Most people traveling in Vietnam will rave about how easy it is to travel by scooter, and it’s true—you’ll see hundreds of scooters everywhere in the city. It’s certainly an efficient way to get around. However, if you’re planning to visit regions outside the city and prefer to drive a car, it is possible to rent one.
When we visited Vietnam we started our trip in Hanoi. Before arriving we did a lot of research online as to whether it is possible to rent a car without having to have a driver as well. It was hard to tell online whether renting a car without a driver was possible as most listings seemed to include one. But I have good news—it is entirely possible! I found a reliable company run by Mr. Ho from
Car For Rent Hanoi.
Mr. Ho is polite and professional and was great to rent a car from, I highly recommend his services. I actually found his company when deep-diving into a Reddit thread when trying to find a driver-less rental option, I messaged him directly on WhatsApp, and he replied quickly with all the necessary information. He speaks perfect English, which is reassuring when renting a car from a small business in a foreign country, at least there are no unwelcome miscommunication surprises! He also had all the correct paperwork, he met us in person upon arrival, and made the process smooth. We had no issues returning the vehicle and got our deposit back without any hassle.
So, if you’re looking for a car rental service with a reliable, English-speaking local—and you don’t want to book a driver—Mr. Ho is your guy!
If you do want a driver then I would recommend comparing the prices of all the rental agencies online and contacting them by WhatsApp for a quote. You will likely need to pay a deposit to secure the booking.
One piece of advice if you choose to drive yourself in Vietnam: it’s chaotic, but it does flow. The most difficult part, in my opinion, is navigating the traffic lights. Even when you have a green light, it seems like everyone else does too. You just have to find your way through the intersection. If you drive slowly, no one will honk at you or get road rage. People are used to a bit of chaos on the roads, so take your time as you adjust.
Be especially careful when driving in the rain or outside the cities. Drivers tend to behave more recklessly in these conditions. One day, I passed three major crashes involving completely wrecked vehicles—all within the span of an hour. These were often the result of speeding and overtaking on blind corners.
A common driving tactic in Vietnam is honking. It’s not aggressive; rather, it's a way to let you know that someone is behind you and likely about to overtake. So if someone is honking like crazy, they’re not asking you to pull over—they just want you to be aware of their presence.
Another thing I noticed is that people often flash their headlights as a greeting. The first few times it happened, I thought I had forgotten to turn my own lights on, or that there was an accident or police up ahead, so I slowed down. But now I know—it’s usually just a friendly “hello.” Don’t be alarmed!
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