Does Vietnam have Uber or grab?

Does Vietnam have Uber or Grab? No, Grab & Xanh SM available.

If youre wondering does vietnam have uber or grab, youre not alone. Many travelers are confused after Ubers departure. But dont worry—getting around Vietnam is now easier with multiple ride-hailing apps competing for your business.
Discover which apps work best and where they operate to ensure a smooth trip.

Does Vietnam have Uber or Grab?

Heres the quick answer: Uber no longer operates in Vietnam, having sold its Southeast Asian business in 2018. But dont worry—Grab is absolutely everywhere, and its actually been joined by a powerful local competitor called Xanh SM (Green SM) thats giving it a serious run for its money.

I remember landing in Ho Chi Minh City for the first time after Uber had left, completely confused about how to get around. The good news? Getting a ride is easier than ever, with multiple apps competing for your business. is grab available in vietnam is no longer a question, as it operates in 34 provinces and cities nationwide (citation:1), while Xanh SM has expanded to 34 provinces and even launched in Laos, Indonesia, and the Philippines (citation:2)(citation:4). ^[2]

What happened to Uber in Vietnam?

Back in 2018, uber in vietnam 2026 is a thing of the past as the company made a strategic decision to exit the Southeast Asian market. They sold their operations to Grab in exchange for a 27.5% stake in Grabs regional business. If youve got the Uber app on your phone, dont bother opening it in Vietnam—it wont work. This is still one of the most common points of confusion for travelers, and honestly, I was caught off guard by it too.

Grab in Vietnam: The default choice for millions

Grab has become almost synonymous with ride-hailing in Vietnam. By March 2026, theyd officially expanded to 34 provinces and cities, deploying at least three services (GrabBike, GrabFood, GrabTaxi) in each location (citation:1). The growth has been striking—in 2025 alone, markets outside Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City saw a significant increase in new driver partners joining the platform (citation:1). ^[3]

What does this mean for you? Whether youre in a major tourist hub or a smaller city like Hue or Da Nang, youll find Grab available. The app works exactly like it does elsewhere in Southeast Asia, with options for cars and motorbikes. International travelers using Grab increased by a significant amount in 2025 (citation:1)^[4], which tells you something about how reliable its become for visitors.

Payment options for foreigners

One question I get constantly: Can I use my foreign credit card? Yes, mostly. Grab accepts international cards, though Ive had mine fail occasionally for no obvious reason. Always have cash as backup—Vietnamese dong, specifically. The app also supports local e-wallets if you happen to set one up, but for short trips, cash is simpler.

Xanh SM: The electric newcomer that's changing everything

Heres where it gets interesting. Xanh SM (Green SM) launched in April 2023 and has absolutely exploded. Were talking 100% electric vehicles—VinFast cars and scooters—with a level of service consistency thats rare in this industry (citation:4). A Q&Me survey from late 2025 showed something remarkable: for the first time, a Vietnamese app surpassed 50% market share, with a majority of users reporting Xanh SM as their most frequently used ride-hailing app, compared to Grabs less than half (citation:3). ^[5]

The numbers tell the story. In Q1 2025, Mordor Intelligence reported Xanh SMs market share higher than Grabs (citation:2). By Q2 2025, that gap had widened—Xanh SM at a greater share, Grab at a lesser share (citation:8)^[7]. How did a newcomer pull this off in two years?

From using both services extensively, I can tell you the difference is tangible. Xanh SM vehicles are spotless—like, really spotless. Drivers wear uniforms, speak politely, and the cars have that new-electric-vehicle smell. In confirmation tests, Xanh SM averaged a faster time to confirm a ride versus Grabs (citation:3)^[8]. Small difference, but it adds up.

The Xanh SM experience

The app offers electric car rides (both 4-seat and 7-seat Limo options), electric motorbike rides, express delivery, and food delivery through Xanh SM Ngon (citation:4)(citation:6). Theyve even introduced Xanh SM Airport for dedicated airport transfers. Payment is flexible—cash, card, e-wallet, or the Vingroup loyalty points system. Each taxi ride contributes 1,000 VND to their Green Future Fund, which feels good to know as a passenger (citation:4).

Other ride-hailing options: Be, Vi Vu, and more

Grab and Xanh SM dominate, but theyre not alone. Be Group holds a smaller but meaningful share—around 4% according to recent surveys (citation:3). Its Vietnamese-owned and popular with locals who find its prices slightly lower than Grab for certain routes.

Then theres Vi Vu, an app with millions of users across many provinces (citation:9). It offers motorcycles, cars, inter-provincial travel, even flight tickets. I havent used it myself, but locals in the north (where its headquartered) seem to appreciate the 24/7 support and built-in travel insurance. Newer players like Tada (promising 0% commission to drivers) and Moovtek (carpooling service below average prices) are also entering the scene (citation:6). ^[10]

The short version: youll survive just fine with Grab and Xanh SM. The others are worth knowing if youre staying long-term or want to compare prices, but for most visitors, those two cover everything.

Real-world example: Getting from Tan Son Nhat Airport to District 1

Minh, a 32-year-old architect from Da Nang, had flown into Ho Chi Minh City for a client meeting. Hed used Grab for years without thinking twice. But this time, his client specifically requested he try Xanh SM—said the electric cars were quieter for phone calls. Minh opened both apps at the airport exit to compare: Grab showed 185,000 VND for a car to District 1. Xanh SM showed 172,000 VND. He picked Xanh SM.

Finding the driver took a minute—the pickup zone at Tan Son Nhat can be chaotic. But the car was immaculate, the driver helped with his bag, and the 20-minute ride was eerily quiet. No engine noise, just air conditioning and smooth acceleration. Minh made his client call without shouting. Hes used Xanh SM for every airport trip since.

Heres the thing though: when his mom in Da Nang needed a GrabBike to the market for groceries, Xanh SM wasnt an option in her neighborhood yet. So Grab still gets plenty of his familys business. The apps coexist depending on where you are and what you need.

Airport pickup survival guide: Where to actually find your driver

Airports are where ride-hailing apps get stressful. At Tan Son Nhat (Ho Chi Minh City), heres what works: For international arrivals, ignore the old advice about pillar 10. Thats changed. Exit the terminal—theres really only one exit—cross the road straight ahead, and youll hit a carpark full of Grab and Xanh SM drivers (citation:5). Look for your specific license plate, not just the app logo. Guys in branded shirts might approach you, but only get in the car with the plate from your booking.

Grab vs. Xanh SM vs. Others: Which app should you use?

Grab

- Tourists wanting familiarity, GrabBike for quick city hops, food delivery

- Cash or international credit cards (though cards can be hit-or-miss)

- 34 provinces, including most tourist destinations and smaller cities

- Cars (GrabCar), motorbikes (GrabBike), plus food delivery and courier services

Xanh SM (Green SM)

- Premium experience, airport transfers, longer car rides, eco-conscious travelers

- Cash, card, e-wallet, VPoint loyalty points from Vingroup ecosystem

- 61 provinces and counting, plus international (Laos, Indonesia, Philippines)

- 100% electric cars (4-seat, 7-seat Limo), electric motorbikes, delivery, food

Be / Vi Vu

- Price comparison on familiar routes, locals, long-term residents

- Cash primarily, some e-wallet integration

- Be strong in south, Vi Vu in north (28 provinces); limited in remote areas

- Standard cars and motorbikes; Vi Vu adds bus tickets, flights, inter-provincial travel

Lan's Saigon commute: Switching from GrabBike to Xanh SM

Lan, a 28-year-old graphic designer in Ho Chi Minh City's District 2, used GrabBike for her daily 15-minute commute to a co-working space in District 1. It cost around 25,000 VND each way, and she'd grown used to weaving through traffic behind a driver who usually said nothing.

One morning, her regular Grab driver canceled last minute. In a rush, she noticed a Xanh SM electric scooter option in her app—actually, she'd downloaded it weeks ago but never opened it. The ride was... weirdly pleasant. Quiet. The driver handed her a helmet that didn't smell like cigarette smoke, which had never happened before.

For two weeks, she alternated between both apps, tracking her experience. GrabBike was faster to find during rush hour—more drivers. Xanh SM's bikes were newer, the drivers more consistently polite, and the rides felt safer. She realized the 2,000-3,000 VND price difference per trip was worth it for her peace of mind.

Three months later, she estimates 80% of her trips are with Xanh SM now. "I still keep Grab for when I'm in a hurry or if Xanh SM has no drivers nearby," she says. "But I never thought I'd have a 'preferred' motorbike taxi. Now I do."