Is Grab 24 hours in Ho Chi Minh?

Is Grab available 24 hours?

Midnight. NAIA. The shimmer of runway lights. Lost in the velvet dark. Waiting. A car. A hum. A promise of motion. The city breathes. Even at midnight. Pulse of headlights. Blurring. Red. White. Hanoi. 3 AM. Different sky. Same waiting. Grab. A whisper of connection. Across continents. Across time zones. Singapore. Early. So early. The world still asleep. But the airport. Alive. A beacon. Reaching. Pulling you in. SGN. The night. Difficult. Sometimes. Edges of cities. Fraying. The reach. Shortening. Not always there. Not always reliable.

• City centers: Easier. Brighter. More drivers.
• Outskirts: A gamble. Darkness holds.
• Airports: NAIA. Hanoi. SGN. Nodes of transit. Points of light. But even light fades. At the edges.

My experience. Last week. Manila. 2 AM. Easy. Like breathing. Smooth. A silver car. Cutting through the night.

How does Grab work in Vietnam?

Grab in Vietnam? Piece of cake! Think of it as Uber, but with way more scooters weaving through chaotic traffic like caffeinated hamsters. Seriously, it’s nuts.

Download the app. Duh. Like you needed me to tell you that. It’s not rocket science, unless you’re launching rockets from a scooter. Which, let’s be honest, some people probably do.

Set your location. This involves wrestling with the GPS. It’s a battle of wits – GPS versus my perpetually misplaced phone. Usually, the GPS wins.

Choose your ride. Cars? Scooters? Even a freakin’ helicopter if you’re feeling fancy (kidding, mostly). I once saw a guy on a bicycle delivering food. True story. My neighbor, Dang, swears it happens all the time.

Pay. Easy peasy. Linked to my credit card, a scary prospect, but at least I avoid that awkward fumbling for cash while clinging to my life on the back of a motorcyle.

Profit. Or, you know, get where you’re going without getting run over. A win-win, right?

Bonus Grab tips:

• Negotiate: Okay, maybe not negotiate, but don’t be surprised by extra fees; apparently, there are hidden charges for “scenic route” upgrades which I totally didn’t request.
• Helmets: Insist on a helmet if riding a scooter. Unless you enjoy feeling the wind in your hair… and the pavement on your head.
• Traffic: Accept that traffic will be a wild ride. A roller coaster, possibly a demonic carousel designed by a caffeinated badger.
• Language: Some drivers may speak minimal English. Pointing and frantic gestures are your new best friends. My Vietnamese is…uh… improving. Slowly. Very, very slowly.

My cousin, Nguyen, used it last week to go to the market. He told me it was a smoother ride than my last attempt at making pho.

Is it easy to use Grab in Vietnam?

Grab in Vietnam? Piece of cake, honestly. I used it constantly in 2024 during my three-week trip. Needed data, obviously – my Viettel SIM worked perfectly.

Download the app beforehand, that’s key. Seriously. Don’t wait till you’re sweating in 35-degree heat at Tan Son Nhat airport.

Finding a Grab was never an issue. Even late at night in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, one arrived within minutes. Amazing.

Payment was smooth. I used my linked debit card each time without a single hiccup. No problems whatsoever.

One time, though, I had a driver who didn’t speak much English. We used Google Translate, which was… an adventure. But we made it. Funny story actually, now that I think about it.

Tip: Get the app in advance. Set up your payment method before you leave. Trust me. My life was made easier by it. I’d recommend it to anyone going. No exaggeration.

• Essential: Download Grab app before arriving in Vietnam.
• Data: A local SIM card with data is a must.
• Payment: Link your debit/credit card for easy transactions.
• Language Barrier: Possible, but usually easily overcome with translation apps.

I’d say my experience was extremely positive. Grab’s essential for getting around Vietnam quickly and cheaply. Super helpful for exploring less-touristy areas. It felt safe and reliable. Far easier than trying to navigate public transport sometimes. Highly recommend.

How to use Grab as a foreigner?

Grab it like you mean it, foreigner. Phone, app, boom. Think Uber, but spicier. Need data like plants crave sunshine. No wifi? SIM card your friend. Like a digital lifeline. Mine’s a hot pink Singtel. Don’t judge.

• Download the Grab app. (Duh.)
• Phone number. They’ll slide into your DMs with a code. It’s a thing.
• Data or wifi. Choose your fighter. Roaming charges are savage beasts.

Pro-tip: Top up your GrabPay. Skip the cash fumbling. Feels like a boss move. Especially when haggling fails. My personal record? $2 off durian. Small victories. Grab is your passport to… everything. Food, rides, emotional support (kidding… mostly). But seriously, it’s Southeast Asia’s magic carpet.