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🛵 How to Use Grab

From signing up and paying to booking, setting your pickup point, talking to drivers and safety features — a step-by-step guide

Bike or car? Choosing a service

One Grab app covers motorbike and car rides, food and grocery delivery, and parcels. The fare is shown before you book, so there's no haggling.

• GrabBike — ride on the back of a motorbike. Cheapest and fastest. For one person with no luggage.
• GrabCar — 4-seat car. For rain, heat, luggage, or trips to the airport.
• GrabCar 7-seater — for families or lots of luggage.
• GrabFood / GrabMart — food and grocery delivery (see lesson 2-3)
• GrabExpress — item delivery (documents, parcels)

Besides Grab there's Xanh SM (electric taxis and bikes, reported as the market leader in 2025) and Be. Install them too to compare fares.

Step by step, from sign-up to drop-off

1. 1. Install the app and sign up —

   Install Grab from the app store and sign up with your phone number. Enter the code sent by text and you're done.

   • A Vietnamese SIM number makes calling drivers easier. How to get a SIM is in the 📱 Everyday Services guide.
2. 2. Add a payment method —

   Add one under Account → Payment methods in the app.

   • Cash (Tiền mặt) — works right away, no setup.
   • Card — foreign cards can be added (your card issuer may charge a foreign transaction fee).
   • Link MoMo — link MoMo, the Vietnamese e-wallet, once and use it for Bike, Car, Food, Mart and Express.
3. 3. Enter your destination —

   Type a place name or address in Điểm đến (destination) at the top. For apartments, choose the complex name + tower (Tháp/Block) to be precise.

4. 4. Check your pickup point —

   Make sure the Điểm đón (pickup) pin is really where you're standing. At apartments or malls, see 'Setting a good pickup point' below.

5. 5. Choose a vehicle and book —

   Choose GrabBike or GrabCar, check your payment method, then tap Đặt xe (Book).

6. 6. Check the driver and get in —
   • Check the license plate (biển số), driver photo and car color shown in the app. If they don't match, don't get in.
   • On GrabBike, always wear the helmet — the driver gives you a passenger helmet. Keep your phone in your bag, not in your hand.
7. 7. Rate after the ride —

   After you get off you can leave a rating and a tip. Tipping is optional.

Setting a good pickup point (apartments · malls)

• Apartment complexes have separate main gates, back gates and tower lobbies. Drag the pin to the gate you'll walk out of.
• Add a short note for the driver (Ghi chú cho tài xế) like 'Cổng chính tháp A' (Tower A main gate) and they'll find you quickly.
• Motorbikes (GrabBike) often can't enter the complex. Wait on the street outside the main gate.
• At big supermarkets and malls, add the entrance name (e.g., main entrance, basement parking) to the note.
• If the driver calls, just state your location briefly with the 'Phrases for talking to drivers' below.

When fares go up · Things to watch

• When it rains and at rush hour (roughly 7–9 am and 5–7 pm) fares rise and drivers are hard to get. Book early or avoid those times.
• The fare in the app is the final fare. If a driver asks for more or suggests going off-app, say no.
• If paying cash, have small change ready. Drivers often can't break a 500k VND note.

Handy features (scheduling · sharing · lost items)

• Schedule (Đặt trước) — you can book a GrabCar in advance. Per Grab's 2025 announcement, up to 90 days ahead. Popular for airport trips.
• In-app chat — message the driver inside the app. Many reviews say it auto-translates, but we couldn't confirm this officially (to be confirmed). Even if it translates, keep messages short and simple.
• Number masking — drivers and passengers can't see each other's real phone numbers.
• Share My Ride — send your live location and driver details to family or friends during the trip.
• Emergency button — if you feel unsafe during a ride, use the app's emergency button to alert your emergency contacts or the authorities.
• Lost items — if you left something behind, report it under Activity → that ride → Help. The sooner, the better your chances.

Phrases for talking to drivers

Sources

• Grab Việt Nam — tính năng đặt trước chuyến xe (2025, up to 90 days)
• MoMo — Linking MoMo payment in Grab
• Grab — Passenger safety features (emergency button, ride sharing, number masking)
• Tuoi Tre News — Xanh SM overtakes Grab as market leader (2025)
• Grab — Getting to and from Tân Sơn Nhất Airport

📱 Open in the app (audio · favorites)