Car Rental in Vietnam

Rent a car in Vietnam! Is it easy? Can you rent and drive a car in Vietnam to visit the country? These questions are naturally bound to cross the minds of every foreign traveler.

Renting a car in Vietnam as a local versus as a foreigner?

First, you must distinguish between two things: renting a car as a Vietnamese person and renting a car as a foreigner. In the first case, it has become very easy in recent years. Rental services targeting these clients are sprouting up like mushrooms in the country’s major cities. This market is growing considerably as holidays approach, when rental demand increases spectacularly. Very often, if someone wants to rent a car for such occasions, they must book several months in advance. As for the formalities, it is very simple: a driver’s license, a deposit (this amount can be replaced by a motorbike deposited as security), a document certifying the lessee’s place of residence. In principle, all these cars are equipped with a GPS system, which owners can easily use to track routes. Since car models and quality vary greatly from one agency to another, prices do as well. But generally, you pay the rental fee by the day, from $25 to $50, depending on the type of car and number of seats. It is also important to know that there is a mileage allowance (often 200 km per day) included in the rental fee.

For foreigners, although regulations regarding traveler driving are becoming more flexible, we still advise you not to rent or drive a car yourself, especially when your stay in Vietnam is limited in duration. Indeed, even if you have an international driver’s license (which is a requirement, otherwise you must convert it to a Vietnamese license by paying additional costs, not to mention the time involved). Driving a car on Vietnam’s roads is not at all similar to driving in your country: new habits, new precautions, a mix of vehicle types on the roads (between two-wheeled vehicles and cars…). So if you want to get around by car in Vietnam, the best solution will be to rent a car with a driver, but even in this case, you will need to take some precautions. Although there are many rental agencies in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh, you may still have difficulty ensuring you have a vehicle in good condition, a reliable driver who knows the routes well, or communicating with the driver in case of problems during your journey… Therefore, until today, the choice of most travelers is to go through a local travel agency in Vietnam that acts as an intermediary to find you a car and a driver, and also a guide who speaks your language. Travel agencies – we are speaking of reputable agencies – often have ratings with known partners and can therefore ensure in advance the quality of services offered and monitor them during the journey. If this option costs you more, it is justified, especially in case of additional costs that might appear in the absence of the intermediary role between you and your various service providers.

On the other hand, for a personalized and custom trip in Vietnam, it will be quite possible for some routes to rent a car and a driver without a guide. These are often simple routes, without too many risks, with which a driver (with a minimum grasp of language) could help you with simple formalities: hotel check-in, ticket purchases… There are already some car rental agencies or some travel agencies that offer this type of service. This will allow you to reduce the costs of your trip. However, for longer routes, you are still advised to rent all necessary services: car, driver, and guide.

Whatever the options, you should keep a few details in mind:

– The services provided by drivers are not the same as those provided by guides: you therefore cannot expect drivers to speak a foreign language as well as a guide, or to take on as many services as a guide can provide…

– You will naturally be more appreciated if, at the end of your trip, you give a tip to the driver (often half the amount given to your guide) to encourage him, as drivers’ incomes are not high compared to the average!

– In principle, each driver has a limit on the number of kilometers imposed on them or a route schedule imposed on them (Of course, this also depends on the flexibility of each agency!). Therefore, any route outside the program will require an additional fee to be paid)

Have a great trip to Vietnam!