Vietnamese Adventurers Drove From Hanoi to Paris
A group of sixteen travelers completed a 22,000-kilometer road trip across 20 countries in 68 days.
Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Car Maintenance
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Sixteen adventurers completed a 22,000-kilometer road trip from Hanoi, Vietnam, to Paris, France, arriving on September 8, 2026. The journey spanned 68 days and crossed 20 countries using a fleet of seven cars and two motorbikes.
Why it matters
The expedition highlights the logistical complexities and cultural motivations behind long-distance international driving. Participants spent one year preparing for the cross-continental trek to explore diverse landscapes and local cultures independently.
The 68-day trip required a per-person budget of $23,080 to navigate diverse international terrain. Drivers encountered varying expenses, including European fuel prices reaching $2.90 per liter and daily parking fees up to 50 euros.
The players
Do Minh Ho Hai
He is a participant in the transcontinental expedition who intends to conduct further long-distance driving in 2027.
The details
The group traveled without a fixed convoy, allowing individual vehicles to maintain independent speeds and rest schedules across Eurasia. While traversing the route, participants navigated challenging geography, including a 14-kilometer road to the 2,300-meter-high Altyn-Arashan Valley in Kyrgyzstan.
Timeline
July 6, 2026: The group departed Hanoi to begin the 22,000-kilometer trek.
July 27, 2026: Do Minh Ho Hai drove to the Altyn-Arashan Valley.
September 8, 2026: Five vehicles reached the final destination in Paris.
September 13, 2026: Hai arrived in Ho Chi Minh City after flying back from Europe.
Roadmap
This journey reflects the growing trend of independent transcontinental road tourism, demonstrating the logistical feasibility of cross-border travel by private vehicle. Such expeditions underscore the shift toward experiential, self-managed long-haul travel that bypasses traditional group tour structures.
For long-distance international drivers, this trip highlights the necessity of budgeting for significant regional price disparities, such as high fuel costs in Europe. Travelers must also account for unpredictable regulatory enforcement, including potential fines for vehicle modifications like window tinting.
The takeaway
Successful long-haul international travel requires rigorous preparation, including navigating complex border regulations and significant financial planning for fuel and maintenance. Independent road trips offer unique cultural exploration opportunities but demand high levels of logistical autonomy from participants.
What happens next
Do Minh Ho Hai plans to embark on a new driving expedition from Hanoi to Moscow in 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about the requirements for long-distance travel on our Car Maintenance page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by VnExpress International – Latest news, business, travel and analysis from Vietnam.
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