Have you ever puzzled over how to get around when traveling Vietnam's cities?
In major cities like Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang, the hurdle of route buses is high, and hailing a taxi off the street leaves lingering worries. The thing to rely on at such times is a ride-hailing app.
In this article, we explain in detail, in 10 steps, everything from registration to payment for the ride-hailing apps actually used in Vietnam, so even beginners won't get lost. We'll share tips for getting around with peace of mind even on a solo trip, along with images of the actual screens.
Why ride-hailing apps are essential in Vietnam
In Vietnam's urban areas, rail is not as developed as in Japan.
路線バスは存在しますが、旅行者にとってはルートの把握が難しく、言葉の壁もあってハードルが高い乗り物です。配車アプリなら目的地と見積額を事前表示できますが、現金・カードなど支払方法は選択内容で異なり、安全や最終額を保証するものではありません。
配車料金は固定の初乗り・距離単価だけで決まらず、需要、時間、天候、車種、空港料金、有料道路で変わります。旧稿の円価格は現在の根拠にせず、予約確定前のVND見積額と追加料金を確認してください。
都市部でも深夜、悪天候、連休、郊外では車が見つからない、待ち時間や料金が増える場合があります。「24時間いつでも数分」「深夜も安心」とは限らないため、代替交通と人通りのある乗降場所を用意します。
The 3 major ride-hailing apps usable in Vietnam
Vietnam has multiple ride-hailing apps, but three are currently mainstream.
Grab: the stability of Southeast Asia's largest
Grabの展開地域やサービス範囲は更新されます。国数・省市数を固定せず、旅行先と日時をアプリへ入力して配車可能か確認してください。
表示される車種は都市、時間、アカウントで変わります。子ども用座席が必要なら、サービス名だけで装備を前提にせず、年齢・身長に合う座席の有無を予約前に確認してください。荷物が多い、妊娠中、雨天、二輪に不慣れなら車を選びます。
Be: a low-cost service popular with locals
Be is a Vietnam-born ride-hailing app popular in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang. Beyond ordinary cars, you can also use motorbike taxis at a great price. Cars range from 4-seater to 7-seater, so it handles group travel too.
料金と車両状態は個々の予約で変わります。取材記録のない清潔さの比較や「ローカル感」で順位を付けず、見積額、車種、評価、サポートで選びます。
Xanh SM: eco-friendly electric vehicles
Xanh SM is a new type of ride-hailing service using electric cars and electric motorbikes. With no dust or noise, it delivers a quiet, comfortable ride.
電気自動車でも車種・装備は一律ではなく、安全性をエアバッグ数だけで判断できません。根拠のない運転手評価は避け、アプリ上の車両・運転手情報、シートベルト、運転状況を確認します。
The 10 steps of ride-hailing app registration
Step 1: Download the app
First, search for and download either "Grab," "Be," or "Xanh SM" on the App Store or Google Play. Downloading it while still in Japan is convenient, as you can use it right after arriving on the ground.
Step 2: Create an account and verify your phone number
Once you open the app, enter your phone number and create an account. A verification code is sent by SMS, and entering it completes registration. You can register with a Japanese phone number, but having a Vietnamese SIM card is more convenient.
Step 3: Set the payment method
You can choose your payment method from cash, credit card, or debit card. Registering a credit card makes payment after the ride smooth. If you choose cash payment, you pay the driver directly at boarding.
Step 4: Enter your pickup location
On the app's home screen, your current location is shown automatically. If the position is off, move the pin on the map to specify the exact location. For tourist spots or commercial facilities, entering the name in Japanese often displays correctly.
Step 5: Set the destination
Enter the destination in the "Where to?" field. You can search various ways — by address, facility name, landmark, and so on. Once you set the destination, the approximate fare and arrival time are displayed.
Step 6: Choose the vehicle type
Choose the vehicle type to suit your purpose — an ordinary 4-seater, a 7-seater, a motorbike taxi, and so on. The fare is shown at the same time, so choose according to your budget.
Step 7: Send the ride request
Pressing "BOOK A RIDE" or the dispatch button starts automatically searching for a nearby driver. Usually a driver is found in a few seconds to a few minutes.
Step 8: Check the driver's information
When a driver is found, the vehicle's license plate, driver's name, photo, and rating are shown. You can also check the estimated arrival time, so wait on the spot.
Step 9: Board and travel
When the driver arrives, check the license plate and board. Since the destination is already set in the app, verbal explanation is basically unnecessary. During the trip you can check your current location and route in the app.
Step 10: Alight and pay
When you reach the destination, alight. For credit card payment it's settled automatically, so you can just get out. For cash payment, pay the driver the amount shown in the app.
Points to note when using ride-hailing apps
For safe, comfortable travel, keep a few points in mind.
First, always check the license plate before boarding. Multiple similar cars may be waiting, so confirm that the number shown in the app matches the actual vehicle.
見積額が表示されても、有料道路、空港料金、待機、目的地変更などで総額が変わる場合があります。現金は受渡額を双方で確認し、カードはアプリ外のリンクや送金要求に応じないでください。
For late-night or early-morning travel, make a point of getting on and off in areas with lots of foot traffic. Especially for solo travel, acting with safety in mind is important.
Making use of the driver rating system is also important. You can rate the driver after the ride, contributing to service-quality improvement. Conversely, you can avoid low-rated drivers.
Tips for using it economically
There are ways to use ride-hailing apps even more economically.
Make use of promo codes. Promotions are run regularly within the app, and discount codes for first-time users are also available. Enter the code at booking and the discount is applied.
相乗りサービスの名称と提供状況は変わります。アプリに表示されないサービスを利用できる前提にせず、乗車時間、同乗条件、料金を予約画面で確認します。
Avoiding peak times (the morning and evening commute hours) can make fares cheaper. Also, in rainy weather demand rises and fares tend to go up, so factoring in the weather is good.
Keep an eye on Hanoi's regulatory trends too
From 2026 onward, changes may come to ride-hailing services in Hanoi as part of environmental policy.
Hanoi has resolved to trial a low-emission zone inside Ring Road 1 from July 2026, with a policy to regulate gasoline-motorbike travel by period and time of day. Business activity by gasoline motorbikes using delivery and ride-hailing apps is also expected to be restricted.
The initial plan called for a full ban, but a phased transition was adopted out of consideration for its impact on residents' lives and businesses. Transport motorbikes are being targeted for a full switch to clean-energy vehicles by 2030.
For travelers, the importance of electric-vehicle services like Xanh SM may grow further from here. Choosing eco-conscious means of transport may become the new standard for Vietnam tourism.
Sources JETRO "Hanoi resolves to restrict gasoline-motorbike travel from July 2026" Created from (December 2025)
乗車前後の安全チェック
- 公式ストアから入れたアプリ内だけで予約・連絡・支払いをする
- ナンバー、車種、運転手の顔を照合し、違えば乗らない
- 車は後席でシートベルト、二輪は規格に合うヘルメットを着用する
- 乗車地点と目的地の入口を地図ピン・住所で確認する
- 家族へ行程を共有し、アプリのSOS・サポート位置を先に確認する
- 見積額、有料道路、空港料金、支払方法を降車前に確認する
公式の安全機能があっても事故や不正の危険はゼロにはなりません。二輪が怖い、荷物を固定できない、子ども用座席がない、運転が危険と感じた場合は利用を中止し、アプリ内で報告してください。
Summary: A comfortable Vietnam trip with ride-hailing apps
For getting around Vietnam's urban areas, ride-hailing apps are essential.
配車アプリは住所と料金の確認を助けますが、安全、低価格、24時間の即時配車を保証しません。正しい車両・運転手かを照合し、旅程共有とアプリ内サポートを使ってください。
Keep down the 10 steps from registration to payment, and even a first trip to Vietnam is worry-free. Knowing a few small tips — checking the license plate, making use of the rating system, using promo codes — lets you get around even more comfortably.
Whichever city you visit — Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, or Da Nang — a ride-hailing app will support your trip. Whether solo or in a group, make use of ride-hailing apps and enjoy a fulfilling Vietnam trip.
