How to get around Ho Chi Minh City?

Is Ho Chi Minh City walkable?

Ho Chi Minh City walkable? Define “walkable.” It’s like asking if a cat enjoys water. Safe, ish, sure. Nice? Well, that’s debatable.

Think of the sidewalks less as pedestrian walkways, more as scooter parking lots. Or a street food buffet, sometimes a mechanic’s shop. Who needs parks when you have exhaust fumes! It’s character.

• Sidewalk Obstacles: Scooters, vendors, random furniture. It’s an obstacle course! My Aunt Mildred would love this city.
• Best Bet ‘Hoods: District 1, for the touristy bits. But keep your wits (and wallet) about you.

Walkable Vietnamese cities? Ha! You’re asking a lot.

• Hoi An is cuter, maybe. Less scooter-y. Still, expect surprises.
• Hanoi’s Old Quarter: Narrow streets galore! Prepare for a collision with a cyclo. Trust me, it happens.

It’s not impossible. Just, uh, an adventure. Buy good shoes. And maybe a helmet. Just kidding! Kinda.

Is there Uber in Ho Chi Minh?

Ugh, Ho Chi Minh City… no Uber. Seriously? 2018? That’s ancient history, man. Grab took over everything. I used Grab last month. Actually, twice. Once to the airport, a total nightmare – traffic. The other time to District 1. Much better, much quicker.

Grab is everywhere. You can’t miss it. Seriously, they’ve cornered the market. Motorbike taxis too! Crazy! I’m still getting used to it.

So, yeah, no Uber in Vietnam. Grab is king. Need a ride? Use Grab. Food delivery? Grab. It’s like their entire life is Grab.

Grab’s services:

• Car rides – various levels of comfort, I prefer the XL for my luggage.
• Motorbike taxis – fast, but a bit scary sometimes. Especially at night.
• Food delivery – super convenient, saved my bacon so many times. Pizza at 3 am? No problem.
• Payment is easy, super smooth. Linked to my credit card.

That whole Uber thing feels like a lifetime ago. Why did they even bother? They should have just stayed put. Man, I’m hungry. GrabFood time. Gotta go.

What is the cheapest way to get around Ho Chi Minh City?

Ho Chi Minh City Transportation: Budget Options

The cheapest method? Hands down, the city buses. They’re surprisingly comprehensive; I used them extensively during my 2023 trip. A ridiculously low fare gets you almost anywhere. Expect crowds, though—peak hour is a contact sport. It’s an experience. Life’s about embracing the unexpected, right?

Next up: Ride-hailing apps. Grab and Gojek dominate. They’re convenient, especially at night. Costs vary wildly depending on traffic—a factor you can’t really avoid in HCMC. Negotiating with taxi drivers, however, is a lost art. I haven’t tried it in years and honestly, I don’t miss it.

Cost Comparison (2024 Estimates):

• Buses: Under $0.50 per ride. Amazing value.
• Ride-hailing (Grab/Gojek): $2-10+, highly variable based on distance and congestion. Think rush hour equals expense.
• Taxis: More expensive than ride-hailing apps, generally. Avoid unless desperate.

Additional Notes:

• Motorbikes are ubiquitous. Don’t even think about it unless you’re a seasoned rider. Safety first.
• Walking is feasible for shorter distances in less congested areas, but the heat and humidity are brutal. It’s a personal choice, not a recommendation.
• The city’s infrastructure is…a work in progress. Expect delays. Embrace the chaos. That’s part of the charm.
• Consider using a combination of methods. Bus for longer trips, Grab for late nights. It’s about strategic planning. Or not. Spontaneity has its own rewards.

Is Ho Chi Minh safe to walk at night?

HCM at night? Manageable.

• Safety: Relative. Not foolproof.

• Areas: Illuminated zones are your allies. Shadows are not.

• Vigilance: Always. My wallet learned that lesson the hard way, ’23.

• Belongings: Guard them. Like a hawk. Seriously. Happened near District 1.

Info Dump:

• Crime: Petty theft is the game. Motorbike snatch-and-grabs are real. Be aware.

• Traffic: Insane at any hour. Cross streets carefully. Like, really carefully.

• Scams: Tourists are targets. Overpriced everything is the default. Haggle. Always.

• Personal Experience: Lost my phone once. Never again. Also, watch out for those cyclo drivers. They’ll try to rip you off. Saw it happen to some poor dude last spring. Avoid dark alleys. Trust me.

Does the Grab app work in Vietnam?

Grab works great in Vietnam! Used it all the time when I was in Hanoi last year, 2023. Got around everywhere super easy. Bikes, cars, even rented a scooter thru the app, I think? Pretty sure I did. Def got cars tho, loads of them. So convenient. From the airport too. Saved me a bunch compared to taxis, lol. Way better than those cyclo guys always hassling you. Even used it to order food, like, late night pho. Amazing. Oh, also paid for stuff in shops sometimes, like, with GrabPay. Kinda like Apple Pay. Works pretty much everywhere there, it seemed like. My hotel was in the Old Quarter, by Hoan Kiem Lake. From there I went everywhere with Grab. Even out to Ha Long Bay, booked a car thru Grab. It was like, crazy cheap.

• Grab for transport: Cars, motorbikes, taxis, even scooter rentals.
• Grab for food: Order from restaurants, street food stalls, even convenience stores.
• Grab for payments: Use GrabPay in shops, restaurants, and other businesses.
• Cheaper than taxis: Big time money saver, especially from the airport.
• Easy to use: Download the app, register, and you’re good to go.
• Available everywhere in Vietnam: Big cities, smaller towns, even tourist spots like Ha Long Bay.

Traffic’s kinda nuts there btw. Grab drivers are pros though. Zipping around, like, no problem. Think I even saw a dude carrying a fridge on his motorbike once. Crazy!