Plan Your Trip
Hiring a Car and Driver
For day trips, groups, or anyone who'd rather not navigate Hanoi's traffic themselves, a private car with a driver is a comfortable, low-effort option — worth knowing when it actually beats the alternatives.
When it makes sense
- Day trips — Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay, and similar trips are commonly done this way, either booked as part of a tour or arranged independently through your hotel.
- Groups or families — splitting a car and driver across several people often works out similar to or cheaper than several Grab rides, with far more comfort and no app-juggling.
- Airport transfers with lots of luggage — see our getting from the airport guide for how this compares to other options.
- If you specifically don't want to manage Grab, walking, or motorbikes — a private driver removes all of that decision-making from your day.
How to arrange one
Most hotels can arrange a car and driver directly, often at a fair rate for the convenience. Travel agents and tour operators offer the same for day trips, usually bundled with the destination itself rather than priced as a standalone service. Ride-hailing apps like Grab also offer car options for point-to-point trips, though for a full day out of the city, a dedicated driver booking usually works out better value than repeated app bookings.
What to expect
A private driver for a day trip typically means being picked up from your hotel at an agreed time, driven to and between destinations with waiting time included, and returned in the evening. Confirm what's included (fuel, tolls, driver's meals) before booking, since these details vary by operator.