What ride app is used in Vietnam?

what ride app is used in vietnam: Grab vs Xanh SM

Understanding what ride app is used in vietnam helps travelers navigate busy cities efficiently and safely. Choosing the right platform prevents long wait times during heavy tropical rain or peak traffic hours. Using these digital services provides transparent pricing and reliable transportation for visitors exploring the country.

What ride app is used in Vietnam?

The ride-hailing landscape in Vietnam has shifted dramatically in the last two years, but you will mainly choose between Grab and Xanh SM (Green SM). While Grab was the undisputed king for a decade, Xanh SM has quickly captured nearly 40% of the market share since its 2023 launch, ^[1] offering an entirely electric fleet of cars and bikes.

Be remains a strong third-place local competitor, whereas Gojek officially exited the Vietnamese market in September 2024. For a traveler, downloading both Grab and Xanh SM is the smartest move to ensure you always have a ride, especially during tropical downpours or rush hour.

Xanh SM: The Electric Newcomer Taking the Lead

If you see a sea of bright cyan vehicles on the streets of Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, you are looking at Xanh SM. In Q1 2025, Xanh SM reached a 39.85% market share in the app-based taxi segment, officially surpassing Grab for the first time in that specific category.^[2]

This rapid growth is driven by their commitment to 100% electric vehicles (EVs), which provide a noticeably quieter and cleaner ride than traditional combustion engine cars. For someone who has spent years breathing in exhaust fumes while waiting for rides, the shift to electric fleets feels like a breath of fresh air—literally.

Initially, I was skeptical about whether an electric fleet could handle the heavy demand of a city like Saigon. I remember my first ride in a VinFast VF8; the driver was professional, the air conditioning was ice-cold (a necessity in 35-degree heat), and the app was surprisingly intuitive. Battery-electric fleets in Vietnam are expanding at a compound annual growth rate of 18.95%, and^[3] the government has introduced tax incentives to accelerate this. This means you are more likely to get a brand-new, well-maintained electric car through xanh sm vs grab vietnam than an aging private car on other platforms.

Grab: The Reliable Super App for Every Need

Grab remains the most versatile app for most visitors, even as its market lead narrows. In 2024, it maintained roughly 42% of the overall ride-hailing market share across all vehicle types. Its primary advantage is the ecosystem; you can book a GrabBike to zip through traffic, a GrabCar for comfort, or order a late-night Banh Mi through GrabFood all in one place. In fact, two-wheelers accounted for a significant portion of all ride-hailing transactions in 2025, and^[5] GrabBike is often the fastest way to get anywhere in a dense urban center.

Lets be honest: your first time on the back of a GrabBike will be terrifying. I still recall clutching the seat handle of a Honda Vision as we threaded through thousands of other scooters at a busy intersection. But once you realize the drivers are professional and the upfront pricing prevents the tourist tax, you will never go back. Grab has also introduced AI-powered features like family accounts and restaurant vouchers to keep users engaged. It typically covers more provinces than the newer apps, making it essential if you are traveling to smaller cities like Hue or Da Lat.

Be Group: The Local Challenger Worth Downloading

Be is the plucky local competitor that has managed to hold steady with approximately 13-15% of the market. What makes Be interesting is its aggressive pursuit of the super app model. It has integrated 12 different services, including flight and train ticket bookings, which are incredibly helpful if you are planning a multi-city trip. In late 2025, the company reported reaching positive EBITDA, proving that local players can indeed thrive alongside international giants.

I have found that Be often offers slightly lower prices during peak surge periods compared to Grab. There was one rainy Friday in Da Nang where Grab quoted me 120,000 VND for a ride, but Be was only 95,000 VND. It is a small difference, but over a two-week trip, those savings add up. Plus, they offer localized perks, such as comprehensive 24/7 accident insurance for their drivers, which generally leads to a more motivated and safer driver pool. It is a solid backup app that often has better availability in certain local neighborhoods.

Practical Tips: Registration and Payment in 2026

Setting up these apps can be a bit of a hurdle if you do not have a local phone number. While you can register Grab with an international number, Xanh SM and Be often require a Vietnamese SIM card for full functionality. I strongly recommend picking up a 4G/5G SIM card at the airport upon arrival - usually costing around 200,000 to 300,000 VND for a month of data. It saves you the headache of trying to how to use grab in vietnam as a tourist or finding Wi-Fi just to book a ride home.

When it comes to paying, cash is still very common, but digital payments have exploded. E-wallet adoption in Vietnam has grown significantly, contributing to a 3.2% increase in ride-hailing CAGR. You can link your Visa or Mastercard to Grab easily, but some foreign cards might trigger a security block on local apps. Here is the kicker: even if you link a card, keep some small bills (10,000 and 20,000 VND) ready for short trips. It is just easier than waiting for a driver to find change for a 500,000 VND note.

Navigating Vietnamese Airports (SGN & HAN)

Finding your ride at Tan Son Nhat (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City or Noi Bai (HAN) in Hanoi can feel like a mission. At SGN, ride-hailing apps have dedicated pickup lanes. For domestic arrivals, you usually need to walk across to lane D1. For international arrivals, you typically head to the parking lot area. Since the opening of SGNs T3 terminal in April 2025, pickup processes have become more streamlined with digital signage, but the crowds are still massive.

Wait for it - do not just walk out and hop into the first car that says Grab. Real app drivers will never approach you in the terminal. They will wait for you at the designated spot. I once made the mistake of following a friendly guy who claimed to be a Grab driver, only to be charged three times the app rate. Always verify the license plate in your app against the car in front of you. If it doesnt match, do not get in. It is as simple as that.

Comparing Top Ride-Hailing Apps in Vietnam

Grab (Super App Leader)

1. Best national coverage, available in almost every major and minor city
2. Includes GrabFood, GrabMart, and GrabExpress (delivery)
3. Widest variety: Bikes, Economy cars, Premium sedans, and 7-seater SUVs
4. Easiest for foreigners to link international credit/debit cards

Xanh SM (The Green Choice) ⭐

1. Growing rapidly in major cities like Hanoi, HCMC, and Da Nang
2. Uniformed drivers and high standard of professional service
3. 100% Electric (VinFast EVs). Higher quality vehicles on average
4. Supports cash, cards, and local e-wallets like MoMo

Be (Local Challenger)

1. Strongest in HCMC and Hanoi; competitive pricing during rain/peak hours
2. Offers flight, train, and bus ticket booking within the app
3. Standard bikes and cars; also includes taxi-sharing options
4. Integrated with VPBank and local wallets; cash-friendly

Minh's Rush Hour Breakthrough in District 1

Minh, a 28-year-old digital nomad living in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, used to rely solely on traditional taxis. He often found himself stuck in heavy traffic during the 5 PM rush, watching as motorcycles zipped past his stationary car while the meter ticked up relentlessly.

He initially tried GrabCar, but the wait times in central Saigon often exceeded 20 minutes during rain. One evening, he was late for a meeting and tried to walk, but the humidity made it impossible to arrive looking professional.

The breakthrough came when a local friend showed him how to use GrabBike and Xanh SM Bike. Minh realized that two-wheelers could navigate alleys (hem) that cars couldn't enter, cutting his commute time in half.

By switching to a mix of GrabBike for speed and Xanh SM for comfortable airport runs, Minh reduced his monthly transport costs by 40% and stopped being late for client meetings entirely.