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Vietnam

Southeast Asia · last verified 2026-06

Beginner difficulty●●●●●Solo-friendly●●●●
In Vietnam, Grab (taxis, motorbikes, delivery) is central. Google Maps works well, but cash is still used often, and you need to watch out for airport taxi touts and the meter. Locals sometimes use Zalo to keep in touch.

Do Korean-style apps work here?

GrabTaxis, motorbikes, deliveryEssential
Google MapsCore directionsWorks
Cash (dong)Essential at street stalls and marketsWorks
Credit cardsMainly in citiesLimited
UberLeft the market — use GrabNo
ZaloReaching localsWorks
EnglishMainly at tourist spotsLimited

Essential app stack

Pre-departure setup checklist

0/7
Before you go
On arrival
Getting around

Popular cities (big & small)

See where they are at a glance.

Hanoi2-3 days

Stay: Old Quarter

Walking plus Grab; connects to Ha Long Bay

Ho Chi Minh City2-3 days

Stay: District 1 (Dong Khoi)

Pham Ngu Lao (De Tham) backpacker street

Da Nang2-3 days

Stay: Near My Khe Beach

Day trip to Hoi An

Hoi An2-3 days

Stay: Old Town

Lantern-lit nights; 30 minutes from Da Nang

Sapa2-3 days

Stay: Sapa Town

Rice terraces and trekking; overnight bus from Hanoi

Nha Trang2-3 days

Stay: Beach Road

Beaches and snorkeling

Da Lat2-3 days

Stay: Xuan Huong Lake

A highland retreat with cool weather

Phu Quoc3-4 days

Stay: Duong Dong

A resort island with resorts and night markets

Suggested routes 🗺️

Popular routes travel YouTubers often follow.

Hanoi
Hanoi Old Quarter in a DayA YouTuber go-to · About 8 hours
  1. 1
    Hoan Kiem LakeA morning stroll
  2. 2
    Old Quarter (36 Streets)On foot — egg coffee
  3. 3
    Train StreetCheck the operating hours
  4. 4
    Thang Long Water Puppet TheatreAn afternoon show
  5. 5
    Beer Street (Ta Hien)Evening — bia hoi

💡 Get around the Old Quarter on foot plus GrabBike. When crossing the street, move slowly at a steady pace.

Hoi An
Hoi An Lantern-Lit Evening RouteAtmospheric night views · About 6 hours
  1. 1
    Enter the Old TownAfternoon — combination ticket
  2. 2
    Japanese Covered BridgeThe iconic bridge
  3. 3
    Tailor StreetPick up custom-made clothes
  4. 4
    Thu Bon River wish lanternsAt dusk — a boat and lanterns
  5. 5
    Night marketEvening — the lantern street

💡 It's hot during the day, so focus on afternoon to evening. If you're staying in Da Nang, a 30-minute Grab round trip works too.

Traveler hangouts 🎒

Where solo and backpacker travelers actually gather.

Ho Chi Minh City
Bui Vien Walking Street
Backpacker Strip · District 1

De Tham and Bui Vien; lively at night

The Hideout Hostel
Hostel · District 1

Pub crawls and tours

FAQ

Q. Is Grab essential in Vietnam?

Effectively yes, to avoid taxi touts and meter trouble. Motorbike taxis (GrabBike) are cheap too.

Q. Do I need a lot of cash?

Yes. Street stalls, markets, and smaller towns run mostly on cash, so you'll need to exchange for dong (VND).