Your Hai Phong Adventure Starts with a Car Rental from HPH Airport

You need BOTH your US driver's license AND an International Driving Permit (IDP). Vietnamese law requires an IDP for foreign drivers, and rental companies will not hand over keys without it. The IDP can be obtained from AAA in the US before departure. Without it, you risk fines of 500,000–1,000,000 VND ($20–$40) and potential vehicle seizure.

Vietnam is right-hand traffic—vehicles drive on the right side of the road, just like the US, so you won't have to relearn the basics. However, the bigger adjustment is that most drivers (especially motorcyclists) treat lane markings as suggestions rather than rules. Expect frequent lane splitting, sudden stops, and honking as normal communication. Defensive driving is essential.

Most rental agencies require drivers to be at least 21 years old, though some premium agencies set it at 25. If you're under 25, expect a young driver surcharge of approximately $10–$25 per day, depending on the agency and vehicle class. This fee is often negotiable at smaller local rental shops—larger chains like Sixt at the airport charge it uniformly.

Toll roads in Vietnam accept both cash and the new electronic ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) tags. However, most rental cars don't come with ETC pre-installed, so you'll pay cash at toll booths—carry small bills in VND. For fuel, unleaded gasoline (Ron 95) is the standard, and filling up is self-service at widely available gas stations. Credit cards are accepted at major stations like Petrolimex but carry a 1–2% processing fee.

The monsoon season runs from May to October, with August–September being the wettest. Hai Phong receives 1,500–2,000mm of rain annually—sudden torrential downpours reduce visibility to near zero, and roads flood quickly in low-lying areas. If you must drive during this period, avoid SUVs with low ground clearance and plan extra travel time. The best months for self-driving are November through April when roads are dry and temperatures are milder (18–25°C).

Police checkpoints are common in Vietnam, especially on highways and near city centers. If you're caught violating traffic rules (running red lights, illegal turns, speeding), fines are typically paid on the spot at reduced rates or at police stations within 24 hours. Unpaid fines can result in the rental company deducting from your security deposit. Americans commonly get fined for: turning right on red without stopping, driving in motorcycle lanes, and not yielding to pedestrians. Always carry your passport and IDP for checkpoint verification.