Is the Grab app safe to use?

Can a Grab driver see my photo?

Grab drivers don’t see your selfie. It’s for verification. Identity check. Think of it like a digital bouncer. Keeps things safe. My passport photo is worse, honestly.

• Selfie Use: Verification only. Not shared.
• Driver Info: They see your pickup/dropoff, name, sometimes a note.
• Privacy: Grab emphasizes user privacy. Essential in this digital age. What even is privacy anymore?

Consider it a closed loop system. Your face, the algorithm, and you. No drivers involved in the visual loop. They just see your name and locations. I once ordered groceries and put “wearing a silly hat” in the notes. Driver found me. No selfie needed. It’s about connecting people and places, not faces. Data privacy. A modern conundrum.

Do I need a Vietnamese number to use Grab?

Ugh, Grab. Vietnam.

• No, you don’t need a Vietnamese number for Grab.

  • But, like, it’s easier if you do? Is it REALLY easier?

• Foreign number works, kinda.

  • Remember that time my friend visiting from the States tried? What a mess!

  • Think she needed to verify through email? Yep, pretty sure.

• Verification.

  • Email, maybe other stuff. Always a pain.

  • Totally adds friction, ya know?

• Limitations maybe?

  • Like, what kind of limitations? Payments? Pick-up locations?

  • That’s annoying. Is it worth the hassle?

• I mean, I’d get a local SIM. Seriously. Why wouldn’t you?

• Easiest to have a local SIM for like everything tbh.

So yeah, not required, but think, it’s the smarter choice. Def get the local sim when I land in Hanoi next month. Can’t deal with the Grab app being fussy when I need pho.

Can I use Grab in Vietnam without a SIM card?

No SIM card? No Grab, friend. Wi-Fi’s your only shot, or pony up for a SIM. It’s like tryin’ to bake a cake without flour, ya know?

Thinking of zooming around ‘Nam? Read my FAQs. Visa stuff’s in there too. Less stress, more pho, am I right?

Okay, but why Wi-Fi might not cut it:

• Spotty Connection: Picture this: you’re stranded mid-rainstorm, your phone’s clinging to a single bar of Wi-Fi like a desperate koala, and Grab is all, “Error 404.” Fun times, right?

• Data Roaming? Ouch! Sure, you could roam, but prepare for your bank account to weep openly. Seriously, that bill could fund a small village for a month.

• Free Wi-Fi roulette: Okay, free Wi-Fi is tempting. But is it secure? Is it even working? It’s like playing roulette with your personal data.

So, yeah, get a SIM. Local prices are cheap, and it’s your lifeline. It’s a life hack, really. Do it! My brother in law got stuck, and it took hours to find him.

Can I use Grab without a local number?

So, Grab without a local number? Nah, friend. That’s like trying to waltz into a disco with tap shoes. It just doesn’t, you know, groove.

They need that local mobile number, your phone becomes their verification BFF. Think of it as Grab demanding a secret handshake only locals know.

• Verification: It’s their way of saying “Prove you’re not a bot, or my ex trying to book rides under an alias.” (Don’t ask.)
• Booking: How else will your driver call to say, “I’m outside, and you look nothing like your profile pic?”
• Payment: They want to text you the OTP! “One-Time-Password”. It’s like a tiny digital bodyguard for your bank account.

Virtual numbers? Hah! That’s the equivalent of using a fake ID at a shady bar. Fun while it lasts, but probably won’t end well. Account suspension city is where you’ll wind up.

Get a local SIM. Seriously. It’s the only reliable way. Plus, you get bragging rights.

More “Grab-tastic” tidbits:

• GrabPay: Seriously, load up GrabPay. It’s smoother than a Barry White song.
• Rewards: They have rewards? Who knew? Probably me. I collect points like it’s my side hustle.
• GrabFood: Late night cravings? Don’t even think about cooking, order in. I’m not judging. Okay, maybe a little.
• Speaking of food I made a killer lasagna last week. Like, a lasagna that could make angels weep. It had like 7 cheeses!
• Update Grab: Just do it. Who knows what magic they’ve added. Perhaps flying cars. Probably not.

How much does a taxi cost from Hanoi Airport to Old Quarter?

Okay, so Hanoi Airport to Old Quarter, eh? Prepare to sell a kidney, just kidding!

Honestly, a taxi from Noi Bai to the Old Quarter? Think $15 to $30. Depends if you’re riding with Mr. Speedy or Grumpy Gus.

• Traffic is a real beast. Like, seriously, have you seen Hanoi traffic? It’s art.

• Time of day matters! Midnight? Cha-ching! Rush hour? Double cha-ching!

• Metered taxisshould be cheaper than those fancy pre-booked rides. But hey, good luck finding one that uses the meter. LOL!

Expect 30 to 60 minutes to get there. Unless you get stuck behind a herd of water buffalo, which, hey, could happen. It’s Vietnam!

Seriously though, folks I know who went said grab an app. Way cheaper if you aren’t feeling like haggling at 3 AM after a 20-hour flight, ya know? I’d suggest downloading it before you leave home. Trust me.

Is Hanoi Old Quarter safe at night?

Man, Hanoi Old Quarter at night? It’s a mixed bag. I was there in July 2024, and yeah, it’s generally safe, but you gotta be smart.

One night, around 11 pm, near Hang Bac street, I felt a little uneasy. Too many people, too many motorbikes weaving everywhere. Crazy. My heart was pounding. I literally felt someone brushing against me—a pickpocket attempt, I’m certain. I spun around. Nothing. But seriously, unnerving. I’d kept my bag close, thankfully.

The Old Quarter stays busy late. Loads of street food stalls, people hanging out. Great atmosphere, totally worth it. But, those narrow streets are another story.

• Crowds: Huge, especially weekends.
• Motorbikes: Everywhere. A constant roar.
• Pickpockets: A real risk, especially in crowded areas.

I stuck to main roads after that close call. I didn’t venture into any super-tiny alleyways. Better safe than sorry, right? The next few nights were fine. I felt much safer in the well-lit areas.

Hanoi itself is safe at night, but use your common sense. Don’t flash expensive stuff around. Stay aware of your surroundings. The Old Quarter is exciting, but exercise caution.