Vietnam Trust Car Rental Company offers a cost-effective car rental solution for those who need a vehicle to transfer from Hanoi downtown to Yen Bai.

The Hanoi to Yen Bai by car service included an English-speaking driver and the newest model car at an affordable price. We provide door-to-door, a flexible itinerary; you just let us know the pickup time and meeting point, and the driver will welcome you on time with your name board.

Book your budget-friendly car—from sedans to buses—and enjoy exclusive discounts.

1. How long does it take to get from Hanoi to Yen Bai City?

Yen Bai province is located in the Northwest, about 160 km away, and it takes about three hours to drive to this place from Hanoi, bordering Tuyen Quang, Phu Tho, Lai Chau, Son La, Lao Cai, and Ha Giang provinces.

Yen Bai includes Yen Bai city, Nghia Lo town, and 7 districts: Yen Binh, Luc Yen, Van Chan, Van Yen, Tran Yen, Tram Tau, and Mu Cang Chai.

Private car transfer Hanoi to Yen Bai by car, 2 hours 15 minutes driving route shown on map with scenic Yen Bai bridge

When mentioning tourism in Yen Bai, the most prominent features are the terraced rice fields, especially during the golden season and the rainy season. 

In addition, Yen Bai is also famous for its mountain peaks, hot springs, ancient villages, and many unique local dishes. Yen Bai has two particularly beautiful seasons that you shouldn't miss.

From mid-September to mid-October is the rice harvest season, when the fields are ablaze with golden rice and the weather is ideal for visiting.

From May to June is the water-filling season, when the summer rains begin to pour down on the mountains, and water is channeled from the mountains into the terraced rice fields. The terraces, glistening with water in the afternoon sun, create a breathtaking beauty that leaves many visitors in awe.

2. Hanoi to Yen Bai by car - Budget Car Rental Services

A taxi from Hanoi to Yen Bai is the perfect choice for couples, groups, and families with little children, with a private car, affordable service, a flexible itinerary, and no hidden costs.

Our private car transfer from Hanoi to Yen Bai is our signature service. To organize this taxi from Hanoi to Yen Bai, we provide a large fleet of cars, including sedans (4-seat), SUVs (7-seat), vans (16-seat), minibuses (29-seat), buses (45-seat), and luxury limousines (9-12 seat), providing a large range of car rental packages in northeastern Vietnam as well as in Hanoi.

Furthermore, having a personal car simplifies transportation. You should also make stops along the trip to buy gifts or take photos.

A happy family enjoying a trip from Hanoi to Yen Bai by car with Vietnam Trust Car Rental's 7-seater SUV

The key advantage of our Hanoi to Yen Bai by car service is at-your-doorstep pick-up. Unlike services that don't offer door-to-door transportation, you won't have any trouble finding your way to bus stops or set meeting locations. You just need to let us know the pick-up point and time, and the friendly driver will meet you on time.

Our drivers are friendly, helpful, and have rich experience. They can speak English at a basic level to ensure you are picked up on time, manage rest stops, or help you purchase tickets. You may reach us by phone or email at any time; we are here to help with any questions, issues, or special requests you may have.

 Best price will be charged as follows:

 Note: The prices do not apply to the New Year & Chinese New Year.

3. Yen Bai 3-Day 2-Night Itinerary - Detailed Day-by-Day

Day 1: Depart from Hanoi to Nghia Lo.

The first day of your 3-day, 2-night Yen Bai itinerary focuses on safe travel and getting acquainted with the local culture. Departing early from Hanoi to avoid traffic jams, you'll spend time exploring Tram Tau – one of Yen Bai's prominent cultural destinations.

• Morning: Departure from Hanoi (6:00 AM - 10:00 AM)

Travel along National Highway 32 through Phu Tho, approximately 180 km, taking 4 hours. Stop at Thanh Son Tea Hill (Phu Tho) to take photos and rest—a place with over 1,000 hectares of lush green tea plantations, attracting 50,000 visitors per year according to local tourism reports.

Have a light breakfast of Phu Tho rice rolls (50,000 VND/portion) to recharge your energy.

• Noon: Arrive at Tram Tau and explore (10:00 AM - 2:00 PM).

Continue for 20km to Tram Tau, a small Hmong town with unique stilt house architecture. Visit the Ethnic Minority Cultural Village (free entry), where you can interact with over 20 households and learn how to weave brocade – a traditional craft that has existed for over 200 years.

Have lunch at a local restaurant and try the five-colored sticky rice (80,000 VND/portion), a specialty of Tram Tau made from glutinous rice dyed with natural colors.

Traveler enjoying the stunning view of golden rice terraces in Tram Tau

• Afternoon: Travel to Nghia Lo and check in at the homestay (2:00 PM - 6:00 PM)

Travel another 40km over Khau Pha Pass (30km long, 1,000m high), one of the 'four great mountain passes' of Northwest Vietnam. Stop at viewpoints to take photos—this pass attracts more than 100,000 tourists per year thanks to its magnificent panoramic views.

Arrive in Nghia Lo at 4:00 PM and check into a homestay in Yen Bai, such as Nha San Thai Homestay (250,000 VND/night, with a view of the Red River). Rest and stroll around the nearby Yen Bai market.

• Evening: Enjoy a meal and spend the night (6:00 PM - 9:00 PM).

Dinner consisted of local pork (150,000 VND/portion), a traditional grilled dish. 

The first day helps you gradually get used to the hilly terrain, avoiding fatigue for the following days. Small tips on transportation, clothing, and weather are all shared in this guide to traveling to Yen Bai independently.

Day 2: Explore Tu Le and Mu Cang Chai

This is the most important day in the 3-day, 2-night Yen Bai itinerary, focusing on Mu Cang Chai, a national heritage site with over 2,000 hectares of terraced rice fields, recognized by UNESCO as having world-class potential.

September and October are ideal times, when the rice ripens to a golden color, attracting 200,000 visitors, according to the Yen Bai Department of Tourism.

• Morning: From Nghia Lo to Tu Le (7:00 AM - 11:00 AM)

Departing at 7:00 AM, we travel 50km along winding mountain passes. We stop at Tu Le Valley – the 'rice cooker of Yen Bai' – with its 500 hectares of terraced rice fields.

Visit the Tú Lệ sticky rice fields (purchased on-site at 30,000 VND/kg) and take photos at the Km102 suspension bridge—a symbol of the region. Based on experience, spend an hour here to avoid the crowds, especially on weekends.

• Lunch: Eat and rest in Tú Lệ (11:00 AM - 1:00 PM)

Enjoy sticky rice cooked in bamboo tubes and grilled chicken (100,000 VND/portion) at a roadside stall. Tu Le is famous for its more than 20 homestays in Yen Bai, such as Tu Le Homestay (300,000 VND/night, including breakfast).

• Afternoon: Conquering the terraced rice fields of Mu Cang Chai (13:00 - 17:00)

Continue for 30km to Mu Cang Chai. Starting from Ban Thai (ticket 20,000 VND), trek a light 2 km through the La Pan Tan terraced rice fields—home to over 500 ancient steps, built in the 19th century by the H'Mong people.

Local ethnic houses nestled under blooming white trees in Mu Cang Chai, Yen Bai

Next are Che Cu Nha and De Xu Phinh, two 'million-like' spots on Instagram, with over 10,000 posts per year. If you're going in a group, hire a local guide (200,000 VND/person) to hear stories about how terraced rice fields prevent soil erosion—an ingenious technique that has existed for 300 years.

• Evening: Head to Nghia Lo and experience the night market (5:00 PM - 9:00 PM).

Return to Nghia Lo at 6:00 PM and stop at the Yen Bai market to buy herbs and handicrafts (budget 100,000 VND). Have dinner with Thang Co (80,000 VND/portion). 

This day offers peak moments, allowing you to fully appreciate the beauty of independent travel in Yen Bai. If you're unsure whether to spend the night in Tu Le, Nghia Lo, or Mu Cang Chai, check out these suggestions for places to stay in Yen Bai.

Day 3: Return from Tram Tau

The final day of the 3-day, 2-night Yen Bai itinerary was dedicated to reviewing the trip and traveling back to Hanoi, with a highlight being a return to Tram Tau to shop for local specialties.

• Morning: Depart and stop at Tram Tau again (7:00 AM to 11:00 AM)

Have breakfast at the homestay, then travel 40km to Tram Tau. Buy corn wine and forest honey (200,000 VND/liter) at the local market—products from over 100 ethnic minority households.

• Noon: Travel back to Hanoi (11:00 AM - 3:00 PM)

We had a quick lunch of Yen Bai sour pho (50,000 VND/portion) before setting off. The total return journey was 200km, taking 4 hours to cross Khau Pha Pass again to enjoy the evening view.

• Afternoon: Arrive back in Hanoi (3:00 PM - 6:00 PM)

The driver take to back to Hanoi Return the motorbike and end the trip. If time permits, stop in Phu Tho to buy souvenirs. 

Fleet car

Free +84 909.867.031

Email: info@vietnamtrustcarrental.com

  This is the sample tour program. We can be flexible for the time and itinerary that will follow your schedule and plan.

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