Essential apps for Vietnam
(Photo: Apple)
1. Transport and mobility (getting around)
Vietnam has a highly developed digital transport ecosystem. Forget waiting by the roadside: everything happens on your screen.
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Grab: The must-have app in Southeast Asia. It lets you book cars (GrabCar) and motorbike taxis (GrabBike) at a price fixed in advance.
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Xanh SM: A very popular green alternative in 2026. This app offers 100% electric taxis and motorbikes (VinFast), known for their cleanliness and premium service.
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Be: A strong local competitor to Grab, often offering attractive deals on journeys around town.
2. Navigation and public transport
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Google Maps: Indispensable for finding your way through the narrow alleys (hẻm) of Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. The local reviews are very up to date.
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BusMap (or GoMo): The go-to app for using city buses. It shows routes in real time and the nearest stops, and in some cities even allows contactless payment.
3. Food and delivery (eating)
Vietnam is a food lover’s paradise. If you prefer to dine at your hotel or discover local eateries:
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ShopeeFood: Built into the Shopee app or available separately, it is one of the most comprehensive platforms for meal delivery.
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GrabFood: Directly through the Grab app, ideal for ordering quickly from thousands of “street food” vendors.
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Capichi: Very useful if you are looking for high-quality international restaurants (Japanese, French, Korean) with attentive customer service.
4. Communication and official information
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Vietnam Travel (Du lịch Việt Nam): The official app of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism. It offers a digital tourist map and information on destinations, and lets you check the certification of establishments.
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Google Translate: Use the “Camera” feature to instantly translate menus or road signs.
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Zalo: This is the number one messaging app in Vietnam. If you need to contact a local guide, a hotel or a customer service, they will often ask for your “Zalo”.
5. Services and payment
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MoMo: The leading e-wallet. Although tourists often use cash, more and more shops accept QR code payments via MoMo.
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XE Currency: To follow the exchange rate between the euro (or the dollar) and the Vietnamese dong (VND) in real time.
Practical tips:
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SIM card: To use these apps, buy a local SIM card at the airport or install an e-SIM before you leave.
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Payment account: Most transport apps (Grab, Xanh SM) let you link your international Visa or Mastercard so you do not have to handle cash.
Good to know
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Visa Do I need a visa?
Vietnam issues e-visas to nationals of many European countries. The conditions, the permitted length of stay and the open entry points change regularly. Read the guide -
Communication Phone and internet: how does it work?
Tourist SIM cards and eSIMs can be bought as soon as you land at the airport, simply by showing your passport. 4G covers all three regions; hotels and cafés all have Wi-Fi. Read the guide -
Health Do I need vaccinations?
No vaccinations are compulsory for travellers coming from Europe. Take out travel insurance covering medical expenses and pack mosquito repellent for the forest and the Mekong Delta. Read the guide -
On the street How do you cross the street through the motorbikes?
Walk slowly and at a steady pace, without stopping suddenly or stepping back: the riders will steer around you. Read the guide -
Safety How do I keep my belongings and documents safe?
Leave your passport in the hotel safe and carry a copy with you; in markets and busy streets, wear your bag in front of you. Read the guide -
Etiquette Pagodas and temples: what should you know?
Cover your shoulders and knees, take off your shoes before entering the sanctuary, speak quietly and ask permission before photographing local people. Read the guide -
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Passport and Visa for Vietnam
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Customs and Immigration in Vietnam
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Language and Communication in Vietnam
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History and Geography of Vietnam
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Travelling in Southeast Asia, and particularly in Vietnam, in July and August – a period of intense monsoon activity and typhoon risk – presents… Read the guide
From the first read to departure day
Seasons, itineraries, formalities, budget, flights and the service directory: all the practical information you need before booking, gathered in one place.
