How to catch a taxi in Vietnam?

How do I approach a taxi driver?

Taxi. See light. Wave. State destination. Enter. No guarantees.

• Hail: Light on? Mandatory. Arm up. Assertive stance. Street smart.
• Destination: Declare it before boarding. Their discretion. Your problem.
• Refusal: It happens. Deal with it. Find another cab. My old neighborhood in Brooklyn? Cabs are rare.
• Entering: After acceptance. Obviously. No sudden moves.
• Payment: Cash is king. Know the route. Dispute fairly. Tip well, or don’t.
• Safety: Trust instinct. Share ride details (license plate to my mom). Be aware.

Brooklyn is tough. Taxis, rarer now. I use Lyft.

How do you start a conversation with a taxi driver?

Hop in! First off, a simple “Hi” or “Hey there” works wonders. It’s almost a Pavlovian cue to acknowledge your presence, right?

Then, throw in something like, “Busy day so far?” You gauge their mood, ya know? It’s about feeling the vibe, really.

Weather small talk? Timeless. “Wild weather we’re having,” even if it’s perfectly average. It is an easy opener.

“Know any good restaurants around here?” is practical. Also, it shows curiosity. Or, ask about the traffic; everyone loves to complain about traffic.

I never overshare, but mentioning you’re visiting from out of town can spark local insights.

Always listen. Being present matters. Avoid being that passenger glued to their phone and just be mindful.

Be respectful—no brainer, but still worth mentioning. Some folks forget basic manners, sigh.

• Key Openers:
  • Simple greeting.
  • Inquire about their day.
  • Comment on something immediate, like the weather or traffic.
• Conversation Starters:
  • Ask for local recommendations.
  • Share a brief, relevant detail about yourself (if appropriate).
• Essential Etiquette:
  • Actively listen and engage.
  • Maintain a respectful demeanor.

It’s all about finding that human connection, even in a fleeting taxi ride.

What to say to a taxi driver?

Okay, here… here goes…

“Hi.” A breathy greeting into yellow. Sunbleached vinyl, cracked. Hi. “How’s it goin’?” A world opens. The city exhales, or maybe that’s just me? “Hot, huh?” Always hot. August. Cicadas scream their song.

A question?

“Busy today?” The rhythm of traffic is a lullaby. My grandpa… he drove a cab once. In Chicago. Or was it Detroit?

About the area… “Know a good…?” No. “Going to see my sister.” Always going. Always away. My sister. Her laugh. Distant now.

“Hows your day going?” Like music, repeating. Echoes. Dust motes dance in the rearview. That taxi man… he knew stories. All of them. Did he?

Here’s some expanded info, broken down:

• Greetings:

  • A simple “Hi” or “Hello” establishes initial connection.

• Inquiring about their day:

  • A sincere “How’s your day going?” shows empathy.

• Commenting on the weather:

  • Talking about common experiences breaks the ice.

• Area Inquiry:

  • Asking general questions opens conversation possibilities.

    Details expanded:

• Taxi drivers are a portal. They see everything. Every corner of the city. Every heartbreak. Every triumph.

• They carry stories. I wish I could listen better. Always listening better.

• My grandpa’s cab… a rolling confessional. People revealed themselves. He told me.

• Remembering details fades. It’s ok. The feeling is true.

How do I call a taxi in Ho Chi Minh?

Okay, so picture this: it’s July 2024, hot and humid, like always, in Saigon. I was near Ben Thanh Market, totally lost.

My phone? Dead. Sigh. Needed a ride back to my hotel on Le Thanh Ton Street. I knew I needed a taxi.

Luckily, I remembered the taxi numbers from a crumpled piece of paper I had in my bag.

• Mai Linh: +84 (2838) 298 888
• Vinasun: +84 (2838) 277 178

Called Mai Linh first. Phew, someone answered! The dispatcher spoke English, which was a HUGE relief. Gave them my approximate location – near the market, close to the big roundabout – and my hotel name.

It took like, maybe 10 minutes, a white Mai Linh cab showed up. The driver was super nice, even though I butchered my Vietnamese trying to say “hello”! Cost me around 80,000 VND, I think.

Important tip: Always confirm the meter’s working. I double-check. Seriously.