Does Vietnam use Grab or Gojek?

Grab vs Gojek Vietnam: Gojek exits, Xanh SM rises

Does Vietnam use Grab or Gojek? If youre planning to travel in Vietnam, knowing does vietnam use grab or gojek actually operate will save you time and confusion. The market has shifted recently, with new players emerging and familiar names exiting. Understanding the current landscape ensures you pick the right app for a smooth journey.

Does Vietnam use Grab or Gojek?

Vietnam predominantly uses Grab as its primary ride-hailing and delivery platform, while Gojek officially exited the Vietnamese market in September 2024. The landscape has shifted significantly, making Grab the dominant player with a market share exceeding 70% in the ride-hailing sector. This can be confusing for travelers who remember the fierce competition of previous years, but the choice is now much simpler for anyone landing in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.

While Grab is the king, it is not the only option. Local competitors like Xanh SM and Be have surged in popularity, offering specialized services such as electric vehicle fleets and competitive pricing that often undercuts Grab. If you are looking for the most reliable connection to a driver, Grab remains the go-to, but there is a catch regarding local pricing that most tourists overlook - I will reveal that secret in the strategy section below.

What Happened to Gojek in Vietnam?

Gojek officially ceased operations in Vietnam on September 16, 2024, after six years of trying to gain a foothold against Grab. Originally entering the market as GoViet before rebranding, the Indonesian giant struggled to reach a sustainable scale. Market data indicates that is gojek in vietnam never captured more than 10-12% of the total ride-hailing market in Vietnam, making it difficult to compete with Grabs massive driver network and diverse service ecosystem.

The exit was a strategic move to focus on their core markets in Indonesia and Singapore, where their market density is significantly higher. For users in Vietnam, this meant the Gojek app simply stopped working for local bookings. I remember trying to open the app out of habit a week after the exit - it was like looking at a ghost town. The disappearance of Gojek has consolidated the market, but it also paved the way for local Vietnamese brands to step up and challenge the status quo.

The Rise of Xanh SM: The Eco-Friendly Alternative

Since 2023, a new player called Xanh SM (Green SM) has disrupted the market by utilizing an entirely electric fleet of cars and motorbikes. Owned by Vingroup, Vietnams largest conglomerate, Xanh SM expanded its fleet to over 30,000 electric vehicles within its first year of operation. This rapid growth has made them the primary challenger to Grab, particularly for users who prefer newer, cleaner cars and more professional, uniformed drivers.

Xanh SM drivers report a 20-30% reduction in fuel-related overhead compared to traditional petrol-based ride-hailers. From a passenger perspective, the experience is notably different. The cars are silent, the air conditioning is usually blasting (a necessity in the 35-degree heat of Saigon), and the drivers dont pressure you for five-star ratings as aggressively. It feels like a premium service at a standard price point. It works. Simple as that.

Be: The Local Underdog That Saves You Money

Be is another major local competitor that focuses heavily on the Vietnamese domestic market. While it lacks the international polish of Grab, it often provides the best value. Typical ride prices on Be are often lower than Grab during non-peak hours. ^[5] Be has successfully captured a loyal following among local students and office workers who are price-sensitive and dont mind a slightly less sophisticated app interface.

In my experience, Be is the best backup app to have on your phone. When Grab implements 2x surge pricing during a sudden tropical downpour, Bes rates often remain more stable. However, the driver network is smaller. You might wait 7-10 minutes for a Be driver while a Grab driver is only 2 minutes away. It is a classic tradeoff between time and money. For a long trip to the airport, the 50,000 VND savings can be worth the extra wait.

The Secret Strategy for Getting Rides in the Rain

Earlier, I mentioned a secret regarding how drivers choose their passengers. In Vietnam, cash is still highly valued by drivers for daily liquidity. Industry patterns show that during heavy rain or peak traffic, drivers often prefer Cash bookings over Credit Card bookings. Why? Because they can use that cash immediately for fuel or food without waiting for the platforms weekly payout.

If you find yourself stuck at a coffee shop while a storm rages outside and no one is picking up your request, toggle your payment method to cash. It sounds counterintuitive in a digital age, but it works. I have tested this dozens of times in Ho Chi Minh City. The moment I switch to cash, a driver usually accepts within seconds. Just make sure you have small denominations ready, as drivers rarely have change for a 500,000 VND note.

Vietnam Ride-Hailing Comparison 2026

Grab (Market Leader)

• Bikes, Standard Cars, Premium Cars, XL Vans
• Highest; average pickup time under 3 minutes in major cities
• Excellent support for international credit cards and various local payment options
• Highest on average, especially during surge periods

Xanh SM (Best Experience)

• 100% Electric bikes and cars (VinFast)
• High in cities, growing in tourist hubs like Da Nang
• Cash, Credit Cards, and local E-wallets
• Mid-range; very consistent pricing without heavy surges

Be (Best Value)

• Bikes, Cars, and even flight/bus ticket bookings
• Moderate; may take longer in suburban areas
• Cash and local cards (foreign card support can be spotty)
• Lowest; often 10-15% cheaper than Grab

Minh's Airport Arrival Struggle in Ho Chi Minh City

Minh, a 28-year-old traveler returning to Vietnam, landed at Tan Son Nhat airport during the Friday evening rush. He tried using Grab, but the surge pricing was nearly double the normal rate, and the wait time was listed as 15 minutes in the crowded pickup zone.

He decided to try Xanh SM for the first time but struggled with the GPS pin in the chaotic multi-level parking garage. The driver called, but with the engine noise and language gap, Minh couldn't figure out where the 'Green Zone' was located.

After a few minutes of frustration, he realized that the Xanh SM app has a 'Photo of Pickup Point' feature. He matched the pillars in the photo to his current location and signaled the driver using the in-app chat's auto-translate function.

The electric car arrived shortly after, and Minh paid 30% less than the Grab surge price. He reached his hotel in District 1 in 40 minutes, realizing that having a backup app saved him both money and significant stress.