Uber in vietnam

Uber Vietnam Guide – How to Book Uber in Vietnam Easily

Post Updated on 19th Apr 2018

Uber is by far the fastest, easiest, effortless and most cost effective option of transport while traveling. Uber in Vietnam, in particular, is the BEST and cheapest way to commute, hands down, well in most big cities at least.

The surprising part for me, which also inspired me to write this post was that they have bike taxis. I have never seen Uber bike taxis anywhere else in Asia. If I see something unique, I need to share it with my readers. When I booked my first Uber in Ho Chi Minh city, I was surprised when a bike stopped in front of me and the driver wore a blue “Uber” jersey. Just for the experience, I would definitely recommend you to try booking a Uber taxi in Vietnam.

How to Book Uber in Vietnam

When I first arrived in Vietnam, I wasn’t even sure if Uber works in Vietnam so I asked my lovely Couchsurfing hostIs there Uber in Vietnam‘? When she said yes, I literally jumped though the roof. I love Uber (well, grabtaxi and all other alternates too).

It is very easy to book Uber in Vietnam or anywhere else in the world. However, it was a bit of a learning curve for me to pay, make calls etc.. so I am sharing my experience to make it a smooth ride for you.

How to Use Uber in Vietnam?

Update – To answer one of the commenters on this post, YES Uber Vietnam app is the same as the global Uber app which you can download here. 

    1. Local number – Uber drivers usually call to check about your pickup location or just to know if you need a pickup (they do get a lot of “Fake” bookings and want to weed them out). It is highly advisable to get a local SIM card upon arrival. Most will already have the Uber app registered to their local phone number in their country of residence. This would mean that your driver cannot call you. So, please pick up the phone and press the contact button in order to call driver and verify your pickup.
    2. Language Barrier – Okay, I have to admit most Uber drivers in Vietnam will not speak any English at all. However, if you simply call them and say “Uber, Okay. Ready” or something on those lines, it would act as a confirmation of your pickup and they will make it to your GPS location effortlessly. Personally, I never had an issue of a missed pickup or communication gap with driver even though we don’t speak the same language.
    3. Pay Cash – While making your booking, be sure to select “Cash” as payment option. Most of us have a local bank card or other payment options set as default on our Uber app. You will not be able to book using any such international payment options and the app will give you a very vague error instead of informing that you simply need to choose “cash” payment. So be careful and select “Cash” else your booking will simply not go through.

Tip – Have change ready when you arrive your destination and always wear the helmet provided to you by the driver.

Booking Uber Taxi Vietnam Vs Renting a Bike in Vietnam

Uber bike taxi

Well, first off, I am a big advocate of self-drive. I love renting bikes on beach destinations and in lazy laid back towns. However, put a bustling city with millions of bikes all around like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh city in front of me and I would gracefully back out.

After my bike accident in Laos, I am much more careful of when and where I want to ride my bikes. I would highly recommend renting a bike in Danang and HoiAn or even for exploring Dalat. However, for big crazy cities like Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi – definitely book Uber!

It’s cheap and the drivers are polite and extremely aware of traffic rules. I have noticed most drive slower than the locals/others on the streets so I felt safer hiring a Uber.

How Much does Uber in Vietnam cost?

uber vietnam booking cost
Screenshot of my Uber rides in Vietnam

I believe their minimum rate is 10,000 VND (Which is just about 0.45 cents) and I usually rode in that price. If the distance for over 1-2 km, it would be 22,000 VND (Around $1) but that’s about it for any short distance within city. The maximum I paid was 88,000 VND ($3.8) when I booked it right up to the airport, which by the way, is the cheapest and fastest option. The driver was more than happy to keep my bag upfront (I was worried having a bag on a bike taxi would be a No-No) so I won’t have to be uncomfortable or keep it behind me.

You can greatly reduce this cost with various Uber promo codes coming up each month or the Uber referral bonus when you ask a friend to signup.

Have you been using Uber in Vietnam? Tell me abut your experience below. For more posts on my adventures in Vietnam, places to visit and travel tips, click here.

Jo

13 thoughts on “Uber Vietnam Guide – How to Book Uber in Vietnam Easily”

  1. Thank you for the informative post – bike taxis/uber! I’m looking forward to my trip to Vietnam this December, and Uber is something I will definitely use. Just one question though – can I use uber to travel cross country? e.g. From Hoi An to Da Nang, or from Da Nang to Hue?

    1. Hi Toffa, you will love Vietnam 🙂 I am not sure if you can use it cross country but I used open sleeper bus. which means you buy a ticket from point a to b, stop anywhere for as long as you want (within validity of ticket) so its BEST option if your dates are not fixed (Also the cheapest).

  2. I have an Uber app in my phone, I am living in United States of America. I’m going to travel to Saigon Vietnam in June. I would like to know that can I use my Uber app while I’m in Vietnam and how do i pay ? Thanks you

      1. Hi Karin, you need two different phones with separate nos and Uber installed in order to do so 🙂 Have fun

  3. hello, I am from the USA and am going to Vietnam this week. I am trying to be proactive and DL the uber app for Vietnam but I dont see it. I currently have the Uber here for the states. can you help

  4. I owned a motorcycle in the United States for 10 years but now that I live in Saigon I have absolutely no interest in owning a motorbike here. I am just not comfortable with driving on the sidewalk, making left turns with no stoplight assist or squeezing in between a bus and a car with inches to spare. Better to leave that to someone who grew up driving in this crazy manner. Uber all the way please.

    1. Haha I know what you mean, Eric! With 10 mill bikes on the roads it can get a bit hectic. Coming from India I can still fathom that but it can sure give westerners a cultural shock eh? Glad you are surviving okay – thanks to Uber’ing’ it!

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top
39 Shares
Share
Tweet6
Pin33
Share