Bringing a smartphone on your trip is a given — but what truly makes your journey smooth is using the right local apps.
Here’s a list of popular, user-friendly, and extremely practical apps for exploring Vietnam — from ride-hailing and food delivery to translation, money conversion, and trip planning.
🚖 1. Transportation & Navigation
🛵 Grab – Motorbike rides, car rides, food delivery
Grab is Southeast Asia’s version of Uber and is extremely popular in major Vietnamese cities like Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang.
With Grab, you can:
- Book a motorbike ride (GrabBike) — fast and budget-friendly for short trips
- Request a private car (GrabCar)
- Order food delivery from local restaurants right in the app
✅ Payment options: cash or international credit/debit cards
📌 Tip: If you don’t have a Vietnamese SIM card, use Wi-Fi to book your ride to avoid connection issues.
🗺️ Google Maps / Cốc Cốc Map – Navigation & Local Guidance
- Google Maps is highly accurate in cities, offering directions for walking, driving, and motorbiking
- Cốc Cốc Map is a Vietnamese-developed map app, great for locating smaller spots like street food vendors, ATMs, or guesthouses
✅ Download offline maps ahead of time if you’re visiting rural areas, islands, or places with weak signal
📌 Turn on precise GPS location for more accurate navigation
🚌 12Go Asia / Vexere – Booking Intercity Travel
These apps are excellent for booking buses, trains, or domestic flights — perfect if you’re heading to Ninh Binh, Sapa, Hue, or traveling from Hanoi to Central Vietnam without a tour.
🌐 2. Communication & Translation
🌍 Google Translate – Language Help, Voice & Camera Translation
- Translate two-way conversations in real-time
- Use your camera to scan menus, signs, or documents
- Download the Vietnamese language pack for offline use
📌 Extremely helpful when talking to locals who don’t speak English — such as older adults, taxi drivers, or vendors
💬 Zalo / WhatsApp – Free Messaging & Calling
- Zalo is Vietnam’s most-used messaging app — locals, drivers, hotels, and tour guides use it frequently
- WhatsApp is still more common among international travelers for staying in touch with friends or contacting hotels
✅ Both apps work over Wi-Fi or mobile data and support:
Text, voice calls, video calls, and sending your location
📌 Tip: Install and register these apps before arriving in Vietnam
💡 Pro Tips for Travelers:
- Download and set up these apps before your trip
- Allow access to GPS, camera, and microphone for apps like Grab and Google Translate
- Always download offline maps and the Vietnamese language pack for backup in areas with no service
- If using an international credit or debit card, add it to Grab and ShopeeFood in advance to avoid payment delays
