When we tell people we’re planning to start our van life in Vietnam, we get two reactions: excitement and confusion.

The excitement we understand—who wouldn’t dream of waking up to Ha Giang’s misty mountains or having coffee with a view of Da Lat’s pine forests? The confusion, though, is usually followed by questions: “But isn’t it complicated?” “Can you even do van life there?” “Why not Australia or Europe?”

Here’s our honest answer: Yes, it’s complicated. The paperwork can feel like a maze, regulations aren’t always clear, and finding the right van is a journey in itself. But pioneers don’t choose easy paths—they choose meaningful ones. And for us, Vietnam isn’t just a destination; it’s home.

Why Vietnam? The Obvious (and Not-So-Obvious) Reasons

Let’s start with what everyone sees first: the staggering beauty. Vietnam stretches over 1,650 kilometers from north to south, offering landscapes that change like chapters in an epic novel. In the north, you have the dramatic limestone karsts of Ha Long Bay and the terraced rice fields of Sapa. Central Vietnam boasts the historic Hai Van Pass (immortalized by Top Gear) and endless coastline. The south brings the Mekong Delta’s watery labyrinths and Phu Quoc’s tropical beaches.

But beyond postcard scenery, Vietnam offers something crucial for sustainable van life: affordability. Fuel, food, repairs, and camping (often free or minimal cost) mean your budget stretches further here than in Western countries. This isn’t just about saving money—it’s about buying time. Time to explore deeply, to stay longer in places that speak to you, to build a life rather than rush through it.

There’s also a growing road trip culture here. While van life is still in its infancy, motorbike adventures are deeply ingrained in Vietnam’s travel identity. The legendary Ho Chi Minh Trail, coastal Highway 1, and the Ha Giang Loop have taught generations of travelers that Vietnam’s magic reveals itself on the road. Van life feels like the natural next step—a way to travel with more comfort, stability, and space for two humans and two feline co-pilots.

The Reality Check: Paperwork, Regulations & The Pioneer’s Tax

Now, the part most people worry about: the bureaucracy.

Let’s be transparent—navigating vehicle ownership, insurance, licensing, and road regulations as foreigners requires patience, perseverance, and good local advice. Vietnam doesn’t have established systems for motorhome tourism yet. There are no dedicated campervan rental companies, few campsites with van facilities, and regulations that sometimes seem to contradict each other.

But here’s how we see it: every emerging van life destination went through this phase. New Zealand, Iceland, Portugal—they all started with pioneers who figured things out through trial, error, and documentation. That’s exactly what we aim to do.

We’re approaching this with three strategies:

1. Local Partnerships: Working with Vietnamese friends and businesses who understand the system

2. Documentation: Keeping detailed records of every process to help future van lifers

3. Patience: Accepting that some things will take longer, but the reward is worth it

What keeps us motivated through the paperwork jungle? The knowledge that we’re not just traveling through Vietnam—we’re helping build a new way to experience it.

Cultural Fit: Why Vietnam Feels Like Home

From Huyen’s Perspective:

“While I was born and raised in Vietnam, my perspective was profoundly shaped by two journeys beyond its borders. The first were trips to our neighboring countries, Thailand and the Philippines. Seeing other cultures and landscapes in Southeast Asia made me appreciate the unique rhythm, texture, and soul of my own home with new gratitude.

The second journey was the one that planted the seed for this dream. A year and a half ago, I traveled to the Netherlands. There, we explored not from hotels, but from the cozy confines of a campervan. Waking up to a new view each morning—a misty canal, a field of blooming tulips, a quiet forest—was a revelation. It wasn’t just a holiday; it was a new way of being, of carrying your home with you and having the freedom to follow curiosity.

That experience was a key that unlocked a new way of seeing Vietnam. Returning, I look at our endless coastline, our winding mountain roads, and our bustling cities with what feel like fresh eyes. There’s a beautiful tension here between deep-rooted tradition and breathtakingly rapid change. Van life gives us the unique tool to explore that tension. I want to show Vietnam not just as a tourist passing through sees it, but as someone who calls it home—revealing the hidden temples down forgotten lanes, the family-run phở shops known only to locals, the quiet fishing villages where time seems to obey a different, gentler tide. This lifestyle is our chance to connect deeply with both the celebrated postcard Vietnam and the unseen, everyday heartbeat of the country we love.”

From Douwe’s Perspective:

“My journey started in the Netherlands, where van life culture is well-established but landscapes are, let’s say, more… horizontal. I spent eight years bouncing between Asian countries—Thailand, Malaysia, Japan—always searching for that sweet spot: amazing nature, warm people, and a cost of living that lets you prioritize experiences over expenses. Vietnam checked every box. The Dutch are known for their practicality and love of travel. Combining that with Vietnamese adaptability and hospitality? That’s a powerful combination for pioneering van life.”

The Vietnamese concept of khách quý (honored guest) means travelers are often treated with incredible generosity. We’ve been invited into homes for tea, helped with directions by strangers going out of their way, and received countless smiles just for attempting basic Vietnamese phrases. This cultural warmth transforms van life from a solitary journey into a series of human connections.

And then there’s the food. Vietnam’s culinary landscape is reason enough to travel here slowly. Imagine parking your van in Hoi An and biking to the morning market for fresh herbs, or waking up in the Central Highlands to brew coffee grown just kilometers away. Our van kitchen isn’t just for convenience—it’s our passport to Vietnam’s greatest cultural treasure: its cuisine.

Da Nang: Our Strategic Launchpad

We didn’t choose Da Nang randomly. This coastal city offers the perfect basecamp for several reasons:

• Central Location: Almost exactly midway between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City

• Diverse Geography: One hour to mountains, steps to beaches, three hours to ancient towns

• Growing Infrastructure: An emerging digital nomad scene means better cafes, coworking spaces, and international communities

• Van Building Resources: More access to workshops, mechanics, and import options than in rural areas

• Quality of Life: Clean, safe, with excellent healthcare if needed

Da Nang represents modern Vietnam—forward-looking while respecting tradition. It’s the ideal place to build our van and our community before hitting the open road.

The Future We See: Vietnam’s Van Life Potential

Currently, we count maybe a handful of Vietnamese van lifers and a small community of foreign residents doing conversions. But just as specialty coffee shops and craft beer breweries have exploded across Vietnam in recent years, we believe van life is next.

Several factors support this evolution:

1. Growing Middle Class: More Vietnamese have the means and desire for domestic travel

2. Tourism Infrastructure: Hotels and hostels are everywhere, but experiential travel is trending

3. Environmental Awareness: Younger generations seek sustainable travel options

4. Post-Pandemic Mindset: People value freedom, flexibility, and domestic exploration

We’re starting now because we want to be part of building this community responsibly. That means documenting our journey transparently, respecting local cultures and environments, and creating resources for others who follow.

There’s also an environmental consideration: Vietnam faces plastic pollution and overtourism challenges in hotspots like Ha Long and Hoi An. Van life, practiced mindfully, can distribute tourism benefits more widely while encouraging lower-impact travel. We’re committed to “leave no trace” principles, supporting local businesses off the beaten path, and using our platform to promote sustainability.

Meet the Crew: Why Scout & Ted Are Perfect Vietnam Companions

People sometimes ask if cats are suitable for van life—especially in Vietnam. Our answer is always the same: Scout and Ted were made for this.

Vietnamese culture generally views cats positively (they’re believed to bring good luck!), and you’ll see them napping in shops, cafes, and homes everywhere. Our boys are adventure cats who adapt quickly to new environments. They’ve already moved countries with us, handled hotel stays, and proven they’re more interested in snuggles and play than escape attempts.

In a van, they’ll have:

• Consistent routines (cats love predictability)

• Climate control for Vietnam’s hotter months

• Secure screens for fresh air without risks

• Their favorite humans always nearby

They’re not just pets; they’re our family and integral to this journey. Their contentment is our metric for success.

The Road Ahead: Join Our Pioneer Journey

We’re under no illusions—this won’t be easy. Some days will involve frustrating paperwork, confusing regulations, or mechanical headaches. But every pioneer pays a “complexity tax” for being early. We’re willing to pay it because we believe in what comes after: sunrise over Đồng Văn Karst Plateau, lantern-lit evenings in Hội An, coffee with new friends in Đà Lạt, and the freedom to call this magnificent country our moving home.

To our fellow adventurers: Have you considered van life in Southeast Asia? What questions or concerns would you have about doing it in Vietnam? We’re documenting everything—the beautiful and the bureaucratic—to build a real resource for this community.

To our Vietnamese friends and family: We’re excited to explore our country with fresh eyes and share its wonders with the world. Your support means everything.

To everyone dreaming of unconventional paths: Sometimes the most rewarding destinations aren’t the obvious ones. They’re the ones that challenge you, change you, and welcome you home even when you’re just arriving.

Ready to follow our pioneer journey?

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The road is calling—and it winds through emerald rice fields, over mountain passes, and along sun-drenched coasts. All we need now is the van… and that’s a story for next time.

Xin cảm ơn và hẹn gặp lại trên đường!
(Thank you and see you on the road!)

— Huyen, Douwe, Scout & Ted 🐱✨🚐

Continue the Story: With the crew introduced and the territory defined, the next step is establishing our base of operations. See how we’re putting this plan into action from Chapter 3: Da Nang as Our Launchpad.