Getting to know taxis in Vietnam
When you travel around Vietnam's cities, taxis are an indispensable way to get around.
In major cities like Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang, taxis crisscross the streets and have become a convenient way for tourists to get around. But behind that convenience lie some pitfalls. Rip-offs where the driver doesn't run the meter, fake taxis, and more — get in without knowing better and you could find yourself in unexpected trouble.
This article gives a thorough rundown of how to use taxis safely in Vietnam. From spotting trustworthy taxi companies and using ride-hailing apps to typical fares and how to avoid getting ripped off, we've covered the practical essentials. Whether it's your first visit to Vietnam or you're about to start life there, this article will help you use taxis with confidence.
How to choose a trustworthy taxi company
Three major taxi companies
Knowing which taxi companies you can ride with confidence is the first step to staying safe on your trip.
The first name to remember isVINASUN. Recognizable by its white body with red and green stripes, it operates mainly in Ho Chi Minh City. Drivers wear white shirts with red ties, and the company is known for clean vehicles and well-trained drivers. Because it uses meters, fares are transparent and there's no worry about being overcharged. Among Ho Chi Minh City residents, many are devoted fans who "ride only VINASUN."
Next isMAI LINH. Marked by its green body, it's a major taxi company operating nationwide across Vietnam. In Hanoi it's more popular than VINASUN, and drivers wear white shirts with green ties. It has a reputation for high service quality that foreign tourists can rely on with confidence.
And the relatively newXanh SM. Distinguished by its blue body, it uses eco-friendly vehicles that are gentler on the environment. It operates mainly in urban areas and offers a modern service. User ratings are high, and it's rapidly earning people's trust.
Watch out for fake "white taxis"
Never get into a "white taxi" that mimics a major company!
The signs of a white taxi are clear: an all-white body with a major company's name or logo slapped on, a fake phone-number sticker, and a driver who aggressively touts for passengers — the danger is especially high if they solicit you in Japanese. You'll often spot them at tourist sites and airports, so no matter how much of a hurry you're in, steer clear.
How to use the Grab ride-hailing app
Grab app basics
Grab is a ride-hailing app you can use across Southeast Asia.
It's popular in Vietnam too, and lets you summon a taxi easily through the app. The biggest advantage is that you can see the fare in advance. There's no worry about being ripped off, so you can use it with confidence. Because Grab drivers are registered, bad drivers are rare — another plus.
Getting around within Hanoi runs about 300 to 600 yen, which is extremely reasonable. With two or more passengers, it can even work out cheaper than a motorbike taxi. Enter your destination in the app and you can see how many minutes until your taxi arrives and know the fare in advance, so the benefit is getting around at a fair price.
How to use Grab
It's surprisingly simple to use.
First, install the Grab app before you go. Registration requires a phone number for identity verification, but once you're signed up you'll rarely need it again. You can communicate with your driver by message as well as by phone. A local SIM card or eSIM makes things even more convenient, but you can also use it on Wi-Fi.
You can pay through the app or in cash. Since the driver already knows your destination, there's no need to talk. After your ride, the driver's information stays visible so you can track it if something goes wrong — which makes it very safe.
How to take a taxi and what to watch for
How to hail a taxi
Flagging down a passing taxi works the same way as in Japan.
Areas around major tourist sites, hotels, and shopping malls are convenient. Find a taxi with its "vacant" light on and raise your hand to signal it. Once it stops, tell the driver where you're going. Just be very careful of collisions, since there are so many motorbikes around.
If you're heading out straight from your hotel, ask the front desk and they'll call a trustworthy taxi for you. If there's a dispatch attendant, they may hand you an information card with the vehicle number and pickup point, so take it when you board.
Key checkpoints when you get in
The doors don't open automatically!
Vietnamese taxi doors don't open and close automatically like in Japan, so waiting won't get you anywhere. If there's a dispatch attendant, they'll open it for you, but as a rule passengers open and close the doors themselves.
When telling the driver your destination, give both the building name and the address. Many drivers in Vietnam don't have the map memorized, so it's best to show the destination address and map on Google Maps. While you're at it, casually display the route too — showing that you know the way helps prevent the driver from taking a detour.
Once you're in, always check that the meter is running properly. There are cases where the driver "forgot to start the meter" and charges you more than usual, and cases where the meter climbs abnormally fast and you're hit with a high fare over a short distance.
Make a habit of noting the vehicle number
The secret to avoiding trouble is keeping records.
Vietnamese taxis have the vehicle number marked on the rear of the car, the upper left of the windshield, and the headrest of the seat. Noting it down is reassuring in case of trouble or if you leave something behind. The very act of doing so also helps deter driver misconduct.
Typical fares and payment methods
How taxi fares work
Vietnamese taxi fares are considerably more reasonable than in Japan.
初乗り料金はおおよそ11,000VND（約68円）と、日本の初乗り運賃よりもかなり安く設定されています。その後、500メートル毎に17,600VDN〜（約109円〜）が加算されます。15分程の距離では、料金は約305円になります。
It's worth knowing the fares from the airport into the city, too. From Hanoi's international airport to the city center takes about 45 minutes to an hour and costs 350,000-400,000 VND (about 2,170-2,480 yen), plus a separate airport entry fee of 15,000 VND (about 93 yen). From Da Nang International Airport it's about 20-30 minutes and 50,000 VND and up (about 310 yen), plus a 10,000 VND (about 62 yen) entry fee. From Ho Chi Minh City's international airport it's about 20-30 minutes and 150,000-200,000 VND (about 930-1,240 yen), plus a 10,000 VND (about 62 yen) entry fee.
Sources NEWT, "A Guide to Taking Taxis in Vietnam: Fares, How to Hail One, and How to Book via App"created from
Be careful how you read the meter
There's a point at payment time that's easy to get confused about.
メーターの金額は表示されている数字×1000となりますが、表示方法は会社によって異なり慣れるまで少し大変です。VINASUNタクシーの場合、「30」と表示されていれば30×1,000=30,000VND（約183円）となります。一方で「30.0」と表示するタクシーもあり、30万ドン（1,740円）と勘違いしそうになります。支払い時に落ち着いてメーターの確認をおこないましょう。
With VINASUN and MAI LINH, taxis that accept credit cards are on the rise. Even so, there are times you can't avoid paying cash, so we recommend keeping small bills on hand. If all you have are large notes, you risk being shortchanged.
Avoiding rip-offs and other trouble
Common trouble scenarios
With the right knowledge, you can prevent trouble.
In overcharging cases, you may be billed far more than the fare you negotiated in advance, or pressured to tip when you get out. In meter-tampering cases, the driver may have rigged the meter to inflate the fare, or the meter may simply be broken, leaving you to pay whatever the driver demands. In detour cases, the driver deliberately takes the long way to your destination and charges you extra.
10 safety measures
Put the following measures into practice.
1. Confirm the fare in advance: Before getting in, negotiate the fare firmly with the driver first.
2. Note the driver's name: Record the driver's name and vehicle number by memo or photo.
3. Record your exchanges: This serves as proof if something goes wrong and makes it easier to claim insurance or file a police report.
4. Don't ride with taxis that tout for passengers: A taxi that approaches and calls out to you is often a white taxi (an unlicensed taxi).
5. Avoid paying in cash: Where possible, pay through the app to keep cash handling to a minimum.
6. Keep small bills ready: If all you have are large notes, you risk being shortchanged.
7. Check your destination on the app: Confirm your destination's location on the app so you're not taken on a detour.
8. Always fasten your seatbelt: In Vietnam it's not customary to wear a rear seatbelt, and it may be broken. In that case, hold on firmly to the grab handle.
9. Get out at once if anything seems off: If the driver makes you uneasy, prioritize getting out at a safe place nearby.
10. Check the cabin when you get out: Before leaving, always make sure you haven't left anything behind. If you leave something in a taxi, it's almost never returned.
What to watch for when riding with children
Extra care is needed on family trips.
In Vietnam, using a child seat isn't customary the way it is in Japan. Most hotels don't stock child seats either. When riding with a child, an adult should hold them securely on their lap.
Summary: Enjoy a comfortable Vietnam trip with safe taxi use
With the right knowledge, taking taxis in Vietnam becomes a safe and comfortable way to get around.
By choosing trustworthy taxi companies (VINASUN, MAI LINH, Xanh SM) and making use of the Grab ride-hailing app, you can greatly reduce the risk of being ripped off. When you ride, don't forget to check the meter, note the vehicle number, and clearly communicate your destination. Know the typical fares and you'll be quicker to notice an unfair charge.
Never ride a white taxi, avoid taxis that tout for passengers, and keep small bills ready. Simply putting these basic measures into practice prevents most trouble. Even on your first trip to Vietnam, put the information in this article to use and you'll be able to take taxis with confidence.
In Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, or Da Nang — whichever city you're in — taxis are a reliable partner that keeps your trip comfortable. Take proper safety precautions and enjoy all that Vietnam has to offer.
