Tran Dong Hoa, a 26‑year‑old translator from Bac Ninh, recently completed a 10‑day, 3,000‑km road trip across Iceland. Her experience shows how careful planning and budgeting can turn a long overseas drive into a realistic adventure.

Hoa began preparing in late 2025. She tracked airfares, timed her visa application, and spent about a week sketching an itinerary. After recruiting two travel companions, the group researched car‑rental options, accommodation and possible stops in detail.

Because Iceland accepts Vietnamese bilingual PET‑format driving licences, Hoa could drive without an international permit. The team rented a five‑seat vehicle with enough ground clearance for their three large suitcases. They averaged more than 300 km per day, encountered virtually no traffic jams, and only struggled on a foggy gravel stretch near Vestrahorn.

To keep expenses low, the travelers chose basic guesthouses that offered kitchen facilities, bought groceries and cooked most meals. According to Hoa, the total cost per person was about VND105 million, broken down into VND43.4 million for airfare, VND19 million for car rental, VND2.7 million for fuel, VND19.5 million for accommodation and VND7 million for food.

Hoa’s trip demonstrates that a long overseas road journey can be affordable when you research visas, map a realistic itinerary, select suitable transport and lodging, and monitor each cost category. With the same systematic approach, other travelers can plan their own extended road trips.