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The Bien Hoa – Vung Tau expressway, about 54 km long, has been open along its whole main route since the evening of 18 May 2026. It is still in a temporary operating phase, though: only cars with fewer than 9 seats may use it, and the speed limit is 80 km/h. From central Ho Chi Minh City, cars take the HCMC – Long Thanh – Dau Giay expressway and turn onto it at the Long Thanh interchange to reach Ba Ria and Vung Tau.
The route runs from Vo Nguyen Giap road in Phuoc Tan ward, Dong Nai, to National Highway 56 in Tam Long ward, Ho Chi Minh City (the old Ba Ria area; since July 2025 the former Ba Ria – Vung Tau province belongs to Ho Chi Minh City). According to Thanh Nien, about 34.2 km lies in Dong Nai and 19.8 km in Ho Chi Minh City; work began in June 2023. It is designed for 100 km/h, but the current limit is lower while finishing works continue.
Three agencies built its three sections, which is why updates come out piecemeal: Dong Nai's project board (section 1, Vo Nguyen Giap to Long Thanh), Project Management Board 85 under the Ministry of Construction (section 2, including the Long Thanh and Tan Hiep interchanges) and Ho Chi Minh City (section 3, to Highway 56).
If you are planning the whole trip rather than just the road, our car hire for Vung Tau page explains vehicle types and rental options, and the Ho Chi Minh City to Vung Tau private car route page covers pickup points and how to request a quote.
Photo: Bien Hoa – Vung Tau expressway by MinhVN1863, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
| Interchange | Where | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Vo Nguyen Giap (start) | Phuoc Tan ward, Dong Nai | Coming from Bien Hoa or National Highway 1 |
| Long Thanh | Junction with the HCMC – Long Thanh – Dau Giay expressway and road T2 to Long Thanh airport | The main way on for cars from central HCMC and Thu Duc |
| Tan Hiep | Junction with the Ben Luc – Long Thanh expressway | Not yet open as of 10 October 2026; will serve traffic from the Mekong Delta and southern HCMC |
| DT992 (Hoi Bai – Chau Pha) | Southern part of the route, near Chau Pha | Chau Pha, Phu My and Tan Hai |
| National Highway 56 (end) | End of the route, Tam Long ward | Ba Ria, Vung Tau, Long Hai and Ho Tram |
The Long Thanh interchange has several merge points and its slip roads are limited to 50 km/h; a wrong branch can send you towards Dau Giay or Bien Hoa, so pick your lane early. The HCMC – Long Thanh – Dau Giay expressway is being widened; see our HCMC – Long Thanh – Dau Giay driving guide for the work zones.
Who can use it: during temporary operation, only cars with fewer than 9 seats. Vehicles with 9 or more seats, including 9-seat limousine vans, 16-seaters and coaches, still use National Highway 51. According to Bao Xay Dung (4 October 2026), the Standing Deputy Prime Minister has asked Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Nai to let larger vehicles use the Long Thanh – Highway 56 stretch; the Long Thanh – Vo Nguyen Giap stretch was not part of that plan. As of our update we had not seen an official start date.
Speed: maximum 80 km/h, minimum 60 km/h on the main line. Dan Tri reported on 28 September 2026 that two sections qualify for a 100 km/h limit once the Tan Hiep interchange opens, with the under-9-seat rule unchanged. Always follow the signs on the day.
The Bien Hoa – Vung Tau expressway does not charge its own tolls during temporary operation. Project Management Board 85 has said its toll system is expected to be built by around November 2026, a date that may move.
Joining or leaving at Long Thanh, however, means using part of the HCMC – Long Thanh – Dau Giay expressway, which is run by VEC and tolled electronically only (ETC), so the vehicle needs a tag with credit. We do not quote toll amounts because they change; our guide to electronic tolls for rental customers explains how it works. With a chauffeured car from us, tolls are normally already in the quoted price.
We found no official confirmation of an operating rest stop on this expressway yet. The Vietnam Road Administration (via VOV) lists one on the HCMC – Long Thanh – Dau Giay expressway, but its position relative to the Long Thanh turn-off is unconfirmed, so take a break before setting off or ask the driver where to stop.
VnExpress and the toll-tag company VETC cite a target of about 70 minutes from Ho Chi Minh City to Vung Tau once the route is fully operational, down from around two hours. Allowing for city traffic and the widening works on the HCMC – Long Thanh – Dau Giay expressway, our dispatchers usually suggest allowing about 2 to 2.5 hours from central Ho Chi Minh City on a weekday, and more at weekends and on holidays.
Leave around 6:00–6:30 to join the expressway before the morning rush, spend the day at the beach, and head back around 15:00–16:00 on a weekday. Sunday afternoons are much busier towards the city, so return before about 14:00 or after dinner. Our Vung Tau travel guide by private car has fuller one- and two-day plans and family tips.
Car Rental Vietnam tip: if your group needs a 16-seater or a limousine van, ask us whether larger vehicles are allowed on the expressway on your travel date. Until the rule changes, the driver will use Highway 51, which takes longer.
The price depends on distance, vehicle size, one-way or return, waiting time and any night or holiday timing. Our online quote states that it includes the driver's wage and road tolls; ask for anything else, such as overtime, extra waiting or a VAT invoice, to be confirmed in writing. See our price list.
Yes. The full main route of about 54 km has been open since 18 May 2026, but it is still in temporary operation and some finishing works continue.
As of 12 October 2026, only cars with fewer than 9 seats are allowed. A plan to admit larger vehicles on the Long Thanh – Highway 56 stretch is being prepared, so check before you travel.
Currently 80 km/h maximum and 60 km/h minimum, with 50 km/h on the Long Thanh interchange slip roads. Some sections may move to 100 km/h after the Tan Hiep interchange opens.
The expressway itself does not charge tolls yet, but entering or leaving at Long Thanh means paying for part of the HCMC – Long Thanh – Dau Giay expressway electronically. With a chauffeured car, this is usually included in the quote.
We have found no official confirmation of an operating one yet. Take a break beforehand on the HCMC – Long Thanh – Dau Giay expressway.
Want to get to Vung Tau, Long Hai or Ho Tram without tracking interchange rules yourself? Call +84 967 914 574, message us on WhatsApp or Zalo, or visit our Vung Tau car rental service page and send your plan in writing; we will suggest a vehicle and departure time.
Main sources: Project Management Board 85 (Ministry of Construction) via VietnamPlus and VnExpress; Bao Xay Dung; Thanh Nien; Tuoi Tre; Dong Nai Newspaper; VETC; Nhan Dan.
Related details are covered in Dien Bien Phu by Car: Highway 6, Pha Din Pass, Key Sites.
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