Vietnam does not allow tourists to self-drive rental cars. This is not a grey area - international driving licences are not recognised for four-wheeled vehicles, and no legitimate car rental company will hand you keys without a Vietnamese licensed driver. The standard solution is to hire a car with a driver, which is widely available, affordable by international standards, and often the most practical way to cover longer routes.
Why self-driving is not an option
Vietnamβs road traffic law requires a Vietnamese driving licence for any motorised vehicle over 50cc. International Driving Permits (IDPs) cover motorbikes in most provinces, but they do not cover cars. Rental companies are legally prohibited from renting four-wheel vehicles to foreign nationals without a Vietnamese driver.
The practical implication: for any car journey in Vietnam - city day trips, coastal drives, mountain routes - you need a driver. The upside is that experienced local drivers know the roads, can navigate the traffic, and often double as informal guides for the route.
What a car with driver includes
Standard hiring arrangements include:
- The vehicle and driver for a set number of hours or a fixed route
- Fuel (always confirm this is included - it usually is)
- Road and bridge tolls (confirm whether these are included or added separately)
- Waiting time at stops along your route
What is typically not included: entrance fees at sites you visit, meals for the driver (it is polite to ensure the driver can eat when you do), and overnight accommodation if the trip extends to multiple days.
Typical costs (as of 2026)
Prices vary by route length, vehicle type, and how you book. The ranges below are for a 4-seat sedan:
| Route | Approximate cost |
|---|---|
| City day trip (5β6 hours) | 700,000β1,200,000 VND ($28β48) |
| Airport transfer (one way, urban) | 200,000β500,000 VND ($8β20) |
| Hanoi β Ha Long Bay (return day trip) | 1,500,000β2,500,000 VND ($60β100) |
| Hue β Da Nang (one way, 90km) | 600,000β1,000,000 VND ($24β40) |
| Da Nang β Hoi An (one way, 30km) | 300,000β500,000 VND ($12β20) |
| Multi-day itinerary (per day) | 1,200,000β2,000,000 VND ($48β80) |
Prices for 7-seat vans (Fortuner, Transit, or Solati) typically run 30β50% higher than 4-seat rates.
How to book
Through your guesthouse or hotel: The simplest option for one-off day trips. Most guesthouses maintain relationships with local drivers and can arrange a car with 24β48 hoursβ notice. Pricing is competitive and the guesthouse takes responsibility if something goes wrong.
Through a local travel agency: Companies like Sinh Tourist, Asia DMC, and Indochina Travel offer private car hire with vetted drivers alongside tour packages. Useful for multi-day itineraries where you want the car booking integrated with accommodation.
Through platform booking:
- GetTransfer offers point-to-point private transfers with upfront pricing - useful for airport runs and fixed-route transfers
- Kiwitaxi works similarly for fixed transfers with confirmed pricing before you book - search Vietnam transfers here
- Welcome Pickups specialises in airport and hotel transfers with English-speaking drivers - book Vietnam airport pickups here
- GetRentacar aggregates car-with-driver options across Vietnam alongside standard car hire, making it easy to compare operators and read reviews - search car hire in Vietnam
Negotiating directly: In tourist areas (Hanoi Old Quarter, Hoi An, Da Nang beach strip), drivers parked near hotels will approach you. Prices can be competitive if you negotiate clearly on: total hours, route, whether tolls and fuel are included, and whether the driver waits at each stop. Get the agreed price in writing before departing.
Popular routes well-suited to private car
Hai Van Pass (Da Nang to Hue or vice versa): The coastal mountain road over Hai Van Pass is one of the most scenic drives in Vietnam. A private car lets you stop at the old French fort at the summit and at Lang Co lagoon without rush. The one-way journey takes 2.5β3 hours with stops. One-way car hire: approximately 700,000β1,200,000 VND ($28β48).
Hanoi to Ninh Binh: 90km south, 2 hours each way. A private car is practical for Trang An boat trips and Bich Dong pagoda without the constraints of an organised group tour. Day trip cost: approximately 1,200,000β1,800,000 VND ($48β72).
Ho Chi Minh City to Mekong Delta: The 70km drive to My Tho or Ben Tre (2 hours) with stops at floating markets and river villages. Private car hire for the day: approximately 1,200,000β2,000,000 VND ($48β80). Browse Mekong Delta tours from HCMC.
Da Lat mountain loop: Hiring a car and driver for a full day in Da Lat (coffee farms, waterfalls, Crazy House, Bao Dai Palace) costs approximately 800,000β1,200,000 VND ($32β48) and covers significantly more ground than a motorbike in less time.
Tips for hiring a car with driver
- Agree everything in writing: Route, number of hours, inclusions (fuel, tolls, waiting), and the total price. A WhatsApp message confirming the agreed terms is sufficient.
- Check the vehicle before departing: Air conditioning, seatbelts, and general condition. Legitimate operators maintain their vehicles.
- Be clear about stops: Tell the driver at the start exactly where you want to go and how long you expect to spend at each place. Ambiguity leads to rushed visits or misunderstandings.
- Overtime rates: If the trip runs over the agreed time, discuss the rate per additional hour before you start. Typically 100,000β200,000 VND ($4β8) per hour.
- One driver does not equal a guide: A driver knows the roads; they may not speak much English or be knowledgeable about the sites. If you want commentary, book a guide separately or look for operators who advertise driver-guide combinations.
Airport transfers as a starting point
For airport arrivals, pre-booked transfers via GetTransfer, Kiwitaxi, or Welcome Pickups are the simplest way to experience private car hire. The price is transparent, the driver meets you at arrivals with a name sign, and the experience sets expectations for further hiring. Compare Vietnam airport transfer prices here.
Plan Your Trip
A few essentials to sort before you arrive:
- Flights to Vietnam - Compare prices and book via Aviasales
- Travel insurance - Required for most visa categories and strongly recommended regardless. Get a Vietnam travel insurance quote
- eSIM - Skip roaming charges with a local data eSIM active before you land. Get a Vietnam eSIM via Airalo
- Car hire with driver - For longer routes or multi-day road trips, compare Vietnam car hire options via GetRentacar
Prices listed are approximate as of 2026 and vary by season, negotiation, and operator. Motorbike hire (for those with an IDP) remains the cheapest independent transport option - see our Getting Around Vietnam guide for the full picture.