10 Must-Have Apps for Travelers in Vietnam (2026 Edition): Get Around, Eat Better, and Travel Smarter
Vietnam is one of those places where your trip can feel effortless one minute and wonderfully chaotic the next—especially in big cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. The good news: a handful of must-have Vietnam travel apps can make everything smoother, from ordering coffee and hailing a motorbike taxi to navigating night markets and paying without cash.
In this guide, you’ll find 10 essential apps for traveling in Vietnam that help with transportation, maps, food delivery, translation, money, safety, and staying connected. I’ve also included practical tips for using each app like a local—because the difference between “installed” and “useful” is knowing the shortcuts.
Why You Need Vietnam Travel Apps (Even If You “Like to Wing It”)
Vietnam is extremely traveler-friendly, but it’s also fast-moving. Addresses can be confusing, traffic is intense, and many small businesses prefer messaging apps over email. Apps help you:
- Move safely and predictably with transparent ride pricing.
- Find restaurants and attractions that match your taste and budget.
- Translate quickly when menus (or street signs) don’t have English.
- Avoid tourist traps with reliable reviews and map pins.
- Stay connected for bookings, banking, and emergencies.
If you only download a few, prioritize transport + maps + translation. If you want a truly stress-free trip, get the full set below.
1) Grab: The #1 Ride-Hailing App in Vietnam
If there’s one app that most travelers end up using daily, it’s Grab. Think of it as your all-in-one option for getting around Vietnam: cars, motorbike taxis, food delivery, and sometimes even package delivery. It’s especially useful when you land and want to avoid negotiating your first ride while jet-lagged.
Best ways to use Grab in Vietnam
- Choose “Bike” for short trips (fast and usually cheaper than cars).
- Use pickup pins instead of typing addresses—pins prevent misunderstandings.
- Double-check plate numbers before hopping on (standard safety habit).
- Use in-app chat for quick “I’m here” messages.
Travel tip
In busy areas like Ben Thanh Market or Old Quarter, walk 1–2 minutes away from the main entrance to make pickup easier and reduce cancellations.
2) Google Maps: Still the Most Reliable for Navigation
Yes, locals use a mix of apps, but Google Maps remains one of the best travel apps for Vietnam for everyday navigation. It’s great for finding cafés, checking opening hours, reading reviews, and understanding your route before you jump onto a bike taxi.
How to make Google Maps work better in Vietnam
- Download offline maps for Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Hoi An, and wherever you’ll be.
- Save locations (hotels, bus stations, airports, landmarks) as starred places.
- Use “Popular times” to avoid showing up when a spot is packed.
Travel tip
Some small alleys (especially in older neighborhoods) can confuse navigation. If your driver looks uncertain, show them the destination pin rather than the written address.
3) Zalo: Vietnam’s Most Common Messaging App
In Vietnam, businesses often communicate through messaging rather than email—and Zalo is one of the most widely used apps for that. Hotels, local tour operators, homestays, and even some restaurants may prefer it, especially outside the biggest tourist zones.
When Zalo is most useful
- Confirming check-in times with hotels and homestays.
- Coordinating tours (meeting points, pickup updates, quick questions).
- Sending your location with a single tap if you’re lost.
Travel tip
Set your profile photo and name clearly—some providers will ignore messages from blank profiles, assuming they’re spam.
4) Google Translate: Your Menu-Decoder and Conversation Lifesaver
You can travel Vietnam with minimal Vietnamese, but Google Translate makes everything faster and less awkward. The camera mode is especially helpful for menus, labels, and bus signs—Vietnamese uses Latin characters, but the vocabulary can still feel like a maze.
How to use Translate like a pro
- Download Vietnamese offline so it works without data.
- Use camera translation for menus and ingredient lists.
- Save common phrases (no peanuts, vegetarian, less spicy, where is…).
Travel tip
For pronunciation help, play the audio slowly and point to the screen—locals appreciate the effort, even if it’s not perfect.
5) XE Currency (or Similar): Quick and Accurate Money Conversions
Vietnam uses the Vietnamese đồng (VND), and the numbers can look dramatic at first glance. A bowl of noodles might be 45,000 VND—easy once you’re used to it, but confusing on day one. A currency converter like XE Currency helps you understand prices quickly and avoid overpaying.
Where a currency app helps most
- Markets and souvenir shops where bargaining is normal.
- Booking tours when prices are listed in VND but charged differently.
- Splitting bills with friends when you’re paying in cash.
Travel tip
Set a mental shortcut: drop three zeros to get “rough” values. For example, 100,000 VND ≈ 100 in “thousands.” Then convert that rough figure to your currency using your app for accuracy.
6) MoMo: Popular Local E-Wallet for Cashless Convenience
Vietnam is increasingly cashless, especially in cities. MoMo is one of the best-known local e-wallets. Depending on your setup and what verification it requires, you may or may not be able to use it fully as a traveler—but it’s still worth knowing about because you’ll see it everywhere (stickers at cafés, kiosks, minimarts).
Why it matters for travelers
- Some venues offer discounts when paying with MoMo.
- It signals “digital payment accepted” even if you pay by card or other methods.
- Useful for longer stays if you can complete setup locally.
Travel tip
Even if you don’t use MoMo, look for QR payment signage—those places are usually quick and organized with pricing, which reduces “tourist math.”
7) Traveloka: Flights, Hotels, and Deals Across Vietnam
If you’re bouncing between cities—Hanoi to Da Nang, Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City—having a solid booking app is gold. Traveloka is widely used in Southeast Asia and often lists competitive prices for domestic flights and hotels in Vietnam.
What to book with Traveloka
- Domestic flights when you want to save time.
- Hotels and resorts with quick confirmation.
- Experiences (availability varies by destination).
Travel tip
Always screenshot your booking details and keep a copy offline. It’s rare, but you don’t want to rely on data when you’re checking in late at night.
8) 12Go (or Similar): Trains, Buses, and Transfers Made Simple
Vietnam is perfect for overland travel: sleeper buses, scenic train routes, and budget-friendly transfers. Apps like 12Go (and other regional transport booking platforms) help you compare routes, schedules, and operator reviews so you can avoid the “mystery bus” experience—unless you want that kind of adventure.
When transport booking apps save the day
- Overnight sleeper buses between major cities.
- Train bookings for routes like Hanoi ↔ Hue ↔ Da Nang.
- Airport transfers to smaller towns.
Travel tip
For sleeper buses, check the seat/bed layout (upper vs. lower). If you get motion sickness, choose a lower bed near the middle for a smoother ride.
9) WhatsApp (or eSIM App): Staying Connected for Maps, Banking, and Bookings
Connectivity is the quiet hero of modern travel. Whether you use a physical SIM, an eSIM, or roaming, make sure you have a reliable way to get online. Even if Zalo is common locally, WhatsApp is still useful for contacting friends, tour companies that cater to international travelers, and receiving verification codes.
Connectivity checklist for Vietnam
- Get data immediately (airport SIM kiosks are convenient; eSIMs can be even faster).
- Enable two-factor authentication before your trip to avoid login issues.
- Save emergency contacts and your accommodation info offline.
Travel tip
If your phone supports dual SIM, keep your home SIM active for banking SMS while using a Vietnam data SIM/eSIM for everything else.
10) Klook: Tours, Tickets, and Easy Day Trips
Vietnam is packed with day-trip opportunities: food tours, cooking classes, lantern-lit evenings in Hoi An, Mekong Delta cruises, and temple visits. Klook is handy for browsing popular experiences, checking reviews, and booking tickets without doing deep research every time.
What to book on Klook in Vietnam
- Food tours (especially in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City).
- Day trips like Ninh Binh, Cu Chi Tunnels, Mekong Delta.
- Attraction tickets when lines get long.
Travel tip
Read the pickup details carefully. Some tours say “hotel pickup” but only for certain districts, and you may need to meet at a central point.
Bonus: A Mini Pre-Trip Setup Checklist (Do This Before You Fly)
Installing apps is one thing—setting them up properly is what makes them actually helpful when you land. Here’s my quick checklist:
- Download offline maps for your first two destinations.
- Download Vietnamese offline in your translation app.
- Add a payment method to your ride-hailing app before arrival.
- Create a folder of screenshots: hotel booking, passport photo, travel insurance, itinerary.
- Save your hotel pin on Google Maps and write the address in notes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Apps for Traveling in Vietnam
What is the best transportation app in Vietnam?
For most travelers, Grab is the easiest and most reliable option for motorbike taxis and cars in major cities. It’s ideal for transparent pricing and easy pickups.
Do I need a VPN in Vietnam?
Most travelers don’t need a VPN for day-to-day use, but if you rely on specific services for work or banking, having a reputable VPN can add privacy on public Wi-Fi and help with stable access.
Can I travel Vietnam without speaking Vietnamese?
Yes—especially in tourist areas. But translation apps and a few saved phrases will make your experience smoother, friendlier, and less stressful when you’re off the beaten path.
