How to Take a Taxi in Vietnam? Apps, Costs & Types

Plan your Vietnam trip with our complete taxi guide. Compare Grab, Be Group and metered taxis, check real fares for Hanoi, HCMC & Da Nang, and avoid common tourist scams.

Best Taxi Apps in Vietnam: Grab, Be Group & More

For foreign travelers, ride-hailing apps are the default best choice. They show full upfront fares, provide real-time route tracking, and remove language barriers. All accept cash payment, so no local bank card is required.

Vietnam Taxi App: Grab

Grab is the market leader and the most tourist-friendly app in Vietnam. It supports international phone numbers, foreign credit cards, and has a full English interface. Coverage extends to every major city and tourist town. Core services:

• GrabCar: Standard 4-seat air-conditioned sedan, the most popular option
• GrabCar 7: 7-seater for families or groups with luggage
• GrabBike: Motorbike taxi, roughly 40–50% cheaper than car rides
• GrabTaxi: Books licensed metered taxis at a fixed upfront price

Vietnam Taxi App: Be Group (Be)

Be is Vietnam’s main domestic ride-hailing platform, and the top backup app to install alongside Grab. Fares are typically 10–30% lower than Grab for identical routes, making it useful during peak hours when Grab applies surge pricing.

The app has an English interface and covers all major cities. It works just like Grab — enter your destination, see the fare, and pay by cash or card.

Vietnam Taxi App: Xanh SM

Run by VinFast, Xanh SM is Vietnam’s all-electric taxi fleet. Cars are modern, quiet and zero-emission, with generally competitive pricing. Coverage is strongest in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, with limited availability in smaller tourist hubs.

Online vs offline hailing: Booking via app gives you a fixed price, driver details and route tracking — no negotiation or meter disputes needed. Street-hailing is faster for immediate rides but carries a small risk of overcharging if you don’t use reputable fleets.

How to Book a Taxi in Vietnam

This section covers step-by-step guidance for both app booking and offline street hailing, plus airport-specific pickup rules to avoid scams.

1. Book a taxi via ride-hailing app (Recommended for Foreigners)

1. Install Grab and Be Group before arriving in Vietnam, register with your mobile number.
2. Connect to airport Wi-Fi or activate local eSIM to load your destination on the map.
3. Select your vehicle type (GrabCar for comfort, GrabBike for cheap short trips).
4. Check the displayed fixed fare; no post-ride price haggling needed.
5. Head to the designated app pickup zone marked at airports, malls and tourist areas.
6. Match the license plate number shown in the app with the arriving vehicle before getting in.
7. Pay cash or card after the ride ends.

2. Hail a traditional taxi on the street

1. Wave down only Mai Linh or Vinasun branded taxis driving empty.
2. Clearly say “Use meter” to the driver before opening the car door.
3. Show your Google Maps destination screenshot if the driver cannot understand English.
4. Watch the meter throughout the trip to avoid tampering; refuse any fake “broken meter” excuses.
5. Pay the exact meter amount at drop-off; small change is preferred.

3. Airport taxi special rules

Never accept ride offers from drivers waiting inside arrival terminals — all are unlicensed touts with marked-up prices.

• App users: Follow “Grab Pickup” signage outside baggage claim
• Street taxi riders: Queue at official airport taxi stands outside the terminal exit, stick to Mai Linh/Vinasun

Types of Taxis in Vietnam: What Are Your Options?

Vietnam’s taxi market mixes long-running traditional fleets and widely used ride-hailing apps, plus iconic local two-wheel options. Below is a breakdown of what you’ll find across major cities.

Traditional Metered Taxis

Street-hailed metered taxis are available 24/7 across all urban areas, and most useful when you have no phone signal or app wait times are long. All licensed cabs run on calibrated meters, with a fixed flag-fall charge for the first kilometer, plus per-kilometer and waiting-time fees after that.

• Reputable fleets to choose: Stick to well-known national brands to avoid scams. Mai Linh (bright green cars) and Vinasun (white with green and red stripes) are the most trusted nationwide, with company hotlines clearly printed on car doors.
• Key rules: Always confirm the driver will use the meter before getting in. Avoid any driver who approaches you inside airports or tourist spots offering a flat fare — these are almost always inflated. Most drivers speak limited English, so save your destination on Google Maps or have it written in Vietnamese to avoid miscommunication.

Ride-Hailing Apps: Grab and Be Group

For most foreign travelers, ride-hailing apps are the simplest and most transparent way to get around. They show fixed upfront fares, track your route in real time, and eliminate language barriers.

• Grab: The market leader in Vietnam, with full English support, international credit card payment, and coverage in all major cities and tourist towns. Services include standard 4-seat GrabCar, 7-seat options for groups, and GrabBike motorbike rides. You can also book licensed metered taxis through the app at a fixed price.
• Be Group (Be): The main domestic competitor, typically 10–30% cheaper than Grab for the same route. The app works in English and works well as a backup, especially during peak hours when Grab applies surge pricing.
• Xanh SM: VinFast’s all-electric taxi fleet, with modern, quiet cars. Coverage is strongest in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, with generally competitive fares.
• Quick tip: Download both apps before your trip. Cash payment is accepted on all platforms, so you don’t need a local bank card to use them.

Motorbike Taxis (Xe Om): A Local Budget Option

Xe ôm — Vietnam’s iconic motorbike taxi — is the cheapest way to cover short distances, and a classic local travel experience.

Independent xe om drivers park at street corners, markets, and outside hotels; you’ll need to negotiate a fare upfront before riding. For a no-hassle experience, use GrabBike via the Grab app, where fares are fixed in advance and drivers provide a helmet.

• Best for: Solo travelers on trips under 5km, and cutting through traffic jams quickly.
• What to note: Not recommended for travelers with luggage, children, or anyone uncomfortable with heavy motorbike traffic. Typical short-hop fares start at 15,000–25,000 VND.

Airport Taxis and Private Transfer Services

Airport arrivals are the most common spot for taxi overcharging scams, with unlicensed drivers approaching passengers inside terminals. You have four main options, ordered by convenience for most travelers:

1. Ride-hailing apps: The top pick for most people. Both Noi Bai (Hanoi) and Tan Son Nhat (HCMC) have designated pickup zones. Connect to free airport Wi-Fi to book if you don’t have a local SIM yet; fares are transparent and fixed.
2. Official taxi ranks: Walk past all drivers approaching you inside the terminal, and head to the official taxi queue outside. Stick to Mai Linh or Vinasun, and confirm the meter will be used.
3. Pre-booked private transfers: Most hotels offer airport pickup for a fixed fee, often with a meet-and-greet service. This is the lowest-stress option for late-night arrivals, families, or travelers with lots of luggage.
4. Airport shuttles: The budget choice. Airline-operated shuttles run to central locations for 40,000–60,000 VND per person, though they are slower and make multiple stops.

How much is a Taxi in Vietnam

Taxi fares in Vietnam are low by international standards, but vary by city and travel time. All prices below are 2026 reference rates for standard 4-seat cars, in Vietnamese Dong (VND). Rough conversion: 24,000 VND = 1 USD.

Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh City: Key Route Fares

Da Nang and Other Tourist Cities

Fares in smaller cities are generally lower than Hanoi and HCMC, with lighter traffic and shorter travel distances.

• Da Nang: Airport to city center costs 90,000–120,000 VND ($3.75–$5) by GrabCar. A ride from My Khe Beach to Marble Mountains runs 90,000–120,000 VND.
• Hoi An: Most of the ancient town is walkable. A ride to An Bang Beach (4km) costs 50,000–70,000 VND by car, or 20,000–30,000 VND by motorbike taxi. A transfer from Da Nang to Hoi An (30km) is 250,000–350,000 VND.
• Hue & Nha Trang: Short city rides cost 30,000–60,000 VND. A private car charter from Hue to Da Nang (100km) typically costs 800,000–1,100,000 VND ($33–$46).

Surge pricing applies during rush hour (7–9AM, 5–7PM) and heavy rain. GrabBike fares are roughly 40–50% cheaper than car fares across all cities.

Vietnam Taxi vs. Other Transportation Options: Which Is Right for You?

Taxis are convenient, but they aren’t always the best fit for every trip. The table below compares common transport modes across key factors:

For most tourists, a mix of GrabCar for longer or heavy-luggage trips and GrabBike for quick solo rides strikes the best balance of cost and convenience.

Essential Tips for Taking Taxis in Vietnam

• Download Grab and Be Group before your trip — both work with international phone numbers.
• Carry small banknotes. Many drivers do not have change for 500,000 VND notes.
• Pull up your destination on Google Maps to monitor the route and avoid unnecessary detours.
• Ignore touts inside airport terminals and popular tourist spots; use official queues or book via app.
• Tipping is not expected in Vietnam. Rounding up the fare is appreciated but entirely optional.

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