How to find a cheap car rental deal in Vietnam
Need a cheap rental car in Vietnam? With prices starting from RM190 a day, you're headed for some big savings. Whether you're looking for a go-anywhere compact, a spacious family car, or something else entirely, we compare all the top offers to help you spend less.
For extended getaways, RM1,324 is the lowest available rate for a weekly rental.
Explore the range of car rentals in Hanoi. This is where you'll find the cheapest wheels in Vietnam.
Hanoi is the most popular city for car rentals.
When comparing providers, browse what's on offer from Diep Car Rental. It's a leading name in Vietnam.
There's no need to travel far after landing to pick up your ride. Car rentals are available at major airports including Ho Chi Minh City Airport, Hanoi Airport and Da Nang Airport.
Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, Phu Quoc and Nha Trang are a few of the most convenient cities to pick up a set of wheels.
A one-way rental might work out in your favor. Providers often lower prices when they need to move cars between sites. When searching for a car for rent in Vietnam, choose 'Return car to a different location' to access those deals.
Covering more ground than usual? Consider a 30-day rental. Extended bookings can cost less since there is less admin and handling involved for the company.
Go for a vehicle with a 'Fair fuel policy' and avoid additional fuel charges. It comes with a full tank and goes back full, so there are no unexpected add-ons.
Select 'Unlimited mileage' under the 'Policies' filter and let the map decide how far the journey goes. You can roam wherever the road takes you without added mileage charges.
Best time to book a car rental in Vietnam
Timing can make all the difference when it comes to finding the best price on a car rental in Vietnam. Try booking around four weeks before your departure date.
October is the most affordable month to rent a car. You can expect average daily rates of RM135 then.
August is typically the most expensive time of year.
Compare car rental types in Vietnam
Economy: Drive away in one of these and keep your travel budget on track. Lower daily rates and strong fuel efficiency mean you spend less overall while still getting a comfortable, easy-to-handle ride.
Small: This category features mini and economy cars that handle the basics with ease. Compact dimensions, fuel-efficient engines and good manoeuvrability make it a practical choice when you need a cheap rental car in Vietnam.
Medium: Medium rentals are a comfortable middle ground. Bridging the gap between small and large, they offer a little extra space and comfort without going all out on size. Compact and intermediate models are part of this lineup.
Large: No cramming in. No bags stealing your legroom. Also known as full-size, large cars offer generous passenger space and the luggage capacity to go with it. Choose this category when you're covering serious ground or bringing everyone with you.
SUV: Road trips across Vietnam are a dream in one of these. The elevated seating position offers a wider view of what's ahead and helps you stay aware of your surroundings. Engineered for versatility, they can take you from busy urban streets to more challenging terrain without missing a beat.
Van: When you've got plenty to carry, a van rises to the occasion. This category of car for rent in Vietnam makes room for everything and everyone. Including commercial vans and trucks, they're a practical option for group transport, moving or business use.
Luxury: Set off in total style. Featuring head-turning design, advanced technology, and performance built for precision and power, these vehicles redefine what a rental experience can be.
Insurance and optional extras
Choosing excess insurance for your rental car can take the stress out of driving. It protects you from paying a big excess fee in case of theft or damage. Insurance policies can vary from one provider to another, so compare before you commit.
Travel smarter when you rent a car in Vietnam by adding a few nifty extras. Think things like a GPS unit to keep you headed the right way, or reverse cameras that give you confidence when parking.
Driving in Vietnam: What you need to know
Age requirements for rentals often vary by supplier and even car type, so know the rules before you book. Some providers in Vietnam may rent to younger drivers for an additional fee. If you're outside the typical age range, just uncheck 'Driver aged between 25–70' and then enter how old you are to explore your options.
If you're bringing the kids along, check if you need to add a child car seat to your car rental reservation in Vietnam. Whether a legal requirement or not, they're always the safest way for little ones to travel.
You'll need to hand over a few things when collecting your rental car: an official driver's licence, another form of photo ID, and a credit card with enough funds to pay the security deposit. Debit cards aren't widely accepted. Any other requirements will be listed in your booking.
Spend a moment familiarising yourself with your rental. Adjust your seat and mirrors, find the lights and wipers, and get a feel for its handling before you set off. And don't forget to stick to the right side of the road in Vietnam.
Keep within the local speed limits. Most of the time that's around 45kph in built-up areas and 110kph or so on highways, unless signed otherwise.
Leave the car parked if your plans involve alcohol. Vietnam has a zero-tolerance approach to drinking and driving, and fines may apply if you break the rules.
You'll be using the Vietnamese Đồng (VND) on your trip here. Along with your debit and credit cards, consider bringing some cash for minor purchases.
Where to road trip in Vietnam?
Vietnam is easy to explore by car, with major rental hubs in Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City, plus airport pickup points like Noi Bai International Airport and Da Nang International Airport. If you're planning a car rental in Vietnam, the routes below show how pickup points, trip lengths and vehicle types differ depending on terrain, pace and how much ground you want to cover.
History and Culture: The Imperial Heartland, Central Vietnam
Pick up your car in Hue and drive south through central Vietnam's most historically layered region, where dynastic citadels and ancient trading ports sit within easy reach of each other. It's a good fit for travellers who want a culture-heavy drive without logging long hours behind the wheel each day.
Recommended car: Compact sedan.
Suggested pickup point: Phu Bai International Airport.
Good for: History enthusiasts, couples, first-time visitors to Vietnam.
Road conditions: Paved urban roads, mountain pass sections, well-maintained coastal highway.
Best time to go: February to April for dry, cooler weather.
Trip length: Four to five days.
Key stops: Hoi An, My Son.
Coastal: Da Nang to Mui Ne, the South-Central Coast
Starting in Da Nang, you'll trace Vietnam's long central and south-central coastline through a chain of beach towns and fishing villages facing the South China Sea. The drive suits those who prefer a relaxed pace with regular stops rather than long unbroken days on the road.
Recommended car: Compact sedan or small SUV.
Suggested pickup point: Da Nang International Airport.
Good for: Beach lovers, couples, slow travellers.
Road conditions: Paved coastal highway, some winding hillside sections, flat stretches through resort towns.
Best time to go: March to August for dry conditions along the south-central coast.
Trip length: Seven to nine days.
Key stops: Nha Trang, Phan Thiet.
Nature and Adventure: The Northern Loop, Ha Giang and the Dong Van Plateau
Set out from Hanoi and head north into Vietnam's most rugged highland region, where the roads climb sharply through limestone karst terrain toward the Chinese border. This route demands confident driving on narrow mountain roads, so it works best if you're comfortable taking it slowly over several days.
Recommended car: Small SUV or crossover.
Suggested pickup point: Noi Bai International Airport.
Good for: Adventure travellers, experienced drivers, nature lovers.
Road conditions: Winding mountain roads, steep switchbacks, unpaved sections in remote areas.
Best time to go: September to November for clear skies after monsoon season.
Trip length: Six to eight days.
Key stops: Ha Giang, Dong Van.
Weather and driving conditions in Vietnam
Weather
Vietnam's climate splits by region: the south runs on two seasons, with a dry period from November to April and a wet season from May to October, while the north experiences four seasons, including a cool, dry winter from November to February and a hot, humid stretch from May through September.
Heavy rain is the condition you'll encounter most when driving in Vietnam, especially along the central coast during the wet season, so keep your headlights on and increase your following distance. Fog can settle thickly over northern mountain passes early in the morning, and slowing down well before bends gives you time to react safely.
Driving conditions
Highway and expressway links between major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are well-maintained and fast. Rural roads in the Central Highlands and mountainous north can be narrow and uneven, so a road trip in Vietnam rewards drivers who build in extra time for mountain stretches.
City driving in Vietnam is defined by dense motorbike traffic that flows in ways that can feel unpredictable to visiting drivers. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have complex one-way systems, limited parking, and busy intersections with no clear right-of-way signals. {NS} Outside the cities, roads narrow quickly, signage is often in Vietnamese only, and fuel stops become less frequent the further you travel from provincial towns. Rural routes linking the central highlands or northern valleys can stretch long distances between services.
On rural roads in Vietnam, particularly in the northern highlands and central regions, water buffalo, cattle, and free-ranging chickens are commonly encountered, especially around dawn and dusk when farmers move livestock between fields.
Complete your road trip with a hotel
No matter where your drive leads, a comfortable place to stay can make all the difference at the end of a long drive. Once you've booked your car rental in Vietnam, explore hotels in Ho Chi Minh City if you're passing by this major stop. It's also easy to find Hanoi accommodation options or browse places to stay in Da Nang while you work out the rest of your itinerary.
