Da Nang cracks down on illegal tents and camping around Son Tra Peninsula

In Vietnam, converting pickup trucks into mobile homes (mobihome) with beds, kitchens, and solar panels is gaining popularity. Legal experts note that installing removable modules is not prohibited but requires compliance with size and weight regulations; otherwise, the vehicle may be considered modified. Drivers must also account for a higher center of gravity and longer braking distances.

A family from Hanoi rented a motorhome (mobihome) for 45 days to travel across Vietnam. The rental cost about 80 million VND, with total expenses around 150 million VND. The trip covered over 20 provinces, including coastal and mountain routes. The family noted that this format allows for a slower pace and closer connection to nature, but requires driving skills and readiness for unexpected situations.

Vietnamese families are increasingly converting pickup trucks and minibuses into mobile homes for travel, spending from 1.5 to 2 billion VND. However, such modifications require strict compliance with the law: unauthorized structural changes can lead to a fine of up to 150 million VND, revocation of the vehicle inspection certificate, and an order to restore the vehicle to its original condition. If the module is attached without altering the body and does not exceed dimensions/weight, it is considered cargo; otherwise, an official conversion procedure with certification is required.

A Hanoi resident, Trinh Quang Huy, together with his wife, invested about 1.1 billion VND (approx. $45,000) in purchasing and converting a 3.4-ton truck into a motorhome. Since 2022, the couple has spent most of their time in this vehicle, traveling across northern Vietnamese provinces. The interior includes solar power and water filtration systems, enabling off-grid living. The truck's structure remains unchanged, and while driving, the couple stays only in the cabin, complying with traffic regulations.

The vanlife trend is growing among young people who abandon traditional housing and office jobs to live in vehicles. According to People, a US couple converted a van into a mobile home with a bed, mini-kitchen, and workspace. The #vanlife hashtag has garnered tens of billions of views on TikTok. Sociologists warn that social media romanticizes this lifestyle, hiding loneliness and financial pressures.

Nissan and Overland Expo unveiled the expedition version of the Frontier Pro-4X — Ultimate Build 2. It features a 3.8L V6, reinforced suspension, and a Tune Outdoor M1L camper. Will be auctioned this fall.