​The best road trips to driver from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang

For many travelers, the road trip is as much about the journey as the destination itself. Every stop, every detour, and every kilometre in between becomes part of the experience.

With seasonal breaks creating windows for quick getaways, summer remains one of the most popular times for Vietnamese travellers to hit the road with family and friends. To help travellers plan their next drive, Booking.com, one of the world’s leading digital travel platforms, highlights summer road trip escapes reachable from Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Da Nang, sorted by travel type.

For families with kids

With school holidays in full swing, many families are looking for experiences that go beyond a typical weekend away. Whether it's exploring dramatic limestone landscapes or spending carefree days by the beach, these destinations combine discovery, relaxation, and quality family time in equal measure.

Ninh Binh is a landscape shaped by water. Ancient rivers wind through limestone karst valleys, slipping quietly beneath cliff faces and into cave systems that have been forming for millions of years. For families, the combination of living landscape and layered history makes Ninh Binh a road trip destination that rewards slow exploration rather than a checklist. Travelers looking to extend the experience can stay at Emeralda Resort Ninh Binh, an eco-resort designed in the style of a traditional Northern Vietnamese village, with easy reach of the region's key heritage sites.

Ho Tram is a quiet stretch of coastline lined with casuarina forests and backed by a long, unhurried beach. The water is calm, the seafood is fresh, and the pace is a world away from the city. For families who want a proper beach escape without the crowds, Ho Tram delivers exactly that. Travelers can stay at Melia Ho Tram, a beachfront property suited to families looking for space, sea access, and a relaxed base for the weekend.

Few towns in Vietnam reward a family visit the way Hoi An does. The UNESCO-listed Ancient Town offers lantern-lit streets, rich cultural heritage, and a scale that children can take in on foot or by bicycle. Nearby An Bang Beach adds the sand and sea that round out a complete family weekend. Families can stay at Grand Signature Resort Hoi An by M Village, a heritage-inspired property set among lush gardens and traditional wooden architecture that gives the whole family room to unwind between explorations.
 

For friend groups and Gen Z

Some destinations are best experienced with friends in the passenger seat.  A roadside coffee stop turns into an hour-long conversation, a scenic viewpoint becomes an impromptu photo session, and a local food recommendation leads to the highlight of the trip. These destinations are made for friend groups looking to collect experiences together.

Situated in the western reaches of Hoa Binh province, Mai Chau is a valley of striking natural beauty with rice paddies, forested hills, and White Thai stilt villages that still feel truly unhurried. Cycling between villages, browsing local markets, sharing traditional meals and ending the day with traditional dance performances create the kind of shared experiences that naturally bring groups together. For friend groups drawn to off-the-beaten-track routes, Mai Chau Ecolodge is an ideal stay which offers bungalows with open-facing windows looking out over rice paddies and mountain ridges, with cycling routes to Ban Lac and evening xoe dance (Thai folk dancing) right on the property.

Da Lat has long been a favourite for groups seeking cooler weather, outdoor adventures, and a lively café scene. Days can be spent hopping between specialty coffee shops, exploring pine forests and waterfalls, visiting flower farms, or gathering around barbecue dinners as the temperature drops after sunset. Group travelers can choose to stay at Ana Mandara Villas Dalat Resort & Spa, where meticulously restored French colonial architecture, pine forest views, and cosy fireplaces provide a memorable base for groups exploring the city together.

The drive from Da Nang to Hue along the Hai Van Pass offers sea panoramas and a French-era fort at the summit that makes the mountain crossing feel like a destination in itself. Beyond its imperial landmarks, Hue invites groups travelers to explore bustling local markets, sample signature dishes such as bun bo Hue and banh khoai, and discover riverside cafés and hidden corners of the old city. Friends can stay at Melia Vinpearl Hue for easy access to the Historic Citadel, local food spots and cafés, while Vedana Lagoon Resort & Spa offers kayaking, cycling, and lagoon sunsets that are best for friends enjoyed together after a day on the road.

 

For couples and honeymooners

A road trip offers something many couples look for but rarely find in everyday life: uninterrupted time together. These destinations are best experienced without a schedule, for couples to celebrate special moments and enjoy the journey together.

For couples looking to escape the pace of city life, Tam Dao offers a romantic mountain retreat just a short drive from Hanoi. Moss-covered French colonial ruins add a touch of old-world charm, while uncrowded trails create plenty of opportunities to enjoy the surroundings side by side. The romantic atmosphere continues at Hôtel de l'Amour Tam Đảo, a French-style property set among the clouds with private balconies overlooking the town below.

Mui Ne sits at the end of a scenic coastal drive through Bình Thuận province, where long stretches of shoreline, swaying palm trees, and sea views create a relaxed setting for a romantic escape. Couples can spend unhurried mornings watching the sunrise over the ocean, enjoy leisurely walks along the beach, and end the day with fresh seafood dinners by the water. For those couple travelers celebrating a special occasion, The Anam Mũi Né adds a more romantic touch with its elegant Indochine-inspired design and beachfront setting for slowing down together.

Set deep in a jungle valley ringed by forested hills, My Son is a UNESCO-listed complex of ancient Cham tower-temples that dates back to the 4th century.It's an ideal stop for couples who enjoy history, culture, and slower-paced experiences. For couples who want to stay close to that sense of stillness rather than drive back to the coast, and My Son Heritage Resort and Spa sits just minutes from the sanctuary itself, with mountain-facing rooms, a pool set among gardens, and the kind of quiet that makes arriving early the next morning feel entirely worth it.