Best Apps for Vietnam Travel at a Glance
Install these apps for Vietnam travel before your trip so you can book rides, order food, contact local businesses, and check transport information when you arrive.
| Category | Our Recommendation |
|---|---|
|
Transport & Rides |
Grab |
|
Local Messaging |
Zalo |
|
Intercity Travel |
Vexere |
|
Food Discovery |
ShopeeFood |
|
Translation |
Google Translate |
|
Luggage Storage |
Bounce |
|
Urban Transit |
BusMap |
1. Grab
Grab is one of the most useful travel apps for Vietnam for booking car and motorbike rides and ordering food through GrabFood. You can book motorbike and car rides and use GrabFood to order meals from participating restaurants in many Vietnamese cities.
- Ride Booking: Book motorbike and car rides and see upfront fixed fares before confirming.
- Food Delivery: Order meals from participating restaurants through GrabFood.
- In-App Messaging: Contact your driver through automated, translated in-app chat during a booking.
-
Flexible Payment Options: Pay via foreign credit/debit card or cash directly to the driver.
Note: GrabPay Wallet requires a local Vietnamese bank card.
2. Zalo
When choosing apps for traveling to Vietnam, Zalo is one of the most practical tools you can install. Local businesses and service providers commonly rely on it to answer questions and manage bookings.
- Location Sharing: Send map pins when you need to show someone your location.
- Direct Messages: Contact businesses, hosts, guides, or drivers who use Zalo.
- Media Sharing: Send photos, tickets, receipts, and other booking information through chats.
3. Vexere
Vexere is a primary multimodal transport app in Vietnam for searching, comparing, and booking intercity buses, trains, domestic flights, and vehicle rentals. It helps travelers easily compare schedules, routes, operators, and prices in one place.
- Seat Selection: Choose from the seats or berths offered by the selected operator.
- Price & Route Comparison: Compare operators, departure times, train/flight routes, and ticket prices.
- Live Vehicle Tracking: Access real-time location tracking for selected bus lines to monitor pickup points and arrivals.
- Digital Tickets: Keep your e-tickets on your phone for direct boarding without physical printing.
4. ShopeeFood
ShopeeFood (formerly Now.vn) is one of Vietnam's go-to apps for ordering food and groceries right to your door. It connects you with thousands of local street stalls, milk tea shops, restaurants, and supermarkets in major cities across the country.
- Promotions and Vouchers: Daily discounts and free shipping deals on popular local dishes.
- Payment Restrictions: Linking foreign credit cards often triggers security blocks on international roaming networks. Cash on delivery is your best option.
- ShopeeFood Mart: Quick grocery delivery for fresh fruit, snacks, and daily items from nearby markets.
- Group Ordering: Share a cart link with friends to build one big order and split the bill.
Fast local data, zero roaming surprises. Order your SimCorner eSIM or SIM card before you fly.
5. Google Translate
Google Translate is one of the best apps to use in Vietnam for instant text, voice, and photo translation. You can download the offline Vietnamese language pack to read menus and signs without mobile data or a cell signal.
- Camera Translation: Use your camera to translate printed menus, signs, and physical text.
- Voice Translation: Speak into the app for real-time conversation translation (requires active Wi-Fi or cellular data).
- Offline Translation: Download the Vietnamese language pack for offline text and camera/lens translations without an internet connection.
6. Bounce
Bounce can be useful for luggage storage in Vietnam when you need somewhere to leave your bags between accommodation, transport, or sightseeing. It operates strictly through verified partner businesses such as boutique hotels, travel agencies, and local cafes rather than self-service automated lockers.
- Partner Storage Locations: Reserve short-term luggage space at participating hotels, shops, and travel agencies.
- Bag Protection: Eligible bookings include Bounce's protection terms. Note that electronics, cash, and travel documents are excluded from protection coverage.
- Flexible Booking: Select hourly or daily storage slots with free cancellation before your check-in time.
7. BusMap
BusMap provides public transit navigation across major Vietnamese metropolitan areas, including Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, Can Tho, and Binh Duong.
- Transit Routes & Metro Integration: Access route schedules and stop locations for public buses and urban metro lines.
- Live GPS Tracking & Arrival Alerts: Track real-time vehicle locations and set automated disembarkation reminders.
- Multimodal Route Planning: Combine walking, city buses, and metro lines for point-to-point transit navigation.
BONUS RECOMMENDATION
Power Your Apps for Vietnam Travel with SimCorner
SimCorner delivers easy mobile data across Vietnam so you can skip long SIM card lines and registration paperwork at the airport arrival hall.
- Flexible Data Allowances: Choose high-speed daily or total data packages tailored to your trip length.
- Dual Format Options: Pick between quick digital eSIMs or physical SIM cards mailed straight to your home address.
- Direct Network Access: Connect directly to top national networks like Viettel, VinaPhone, and MobiFone for wide coverage.
- Simple Digital Top-Ups: Add extra data to your eSIM profile anytime through your phone without swapping cards.
Buy your Vietnam eSIM or SIM card before leaving home, complete the quick setup before your flight, and enjoy instant internet the moment your plane lands. You can also purchase your plan directly from the SimCorner website.
