On the North-South Expressway (eastern route) through central Vietnam, five sections connecting Quang Ngai and Nha Trang — about 351km in total — become tolled from August 14, 2026. In a notice released on August 5, Vietnam's Directorate for Roads (Cục Đường bộ Việt Nam) specified that tolling on all sections will be ETC-only (non-stop electronic toll collection). Since sections that have been free to drive since opening are all switching to tolled at once, residents and business travelers moving through central Vietnam by rental car or private car service should check their tag and account balance before setting off.
Tolling Starts August 14 on Five Sections Between Quang Ngai and Nha Trang
The five component projects (dự án thành phần) covered are Quang Ngai–Hoai Nhon, Hoai Nhon–Quy Nhon, Quy Nhon–Chi Thanh, Chi Thanh–Van Phong, and Van Phong–Nha Trang. All opened in stages during the first half of 2026 and had not been charging tolls until now. The Directorate for Roads has instructed that toll-system trial operations be completed by August 10 at the latest, so that collection can begin on all five projects from August 14. Operations fall under Khu Quản lý đường bộ III (Road Management Zone III), with a joint venture of ETC-VETC-VDTC-EPAY installing and running the system.
Roughly, the distances by section are as follows. Combined, they total about 351km and connect with the Ho Chi Minh City–Nha Trang expressway network, making it possible to drive the length of central Vietnam in one continuous stretch.
| Section | Approximate distances |
|---|---|
| Quang Ngai–Hoai Nhon | About 88km |
| Hoai Nhon–Quy Nhon | Just over 70km |
| Quy Nhon–Chi Thanh | About 62km |
| Chi Thanh–Van Phong | Just over 48km |
| Van Phong–Nha Trang | About 83.3km |
Toll Rate: 900 Dong per Kilometer, Charged for the Distance Actually Driven
The base rate for passenger cars (Group 1, PCU 1) is 900 dong per kilometer. Tolling is calculated based on the distance the vehicle actually travels (quãng đường xe lăn bánh thực tế) — a so-called closed-system (thu phí kín) charge. The distance is determined by the entry and exit points, and the corresponding amount is automatically deducted from the account. Trucks and buses are charged at a higher rate according to their vehicle-class coefficient.
Converting the cost for a passenger car into yen at roughly 10,000 dong ≒ 60 yen (an approximate rate as of August 2026) gives the following.
- Van Phong–Nha Trang (about 83.3km): about 75,000 dong = about 450 yen
- Quang Ngai–Hoai Nhon (about 88km): about 79,000 dong = about 470 yen
- The full route (about 351km): about 316,000 dong = about 1900 yen
The per-kilometer rate is considerably cheaper than Japanese expressways. However, all sections are ETC-only with no cash lanes — an easy point for travelers from Japan to overlook.
Check Your VETC or ePass Tag and Account Balance Before You Drive
The most practical part of this notice is the road authority's call to vehicle owners. The original text asks that "chủ phương tiện kiểm tra việc dán thẻ ETC và bảo đảm tài khoản giao thông còn đủ số dư trước khi lưu thông" (vehicle owners check that an ETC tag is affixed and that their transport account has sufficient balance before driving). Under closed-system ETC, vehicles without a tag or with an insufficient balance may be turned away at the entrance or require additional processing.
There are two nationwide ETC tags in Vietnam: "VETC" from VETC and "ePass" from Viettel-affiliated VDTC. Stick either one to your windshield and keep a balance in the linked transport account (tài khoản giao thông), and you can use it on expressways nationwide. Balances can be topped up through each provider's app or by bank transfer, so if you're planning a long drive through central Vietnam, it's safer to load more than the sum of the section tolls.
This Isn't Just for People Driving Themselves
Residents and business travelers who leave the driving to someone else are affected too. If you arrange a car service (xe dịch vụ) or rental car to travel through central Vietnam, that vehicle needs a tag and sufficient balance to enter the expressway. Most commercial and rental vehicles already carry a tag, but since these sections are being tolled for the first time from August 14, a quick check when booking — "is the ETC tag and balance okay?" — helps avoid getting held up at the entrance. The same goes for airport transfers or charters: deciding in advance how the toll is handled (billed separately or included) prevents disputes when settling up.
How This Changes Travel Around Quy Nhon and Nha Trang
With these five sections now connected, you can drive straight south from Da Nang or Quang Ngai to Quy Nhon and on to Nha Trang, bypassing congested local roads and mountain passes. Quy Nhon, with its scattered beaches, and resort-town Nha Trang have mainly been reached by train or plane until now, but the fully connected expressway makes driving a more realistic option. Even with tolls in place, the rate is low, and split among several passengers it's a fully viable alternative to buses or trains.
If you want to take a leisurely drive along the central coast,Quy Nhon sightseeing guideand for a coffee break once you arrive,our Nha Trang coffee café guideare worth checking too, for easier planning. As for why Quy Nhon has been featured in international travel media,this articlecovers that in detail. If you're driving through central Vietnam after August 14, start by checking your tag and balance.
