You book a self-drive car for “one day”, pick it up at 2 pm and expect to keep it until 2 pm the next day. Then, at signing, you find out it has to be back the same evening. It happens more often than you might think.
The reason is simple: not every rental company counts “one rental day” the same way. This guide explains the two most common methods and what to ask before you book a car in Vietnam.
Two common ways to count a rental day
1. A full 24 hours
You return the car at the same time you picked it up, on the following day. Whether you collect it in the morning, afternoon or evening, you always get a full 24 hours with the car.
2. A fixed return time on the same day
The car must be returned by a set time (for example, 9 pm) on the same day, no matter when you picked it up. The later you collect it, the less time you actually get – yet it is still charged as one day.
Example: actual driving time for “one rental day”
| Pick-up time | Full 24 hours | Return by 9 pm same day |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 am | Return 9:00 am next day – 24 hours | Return 9:00 pm – 12 hours |
| 2:00 pm | Return 2:00 pm next day – 24 hours | Return 9:00 pm – 7 hours |
| 6:00 pm | Return 6:00 pm next day – 24 hours | Return 9:00 pm – 3 hours |
Same “one day”, very different amounts of time behind the wheel. So don’t just compare daily rates – always ask how many hours one rental day includes.
International practice: one rental day = 24 hours
In many countries, major car rental companies define one rental day as 24 hours from the time you pick up the car. It is clear, easy to understand and fair to the customer: you pay for a number of days and get that many full 24-hour periods, regardless of your pick-up time.
How does RICHCARS count a rental day?
RICHCARS Vietnam counts every rental day as a full 24 hours, at both our Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang branches:
- Return the car at the same time you picked it up, the next day. Pick up at 3 pm, return at 3 pm the following day.
- No fixed same-day return time cutting into your driving time.
- Applies to every car in our fleet, from luxury cars to supercars.
Pick up your car in the afternoon, head out for dinner, explore the city at night – and still have the whole next morning to drive, with no rush.
Questions to ask before you rent a car in Vietnam
- How many hours does one rental day include? A full 24 hours, or until a fixed return time?
- If I pick up in the afternoon or evening, what time do I need to return the car?
- If I want to extend, how much notice do you need and how is it charged?
- What is included in the price? Insurance, mileage, delivery and collection…
Asking upfront lets you compare the real value of each offer and avoid surprises at pick-up.
Frequently asked questions
How many hours is one car rental day in Vietnam?
It depends on the company. Under common international practice, one rental day is 24 hours from pick-up. At RICHCARS Vietnam, every rental day is a full 24 hours.
If I pick up the car in the evening, when do I return it?
At RICHCARS, you return it at the same time the next day. For example, pick up at 8 pm, return at 8 pm the following day.
Does the 24-hour rule apply in Da Nang too?
Yes. RICHCARS applies the full 24-hour rental day in both Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang.
What documents do I need to rent a self-drive car?
Your passport and driving licence.
Contact RICHCARS
- Hotline / WhatsApp: +84 344 145 554 · Chat on WhatsApp
- Zalo: zalo.me/1332949518707540061
- Ho Chi Minh City office: Room 1505, 15th Floor, Vincom Center Tower, 72 Le Thanh Ton, Sai Gon Ward
- Da Nang office: 47 Nui Thanh, Hoa Cuong Ward
See also: Porsche Rental in Ho Chi Minh City & Da Nang