🧳Pack My Apps
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🇻🇳
Essential apps for

Vietnam

Việt Nam

VietnameseVND6 apps

Vietnam runs on Grab, MoMo, and Zalo. Uber doesn't exist here. Grab for rides, Zalo for talking to locals.

🔌

Power & Plug

TypeA / C / F
Voltage220V
Freq50Hz

Outlets are usually flexible; you'll see both flat and round-pin sockets.

💬

Basic phrases

Vietnamese

  • Hello
    Xin chào
    Sin chow
  • Thank you
    Cảm ơn
    Kahm urn
  • Sorry
    Xin lỗi
    Sin loy
  • Yes
    Vâng
    Vung
  • No
    Không
    Khom

+5 more below

🎎

Tipping

Not expected for casual meals. 5-10% at upscale restaurants. Tipping guides is appreciated.

🚖Rideshare & Taxi

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G

Grab

Southeast Asia super-app: rides, food, payments, banking.

Vietnam's main rideshare. Motorbike (GrabBike) is faster and cheaper than cars in Hanoi or HCMC.
iOSAndroidWebsite

💳Payments & Wallets

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M

MoMo

Vietnam's leading e-wallet for payments, transfers, and bill pay.

Mobile wallet for paying small vendors and topping up local data.
iOSAndroidWebsite

🗺️Navigation & Maps

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G

Google Maps

Works almost everywhere except mainland China. Offline maps are critical when roaming.

Works well, but offline maps are critical.
iOSAndroidWebsite

💬Translation

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P

Papago

Naver's translator. Better than Google for Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai.

Best Vietnamese translation.
iOSAndroidWebsite

📱Messaging

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Z

Zalo

Vietnam's main messaging app, used by virtually everyone for booking and businesses.

Vietnam's WhatsApp. Hotels, guides, drivers — everyone uses it.
iOSAndroidWebsite

✈️Travel Planning

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K

Klook

Activities, attractions, and SIM cards across Asia. Better than GetYourGuide in Asia.

Halong Bay tours, sleeper buses, and Sapa trains.
iOSAndroidWebsite
Phrases

All Vietnamese phrases

Hello
Xin chào
Sin chow
Thank you
Cảm ơn
Kahm urn
Sorry
Xin lỗi
Sin loy
Yes
Vâng
Vung
No
Không
Khom
How much?
Bao nhiêu
Bao nyew
Where is the bathroom?
Nhà vệ sinh ở đâu
Nyah vey sin oh dow
The check, please
Tính tiền
Tin tee-en
Delicious
Ngon
Ngon
Cheers
Một hai ba dô
Mot hai ba zo
Briefing

What to know before you go

✓ Do

  • Take shoes off entering homes and some shops.
  • Use both hands when receiving business cards.

✕Don't

  • Touching someone's head.
  • Crossing your fingers (rude gesture).

⚠️ Common scams to know

  • Cyclo drivers quoting one price then demanding more — agree on price before boarding.
  • Taxis with rigged meters at Hanoi/HCMC airports — use Grab.
  • Massage upsells.
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