Lang Son by car: expressway, Mau Son and border markets

Lang Son by car: the expressway from Hanoi, Mau Son, border markets and local food. Lang Son kept its provincial name in the 2025 reorganisation. Thanks to the Hanoi – Bac Giang – Lang Son expressway, the 150–160 km trip usually takes 2.5–3 hours, good for 1–2 days.

Cao Bang and Ban Gioc Waterfall by car: route and days

Cao Bang and Ban Gioc Waterfall by car: route, how many days and water levels. Cao Bang kept its provincial name in the 2025 reorganisation. Ban Gioc Waterfall lies on the north-eastern border, about 330–370 km from Hanoi depending on the route, so allow at least 3 days.

Mai Chau by car: the route, Lac village and best seasons

Mai Chau by car: the route, Lac and Pom Coong villages, and the season up to Tết. Mai Chau is now Mai Chau commune, Phu Tho province (merged from Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc and Hoa Binh in 2025). This White Thai valley is about 135–140 km from Hanoi, well suited to a two-day weekend.

Cat Ba by car: Dong Bai ferry, cable car and a 2-day plan

Cat Ba by car: Dong Bai ferry or cable car, ferry times and a 2-day plan. Cat Ba belongs to Cat Hai special zone, Hai Phong city (merged from Hai Phong and Hai Duong in 2025). From Hanoi, cars take the Hanoi – Hai Phong expressway and the Tan Vu – Lach Huyen bridge to Cat Hai island before crossing

Sa Pa by car: sights, seasons and mountain-road tips

Sa Pa by car: where to go, when, and mountain-road tips once you are there. Sa Pa is now Sa Pa ward in Lao Cai province (merged from Lao Cai and Yen Bai in 2025). This guide covers sightseeing around Sa Pa by car over 2–3 days. For the drive up from Hanoi, see our Hanoi to Sa Pa private car guide.

Ha Tien by car: route from HCMC, best season and a 2-day plan

Ha Tien by car: the route from Ho Chi Minh City, the best season and a 2-day plan. Ha Tien sits on Vietnam's far south-western coast and is now part of An Giang province after the 2025 merger of An Giang and Kien Giang. It offers limestone hills by the sea, Mac family heritage and a ferry port for P

Sa Dec flower village by car: route, Tết flower season and parking

Sa Dec flower village by car: the route from Ho Chi Minh City, the Tết flower season and parking tips. Sa Dec flower village lies on the Tien River in Sa Dec ward, Dong Thap province (merged from Dong Thap and Tien Giang in 2025). The craft village dates back to the late 19th century, grows around 2

Phong Nha and Quang Binh by car: seasonal caves and a 2-day itinerary

Phong Nha and Quang Binh by car: the route, seasonal cave openings and an itinerary. Former Quang Binh, including Dong Hoi and Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, is now part of Quang Tri province after the 2025 merger. Travelling by car lets you link Dong Hoi, the caves and even Hue in one trip. Tim

Quy Nhon by car: Ky Co, Eo Gio, what to eat and when to go

Quy Nhon by car: getting there, Ky Co and Eo Gio, what to eat and when to go. Since the 2025 merger of Binh Dinh and Gia Lai, Quy Nhon is the central ward of Gia Lai province. The seaside city has beaches, Cham towers and the Phuong Mai peninsula close by, ideal for exploring by car at a family's pa

Moc Chau by car: the route, mustard and plum blossom seasons and itinerary

Moc Chau by car: the route from Hanoi, white mustard and plum blossom seasons, and parking tips. The Moc Chau plateau in Son La province is about 200 km from Hanoi, close enough for a two-day trip that still feels like the highlands. From November to Tết, white mustard flowers give way to plum bloss