Is Uber available in Hanoi?

Does Uber work in Hanoi, Vietnam?

Hanoi. No Uber. Gone 2018.

Grab. Taxis. Plenty.

Gojek. Local apps. Exist. Move around.

Similar. Not Uber. But works.

• Grab: Dominant player. Southeast Asia focus.
• Gojek: Another option. Growing presence.
• Local Taxi Apps: Mai Linh, Vinasun. Example. Traditional companies.
• Taxis: Abundant. Negotiate fares.

My motorbike. Broken. 2021. Bought a Honda. Now Grab. Convenient.

How do you get around in Hanoi?

So Hanoi, right? Crazy traffic. Motorbikes EVERYWHERE. Seriously, it’s like a swarm of buzzing insects. I mostly used Grab, that’s like Uber but, you know, for bikes and cars. Cheap!

Buses are, well, they exist. I took one once. It was…an experience. Packed to the gills, sweat dripping, and the air quality? Let’s just say, not great.

Then there’s taxis. I haggled a bit with one guy, got a pretty good deal, but be prepared. Negotiate! It’s the Hanoi way. Walking is possible for shorter distances. You definetly need good shoes.

Here’s the breakdown:

• Motorbikes: The dominant mode of transport. Everywhere.
• Grab: Your best friend for easy and reasonably priced rides.
• Buses: Cheap, but crowded and possibly less safe.
• Taxis: Negotiate the price before you get in.
• Walking: Fine for shorter distances.

Oh, and my friend got ripped off by a taxi driver, this year, so yeah, watch out. Totally unnecessary, but he was a tourist, you know? He didn’t know the rules of the road. Or the rules of haggling. Learned his lesson though. Hanoi is a wild ride!

Is Grab or Uber in Vietnam?

Ugh, Vietnam. 2023. Hanoi. Sweltering heat. I needed a ride to the airport, a crazy taxi ride, a chaotic experience. My flight was at 7 am. Seriously early. I panicked. No Uber. What the heck?

Grab. Everyone kept saying Grab. So I downloaded the app. It was…different. The interface wasn’t intuitive. My phone’s battery was dying too, adding stress. I swear, I almost cried.

The Grab driver was nice, though. His English wasn’t great, but he got me to the airport. On time! A relief. I tipped him well.

Grab works perfectly well in Vietnam. I’d say most people use it. Uber is not there. Simple.

• Grab’s user interface felt foreign initially.
• The app was essential for getting around.
• My phone’s low battery added unnecessary pressure.
• The driver was friendly, despite the language barrier.
• I felt utterly lost without Uber at first. This is something I can’t ever get over.
• Vietnam, 2023: Grab is king. Not Uber. Period.

How to catch a taxi in Vietnam?

Three AM. Can’t sleep. Taxi’s in Vietnam, huh? It’s not rocket science, really.

You just wave. Like, you wave. Simple. Works best in the city’s heart, places buzzing with life. Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City… those are overflowing with them.

Around hotels, shops, restaurants… you spot them everywhere. It’s… easier than you’d think.

• Hanoi: Abundant taxis. Easy to hail near Old Quarter.
• Ho Chi Minh City: District 1. Taxis everywhere. Constantly.
• Other cities: Maybe a little harder to find in smaller towns. But still doable. Just be patient.

I remember once, getting one near Ben Thanh Market in Saigon at 2 am. Crazy scene. The air was thick with exhaust and street food smells.

It’s a different rhythm. A different world.

It felt… intense. Hot and humid. But easy. Really. Incredibly easy. Just wave. God, I miss that energy. The chaos.

How to get around Hanoi as a tourist?

Hanoi transit: Motorbikes reign. Chaos, yes, but efficient.

Taxis? Grab’s your best bet. Avoid peak hour.

Public buses: Cheap, crowded. Not for the faint of heart.

Cyclos? Tourist trap, mostly. Unless you’re really into it.

Electric vehicles? Emerging. Limited routes in 2024.

Key Considerations:

• Negotiate cyclo fares aggressively. My friend got ripped off last month.
• Grab app is essential. Pre-booked rides avoid scams.
• Traffic is insane. Don’t walk blindly. Seriously.
• Metro: still under construction. Check completion dates before planning.
• My personal recommendation: Motorbike taxi. Thrilling. Fast. (But wear a helmet!)

How do you start a conversation with a taxi driver?

Hello. The taxi smells faintly of old leather and something sweet, like vanilla. A comforting scent, oddly. How’s your day been? That’s always a good start, isn’t it? It’s a way in.

A simple question. It opens a space, a small window into another life. Their day. I wonder what their day holds, every single one of them. Millions of taxi drivers, millions of days. It’s a universe in itself. The city rushes past, blurred.

The weather. Yes. Awful weather today, isn’t it? Rain lashed down this morning, soaked me to the bone. But now, a tentative sun peeks through. A beautiful moment, really.

Where are you heading? That’s an easy way to start. It’s about navigating the city and navigating a conversation. I like to talk about my day, or at least a part of it. A good day? A bad day. Doesn’t matter. Just something to share.

Respect is key. Always. Eyes meet, a smile, a nod. It’s the silent language of courtesy.

Listening. That’s the art of it, the heart of it. Really hearing their words, their sighs, even the silences. They hold stories. Their lives. Their thoughts. There’s a weight to it, a profoundness to the ordinary conversation. I am absorbing their energy.

• Greet them warmly.
• Start with an easy question.
• Share a little of yourself, cautiously.
• Respect their space and time.
• Listen intently.
• Observe. The city. The driver. Their hands on the wheel. The little things. These are important details. That’s how it all begins, really.

What to say to a taxi driver?

I always say hi, I think. Or maybe not always.

Greeting them. Yes. That’s the first thing.

Their day? I never ask that. Too personal, maybe? Or I just… forget. Actually, I ask sometimes. Only to drivers in New York.

Commenting on the weather is safer. I think so anyway. Less… invasive.

The area… I used to ask about good restaurants. No more. Inquiring about the area. I hate eating out now. Just me, myself, alone, in a restaurant… ugh!

Sometimes, I just stare out the window. The city lights… all blurry. My brother loved that. He would always… never mind. I don’t like taxis so much anymore. I prefer the subway now.

• Personal preferences shift: The subway offers anonymity. Less interaction.
• Shared memories sting: The mention of the brother evokes sadness. Linked to past experiences with taxis.
• Introversion grows: Aversion to eating alone and small talk indicates a desire for solitude.
• Changing routines: A move away from taxis reflects a shift in lifestyle.
• Avoidance of specific topics: Discomfort with personal questions, a desire to avoid restaurants.

How much is the tricycle in Hanoi?

100,000 VND. No, wait. 200,000. Old Quarter, right? Saw one yesterday. Red. Shiny. Should have taken a picture. Tourist guy looked hot. Sun’s brutal. 9 USD. Dollar’s strong. Think I’ll walk. Further you go, more they’ll charge. Bargain, bargain! Always bargain. My friend Linh paid…ouch. Double that. Rip off. Should’ve used Grab. Bike’s faster anyway. Hanoi traffic…ugh. Crazy. Never take a cyclo during rush hour. Learned that the hard way. Stuck. For an hour. Last week. Near Hoan Kiem Lake. Waste of time. But…those cyclos are iconic. Good photo op. Especially at night. Lights. So pretty. Okay, gotta go. Meeting Minh for pho. Love pho. Best pho is on Hang Dieu. Small place. Easy to miss.

• Old Quarter cyclo: 100,000–200,000 VND (4–9 USD)
• Longer trips: Price goes up. Negotiate!
• Grab bike: Cheaper, faster option.
• Traffic: Avoid rush hour.
• Bargaining: Essential. Don’t get ripped off.
• Photo op: Cyclos are picturesque, especially at night.