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.
Local buses exist, but for travelers they can be difficult to navigate due to route complexity and language barriers. Ride-hailing apps display the destination and estimated fare in advance, but payment methods—cash, card, etc.—vary by option, and neither safety nor the final amount is guaranteed.
Ride-hailing fares are not determined solely by a fixed base fare and per-kilometer rate; they change with demand, time of day, weather, vehicle type, airport surcharges, and toll roads. Do not use the yen prices in older articles as a current reference—check the VND estimate and any additional charges before confirming a booking.
Even in urban areas, vehicles may be hard to find late at night, in bad weather, on public holidays, or in outlying areas, and wait times and fares may increase. Do not assume "available any time, within minutes" or "safe even late at night"—have an alternative transport option and choose pick-up and drop-off points with foot traffic.
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's coverage areas and service offerings are updated. Rather than relying on fixed country or province counts, enter your destination and travel date in the app to confirm availability.
The vehicle types displayed vary by city, time, and account. If you need a child seat, do not assume it is available based on the service name alone—confirm before booking whether a seat suitable for your child's age and height is available. If you have a lot of luggage, are pregnant, it is raining, or you are not comfortable on two wheels, choose a car.
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.
Fares and vehicle condition vary with each booking. Do not rank options by cleanliness comparisons without firsthand inspection or by "local feel"—choose based on the estimate, vehicle type, rating, and support.
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.
Even for electric vehicles, specifications and equipment are not uniform, and safety cannot be judged by airbag count alone. Avoid unsubstantiated driver ratings; check vehicle and driver information in the app, seatbelts, and driving behavior.
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.
Even when an estimate is displayed, the total may change due to toll roads, airport surcharges, waiting time, or destination changes. For cash payments, both parties should confirm the amount exchanged; for card payments, do not follow links or transfer requests outside the app.
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.
The name and availability of carpooling services change. Do not assume you can use a service that does not appear in the app—check travel time, sharing conditions, and fare on the booking screen.
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)
Safety checks before and after your ride
- Book, communicate, and pay only within the app downloaded from the official store
- Match the license plate, vehicle type, and driver's face—if anything differs, do not get in
- In cars, wear a seatbelt in the back seat; on two-wheelers, wear a helmet that meets the required standard
- Confirm your pick-up point and the entrance to your destination using a map pin or address
- Share your itinerary with family, and check the location of the app's SOS and support functions in advance
- Confirm the estimated fare, toll charges, airport surcharges, and payment method before getting out
Official safety features do not reduce the risk of accidents or fraud to zero. If you are afraid of two-wheelers, cannot secure your luggage, have no child seat, or feel the driving is dangerous, stop using the service and report it within the app.
Summary: A comfortable Vietnam trip with ride-hailing apps
For getting around Vietnam's urban areas, ride-hailing apps are essential.
Ride-hailing apps help you confirm addresses and fares, but they do not guarantee safety, low prices, or immediate availability around the clock. Verify that the vehicle and driver match, share your itinerary, and use in-app support.
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.
