Is Grab cheaper than a taxi in Vietnam?
In Vietnam, Grab's pricing versus traditional taxis depends on distance, wait times, and traffic. Grab may be cheaper for shorter trips or during off-peak hours. Comparing costs for your specific route is recommended.
Grab vs. Taxi in Vietnam: Which is more affordable for travel?
Ugh, figuring out Grab vs. taxis in Vietnam? It’s a total brain twister. I was in Hanoi last October, and honestly, it was a mixed bag.
For short trips around the Old Quarter, Grab was usually cheaper. Like, getting from my hotel near Hoan Kiem Lake to the night market? Grab won. Maybe 50,000 VND? A taxi would’ve been similar, or maybe slightly more, depending on the driver’s mood (and their meter).
But longer distances? It gets tricky. A trip to the Temple of Literature on a busy afternoon? Taxi ended up being a better deal. Traffic was insane, and the Grab fare surged like crazy. I think I paid double what I expected.
So, the short answer: it depends. Distance is key. Peak hour? Prepare for higher prices, no matter which you pick.
Is Grab widely used in Vietnam?
Grab’s like the duct tape of Vietnam. Fixes everything. Or at least, tries to. 53% for cars, 50% for bikes? Psh, more like 100% of the time I see that green helmet. Seriously, they’re everywhere. Like ants at a picnic.
- Transportation: Duh. Cars, bikes, even helicopter if you’re fancy. (Just kidding…I think.)
- Food: Forget cooking. Grab delivers everything but the kitchen sink. And probably that too if you ask nicely.
- Banking?!: Yeah, they’re sneaking into your wallet now. World domination, one dong at a time.
My neighbor, Binh, orders pho on Grab three times a day. It’s madness. He even uses Grab to get to the pho place across the street. Lazy, but hey, it’s 2024. Gotta embrace the convenience, right? Last week, I saw a grandma haggling with a Grab driver over 500 dong. Fierce. Grab’s not just a service; it’s a cultural institution. Like those conical hats, but with more horsepower. My cousin in Hanoi uses GrabBike more than his own two feet. Says it’s faster. Probably is. Traffic there is… a whole other beast. Like a herd of water buffalo stampeding through a noodle shop.
What is the Vietnamese equivalent of Uber?
Ugh, Uber in Vietnam? Remember 2017 in Saigon? Total chaos finding a ride.
Then Grab showed up.
Seriously, Grab basically is Uber there now. Happened years ago!
Southeast Asia is Grab’s playground.
My friend Mai told me Grab bought Uber’s operations there back in 2018.
Now it’s Grab everywhere.
Super convenient, ngl.
- Grab: The go-to app.
- Motorbike taxis are cheap, so cheap!
- Car options too, of course.
- Payment: Cash or card.
I had this one Grab driver, old guy. Spoke zero English. Still got me to the airport. Ah, Saigon!
What transportation is used in Vietnam?
Taxis. Buses. Cyclos. City life. Motorcycles. Bicycles. Rural routes. Getting around is easy. Effortless, even. Vietnam moves.
- Motorbikes: Dominate. Everywhere. Loud. Essential.
- Buses: Cheap. Crowded. Long distance travel. Open tour option. Sleeper buses for overnight hauls. My personal pick.
- Trains: North to South. Scenic. Slow but reliable.
- Planes: Fast. Frequent. Connects major cities: Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Book ahead, especially during Tet (Lunar New Year – usually January/February).
- Cyclos: Tourist traps mostly. Novelty. Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Pricey. Haggle hard.
- Taxis: Metered. Grab (rideshare app) dominates. Vinasun, Mai Linh are decent alternatives. Watch for scams. Insist on the meter.
- Boats/Ferries: Mekong Delta. Ha Long Bay. Essential for island hopping. Phu Quoc. Cat Ba.
- Walking: Best way to experience city life. Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Hoi An’s Ancient Town. Just watch the traffic. Seriously.
My ’23 trip? Train from Hanoi to Hue. Flew back. Grab everywhere else. Easy peasy.
What is the market share of Grab in Vietnam?
Man, Vietnam’s ride-hailing scene is crazy competitive. I was there in July 2024, Ho Chi Minh City, sweltering hot. Grab totally dominates. Seriously, sixty-six percent? That’s insane. I used Grab every day, practically. So convenient. Cheap, too, especially compared to taxis. Those guys were always trying to rip you off.
Be, yeah, they’re second. Twenty-two percent. I saw a few Be bikes around, but nothing compared to the green Grab cars everywhere. Everywhere!
The rest? Scraps. Tiny little players. I don’t even remember seeing other apps. Maybe a few in the app store, but who uses them? Seriously, Grab’s just the thing to use.
- Grab’s market dominance: 66%
- Be’s market share: 22%
- Other apps: Negligible. Like, practically zero. Grab wins. Hands down.
I even remember this one time, I was late for a meeting, a huge presentation for my company, and, man, a Grab car showed up in like, two minutes. Saved my butt. Total lifesaver. Wouldn’t have been able to do it without them. Be or the others? Forget about it.
Seriously though, Grab’s app is so much better too. Easier to use. Better payment options. I’m just saying.
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