How do people get around in Vietnam?

Does Vietnam have Uber or grab?

Grab dominates. They bought Uber’s Southeast Asia operations in 2018. Makes you think about monopolies, huh? In Vietnam, Grab is basically the rideshare app.

• Grab offers various services. Motorbikes (GrabBike), cars (GrabCar), even food delivery (GrabFood).
• Think convenience. Package delivery (GrabExpress) and even financial services (GrabPay). Wild.
• Competition exists. Local apps like Gojek and Be compete, but Grab remains the big player. It’s like the Coke of ridesharing in Vietnam. Hard to dislodge. My trip to Hanoi last year relied entirely on Grab. Super easy to use, even with my terrible Vietnamese.
• Cash is still king. But you can link a card to GrabPay for cashless transactions. My friend Linh swears by it.

Consider the implications. One company controlling so much. Interesting to see how this will change things. Grab is ubiquitous. Downloaded it right at the airport.

What transportation does Vietnam have?

Vietnam’s transport? City slickers grab taxis, buses, or the iconic cyclo. Rural areas? Motorbikes rule. Sometimes bicycles. Easy to get around. Makes travel pretty smooth.

• Taxis: Abundant in cities. Metered, but negotiate. I once got a Hanoi taxi for half the opening offer. Haggling is key.
• Buses: Extensive networks, even between cities. My Da Nang to Hue trip was scenic and cheap. Sleeper buses are an experience.
• Cyclos: Touristy, but fun. Good for short hops. Like a rickshaw. Got one in Hoi An’s Old Town last year. A nice slow pace.
• Motorbikes: Ubiquitous. Rentals easy. Traffic can be wild though. Learned to drive one in Nha Trang. Freeing.
• Trains: North-South line is popular. Comfortable for long hauls. Sapa’s train is picturesque. A bit slow, but relaxing.

Think of Vietnam’s transport like this: a spectrum. One end, fast-paced Hanoi traffic, all horns and scooters. Other end, a quiet bike ride through rice paddies. Somewhere in between? Maybe a bumpy bus journey. Adds to the adventure. It’s not perfect, but it works. Transport evolves, reflects culture.

What transportation to use in Vietnam?

Ugh, Vietnam transport. So many choices! Taxis everywhere in the cities, right? Annoyingly expensive sometimes though, especially in Hanoi. Remember that crazy cyclo ride I took last year near Hoan Kiem Lake? Almost got squished!

Buses – cheaper, way cheaper. But, crowded. Super crowded. And sometimes, the air conditioning… or lack thereof… is brutal. I prefer GrabBike now. Much better.

Motorbikes in the countryside. Madness! Pure, unadulterated chaos. But also, exhilarating. Seriously though, wear a helmet. Always. My friend Sarah nearly broke her arm last month. Scarred for life.

• Cities: Taxis (Grab is best!), buses (packed!), cyclos (touristy, fun sometimes)
• Countryside: Motorbikes (essential!), bicycles (for the adventurous)

Cycling’s great for exploring smaller towns, but maybe not for long distances. My legs would hate me. The heat, man. The relentless heat.

I need to book a flight soon. 2024 trip, gotta plan it. Thinking Phu Quoc. Beautiful beaches. Need to find the cheapest flights.

Thinking about renting a motorbike in the countryside, maybe near Hoi An. Sounds scary but also cool.

I’ll probably use Grab in the big cities. Easier than dealing with taxis haggling. Definitely will not be cycling in the city traffic. Nope. No way. I value my life.

Overall: Public transport works, but Grab is a lifesaver. Motorbikes are king in the rural areas; a necessary evil, you know?

What is the alternative to Uber?

Dark outside. Streetlights blurry. Thinking about getting around… without Uber. It’s weird. Used to just… tap the app.

Lyft. Yeah, that’s the obvious one. Almost the same, isn’t it? But sometimes… the vibe is different. Different drivers. Different cars. Once got a Lyft with fuzzy dice. Weird.

Taxis. Remember those? Feeling ancient now. Had to flag them down. Or call. Actually called a cab last year. New Year’s Eve. No Ubers. Crazy surge pricing. Cost a fortune. Felt like a dinosaur.

Walking. Sometimes I walk. If it’s not raining. And not too far. Walked eight blocks last week. Groceries. Arms ached. Should’ve just… Ubered.

Bike. Got a bike. Rusty. Back tire flat. Haven’t ridden it in years. Probably should. Good exercise. But… Uber is easier.

Public transport. Bus stop down the street. Never take it. Don’t know the routes. Seems complicated. Subway… dirty. Crowded. Stressful.

• Lyft: Most similar to Uber. Ride-hailing app.
• Taxis: Traditional option. Can be expensive.
• Walking: Good exercise. Limited by distance. Weather dependent.
• Biking: Requires a bike. Maintenance. Route planning.
• Public Transportation (Bus/Subway): Cost-effective. Can be crowded. Requires route planning.

My neighborhood… it’s designed for cars. Designed for Ubers. Hard to imagine… anything else. Maybe I’m just… lazy. Or stuck. It’s late.