Wanning to Hai Phong Road Trip: Best Stops & Drive Guide

Begin your drive in Wanning, a city on Hainan Island's eastern coast renowned for its coconut groves and surf beaches. You'll head north via the G98 Expressway to Haikou, then catch a ferry across the Qiongzhou Strait to the Chinese mainland at Xuwen. From there, the G15 Shenhai Expressway takes you through Guangdong and Guangxi, eventually connecting to Vietnam via the Youyi Pass (Friendship Pass).

The total driving distance is roughly 1,200 km, typically taking 14–16 hours of pure driving, not including border crossings and rest stops.

This route crosses two countries, multiple climate zones, and offers a blend of tropical island scenery, karst mountains, and coastal lowlands. It's a journey that appeals to those seeking both beach relaxation and cultural immersion.

For planning insights, see our guide on how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

As you leave Wanning, you'll pass through the Xinglong Tropical Botanical Garden, a lush collection of exotic plants, ideal for a short stretch. North of Haikou, the volcanic basalt cliffs at the Leizhou Peninsula are a geological wonder. Continuing on, the karst landscapes around Nanning and then into Vietnam are part of the South China Karst UNESCO World Heritage Site, which includes the scenic Li River and Guilin's peaks.

In Vietnam, the road from Lang Son to Hai Phong skirts the edge of the Red River Delta, a region of rice paddies and traditional villages. En route, you can detour to Halong City, the gateway to Halong Bay, another UNESCO site, legendary for its emerald waters and thousands of limestone islands.

Local commerce thrives along this corridor, especially at the border markets in Dong Dang, where you can buy Vietnamese coffee, rubber sandals, and Chinese electronics. Further along, small towns like Kep and Tien Yen offer fresh seafood at family-run restaurants. In Nanning, don't miss the Guangxi National Museum to understand the local Zhuang culture.

For authentic souvenirs, negotiate at the Dong Xuan Market in Hai Phong, where you'll find lacquerware and clothing. Plan to spend a few hours to explore the street food scene—try 'bun cha' and 'nem ran' at local stalls.

Before departing, ensure you have both a Chinese driver's license and an International Driving Permit (IDP) for Vietnam. The border crossing at Youyi Pass is open 8:00–20:00, and you'll need to complete both Chinese and Vietnamese immigration and customs. Veterans note that the process can take 1–2 hours, so time your crossing for mid-morning.

Fuel is generally cheaper in China than in Vietnam, so fill your tank just before the border. As of 2025, petrol in China averages around 8 CNY (1.1 USD) per liter, while in Vietnam it's about 24,000 VND (0.95 USD) per liter. Find fuel stations every 50–100 km along the G15 and in Vietnam, stations are frequent on QL1A.

• Toll costs: ~500 CNY (70 USD) for the entire route in China; Vietnam has some toll roads, about 100,000 VND (4 USD) total.
• Ferry cost: 400 CNY (56 USD) per car including driver, plus 42 CNY (6 USD) per passenger from Haikou to Xuwen.
• Insurance: Chinese mandatory traffic insurance is valid in Vietnam? No, you need to purchase a Vietnamese border insurance policy (~200,000 VND for 30 days).

Road quality varies: China's expressways are excellent, but Vietnam's sections on QL1A can be narrow and congested, especially near urban areas. Fatal accident rates are higher in Vietnam, so drive defensively. Both countries have speed cameras; adhere to limits: 120 km/h on Chinese highways, 80 km/h on Vietnamese two-lane roads.

For families, this road trip is moderate, with plenty of rest stops and attractions. In China, there are many clean service areas every 30–50 km. In Vietnam, rest areas are less developed, so plan for meals at larger towns.

To manage fatigue, take a break every 2 hours; recommended stops include the Dong Nai Botanical Garden near Leizhou, the Ming River Country Park in Nanning, and the Ban Gioc Waterfall (off-route but worth a 2-hour detour). Overnight options: Nanning offers a range of hotels from budget to luxury; in Vietnam, Lang Son has adequate guesthouses.

If you're traveling with pets, note that China and Vietnam have strict pet import regulations. You'll need an import permit, vaccination records, and possibly a microchip. Some hotels accept pets, but always check in advance. The ferry company allows pets in your car but requires them to stay inside.

The climate changes dramatically: tropical heat in Hainan gives way to temperate conditions in Guangxi, then a return to humid subtropical in northern Vietnam. The best time to drive is from October to April when temperatures are milder. Summer months bring typhoons and heavy rain, especially along the coast, so check forecasts.

Hidden gems: near the border, visit the 'Maple Forest' in the Cuc Phuong National Park (a 1-hour detour), or the abandoned 'Tianlong Canyon' (though access is limited).