Vietnam

Navigate bustling streets and vibrant culture with ease

15 apps8 essentialSoutheast AsiaLast updated: July 2026

Cash is still king at street stalls and local markets, but digital payments are rapidly spreading in cities. Download a local SIM or eSIM on arrival for reliable data. Most apps require an active connection to function properly.

Ride Hailing6 apps · 2 essential

View Ride Hailing guide→

GrabEssential

Books cars, motorbikes and taxis in Hà Nội, Hồ Chí Minh City, Đà Nẵng, Hải Phòng, Huế, Nha Trang, Đà Lạt and Phú Quốc.

Pro tip: Grab is usually the easiest setup with an overseas number and card. A Tân Sơn Nhất trip to central Hồ Chí Minh City commonly costs ₫120,000 to ₫250,000 as of mid-2026.

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Xanh SMEssential

Books electric cars and motorbikes in Hà Nội, Hồ Chí Minh City, Đà Nẵng, Huế, Hội An, Nha Trang, Đà Lạt and Phú Quốc.

Pro tip: Xanh SM led app-taxi revenue with 54.51 percent during the first quarter of 2026. Carry cash because foreign-card handling can vary.

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Be

Books cars and motorbikes in Hà Nội, Hồ Chí Minh City, Đà Nẵng, Hải Phòng, Cần Thơ, Bình Dương and other cities.

Pro tip: Be is usually cheaper than Grab as of mid-2026. A Vietnamese SIM and cash make signup and payment more reliable for visitors.

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Maxim

Books cars and motorbikes in Hà Nội, Hồ Chí Minh City, Đà Nẵng, Cần Thơ, Đà Lạt, Hải Phòng, Nha Trang and Phú Quốc.

Pro tip: Maxim is usually cheaper than Grab as of mid-2026. Use a Vietnamese SIM and cash because foreign-card handling is less dependable.

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Mai Linh Taxi

Dispatches licensed, metered taxis in Hà Nội, Hồ Chí Minh City, Đà Nẵng, Huế, Nha Trang, Đà Lạt and many provincial cities.

Pro tip: Use it when app fares surge or at airports with taxi ranks. Confirm card acceptance before departure and carry Vietnamese đồng.

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Vinasun Taxi

Dispatches licensed, metered taxis in Hồ Chí Minh City, Bình Dương, Đồng Nai and selected southern cities.

Pro tip: It is strongest in Hồ Chí Minh City and the southeast. Check the plate and company markings because street taxi impersonation occurs.

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Food Delivery4 apps · 2 essential

View Food Delivery guide→

ShopeeFoodEssential

Delivers meals in Hà Nội, Hồ Chí Minh City, Đà Nẵng, Hải Phòng, Huế, Nha Trang, Đà Lạt, Cần Thơ and other cities.

Pro tip: It often has the cheaper menu or voucher as of mid-2026, but a Vietnamese number and cash are more dependable than foreign-card setup.

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GrabFoodEssential

Delivers meals in Hà Nội, Hồ Chí Minh City, Đà Nẵng, Hải Phòng, Huế, Nha Trang, Đà Lạt, Cần Thơ and Phú Quốc.

Pro tip: It is the easiest major app for English and foreign cards. Delivery commonly costs about ₫15,000 to ₫40,000 before other fees as of mid-2026.

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beFood

Delivers in Hà Nội, Hồ Chí Minh City, Đà Nẵng, Hải Phòng, Cần Thơ, Bình Dương and other supported cities.

Pro tip: beFood is usually cheaper during promotions as of mid-2026. Use a Vietnamese SIM and keep cash ready if your foreign card is rejected.

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Xanh SM Ngon

Delivers restaurant meals in Hà Nội and selected expanding Xanh SM service zones.

Pro tip: It launched in Hà Nội on June 1, 2025. Check address coverage before relying on it because its food network remains smaller than GrabFood or ShopeeFood.

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Payments1 app · 1 essential

View Payments guide→

MoMoEssential

Vietnam's most popular digital wallet, accepted at convenience stores, restaurants, and street stalls via QR code.

Pro tip: Link a Visa or Mastercard to MoMo on arrival. It unlocks cashback deals unavailable to cash payers.

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Messaging1 app · 1 essential

View Messaging guide→

ZaloEssential

Vietnam's dominant messaging app used by over 70 million locals. Essential for contacting hotels, tour guides, and local businesses.

Pro tip: Save your accommodation and guides' Zalo numbers before arriving. It's the fastest way to get a reply.

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Navigation2 apps · 1 essential

View Navigation guide→

Google MapsEssential

The most reliable navigation tool in Vietnam with accurate street maps, real-time traffic, and transit routes.

Pro tip: Download offline maps for each region before leaving Wi-Fi. Data can be patchy in the countryside.

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Maps.me

Offline map app showing footpaths and trails that Google Maps misses. Especially useful in Sapa, Ha Giang, and rural highlands.

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Language1 app · 1 essential

View Language guide→

Google TranslateEssential

Indispensable for navigating Vietnamese menus, signs, and conversations. Camera translation handles menus in real time.

Pro tip: Download the Vietnamese offline language pack. Street-food vendors rarely have Wi-Fi and menus are almost never in English.

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Internet in Vietnam

Mobile internet eSIM Best option when traveling

Guac

Recommended

Reliable mobile internet at better prices than most travel eSIMs, with polished iOS and Android apps and support for making and receiving phone calls.

App Store Play Store See plans

Airalo

One of the biggest travel eSIM brands, with a very large destination catalog.

Holafly

Known for unlimited-data plans in many destinations, at a higher price per gigabyte.

Buying a local SIM card ID registration required

Registration: Bring your passport; the seller registers the prepaid SIM during activation.
Tourist plans and prices: Viettel Super 4G includes 30GB for 30 days and costs around 120,000 VND (~$4.80).
Where to buy: Starter packs may be sold in convenience stores, but an official carrier shop is safer for registration and activation.
Local eSIM: A travel eSIM is the simpler option and avoids local SIM registration steps.

Good to know

Avoid pre-activated SIMs sold without an ID check; they can be blocked without warning.

Local carriers

Viettel
Best choice for broad coverage, including rural areas.
MobiFone
Tourist-friendly choice with a straightforward purchase process.
VinaPhone
A solid alternative; compare current prepaid offers before buying.

Full SIM card and eSIM guide for Vietnam→eSIM and SIM cards by country→

Sources and how current this is

Data checked July 2026

Source dates: Vietnam Unlock: 23 Jun 2026 | Vietnam Backpacker Hostels: 3 Dec 2025 | TIsland: 29 May 2026 | VietnamTour.in: 1 May 2026

Sources disagree: Registration practice or tourist eligibility still varies between published accounts. Quoted prices or bundle details vary by seller and may change at short notice.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

What are the must-have apps for traveling in Vietnam?

The essential apps for Vietnam are Grab, Xanh SM, ShopeeFood, GrabFood, MoMo.

How many travel apps does Vietnam have?

We've curated 15 apps across 6 categories for traveling in Vietnam, including 8 essential apps.

What is the best ride hailing app in Vietnam?

Grab is the top-rated ride hailing app in Vietnam. Books cars, motorbikes and taxis in Hà Nội, Hồ Chí Minh City, Đà Nẵng, Hải Phòng, Huế, Nha Trang, Đà Lạt and Phú Quốc.

Keep exploring

How to Pay in Vietnam

Payment apps and cashless travel tips

Is Uber Available in Vietnam?

Ride-hailing options and local alternatives

Traveling to Vietnam from abroad?

United States → Vietnam United Kingdom → Vietnam Germany → Vietnam Australia → Vietnam Canada → Vietnam

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Internet in Vietnam

Mobile internet eSIM Best option when traveling

Guac

Recommended

Reliable mobile internet at better prices than most travel eSIMs, with polished iOS and Android apps and support for making and receiving phone calls.

App Store Play Store See plans

Airalo

One of the biggest travel eSIM brands, with a very large destination catalog.

Holafly

Known for unlimited-data plans in many destinations, at a higher price per gigabyte.

Buying a local SIM card ID registration required

Registration

Bring your passport; the seller registers the prepaid SIM during activation.

Tourist plans and prices

Viettel Super 4G includes 30GB for 30 days and costs around 120,000 VND (~$4.80).

Where to buy

Starter packs may be sold in convenience stores, but an official carrier shop is safer for registration and activation.

Local eSIM

A travel eSIM is the simpler option and avoids local SIM registration steps.

Good to know

Avoid pre-activated SIMs sold without an ID check; they can be blocked without warning.

Local carriers

Viettel

Best choice for broad coverage, including rural areas.

MobiFone

Tourist-friendly choice with a straightforward purchase process.

VinaPhone

A solid alternative; compare current prepaid offers before buying.

Sources and how current this is

Data checked July 2026

Source dates: Vietnam Unlock: 23 Jun 2026 | Vietnam Backpacker Hostels: 3 Dec 2025 | TIsland: 29 May 2026 | VietnamTour.in: 1 May 2026

Sources disagree: Registration practice or tourist eligibility still varies between published accounts. Quoted prices or bundle details vary by seller and may change at short notice.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

What are the must-have apps for traveling in Vietnam?

The essential apps for Vietnam are Grab, Xanh SM, ShopeeFood, GrabFood, MoMo.

How many travel apps does Vietnam have?

We've curated 15 apps across 6 categories for traveling in Vietnam, including 8 essential apps.

What is the best ride hailing app in Vietnam?

Grab is the top-rated ride hailing app in Vietnam. Books cars, motorbikes and taxis in Hà Nội, Hồ Chí Minh City, Đà Nẵng, Hải Phòng, Huế, Nha Trang, Đà Lạt and Phú Quốc.