the roads... in short, you end up stressing more than enjoying it. So, the folks who try it often regret it. On the other hand, hiring a driver with a car is a classic and works well for long-distance trips like Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh.

Now, for Halong Bay, clearly, give your driver a break. No one’s going to wait 2-3 days turning down other clients—it’s not worth it for them. The trick most people use is to split it up: you do your Hanoi-Halong cruise, come back, and then hire a driver for the rest of northern Vietnam (Sapa, etc.) if you want. Or you move straight on to a flight to the center or south, like Hue or Ho Chi Minh, and hire a driver there.

Personally, I’ve got friends who tried a fixed driver for 3 weeks—they paid around 600-800 € all-in (car + gas + the guy’s lodging). It’s not cheap, but it’s safe and honestly less stressful than playing Formula 1 driver in Hanoi.

For your itinerary, keep in mind that August is the wet season—it’s crowded, and it rains a lot in the North. Looking forward to updates,

Floé
Flo — Expat Bangkok depuis 2019 · Thaïlande, Vietnam, Cambodge, Bali · Je réponds sur le budget, les visas et la logistique terrain
FC FCaribouX Regular ·
Thanks for this reply—it confirms the direction I should take.

Would you happen to have the driver’s contact details to share?
HE Henon21 Veteran ·
Hello, we also like to get off the beaten track a bit and visit places that are a little less touristy, outside the cities. Is this easily doable using public transport?

Nowadays, everyone wants to go off the beaten track—every local agency, online, or even in France offers "off the beaten track" tours. So, off the beaten track is where you’ll find the most tourists!!!

Seriously: with a chauffeur-driven vehicle, you have a much better chance of reaching "remote" spots far from bus stops or tourist stops. Having already visited the must-see places, I use a chauffeur-driven vehicle. Plus, for those "middle-of-nowhere" spots where some ethnic groups don’t even speak Vietnamese, my guide/interpreter is a huge help.

Happy travels to you all, Eric
HENON Eric
JA Jadevietnam ·
Hello,

Yes, your impression is correct: in Vietnam, for a family trip, renting a self-drive car isn’t usually the simplest solution.

In practice, the most comfortable option is often a car with a driver, especially when you want to travel stress-free, avoid the hassle of traffic, and keep real flexibility for schedules, breaks, and luggage.

For the Halong Bay cruise at the start of your trip, I wouldn’t recommend keeping a driver waiting for 2 days. The smartest approach is to arrange: a transfer to the cruise, then another transfer on your return, or take the shuttle offered by the cruise if it matches your hotel.

For your trip from August 8 to 26, a Hanoi → Ho Chi Minh journey with family is doable, but I’d recommend a well-paced itinerary with: a few stops in the North, a flight to the Center, then another flight to the South, and a car with a driver only where it adds real comfort.

In my opinion, this is the best way to enjoy Vietnam without unnecessary fatigue.

Starting with a cruise in the bay for your partner’s birthday is also a great idea—the setting is perfect for kicking off the trip.

I work in tailor-made travel in Vietnam and often assist French-speaking families with this kind of itinerary. I’d be happy to help you plan a smooth and realistic route based on your dates, budget, and travel style.
FR Fred66 Veteran ·
Personally, I wouldn’t risk it. I have a Vietnamese motorcycle license, and that’s enough. You have to be *very* careful on the road—it’s pretty dangerous, with all sorts of vehicles, motorbikes, animals, people, etc. And don’t forget, you’re not at home: if something happens, you’ll generally be considered 95% at fault. If you run into a corrupt cop, it’s game over—expect a bribe or even having your vehicle confiscated. It’s up to you whether you want a peaceful (but pricier) trip or a cheaper one with risks. And I won’t even get into what happens if you hurt someone.

For me, the ideal option—like others have suggested—is to mix up transportation between cities: planes, buses, trains. Then, once you’re in a city, rent a car with a driver for the day or use Grab (like Uber)—prices are reasonable and fixed.

If you can afford it, hiring a vehicle with a driver for the whole trip is great. You set the route and stops upfront, which gives you more freedom, especially with kids. Plus, you can go off the beaten path and make it a real adventure.

Another option: - Hanoi → Halong Bay by train, then Ninh Binh by bus - Ninh Binh → Huế by overnight train or sleeper bus (saves a night and time) - Huế → Da Nang and Hội An by train or bus (under 3h) - Da Nang → Ho Chi Minh City by plane - Then the Mekong Delta.

Just remember, the country is long, and so are the journeys!
http://lessampaniersduvietnam.org/ il reste toujours un peu de parfum à la main qui donne des roses confucius
DO Dominok24 ·
hi there, we're leaving in September. Have you found any driver contacts for heading up north?

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