Self-Drive Tours: The Exciting New Way to Explore Hanoi

“We chose to travel by car as airfare was costly, and the journey turned out to be enjoyable for all of us. Driving through Vietnam, I was struck by its beauty,” shared Vu Ngoc Hieu, a 36-year-old lecturer from Hanoi’s Cau Giay district, in an interview with The Hanoi Times.

 

Hieu, who has owned his car for over a decade, took his family on their first road trip this summer. Their week-long adventure began in Hanoi and concluded in Hoi An, in the province of Quang Nam. En route, they spent two nights each in Quang Binh and Danang, and on their return journey, they stopped for two nights in Hue and Nghe An.

   

Hieu’s family takes a break by a river on their way to Danang City. Photo: Vu Ngoc Hieu

 

As the summer holidays of 2024 commenced, a rising number of Hanoians opted for self-driving vacations to explore the local cuisine and landscapes across Vietnam.

According to a survey by VnTravellive, a prominent travel and transportation forum, the surge in self-drive tourism in the northern provinces can be attributed to weather factors, with coastal destinations being the preferred choice. This year, a majority of northern visitors are opting to drive instead of flying or taking the train, as was customary in pre-pandemic years.

The primary reason for this shift is the increased cost of air travel, making self-drive trips a more economical option for families. In June, restaurants and accommodations in the southern beach city of Nha Trang experienced a significant drop in northern visitors, with a decline of 60-70% attributed to the high cost of flying.

Another contributing factor is the newly constructed North-South Expressway, which spans over 300 kilometers from National Highway 45 to Ha Tinh Province. This expressway has reduced travel time from Hanoi to Ha Tinh from 6 hours to just 4.5 hours, with a maximum speed limit of 90 km/h and no tolls as of yet.

The survey also revealed that during the last three days of June, the Muong Thanh – Xuan Thanh Hotel in Ha Tinh Province accommodated over 30 cars in their parking lot daily, with Hanoi license plates accounting for approximately 80% of the vehicles.

Phong Hien, a resident of Hanoi, often chooses self-drive vacations, and this summer was no exception. Her family’s journey to Quang Binh in 2024 included overnight stays in Ha Tinh and Nghe An. “Driving on a tour is incredibly convenient,” Hien remarked.

Phong Hien’s son captures the bright sun in their car near Cua Lo Beach, Nghe An. Photo: Hien.

Hien further explained the cost breakdown of their trip, stating that toll fees for a seven-seater family car to Ha Tinh or Quang Binh were VND125,000 (US$5.0) along the coastal road, with an additional cost of nearly VND150,000 (US$6.0) to continue to Danang. The expressway from Ninh Binh to Dien Chau – Bai Vot is currently toll-free. Gas expenses ranged from VND800,000 to VND1 million ($32-40) one way, resulting in a total expenditure of only VND1.5 million (US$60) for their journey.

“Compared to round-trip airfare of VND4 million ($160) per person, driving only incurs gas and toll fees,” Hien noted, adding that if a family has multiple licensed drivers who can take turns, a self-drive trip is the most convenient and cost-effective option.

Nguyen Van Hieu, General Director of Vitamin Tours Travel Company, offered insight into the rising popularity of self-drive tours, stating that Vietnamese tourists are becoming more cost-conscious and cautious with their spending post-pandemic.

“Additionally, Vietnamese travelers, particularly the youth, seek novel experiences and prefer exploring new destinations instead of resorting to luxurious and expensive options,” Hieu added.

Nguyen Thi Tuyet Suong, owner of a homestay on My Khe Beach in Danang, confirmed the trend, sharing that since the start of summer, 80% of her guests have been from Hanoi and the northern provinces, the majority of whom arrived by private car or train.

Dang Manh Phuoc, CEO of The Outbox Company, a tourism-focused market research and data analysis firm, characterized this summer’s trend of self-driving and local travel as indicative of the “close to home” phenomenon. He predicted that this keyword would define tourism trends in the coming years, influenced by rising costs and diverse demands that have prompted changes in travel habits.

However, Phuoc also acknowledged the limitations of autonomous driving, particularly for long-distances, which can be exhausting, especially if there is only one driver or if young children or individuals prone to motion sickness are part of the traveling party. He advised travelers with time constraints to opt for alternative modes of transportation.

Phuoc recommended that self-driving travelers carefully plan their trips, considering meals, rest stops, and realistic itineraries to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all passengers.

Nguyen Quoc Thai, a member of Vietnam’s largest car forum, shared his experience of traveling by car to Ninh Thuan this year with a group of friends.

  

Thai captures a moment at the Dam Nai Wind Power Project in Ninh Thuan, one of Vietnam’s largest wind power fields. Photo: Nguyen Quoc Thai

Thai observed that the parking lots of resorts and hotels along their route were filled with cars bearing Hanoi and other northern or central province license plates.

“Out of ten cars in the hotel parking lot, nine were from Hanoi,” remarked Dang Ngoc Thanh, a friend of Quoc Thai, recalling their stay at a hotel during their trip.

Looking ahead to the upcoming National Day holiday, Thanh shared his plans: “During the long weekend from August 30 to September 4, we will be driving to Ho Chi Minh City. Our group includes several licensed drivers who can take turns, making the journey more manageable.”

   

Dang Ngoc Thanh and his friends embark on a self-drive tour in Cao Bang, a northern mountainous province. Photo: Thanh.

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