Vietnam: Essential Apps and Travel Tips
After almost two months travelling across Vietnam, from north to south, we picked up plenty of practical tips. From apps and cash withdrawals to SIM cards and transport, here are our firsthand travel tips to help you avoid surprises and save money.
Which apps should you download in Vietnam?
Grab: essential for booking a car or motorbike taxi without negotiating the fare. We often used Grab motorbikes, even when travelling as a couple, booking a ride each.
Google Maps: for navigation, finding restaurants, reading reviews and planning trips. Remember to download offline maps for mountainous areas.
12Go: our app for organising travel between cities. Our tip: find the operator on 12Go, then compare with its official website. Most of the time, 12Go offered the best fare.
Google Translate: we used it every day to communicate with locals, especially when English wasn't enough. Camera translation is also useful for menus and signs.
ATM Fee Saver: handy for finding ATMs and comparing their withdrawal fees and limits. We used it regularly to avoid surprises.
How do you pay and withdraw cash in Vietnam?
The local currency is the Vietnamese dong (VND). Cards are accepted in many tourist businesses, but cash remains essential for small shops and restaurants.
With our Revolut card, we consistently withdrew money from VPBank ATMs without fees charged by the ATM. Fees and limits can change depending on the bank, your card and your plan.
We also used ATM Fee Saver to locate ATMs and compare fees and limits. The displayed information may change.
Decline any ATM offer to convert the withdrawal into your home currency. Always choose a withdrawal in VND to avoid a generally less favourable exchange rate.
Which SIM or eSIM should you choose in Vietnam?
We used Viettel, a local operator with good coverage, even in the mountainous north.
We recommend buying a local SIM, often very affordable. Watch out for unofficial resellers who sometimes charge inflated prices. Choose an official Viettel store and bring your passport.
An eSIM such as Airalo is a convenient alternative for getting online as soon as you arrive, but compare prices before buying.
How do you get around Vietnam?
In major cities, we used Grab a lot, especially motorbike taxis, often cheaper than cars and quite fun. We also subscribed to the Grab Travel Pass, whose discounts quickly paid for themselves. Prices and benefits may change.
Between cities and regions, we mainly used buses: standard, limousine and sleeper buses with beds. We only had good experiences, although schedules weren't always followed exactly. We also took the train a few times, a good alternative but often a little more expensive.
We mainly booked via 12Go to compare operators, timetables and fares. Check departure and arrival points carefully, as they vary between operators.
What mistakes should you avoid in Vietnam?
- Taking a taxi instead of Grab: book directly in the app to know the fare in advance.
- Following a fake Grab driver: at airports and tourist spots, some people use fake apps to lure travellers. Always book yourself and check the licence plate.
- Buying a SIM from the first reseller you see: prices can be much higher than at official shops.
To discover another side of Vietnam, explore all our travel stories and recommendations from across the country.