On Vietnam's main artery, the North-South Expressway (eastern route), 13 sections that had been free all become tolled at once from August 15, 2026. The Ministry of Construction has instructed operators to begin tolling across the entire route and complete rest-stop facilities (tram dung nghi) by that date, with all payment handled electronically (ETC). For travelers driving long distances in a rental car and residents commuting by car to the provinces, checking your account balance before setting out is now a required new step.
This article is aimed at residents who drive themselves to Da Nang, Nha Trang, or the Mekong Delta, and travelers planning a long rental-car trip, laying out which sections are changing, the fees, and how to pay.
13 sections, including Hoa Lien–Tuy Loan, newly become subject to tolls
The 13 sections becoming tolled were built with state funds. From north to south: Bai Vot–Ham Nghi, Ham Nghi–Vung Ang, Vung Ang–Bung, Bung–Van Ninh, Van Ninh–Cam Lo, then in the central region Quang Ngai–Hoai Nhon, Hoai Nhon–Quy Nhon, Quy Nhon–Chi Thanh, Chi Thanh–Van Phong, Van Phong–Nha Trang, plus Hoa Lien–Tuy Loan near Da Nang, and in the south Can Tho–Hau Giang and Hau Giang–Ca Mau. These 13 sections join the 5 sections — including Mai Son–National Highway 45 — that had already started tolling from March 1, meaning free stretches on the north-south route have almost disappeared.
Cars pay about 900 dong per kilometer, settled by the actual distance driven in each section
Fees are calculated based on distance driven. For cars seating under 12 (Group 1), the rate ranges from 900 to 1,300 dong per kilometer depending on the section. The Ministry of Construction has approved an upper rate of 5,200 dong/km for the heaviest vehicle category. Looking at actual amounts by section, Hoa Lien–Tuy Loan costs a car 9,750 dong (about ¥56), while Van Phong–Nha Trang costs 32,625 dong (about ¥186). For the same sections, container-class Group 5 vehicles pay four times as much, reaching 130,500 dong (about ¥746) on Van Phong–Nha Trang.
| Section | Cars (Group 1) | Large vehicles (Group 5) |
|---|---|---|
| Hoa Lien–Tuy Loan | 9,750 dong (about ¥56) | 39,000 dong (about ¥223) |
| Van Phong–Nha Trang | 32,625 dong (about ¥186) | 130,500 dong (about ¥746) |
| Approximate rate | About 900–1,300 dong/km | Up to 5,200 dong/km |
Approximate figures based on ¥1 ≈ 175 dong. Figures are based on the fee schedule approved by the Ministry of Construction and the published rates for the 13 sections concerned.
There are no cash lanes — running out of balance on VETC or ePass stops you at the entrance
Tolling on these sections is ETC-only, with no cash payment option at toll booths. Vietnam's ETC system runs through two providers, VETC and ePass (VDTC), with fees automatically deducted from the account linked to the tag stuck on your windshield. If the balance is insufficient, the gate won't open, holding up the cars behind you. Anyone driving themselves should check their balance in the app before setting out, and for a long north-south trip, topping up with a few hundred thousand dong is a safe bet.
Driving yourself from Da Nang to Nha Trang? Think in terms of section-by-section totals
One thing travelers easily get wrong is that the expressway fee isn't a flat “one price” — it stacks up section by section as you pass through them. Heading south from Da Nang toward Nha Trang, you pass through a run of tolled sections in a row: Quang Ngai–Hoai Nhon, Hoai Nhon–Quy Nhon, Quy Nhon–Chi Thanh, Chi Thanh–Van Phong, and Van Phong–Nha Trang. The last section alone, Van Phong–Nha Trang, costs a car 32,625 dong, so driving the whole stretch adds up to a meaningful amount. Anyone who drove this route back when it was free should update their sense of the cost. If you're driving a rental car yourself, you'll first need to have yourlicense conversion under a 90-day visasorted out first as a prerequisite.
Driving rules also change on August 15 — prepare for all of it together
On this same date, August 15, when the tolling begins, the rule forthe new child car seat ruleschildren riding in the front passenger seat also comes fully into force, so families using a rental car need to sort out car seats. At the same time, for private cars,stricter fines for paid ridesalso start on the same day, raising the risk of things like giving an acquaintance a paid ride. There are three things to sort out before setting off.
- Check whether you have a VETC or ePass tag and confirm your account balance, topping up enough for the whole trip
- Check a map to confirm whether the sections you plan to drive are among these 13
- If renting a car, confirm with the rental company that the tag's registered name and payment account are active
Estimating the cost of a long drive after tolling begins
From August 15, free sections of the North-South Expressway effectively disappear, and it all comes down to your ETC balance. Even for a car, each section adds several thousand to over 30,000 dong depending on distance, and carrying cash won't help you. Checking your tag, your balance, and the sections you'll pass through before your next drive to the provinces means you won't get stuck in front of a toll booth.
