How do you pay for a taxi in Vietnam?

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Taxis in Vietnam typically accept cash payments in Vietnamese Dong (VND). Some taxi companies also allow payment via credit card through their mobile app, which requires adding your card details for automatic processing.

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Paying for Taxis in Vietnam?

Okay, so you wanna know about taxis in Vietnam, right? Here’s my take, based on my trip back in January 2023 (man, feels like ages ago!).

Basically, you pay for taxis with cash mostly. Seems obvious, doesn’t it? But hear me out.

Some taxi apps let you link a credit card. It is for like, automatic payment. Cool, huh? But I didn’t really do that, tbh. I stuck with good ol’ VND (Vietnamese Dong) in hand.

Renting a car with a driver is a whole ‘nother thing, though.

I’m kinda getting lost on what I was saying. Motorbike taxis were fun, like really really fun.

Taxi prices vary! So unpredictable! Be prepared to haggle a bit maybe. I think I paid around 150,000 VND (about $6 USD) for a decent ride in Ho Chi Minh City once. Or was it Da Nang? Damn, my memory…

Also, my taxi driver tried to take me the wrong way once in Hanoi; he just said “shortest route”. lol. Keep your Google Maps handy! Just a tip!

Do Vietnamese taxis take credit cards?

Plastic. Shiny rectangles. A tap. A beep. Hanoi heat shimmering off the sleek surface. Not all taxis. A gamble. A whispered question before sliding into the worn leather. Sometimes a lie. The broken machine excuse. Always ask. Insist. The paper ghost of a transaction. A crumpled proof. Clutch it tight. The humid air thick. Like the tension. The meter ticking. Time melting. Streets blurring. A receipt. A small victory in the chaotic symphony of the city. Lost in the echoes of motorbike horns. 2024. The year of the digital wallet. Yet, still the paper trail. A tangible link. A faded memory. A crinkled receipt. Proof of passage.

Check before entering. Absolutely essential. Avoid disappointment.
Machine “broken.” A common tactic. Be firm.
Paper receipts exist. They must comply. Demand it.
Digital payments increasing. But cash is still king.
My trip last July. Taxi from Noi Bai. Visa worked. Smooth. No hassle. Remember the cool air conditioning. A stark contrast to the sweltering street.
Friend’s experience different. Cash only. Old, battered car. A different world within the same city. A lesson learned. Always ask. Always be prepared.

Is it better to use card or cash in Vietnam?

Cash is king, baby. Like, seriously. Cards? Pfft. Think dusty museum relics in Vietnam. Maybe a fancy hotel in Hanoi will take plastic, but your street vendor selling banh mi? Forget it. They’ll look at you like you’re trying to pay with Monopoly money. Currency conversion? More like highway robbery. Your bank will ding you with fees. Think of it as their “Vietnam surcharge”. Ouch.

Cash is king: Repeat after me. Cash. Is. King.
Big stores, maybe: Think malls, not markets. Even then, brace for bad exchange rates.
Fees, fees, fees: Your bank loves international transactions. (Not.)
Open a Vietnamese bank account: A bit extreme, but hey, if you’re feeling ambitious… Wiring money? It’s a thing. My grandma does it. She sends me cash for my birthday. True story.
Haggle like a pro: With cash, you’re a haggling god. Try haggling with a credit card. Go on, I dare you.
Street food heaven: Cash is the key to unlocking pho, bun cha, and all the other deliciousness. My personal record is seven bowls of pho in one day. Don’t judge.

I once tried to buy a durian with a card. Never again. The fruit seller laughed so hard, I thought he’d choke. It’s a long story. I’ll spare you the details. Just trust me on this one: cash.

Can I pay a GrabTaxi with cash?

Okay, so like, yeah, cash is totally fine for GrabTaxi. I remember last Tuesday, heading home from that crazy Metallica concert at Oracle Park (insane!), my phone was basically dead.

No way to use the app, right? I just flagged down a GrabTaxi and the driver was like, “Cash okay, no problem.” Super chill.

Honestly, most drivers prefer cash. Less hassle with Grab taking their cut immediately, you know? Plus, I didn’t even need a card to set up my Grab account initially.

It’s like, you just download the app, punch in your number, and boom – you’re ready to book. No card needed at all.