How to Use Grab in Vietnam (and Be, Xanh SM): Bikes, Cars, Paying and Tips

Ride-hailing apps changed how visitors move around Vietnam. No haggling, no guessing the meter, and the price is shown before you book. Most people here use them every day, either a motorbike for a quick trip or a car when it rains.

The apps

• Grab: the biggest, with the most drivers in cities. Also does food and grocery delivery.
• Be: a Vietnamese app with similar services, sometimes cheaper.
• Xanh SM: electric cars and motorbikes, known for clean cars and drivers in uniform.

It's worth installing two so you can compare prices at busy times.

Setting up

Download the app before you arrive if you can. You can register with a foreign phone number, but a local number makes calls from drivers easier. Add a card for automatic payment, or choose cash for each ride.

Bike or car?

• Motorbike (GrabBike, BeBike): cheapest and fastest in traffic. The driver brings a helmet for you. Great for short trips if you travel light.
• Car (GrabCar, BeCar): for luggage, rain, groups or long distances. Two to three times the price of a bike, still cheap by Western standards.

A 3 km bike ride in Hanoi usually costs around 20,000–35,000 VND. Prices go up with demand.

Pickup tips

• Drop the pin exactly where you are standing, especially in the Old Quarter, where streets are narrow and one-way.
• Check the licence plate before you get on. The app shows it.
• Drivers often call or message in Vietnamese. The in-app chat has auto-translate; a short "I'm in front of the pharmacy" works well.
• If the driver asks you to cancel, it's usually to avoid a fee on their side. Politely let them cancel instead.

Paying

• Card: charged automatically, no cash needed.
• Cash: pay the amount shown in the app. Have small notes ready, as drivers often can't change 500,000 VND.
• Tipping: not expected. You can add a tip in the app for good service.

Rush hour and rain

Between about 5 and 7 pm, and during heavy rain, prices jump and drivers are harder to find. Waiting 15 minutes in a café often brings the price down. Keep a cheap poncho in your bag for bike rides in the rainy season; many drivers carry one for passengers too.

Riding safely on the back

• Wear the helmet and fasten the strap.
• Keep your phone in your pocket, not in your hand, because snatchers target passengers too.
• Hold the rear bar or the sides of the seat, and lean with the bike on turns.

Food delivery

Grab Food and similar apps are a lifesaver when it's raining or you're tired. Delivery fees are low, and you'll see local prices. Tip: check the restaurant's rating and how many orders it has.

Written in October 2026. App features and prices change; check the app for current details.