Driving to Ho Chi Minh City: Routes, Tolls, Parking and Times

The main roads into Ho Chi Minh City are National Highway 1A from the north, National Highway 22 from the northwest near the Cambodian border at Moc Bai, and National Highway 13 from the northeast, each with distinct distances and traffic patterns.

National Highway 1A runs the length of Vietnam, connecting Ho Chi Minh City with northern provinces such as Binh Duong and Dong Nai. This busy but well-maintained highway features multiple toll stations, including the Bien Hoa toll plaza. National Highway 22 leads from the Moc Bai border crossing about 70 kilometers northwest to District 12, offering generally smooth pavement and several toll points.

National Highway 13 links the city with Binh Duong Province and northern suburbs like Thu Dau Mot. It is heavily used by commuters and freight vehicles. Drivers should expect heavy congestion during peak hours, especially near entry points like Thu Thiem Tunnel and the An Suong intersection, where traffic noise and vehicle queues are common.

Toll charges on highways to Ho Chi Minh City generally range from EUR 1.50 to EUR 5 per toll booth, varying by vehicle type and travel distance.

Main highways such as National Highway 1A and National Highway 22 have several toll stations. For instance, the Bien Hoa toll station on Highway 1A charges between VND 35,000 and 60,000 (roughly EUR 1.50 to 2.50) for cars. Larger vehicles, including trucks, pay higher fees, sometimes reaching VND 100,000 (around EUR 4). The toll booth near Moc Bai border on Highway 22 costs about VND 40,000 to 50,000 (EUR 1.70 to 2.10).

Cash in Vietnamese dong is recommended as electronic payments are not accepted everywhere. Toll booths operate around the clock but may visit long lines during peak holiday periods like Tet, when the air carries the scent of incense and street vendors sell festive snacks nearby.

Parking in Ho Chi Minh City is available but limited in central districts, with options including metered street parking, guarded lots, and paid garages charging between EUR 0.50 and EUR 3 per hour.

In District 1 and busy neighborhoods such as District 3 and Binh Thanh, street parking spots are metered, costing about VND 10,000 to 20,000 per hour (EUR 0.40 to 0.80). These spaces fill quickly during business hours, often lined with scooters and motorcycles emitting faint exhaust smells. Many hotels and shopping centers, including Vincom Center, offer secure parking garages with fees ranging from VND 30,000 to 70,000 per hour (EUR 1.20 to 3).

Motorbikes dominate local traffic, and most parking areas have designated sections for motorbikes and cars. Using guarded parking reduces risks of theft or damage. When visiting busy places like District 1 or District 3, allow extra time to locate available parking.

Driving to Ho Chi Minh City takes between 30 minutes and several hours depending on distance and traffic; trips from neighboring provinces like Dong Nai and Binh Duong generally take 1 to 2 hours.

The route from Bien Hoa city in Dong Nai Province to central Ho Chi Minh City covers about 30 kilometers and usually requires 45 minutes to 1 hour outside peak traffic. From Thu Dau Mot in Binh Duong Province, the 40-kilometer drive typically lasts 1 to 1.5 hours.

During rush hours—mornings from 7:00 to 9:00 and late afternoons from 16:30 to 19:00—travel times can easily double due to congestion on main roads like National Highway 1A and at key junctions such as the An Suong intersection. Weekend and holiday traffic often causes additional delays. Using real-time navigation apps like Google Maps helps avoid traffic jams and noisy gridlocks.

Traffic laws in Ho Chi Minh City include mandatory helmets for motorbike riders, strict no drinking and driving rules, and designated lanes for different vehicles; foreign drivers must carry an International Driving Permit (IDP).

Urban speed limits range from 40 to 60 km/h, increasing to 80–100 km/h on highways. Police frequently conduct checks for valid licenses and vehicle registration, particularly near Tan Son Nhat International Airport and major intersections. Driving under the influence carries harsh penalties.

Foreign visitors driving in Vietnam must have an IDP along with their national license. Streets are filled with motorbikes weaving through traffic, so careful and defensive driving is essential. Using GPS navigation and planning routes ahead is strongly recommended.

The optimal times to drive into Ho Chi Minh City with lighter traffic are mid-morning (9:30–11:30) and early afternoon (13:00–15:30) on weekdays; weekends may be less predictable due to local events and shopping activity.

Rush hour begins around 6:30 and continues until 9:00 in the morning, with evening congestion starting near 16:30 and lasting until 19:00. Traffic jams are particularly heavy near highway entrances and central districts such as District 1 and Binh Thanh, where horns and engines create a constant urban hum. Planning trips outside these peak periods can reduce time stuck in traffic.

During holiday seasons like Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year), highways entering the city visit major delays. Expect crowds, festive street vendors, and a distinct aroma of incense filling the air, so allow extra travel time.

Accurate traffic updates and road condition reports for Ho Chi Minh City are available through local radio stations, government traffic websites, and popular navigation apps such as Google Maps and Waze.

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport issues traffic news and roadwork alerts on official websites and local TV or radio broadcasts. For example, Voice of Ho Chi Minh City (99.9 FM) regularly provides live traffic reports.

GPS navigation apps with live traffic data offer the most convenient way to plan routes and avoid congestion. They also suggest alternative routes and provide estimated travel times based on current road conditions.

Many locals in Ho Chi Minh City prefer motorbikes over cars since they can maneuver through heavy traffic and fit into small parking spaces. Ride-hailing services like Grab motorbike taxis are a common way to avoid the hassle of driving.

Car owners often arrange monthly parking contracts in residential areas with private or guarded lots. In commercial districts, multi-story garages and valet services at shopping centers such as Vincom Center or Saigon Centre are popular.

To save costs, some locals avoid toll roads, choosing longer but toll-free provincial routes. Carpooling and scheduling trips outside peak traffic hours are also common strategies to reduce time spent sitting in traffic jams.