Taxi in Ho Chi Minh City: A Complete Guide to Transport in Vietnam's Economic Capital
Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) is the economic heart of Vietnam , where modernity meets tradition, and skyscrapers coexist with street vendors. This metropolis of over 10 million people boasts one of the country's most sophisticated transportation systems, including traditional taxi services and cutting-edge technological solutions. In 2025, the opening of the first metro line radically changed the city's transportation map, but taxis remain an indispensable mode of transportation for tourists and locals alike.
🚇 New transport era: Metro + Taxi = Ideal mobility
Public Transport Revolution 2025
On December 22, 2024, Ho Chi Minh City officially opened its first metro line , connecting the city center with the eastern districts. This historic event changed the logic of travel within the city:
Length: 34,2 km with 14 stations
Key stops: Ben Thanh Market, Opera House, Ba Son, Techno Park, National University
Fare: 8,000-15,000 VND ($0.3-0.6) depending on the distance
Frequency: every 8 minutes during rush hour
Synergy with taxis: The metro covers major tourist routes, and taxis provide the "last mile" connection and access to areas outside the metro coverage area.
🚗 Top 7 Best Taxi Services in Ho Chi Minh City
🢢 Grab is the undisputed leader in tech taxis
Market share: 42% among ride-hailing apps
GrabCar rates:
First 2 km: 27,500 VND
Next: 12,400 VND/km
7-seater cars: +20-25% to the cost
Special fees: Airport +10,000 VND, night trips (22:00-05:59) +10,000 VND
Examples of Grab prices on popular routes:
| Route | GrabCar (VND) | GrabBike (VND) | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tan Son Nhat Airport → District 1 | 100,000-120,000 | 50,000-70,000 | 30-40 min |
| Ben Thanh → Notre Dame Cathedral | 40,000-50,000 | 20,000-30,000 | 5-10 min |
| District 1 → Technopark (District 2) | 50,000-70,000 | 30,000-50,000 | 15-20 min |
| War Museum → Pham Ngu Lao Street | 40,000-60,000 | 20,000-40,000 | 10-15 min |
🢢 SM Green Taxi (Xanh SM) - Ecological Future
Ho Chi Minh City Launch: April 30, 2023
Fleet: 500 VinFast VF e34 electric vehicles + 100 premium VF 8
Market share: 19% (fast growing)
Phone: 1900 2088
Green SM Tariffs:
GreenCar (VF e34): 20,000 VND first km, 16,000 VND/km up to 25 km, 14,500 VND/km after 25 km
LuxuryCar (VF 8): fixed rate 21,000 VND/km
🚕 Maxim is a popular service that supports motorcycle and car trips.
Simple interface, payment by cards or cash, rates are often lower than analogues.
🚕 inDrive — allows you to offer your price and bargain with the driver.
Often 30–50% more profitable than standard services.
🚕 Mai Linh - a tried and true classic
History: More than 20 years on the market, represented in all 63 provinces of Vietnam
Telephone: 1055 (national number)
Features: Widest geographic coverage, reliable drivers
Prices: 11,000-15,000 VND per km depending on the class of car
🟡 VinaSun - white cars with green stripes
Website: vinasuntaxi.com
Recognizable: Classic white Toyota Vios and Innova
Airport-City Center Prices: 150,000-250,000 VND
Pros: POS terminals for card payments, English-speaking dispatchers
(I.e. Be is Grab's Vietnamese competitor
Market share: 32% (second place after Grab)
Feature: Local development adapted to Vietnamese realities
Integration: Integration with SM Green Taxi via BeVinFast is planned
🟨 Vinataxi - Ho Chi Minh City Local Expert
Website: vinataxi.vn (full English version)
Specialization: Intercity transfers to Nha Trang, Vung Tau, Cu Chi tunnels
Advantage: Knowledge of tourist routes, fixed prices for popular destinations
(I.e. G7 Taxi — a technological service
Website: g7taxi.vn
Features: Flexible pricing policy, mobile app with English version
Feature: Possibility of ordering at a fixed price for a number of routes
🗺️ Ho Chi Minh City districts and transport features
District 1 - the tourist heart
Key points: Ben Thanh Market, Opera House, Nguyen Hue Street
Transportation: Maximum concentration of taxis, metro stations, pedestrian areas
Features: Frequent traffic jams during rush hours (6:00-8:00 and 17:00-19:00)
District 2 (Niemai) - Technological Hub
Attractions: Technopark, Landmark 81, shopping centers
Transportation: Metro to the technology park, then taxi
Prices: 15-20% more expensive due to distance from the center
District 3-10 - residential and business areas
Character: Mix of offices, residential and local markets
Transportation: Good coverage by traditional taxis, limited metro coverage
Tan Son Nhat Airport - The Main Gateway
Distance to the center: 8-15 km depending on the destination
Travel time: 30-60 minutes (depending on traffic)
Transportation: All major taxi services, buses, metro (planned)
💰 Comparison of the cost of different types of transport
Popular routes and prices:
| Direction | Grave | Mai Linh | SM Green | Bus | Metro |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airport-District 1 | 100,000-120,000 | 150,000-200,000 | 120,000-150,000 | 20,000 | Not available |
| Inside District 1 | 40,000-60,000 | 50,000-80,000 | 45,000-70,000 | 7,000 | 8,000-12,000 |
| District 1-District 2 | 50,000-80,000 | 60,000-100,000 | 60,000-90,000 | 15,000 | 12,000-15,000 |
| Intercity (Vung Tau) | 800,000+ | 600,000-800,000 | 700,000-900,000 | 100,000 | Not available |
Factors affecting prices:
Rush hour: +20-50% to the base rate
Rain/bad weather: +100-200% (especially Grab)
Holidays: +30-50%
Night time (22:00-05:00): +10,000-20,000 VND
🎯 Practical tips for using taxis
Recommendations for tourists:
✅ What to do:
Always use a meter or fixed cost app
Have small bills on hand —changing 500,000 VND can be difficult.
Show the address in Vietnamese on Google Maps or ask the hotel to write it down
Save the numbers of reliable services in your phone for emergencies.
Take a photo of the car's license plate when boarding (for safety)
❌ What to avoid:
Unofficial taxi drivers at the airport (prices are 2-3 times higher)
Unmetered trips with unfamiliar drivers
Peak time for non-urgent travel (save up to 50%)
Showing large sums of money when paying
Safety and comfort:
Fasten your seat belt - it's mandatory under Vietnamese law.
Do not carry more than the permitted number of passengers
Share your ride with friends using Grab
Study the city map - knowing the main streets will help you control your route
🏨 Special services and transfers
Airport transfers - premium segment:
| Service | Price (RUB) | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Gettransfer | От 2,200 | Online booking, fixed prices |
| Kiwitaxi | От 2,500 | 24/7 support, free waiting |
| i'way | От 2,800 | Child seats, sign at the airport |
| TEZ TOUR | От 3,000 | Tourism specialization |
Sightseeing taxis:
Full day in the city: $70-100 USD
Ho Chi Minh City + Cu Chi Tunnels: $80-120 USD
Ho Chi Minh City + Mekong Delta: $100-150 USD
Rent with driver: 1,75-2,5 million VND ($70-100) per day
Intercity directions:
Ho Chi Minh City → Vung Tau: VND600,000-800,000 (2 hours)
Ho Chi Minh City → Nha Trang: 2,500,000-3,500,000 VND (6-7 hours)
Ho Chi Minh City → Dalat: 2,000,000-3,000,000 VND (5-6 hours)
Ho Chi Minh City → Phan Thiet: VND 1,500,000–2,200,000 (4–5 hours)
🌟 Alternatives to traditional taxis
Motorbike Taxi (Xe Om):
GrabBike starting rate: 10,000 VND + 4,000 VND/km
Pros: Fast in traffic, cheap for short distances
Cons: Safety, weather, luggage
Public transport:
Metro Line 1: 8,000-15,000 VND, modern and fast
Buses: 7,000-20,000 VND, wide route network
Riverboats: 15,000-30,000 VND, scenic routes along the Saigon River
Bicycles and scooters:
Bicycle rental: 50,000-100,000 VND per day
Scooter rental: 150,000-250,000 VND per day (International driving license required)
📱 Technological solutions 2025
Mobile applications:
Grab is the most popular and supports English.
Be is a local alternative with competitive prices
SM Green Taxi — eco-friendly electric vehicles
Mai Linh App – from the largest traditional operator
Payment Methods:
Cash dong - accepted by all services
Bank cards are accepted by most modern taxis.
Grab Pay, Moca — e-wallets in apps
Cash dollars are rare, the exchange rate is unfavorable
Innovations 2025:
Metro Integration: Combined Metro and Taxi Rates
Electric taxis: SM Green expands its fleet to 1000 vehicles
AI Routing: Real-Time Traffic Optimization
🌆 Features of transport at different times
Rush Hour:
Morning: 6:30-8:30 – commute to work
Evening: 17:00-19:00 – commute home from work
Recommendations: Use the metro or plan +50-100% of your travel time
Night time:
22:00-05:00: Night rate surcharge
Safety: Prefer reputable taxi services
Entertainment: District 1 (Bui Vien Street) is the center of nightlife
Holidays:
Tet (Lunar New Year): Many services are closed January 1-3
National Holidays: Increased rates, limited availability
International Events: Traffic Jams and Restrictions in the City Center
Ho Chi Minh City is a city where traditional taxis successfully coexist with modern technological solutions and developed public transport. Choose proven services from our guide, plan routes taking into account traffic jams, and your travels around the economic capital of Vietnam will be comfortable, safe and cost-effective!
