How to get a taxi in Vietnam is now quite easy thanks to reputable taxi companies and widely used booking apps such as Grab, Be, Gojek, or Xanh SM, which allow tourists and foreign travelers to move around safely, conveniently.
During my trip to Vietnam, traveling by taxi was the simplest and most convenient way, helping me quickly get to famous attractions, while also feeling secure thanks to reliable taxi apps and companies.
Popular ways to call a taxi
#1. Traditional Taxi
When I first came to Vietnam, I tried taking a traditional taxi and it was okay. I mainly goMai Linh and Vinasun, two popular brands in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Clean cars, friendly drivers who always wear uniforms, transparent fare meters.
My personal experience withMai LinhThe car is new, the driver is enthusiastic, and the price is quite reasonable; whileVinasunthere are more cars so it is easier to call but sometimes the drivers do not speak much English. my advice is that you shouldAlways check the meter before getting on the bus and have cash in VND ready., especially when traveling to the airport or traveling long distances.
#2. App-based taxi
After that, I mainly switched to using ride-hailing apps like Grab, Be, Gojek, and Xanh SM. When you travel Vietnam, this is the way I find most convenient: just enter the pickup and destination, the price is displayed right on the app, the route is shown on the map, and you can pay by card or e-wallet.
On subsequent trips, I mainly used the Xanh SM app, and it was a great experience. Just open the app, enter the pickup and destination, and the Xanh SM VinFast car will arrive quickly, cleanly and smoothly.
Prices are clearly displayed on the app and payment can be made by cash, card or e-wallet, which is very convenient for foreign tourists like me. Personally, I think Xanh SM is very safe, with modern cars and professional drivers, making moving around the city much easier and more comfortable than traditional taxis.
My advice is that if you want to know how to get a taxi in Vietnam, you should always book a car through the Xanh SM app to ensure a fixed price, know the driver’s information in advance, and avoid the risk of being ripped off, especially during rush hour or on crowded streets.
#3. Call directly on the road
I also tried hailing a taxi directly on the street in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. This is a quick way if you are in a crowded central area. However, my experience isOnly hail taxis with clear brand names, uniforms and meters., avoid unknown taxis. I
have encountered drivers who tried to wear fake uniforms or didn’t turn on the meter, and it wasn’t a pleasant experience. This should only be done when you need a car immediately and in an area with reputable taxis.
Taxi in Vietnam price
When I first traveled to Vietnam, I was quite confused because I didn’t know what a reasonable taxi fare was, especially when traveling in big cities like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. After a few trips, I realized that knowing clearlyaverage pricehelp save money and avoid hidden extra charges. DBelow is a taxi fare table that I have compiled based on actual experience:
| City | Average price (VND/km) | Note |
| Hanoi | 14.000 – 20.000 | The city is crowded, prices may increase during peak hours. |
| Ho Chi Minh City | 12.000 – 20.000 | Rush hour or downtown streets often have long waits. |
| Da Nang | 12.000 – 18.000 | Taxis are few, app helps to book a car faster. |
| Hoi An / Hue | 12.000 – 15.000 | Short distance, stable price, easy to bargain if taking a traditional taxi. |
I once went from Noi Bai airport to Hanoi Old Quarter, booked Xanh SM car via app. The distance is about 30 km, the price displayed on the app is about 350,000 – 400,000 VND to a mid-range hotel in this area. Compared to traditional taxis, this price is both reasonable and transparent, and I feel secure because I know the cost in advance, without worrying about being charged extra.
Advice from my experience:Among the options,taxi via Green SM app lis the cheapest and most convenient way to travel. You will know the price in advance, avoid being charged extra fees or haggling with the driver, and can pay by international card or e-wallet without worrying about cash.
Moreover, compared to traditional taxis, the number of Green SM cars seems to appear more on the streets. Traditional taxis are suitableSuitable when you need a car immediately or go a long distance, but you should prepare cash in VND and check the meter to avoid being charged incorrectly.
One little tip I learned from experience: if you move in a big city at rush hour, the Green SM app helps you book a car fast, avoid long waiting times, and check driver ratings to make you feel safer, while also allowing you to know the taxi in Vietnam price upfront so you can budget your trip easily.
Taxi payment methods in Vietnam
During my trips in Vietnam, I found that paying for taxis is very flexible and convenient. Most taxi companies, whether traditional or apps like Xanh SM, Grab, Be, are allowedPayment by cash, international card, e-wallet or bank transfer.
Personally I find that, you can choose whichever form is suitable.without worrying about running out of cash or having to exchange VND. My experience shows that paying via the app is very quick and transparent, and taking a traditional taxi is also easy because drivers all accept cards or e-wallets.
In my opinion, for foreign tourists, you can freely choosethe payment method that is most convenient for you, both cash and non-cash are fine, as long as you always check the amount on the meter or on the app before confirming.
05 Tips for safe and economical travel
During my trips to explore Vietnam, from the crowded streets of Hanoi, the bustling routes of Ho Chi Minh City to tourist cities like Da Nang or Hoi An, I have tried many different forms of transportation and gradually realized some useful tips to help traveling by taxi become both safe and economical, while helping me choose the right time and the right vehicle for each distance, avoiding wasting time and unnecessary costs.
- Choose a reputable taxi company: I always give priority to famous brands likeMai Linh, Vinasun or Green SM via app. Personal experience shows clean cars, professional drivers and transparent pricing. Advice isAlways check the license plate number and driver’s name when booking through the app, to make sure you get on the right bus and avoid confusion.
- Use the ride-hailing app when needed: I see the appGreen SM, Grab or Bevery convenient; you know the price, route in advance and payment is transparent. At major airports likeTan Son Nhat (HCMC) or Noi Bai (Hanoi), there is a separate area for Grab/Be/Xanh SM, just follow the signs“App-based Taxi Pick-up Zone”It is easy to find a car. Advice isYou should book a car through the app during rush hour or when you are not familiar with the road., saving time and avoiding risks.
- Prepare address and map:Traditional taxi drivers sometimes speak little English, so I oftenWrite the address down or mark it on Google Mapsto show them. This helps avoid getting lost, especially when going to small places or residential areas.
- Check the price and the meter: Whether taking a traditional taxi or using an app, I always look at the meter or check the price displayed on the app, toKnow your expected costs upfront and avoid surprise charges. This is a small but extremely important tip that helps make your trip economical and transparent.
- Choose the right vehicle for the situation: Taxi is suitable when you golong distance, carrying a lot of luggage, traveling in a group or needing to move quickly and safely, for example from the airport to the hotel or between city centers.For short distances or crowded streets, I usually choosetechnology motorbikes (GrabBike, Gojek, Be)because it is faster and cheaper. The bus is also an economical option if you are not in a hurry, while walking or renting a bicycle/tram is suitable for getting around the central area.
Conclude
After my trips exploring Vietnam, I found that traveling by taxi is really convenient, safe, and flexible, especially when you know how to get a taxi in Vietnam, choose a reputable company, use a booking app, check fares, and prepare your address in advance.
Taxi not only helps me save time and avoid fatigue when moving in crowded cities, but also brings peace of mind thanks to professional drivers and diverse payment methods.
