Quick Facts for Tourists
Best Tourist App
Grab
Food, rides, grocery — all in one super-app
Foreign Cards
Grab: YES, Others: NO
Cash on delivery widely available
Phone Number
Vietnamese SIM Recommended
Grab works with international; locals apps need local
Language
Grab: English
Other apps are Vietnamese only
Top Food Delivery Apps in Vietnam
Vietnam's food delivery market is dominated by Grab, with ShopeeFood as the main local competitor. The country's incredible street food culture means delivery is both cheap and fast. Motorbike delivery is the standard, and drivers navigate Vietnam's chaotic traffic with impressive skill.
Grab
Super App — Best for TouristsGrab dominates Vietnam's food delivery landscape for tourists. As a super-app, it handles food delivery (GrabFood), ride-hailing (GrabBike and GrabCar), grocery delivery (GrabMart), and package delivery. The app has solid English support, accepts foreign credit cards, and covers every major city in Vietnam. GrabFood connects you to thousands of restaurants, from street food stalls selling pho for 35,000 VND to high-end restaurants. The delivery fee is typically 15,000-30,000 VND ($0.60-$1.25), making it very affordable.
ShopeeFood
Food Delivery — Biggest Local PlatformShopeeFood (formerly Now.vn, acquired by Shopee) is what Vietnamese locals increasingly use for food delivery. It has a massive restaurant selection, often with more local street food options than Grab. The app frequently runs aggressive promotions and discounts that make it cheaper than Grab. However, the interface is entirely in Vietnamese, and payment options are geared toward local methods (ShopeePay, Vietnamese bank cards). Tourists will struggle to use this app effectively without Vietnamese language skills.
Baemin Vietnam
Food Delivery — Winding DownBaemin (the South Korean food delivery giant) expanded into Vietnam and gained a following thanks to its fun branding and cute delivery drivers in mint-green uniforms. However, the company has been winding down its Vietnam operations due to intense competition from Grab and ShopeeFood. It is no longer a reliable option for new users. If you see Baemin mentioned in older guides, note that it is being phased out of the Vietnamese market.
GoJek (GoFood)
Super App — Indonesian PlatformGoJek, the Indonesian super-app, operates in Vietnam (primarily in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi). Its food delivery service, GoFood, offers a decent restaurant selection. While GoJek has some experience with international users from its Indonesian operations, the Vietnam version is primarily geared toward local users. It can work as a backup if Grab is experiencing issues, but Grab remains the better option for tourists across all metrics.
Now.vn
Food Delivery — Legacy Local PlatformNow.vn was one of Vietnam's earliest food delivery platforms and has since been integrated into the ShopeeFood ecosystem. The brand still exists in some form, but new users should use ShopeeFood directly (or better yet, Grab). Including Now.vn here for completeness as some older travel guides may reference it. The platform is Vietnamese-only with local payment requirements.
Grocery & Convenience Delivery
Vietnam has growing grocery delivery options, with Grab's ecosystem providing the easiest access for tourists.
GrabMart
Grocery & Convenience Delivery — via GrabGrabMart is built into the Grab app and lets you order groceries, snacks, drinks, and convenience store items for delivery. You can order from local supermarkets, minimarts, and convenience stores. Since it uses your existing Grab account, foreign credit cards and English support carry over. Delivery is typically within 30-60 minutes. Great for stocking up on water, snacks, and basic supplies at your hotel or Airbnb.
Bach Hoa Xanh
Grocery Delivery — Budget ChainBach Hoa Xanh ("Green Grocery") is one of Vietnam's largest grocery chains with thousands of stores. They offer delivery through their app and via GrabMart. The stores focus on fresh produce, meat, and everyday Vietnamese grocery staples at budget-friendly prices. The app is in Vietnamese, but ordering through GrabMart is easier for tourists.
VinMart (WinMart)
Grocery Delivery — Premium ChainVinMart (rebranded as WinMart), part of the Masan Group conglomerate, is Vietnam's premium supermarket chain. Available in many Vietnamese cities, they offer a wider selection of imported goods and higher-quality products. Delivery is available through their own app and through GrabMart. The in-store experience is also good — VinMart+ convenience stores are everywhere in Hanoi and HCMC and accept foreign credit cards for in-person purchases.
Tourist Reality Check
Vietnam is one of the more tourist-friendly countries in Southeast Asia for food delivery, primarily thanks to Grab. Here is what you need to know for a smooth experience.
Grab Is Everything in Vietnam
Grab is not just a food delivery app in Vietnam — it is your ride-hailing service, your grocery delivery, your package courier, and your payment platform all in one. Download it before you arrive. You will use Grab for GrabBike (the fastest way through traffic), GrabCar, GrabFood, and GrabMart. It is the single most important app for traveling in Vietnam, period.
Cash on Delivery Is King
Cash on delivery is very common in Vietnam and is actually the preferred payment method for many restaurants and drivers. If your foreign credit card gives you any trouble on Grab, simply switch to cash payment. Make sure you have Vietnamese dong in smaller denominations — 20,000, 50,000, and 100,000 VND notes are ideal. Drivers may struggle to make change for 500,000 VND bills. ATMs are everywhere in tourist areas.
Addresses Can Be Tricky
Vietnamese addresses often include alleys (hem/hẻm) which can be very narrow and confusing for delivery drivers. In the Old Quarter of Hanoi or the alleys of HCMC, addresses like "12/5 Hem 36" mean house 5 inside alley 12 off of number 36 on the main street. Your best strategy: drop a Google Maps pin at your exact location and include it in the delivery notes. If you are in a deep alley, walk out to the main road or a landmark to meet the driver. Standing visibly outside helps enormously.
Motorbike Delivery Is the Norm
All food delivery in Vietnam is done by motorbike. This is actually an advantage — motorbike riders can navigate Vietnam's famously chaotic traffic much faster than cars. Delivery times are usually 20-40 minutes, even during rush hour. Food is carried in insulated bags on the back of the bike. Soups like pho are surprisingly well-packaged and rarely spill. Don't be alarmed by the traffic — your driver is a pro.
Tipping & Delivery Etiquette
Tipping culture in Vietnam is relaxed and flexible.
Tipping Is Not Expected but Appreciated
Tipping is not a strong cultural expectation in Vietnam, but it is appreciated when given. For delivery drivers, a tip of 10,000-20,000 VND ($0.40-$0.80) is considered generous. Simply rounding up when paying cash is a common and easy approach — if your order is 87,000 VND, paying 100,000 VND and telling the driver to keep the change is perfectly appropriate. In-app tipping is available on Grab. During heavy rain or very late at night, a small tip is a thoughtful gesture.
Hotel & Accommodation Delivery
Getting food delivered to your accommodation in Vietnam is straightforward, but the type of address matters a lot.
Hotels on Main Roads
Hotels on main streets are easiest for delivery. Use the hotel's full address and name in your delivery notes. The driver will come to the entrance. Most Vietnamese hotel staff are familiar with delivery drivers and will direct them to you or hold the food. Meet the driver in the lobby for the smoothest handoff.
Alley (Hem) Addresses
Many budget hotels and homestays in Vietnam are located in narrow alleys (hem). These can be very difficult for drivers to navigate, especially at night. Your best strategy is to walk out to the nearest main road or intersection and meet the driver there. Include the alley entrance landmark in your delivery notes, like "I'll meet you at the entrance of Hem 36 on Bui Vien Street." The driver will appreciate not having to navigate the maze.
Airbnbs & Serviced Apartments
Airbnbs and serviced apartments work well with delivery. If the building has a security guard, let the driver know to leave the food with security, or come down to meet them. In Ho Chi Minh City, many apartment buildings have a ground-floor lobby where drivers can wait. In Hanoi's Old Quarter, the narrow streets can make finding the exact building tricky — always use a GPS pin.
Download Before You Land
Get these essential apps set up before your flight to Vietnam.
Vietnam Download Pack
- Grab — Absolutely essential. Set up your account and add your credit card before arriving. You will use this for food, rides, and groceries daily.
- Google Maps — Download offline maps for Hanoi, HCMC, Da Nang, and your other destinations. Essential for setting delivery pins and navigating.
- Google Translate — Download the Vietnamese language pack for offline translation. The camera translation feature is invaluable for reading menus and signs.
- Wise (TransferWise) — Useful for having a multi-currency card that works well in Vietnam if your primary card has issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Grab Vietnam accepts international Visa, Mastercard, and American Express credit cards. Add your card in the Grab app's payment settings. If your card is declined (which sometimes happens with certain banks), you can switch to cash on delivery as a backup. We recommend setting up your card in Grab before arriving in Vietnam and doing a small test transaction to confirm it works with your bank.
For Grab, you can register with your international phone number, so a Vietnamese SIM is not strictly required. However, a local SIM is recommended for the best experience — it allows you to use ShopeeFood and other local apps, receive calls from drivers, and have reliable data. Vietnamese SIM cards are very cheap (50,000-100,000 VND, about $2-4) and available at Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat airports or any mobile phone shop. Viettel, Mobifone, and Vinaphone all offer tourist packages with generous data.
Yes, cash on delivery is very common in Vietnam and is actually preferred by many restaurants and drivers. Grab, ShopeeFood, and GoJek all offer cash payment. This is an excellent backup if your foreign credit card has issues. Keep Vietnamese dong in smaller denominations — 20,000, 50,000, and 100,000 VND notes are ideal. Drivers often cannot make change for 500,000 VND bills. ATMs that dispense smaller bills are available at banks throughout tourist areas.
Yes, hotels in both Hanoi and HCMC generally welcome food delivery. The best approach is to meet the driver in the lobby, especially for first-time orders. For hotels on main roads, just provide the full address and hotel name. For hotels in narrow alleys (hem), consider walking to the alley entrance to meet the driver. Always use a Google Maps pin for accuracy. Most Vietnamese hotel staff are helpful and will assist with coordinating deliveries.
Grab is the best food delivery app for tourists in Vietnam by a significant margin. It has English support, accepts foreign credit cards, offers cash on delivery, and covers every major city in the country. GrabFood has thousands of restaurant partners, from street food stalls to fine dining. Grab also doubles as your ride-hailing and grocery delivery app. No other app in Vietnam comes close in terms of tourist accessibility.
On Grab, the app interface is in English, but restaurant menus may be in Vietnamese and drivers typically do not speak English. This is usually not a problem because the GPS-based system handles navigation, and you can point-and-tap to order food without reading Vietnamese. For menus without photos, use Google Translate's camera feature to translate text. The biggest language challenge is communicating with drivers about your location — using a clear GPS pin and standing visibly outside eliminates most issues. Adding a simple Vietnamese note like "Toi o truoc khach san" (I'm in front of the hotel) can also help.