Best Travel Apps You

When you travel in Vietnam, having the right apps on your phone can make the experience more convenient. Whether riding anywhere, ordering food, or searching for the best local food, these apps can help you save time, money, and a ton of hassle.
Here at VIET DOVE Travel, we want your trip to be seamless, so we compiled a list of the most useful travel apps in Vietnam for 2025.

Grab. The Ride and Delivery App

No need to haggle with taxi drivers. Grab operates like Uber in Vietnam. You can:

• Book motorbikes or cars with transparent pricing.
• Order food, drinks, or even essentials and have them delivered directly to your hotel.
• Pay with cash or link a card (super convenient for tourists).

👉 Tip: If you're looking for the fastest (and cheapest) short city trips, GrabBike is the way to go.

Foody & ShopeeFood. Find and Order Local Dishes

Do you want to taste Vietnamese food but don’t want to leave your hotel? Foody (and ShopeeFood for delivery) is best. You can:

• Search local restaurants with reviews and photos.
• Order genuine street food, coffee, or dessert at your leisure (in minutes).
• Find hidden food gems that locals love.

👉 Tip: You can check reviews on Foody first and then decide if you want delivery or eat-in.

Google Maps. This app may just transform you into a local expert

The good news is that Google Maps is quite accurate (especially when you consider the traffic conditions). It enables you to:

• Navigate through the chaos of Vietnamese streets.
• Find public buses, click, and/or check whether you are walking to the right destination.
• Keep tabs on your favorite location offline if you are out of wi-fi.

👉 Tip: Download offline maps of some major cities in Vietnam in advance, such as Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City.

Google Translate. Makes conversation easy

You will find that English is not widely spoken in many local Vietnamese cities. This is where Google Translate comes in handy:

• You can use the voice translation for quick conversions.
• You can also use your camera with the app to point at signs or menus on the spot.
• You can download the Vietnamese language pack for offline use.

TripAdvisor. Have confidence in your planning

TripAdvisor is a useful app when it comes to hotels and restaurants; it really is a time saver. It enables you to:

• Be able to compare tours and things to do with other travelers' reviews.
• Find the best-rated attractions in your area.
• Read real feedback, save yourself from tourist traps.

👉 Tip: Pair Tripadvisor with local operators (like VIET DOVE Travel) to get authentic experiences, not just touristy packages.

WhatsApp. Stay Connected

WhatsApp is a must-have if you're traveling and want to keep in touch with both locals and fellow travelers.
Many hotels, tour guides, and even drivers in Vietnam now prefer WhatsApp. But here’s what makes WhatsApp stand out during your trip:

• Instant chat with local tour operators (many small, local businesses use it as their main channel).
• Create travel group chats with your friends, share live locations, trip photos, or sudden changes in the plan.
• Voice message function is a lifesaver when you’re on the back of a GrabBike and can’t type.

👉 Unique Tip: In some places, like Ha Giang or the Mekong Delta, you’ll meet hosts or drivers who don’t speak English, but they’ll use WhatsApp with auto-translate or voice notes to communicate. It’s surprisingly effective and feels more personal than using a translation app.

Final Thoughts - Travel Smarter with the Right Apps

Vietnam can be a bit overwhelming when you first arrive, especially with the density of traffic and changes in language. But using some of these top travel apps: Grab, Foody, Google Maps, Google Translate, Tripadvisor, and Get Your Guide will help you a lot.
From planning to paying, these apps ensure a seamless travel experience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do I need a Vietnamese SIM card to use these apps?

Yes. Getting a local SIM (or eSIM) will ensure a better travel experience. Wi-Fi is easy to find, but having 4G in your pocket always makes things smoother when it comes to looking at maps or ordering a Grab.

Do these apps accept international credit cards?

Most of them accept Visa/Mastercard, but Grab and Foody do allow direct cash payments either way.

Are all these apps available in English?

Yes. All of the apps detailed in this article have a full English interface, making them extremely user-friendly for tourists.