Mekong Delta by Car: Trung Luong Expressway & Ring Road 3

Whether you are heading to the Delta for the weekend or bringing guests from Can Tho to the airport, picking the right expressway can save a good deal of time in traffic.

The roads linking the Mekong Delta with Ho Chi Minh City are changing fast. This guide explains how the Trung Luong expressway, the new Ben Luc-Long Thanh link and Ring Road 3 affect car trips between the Delta and the rest of the south.

Photo: Long Thanh bridge on the Ho Chi Minh City-Long Thanh expressway by Prenn, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Corridor overview

The Trung Luong-My Thuan expressway already has an operating rest area (VOV). The new Ben Luc-Long Thanh expressway starts at an interchange with the HCMC-Trung Luong Expressway and Ring Road 3 (VnExpress International). Ring Road 3 is scheduled to be fully operational in 2026 (Dong Nai Newspaper).

What this means

• Delta visitors can reach Dong Nai, Long Thanh airport and Vung Tau without passing through central Ho Chi Minh City.
• For Tan Son Nhat airport pickups, the city route is still the direct one.

Planning tips

1. Ask which expressway your driver will use and why.
2. Leave earlier on Friday and Sunday.
3. See car rental with driver for transfers between the Delta and Ho Chi Minh City.

Practical scenario

A family visiting Can Tho for the floating markets can leave HCMC at 6:00 and reach the river city for breakfast. For the return, plan to leave before the Sunday afternoon rush. If your final destination is the airport in Dong Nai, ask whether the new link saves time on your date.

Tip from Car Rental Vietnam: If you are travelling with young children or older relatives, agree the rest stops with the driver before joining the expressway; stopping along the expressway itself is not allowed.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a rest stop on Trung Luong?

Yes, a rest area on Trung Luong-My Thuan is operating.

Best route to Tan Son Nhat?

The city route is still the direct one.

Best time to leave?

Earlier on Friday and Sunday.

Before a Delta drive

Leave early to avoid city exit traffic and plan a stop at a service area. Check the route the day before, as connections change.

For airport runs, add a buffer for check-in.

See Can Tho two-day trip and Tra Vinh by car.

Quick answers

Which route is quicker? It depends on start point and traffic.

Are tolls included? Ask for an all-in quote.