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.
Route buses exist, but for travelers they're a high-hurdle mode of transport — hard to grasp the routes, plus the language barrier. On the other hand, using a ride-hailing service lets you set the destination in advance, and since fares are prepaid, you can travel with peace of mind.
ホーチミン市内で日中に4人乗りの車を利用する場合、初乗りは約90円、初乗り以降1kmあたり約60円という驚きの安さです。東京都内のタクシーが初乗り500円、1kmあたり約390円であることを考えると、その差は歴然としています。バイクタクシーならさらに安く、初乗り約35円、1kmあたり約26円で利用可能です。
In low-cost Vietnam, this fare setting is relatively reasonable. In urban areas you can find a taxi within minutes 24 hours a day, so late-night and early-morning travel can be done with peace of mind too.
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 is the largest ride-hailing service, operating in 8 Southeast Asian countries. Within Vietnam it's usable in 56 provinces and cities, covering almost every place tourists visit.
Major cities like Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang, of course, but it's usable in regional cities too. It caters to various needs, from the most common "GrabCar" to the fastest-to-arrange "Just Grab" to "GrabFamily" with a child seat. You can also choose the "GrabBike" motorbike taxi, especially handy in traffic jams.
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.
It's cheap and widely used by locals, so it's recommended for those who want to taste a local vibe. That said, the impression is that the cleanliness of the vehicles varies more than Grab.
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.
The vehicles are clean and equipped with the latest technology, high-safety vehicles fitted with six airbags. It suits those who want to choose an eco-conscious means of transport, though some say there's still room for improvement in the drivers' professionalism.
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.
Since fares are prepaid, there's little worry of being ripped off. However, for cash payment, having the exact amount ready as much as possible gives peace of mind so you're not shortchanged.
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.
Using a shared-ride service lets you travel cheaper than the normal fare. Ride-sharing plans with other passengers, like Grab's "GrabShare," are a bargain. If you have time to spare, consider it.
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.
当初は全面禁止の方針でしたが、市民生活や事業への影響を考慮し、段階的な移行措置が取られることになりました。運輸用バイクは2030年までに100%クリーンエネルギー車への移行を目指しています。
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)
Summary: A comfortable Vietnam trip with ride-hailing apps
For getting around Vietnam's urban areas, ride-hailing apps are essential.
Master the major apps like Grab, Be, and Xanh SM, and you can travel safely without worrying about the language barrier. Fares are surprisingly cheap compared to Japan, and it's usable 24 hours a day.
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.
