Beyond Grab: Exploring Other Ride-Hailing & Taxi Options in Vietnam

Grab works fine in Vietnam — until it doesn’t. Surge pricing during Tet, a driver who cancels three times in a row, or simply arriving at an airport where every Grab car is already taken: these are real frustrations travellers face in 2026. The good news is that Vietnam’s ride-hailing market has matured considerably since 2024, and you now have several solid alternatives that are just as easy to use and, in some cases, cheaper or faster to get. This guide cuts through the noise and tells you exactly what your options are, what they cost, and when to use each one.

Be App — Vietnam’s Homegrown Grab Rival

Be (pronounced “Bay”) is the strongest local competitor to Grab and the one most travellers overlook. It was built specifically for Vietnam by Vietnamese developers, and by 2026 it has expanded into a genuinely comprehensive platform covering motorbikes (beBike), cars (beCar), delivery (beDelivery), and parcel services (beExpress).

You can use Be in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Can Tho, Hai Phong, and a growing list of other provinces. The app interface is available in English, which removes the friction most travellers worry about.

For payments, Be accepts cash, Visa, Mastercard, JCB, MoMo, ZaloPay, and top-up via bank transfer. This flexibility matters if you have not yet set up a local e-wallet.

How to get started: Download “Be – Dat xe & Giao hang” from the App Store or Google Play. You will need a local phone number to register — another reason to grab a SIM card on arrival. Enter your destination, confirm the fare shown, and book. The quoted price is fixed before you confirm, so there are no surprises at the end of the ride.

One practical advantage: Be drivers tend to accept cash more willingly than some Grab drivers in smaller cities, where card terminals are less common.

Gojek Vietnam — The Indonesian Super-App With Local Roots

Gojek entered Vietnam as Go-Viet back in 2018 and has since rebranded to its parent name. In 2026 it operates primarily in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang. If you are visiting only these cities, Gojek is worth installing alongside Be — having two alternatives to Grab means you can compare live prices in seconds.

Gojek’s strength is the motorbike segment. GoBike pricing sits at roughly the same level as beBike, and during peak hours when Grab’s algorithm is surging hard, Gojek sometimes holds a steadier base rate. GoCar is available in select areas but is not as widely deployed as Be’s car service.

Payment options include cash, credit and debit cards, MoMo, and ZaloPay. To use it, download the “Gojek” app and register with a local number. The booking flow is nearly identical to Grab and Be.

Since 2024, Gojek has focused more on GoFood (food delivery) than aggressive car-hailing expansion. For travellers, this means it remains a reliable motorbike option in the big three cities but is not the right call if you need a car outside those hubs.

Xanh SM — Riding Electric Across Vietnam

Xanh SM (pronounced “Xanh Ess-Em,” meaning Green Smart Mobility) launched in 2023 and by 2026 has become genuinely impossible to ignore. Every vehicle in its fleet is a VinFast electric — cars and motorbikes both. The company is backed by VinGroup, Vietnam’s largest conglomerate, which means the expansion has been fast and well-funded.

By 2026, Xanh SM operates in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Hai Phong, Can Tho, Hue, Vung Tau, and more cities continue to be added. The bright green VinFast cars are now a common sight at airports and hotel drop-off zones across the country.

The ride experience is noticeably different from a standard taxi. Step inside a VinFast VF e34 or VF 5 and you get a quiet cabin, a large touchscreen, and the faint new-car smell that is absent from many ageing petrol taxis. For families or anyone who values comfort on a longer city run, the premium is often worth it.

Xanh SM offers three tiers: GreenCar (standard electric taxi), LuxuryCar (VinFast VF 8 or VF 9 for airport runs and business travel), and GreenBike (electric motorbike). You can book through the Xanh SM app or simply flag down one of the many green cars on the street — they operate as conventional metered taxis as well.

Payment: cash, credit and debit cards, MoMo, ZaloPay, and the in-app Xanh SM wallet. The official site is xanhsm.com.

Traditional Taxis: Mai Linh and Vinasun Still Deliver

Apps dominate, but Vietnam’s legacy taxi companies have not disappeared — and in certain situations they remain the most practical choice. Mai Linh (green cars) and Vinasun (white cars) are the two names you need to know. Both operate metered fleets across all major cities and many smaller towns.

The case for traditional taxis is clearest when your phone battery is dead, your data has run out, or you are at a location where app drivers simply do not want to go (some industrial zones, out-of-the-way guesthouses). You can wave one down on any main road or find designated taxi stands at airports, hotels, shopping malls, and bus stations.

For car hire by phone, Mai Linh’s dispatch number is 1055. Vinasun operates on 028 38 27 27 27 in Ho Chi Minh City and 024 38 27 27 27 in Hanoi. Both companies now accept credit and debit cards and QR payments (MoMo, ZaloPay) through in-car terminals, alongside cash.

The key rule with street taxis in Vietnam: always confirm the meter is running before the car moves. Reputable Mai Linh and Vinasun drivers will start it without being asked. If a driver quotes a flat rate before switching on the meter, that is a red flag — either insist on the meter or use an app instead.

Airport Transfers: Matching the Right Option to Your Situation

Airports concentrate the worst of Vietnam’s taxi scam culture and also some of the best-value transport options — it depends entirely on which exit you use and how you book. Here is how to navigate the two busiest airports, Noi Bai (Hanoi) and Tan Son Nhat (Ho Chi Minh City), in 2026.

Ride-hailing apps (Grab, Be, Gojek, Xanh SM): Walk past the metered taxi rank and follow the signs to the designated ride-hailing pick-up zone — both Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat now have clearer signage for this than they did before 2024. Book via your app while still inside the terminal, and your driver will usually be ready by the time you reach the zone. Expect 250,000–400,000 VND (10–16 USD) for a car to the city centre, or 80,000–150,000 VND (3.20–6 USD) for a motorbike if you are travelling solo with a small bag.

Public shuttle bus: The cheapest option by far. Bus 86 from Noi Bai to Hanoi city centre costs 40,000–50,000 VND (1.60–2 USD) and takes 60–90 minutes depending on traffic. In Ho Chi Minh City, Bus 109 connects Tan Son Nhat to the city centre at a similar price point. The trade-off is fixed routes and luggage handling — not ideal if you have a large pack at midnight.

Pre-booked private transfers: Your hotel can arrange a driver with a sign at arrivals for roughly 400,000–600,000 VND (16–24 USD). Klook and Viator also list verified operators at similar rates. This option is worth it when you arrive late, carry significant luggage, or simply want zero stress after a long flight — the sizzle and chaos of taxi touts at the arrivals hall is real and relentless.

2026 Budget Reality: What Every Ride Actually Costs

All prices below are 2026 estimates using a rate of 1 USD = 25,000 VND.

Motorbike Rides (beBike / GoBike / GreenBike)

• Starting fare (first 2 km): 15,000–19,000 VND (0.60–0.76 USD)
• Per additional km: 4,500–6,000 VND (0.18–0.24 USD)
• Typical city hop (5 km): 30,000–50,000 VND (1.20–2 USD)

Car Rides — Standard (beCar 4-seater / GoCar / GreenCar)

• Starting fare: 20,000–30,000 VND (0.80–1.20 USD) for the first 1–2 km
• Per additional km: 10,000–18,000 VND (0.40–0.72 USD)
• Typical airport run (10–15 km): 200,000–400,000 VND (8–16 USD)

Traditional Metered Taxis (Mai Linh / Vinasun)

• Starting fare (first 0.5–1 km): 18,000–22,000 VND (0.72–0.88 USD)
• Per additional km: 14,000–18,000 VND (0.56–0.72 USD)
• Airport surcharge: 10,000–15,000 VND (0.40–0.60 USD) at some airports

Xanh SM LuxuryCar (Premium Electric)

• Starting fare (per km): 25,000–30,000 VND (1.00–1.20 USD)
• Per additional km: 20,000–25,000 VND (0.80–1.00 USD)
• Best for: Business travel, airport runs, comfort-first travellers

All ride-hailing apps apply dynamic pricing during rain, rush hour (7–9am and 5–7pm on weekdays), and public holidays. If the fare looks abnormally high, cancel, wait five minutes, and try again — or switch apps.

Common Mistakes Travellers Make When Booking Rides in Vietnam

• Using only one app: Install at least Grab plus one alternative (Be is the best starting point). Price differences between apps on the same route can reach 30% during surge periods.
• Accepting unlicensed “xe ôm” drivers at airports: The hum of men calling “motorbike! motorbike!” outside arrivals terminals is hard to miss, but these informal drivers have no accountability, no meter, and no insurance. Use an app instead.
• Not confirming the Xanh SM car type before booking: GreenCar and LuxuryCar look similar in the app but have very different per-km rates. Double-check your selection before confirming.
• Forgetting that apps require a local number: Be and Gojek both require SMS verification with a Vietnamese number. Sort your SIM card before you need a ride, not after you land and are standing in the heat with your bags.
• Assuming Mai Linh and Vinasun accept cards everywhere: While most modern vehicles now have card terminals, a small percentage of older cars in provincial cities still run cash-only. Keep 100,000–200,000 VND in small notes as backup.
• Booking a metered taxi from outside the official stand: Unofficial taxis park alongside legitimate ones at busy locations. Stick to vehicles with the Mai Linh or Vinasun livery and a working meter visible on the dashboard.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Be app available in English?

Yes. The Be app supports English alongside Vietnamese, making it straightforward for international travellers to navigate. The booking flow — enter destination, confirm fare, book — is nearly identical to Grab. You will need a Vietnamese phone number to register, so sort your SIM card first.

Is Xanh SM cheaper than Grab in 2026?

Not always. Xanh SM’s GreenCar rates are slightly higher than standard Grab car options on a per-kilometre basis, reflecting the newer EV fleet. However, during Grab surge periods, Xanh SM can work out cheaper because its pricing is often more stable. Compare both apps before confirming.

Can I use Gojek outside Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang?

As of 2026, Gojek’s Vietnam operations are focused on these three cities. For travel elsewhere — Nha Trang, Hoi An, Hue, Can Tho — rely on Grab, Be, Xanh SM, or traditional taxis. Be has the widest provincial coverage of the local alternatives.

Are traditional taxis like Mai Linh still safe and reliable in 2026?

Yes. Mai Linh and Vinasun remain reputable operators with professional drivers and metered fares. The main risk is not the company but unlicensed vehicles that mimic their livery. Always look for the company logo on the door, a working meter, and the driver’s ID displayed on the dashboard.

Do I need a Vietnamese phone number to use ride-hailing apps in Vietnam?

Yes — Grab, Be, Gojek, and Xanh SM all require SMS verification with a local number during registration. Buy a prepaid SIM card at the airport on arrival (Viettel and Mobifone kiosks are in every major terminal) and you will be set up within minutes.

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📷 Featured image by Bobby Liu on Unsplash.