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Since 1 July 2026, anyone driving a rental car with young children must use a suitable child restraint. The rule covers children under 10 who are shorter than 1.35 m in passenger cars. On a self-drive rental you are the driver, so the rule applies to you as it would in a family car. Here is what it says, how to choose a seat by age, and what to ask when booking for the year-end season.
Children under 10 and shorter than 1.35 m must use a restraint suited to their age and weight, and must not sit in the driver's row unless the vehicle has only one row. Penalties have applied since mid-August 2026: missing child restraints bring a warning, and a child in the driver's row brings a fine for the driver. Commercial passenger vehicles are exempt from the seat requirement, but a self-drive car you drive yourself is not.
Weight and height matter more than age, so give us both when you book.
Many newer cars have ISOFIX points in the second row; where there is none, the seat fits with the three-point belt. At pick-up, push the seat firmly: a good fit moves only a few centimetres. A 7-seater lets the seat go in row two with an adult beside it, which helps on long drives.
A familiar seat helps children sleep on a long drive. If you fly in and collect the car at the airport, borrowing a seat keeps luggage light. Either way, check the seat is in date, uncracked and has all its straps.
Age is only a guide. Seat makers print weight and height limits on the label; once a child exceeds either limit, move up to the next type.
| Type | Usually fits | Direction | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant carrier | Newborn to about 13 kg | Rear-facing | Back row, never in front of an airbag |
| Convertible seat | About 9–18 kg | Rear-facing as long as possible, then forward | Second row |
| Harnessed seat converting to booster | About 15–25 kg | Forward-facing | Second row, or third row with anchors |
| Booster | From about 4 years until 1.35 m tall | Forward, using the adult belt | Seat with a three-point belt |
When booking, send each child's weight, height and age. Two children of different ages often need two different seats.
If unsure, ask the handover staff to fit it with you and show how to remove it, so you can move it yourself on the road.
Families landing in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi or Đà Nẵng usually want a car the moment they reach arrivals, when children are already tired. A simple plan:
On a self-drive rental you fit the seats yourself at pick-up; consider collecting the car in town the next day rather than driving straight after a long flight.
| Vehicle | Usual luggage | With child seats |
|---|---|---|
| 4–5 seat | about 3 suitcases | Two seats in the back; a folded stroller may take one suitcase's space |
| 7 seat | about 4 suitcases | Seats in row two, adults in row three; with row three up, the boot shrinks |
| 16 seat, 9-seat limousine | about 6–8 suitcases | Room for several seats, a stroller and a cot |
The Reunification Express has 4- or 6-berth sleeper compartments, enough for a small family overnight. Car seats are not used on the train, so book a car at the arrival station with seats already fitted:
A family favourite: the overnight Hanoi – Lào Cai train, then a morning pick-up at Lào Cai for the mountain road to Sa Pa. The road winds, so keep children properly seated and pack motion-sickness bags.
Buckle up fully even on short city hops; many crashes happen at low speed. Stop roughly every two hours so children can stretch, drink and be changed.
| Factor | Borrow with the rental | Bring your own |
|---|---|---|
| Luggage | Nothing extra through the airport | One more bulky item |
| Familiarity | Child may need a few minutes to settle | Child knows it and sleeps easily |
| History | Ask its age and check the label | You know it has never been in a crash |
| Fitting | Staff help at handover | Fit it yourself from the manual |
Either way, tell us in advance so the car has suitable rows and anchor points.
So the right seat is fitted first time, include in the quote form each child's age, rough weight and height, whether they need a reclining seat or just a booster, plus the number of adults and suitcases. A rear-facing seat takes most of a back seat, so this decides the vehicle. Child seats are provided on request. At pickup, tug the seat side to side to check it is tight and adjust the harness to the child's shoulders.
Families of 4–5 with young children: a 7-seater leaves room for a child seat in row two and still seats everyone. The seating-row rule is covered in children in the front seat.
Booking: chauffeur quotes already cover fuel and tolls and get 10% off; vehicles are 2022–2025 models. Need an 8% VAT invoice? Tell us when you book.
Commercial passenger vehicles are exempt, but we still recommend one for small children; seats are available on request.
From 1.35 m, children use the normal adult seat belt.
Usually two in row two, plus one in row three if it has anchors; tell us how many children.
No; book a station pick-up with seats already fitted.
Until the child is about 1.35 m tall and the adult belt sits correctly on shoulder and hips.
Commercial transport is not required to carry them, but for safety ask for one when booking; seats are provided on request.
At the right recline, yes; stop about every two hours for a stretch.
No; remove it, buckle up, then lay it over the child so the harness is snug.
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