Asia > 🇻🇳 Vietnam
The city by city Car or no Car advice for Vietnam can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Vietnam; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Vietnam?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Vietnam?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.🏙️ Main Cities in Vietnam
| CITY | IATA | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Can Tho | VCA | |
| Da Nang | DAD | |
| Ha Long | HANh | |
| Hanoi | HAN | |
| Ho Chi Minh City | SGN | |
| Nha Trang | CXR | |
| Phu Quoc | PQC | |
| Van Don | VDO | |
| Xieng Khouang | XNG |
Vietnam spans over 1,600 km from the mountainous north to the Mekong Delta in the south. Whether you should rent a car in Vietnam largely depends on your confidence as a driver and the type of trip you have in mind.
🛣️ Why Renting a Car in Vietnam Is Not the Usual Choice
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Self-driving is uncommon: Foreign visitors are generally not permitted to rent a car for self-drive unless they hold a Vietnamese driving licence. Most tourists instead hire a car with a driver, which remains common and affordable.
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Traffic conditions: Driving in Vietnam—especially in cities like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City—is chaotic, with scooters everywhere and road rules less enforced than in some western countries.
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Established train & bus network: Vietnam has a solid network of long-distance rail and road links connecting cities like Hanoi, Huế, Da Nang, Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh City.
🚆 Train Travel & High-Speed Rail Plans
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Reunification Express: The north–south conventional railway runs around 1,726 km from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. It offers a classic overland journey broken up at stops like Huế, Da Nang or Quy Nhon.
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High-Speed Rail (HSR) – under construction: Plans are underway for a high-speed rail line, but as of now it remains in development and not yet available for passengers.
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Local rail gems: The Da Lat–Trại Mát cog railway offers vintage charm through mountain scenery.
🚘 When Hiring a Car (with driver) Makes Sense
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Remote & rural regions: If you plan to explore places like the East Rift Valley, the Central Highlands, or the Mekong backwaters, hiring a car with driver gives you more flexibility.
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Family or group travel: For larger groups, a private car with driver can be cost-effective, and offers flexibility from hotels to scenic stops without fixed schedules.
🛣️ Driving Conditions in Vietnam
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Vietnam drives on the right.
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Road quality varies: major highways are good, but secondary roads can be narrow or poorly surfaced.
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Parking in cities is limited and chaotic.
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Foreign driving permits may have restrictions — verify with your rental agency.
💡 Car Rental Tips
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Hire a car with driver rather than self-drive.
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Book early, particularly for holidays or peak travel periods.
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Confirm drop-off location and any border-crossing permissions if your route includes crossing into Cambodia or Laos.
🧭 Conclusion
So — should you rent a car in Vietnam?
✅ Yes — if you’re hiring a car with driver and exploring rural, off-beat regions.
🚫 No — if you’re sticking to major cities or relying on trains and buses.
Car or No Car Rating: 🚄🌏 Mostly No — Vietnam’s established public transport and train links serve much of the country well. A private car (with driver) opens up more remote areas, though self-driving is not recommended.
