Uber in HCMC
Jan 4, 2016, 5:30 pm
#16
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: ASIA
Programs: TK Elite, ALL Plus Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,530
I used UberBLACK a few times in HCMC in January 2015 and one of the trips was unusual to say the least.
The driver (in an SUV) decided to do a wide U-Turn because he passed the address and in the process t-boned a guy on a scooter, crushing the front of the guy's bike.
The driver just drove off (no stop to see if the scooter driver was ok), despite my yelling at him to stop and then took me to my destination (where I proceeded to get out quickly as he clearly was a dangerous driver). Upon receiving my receipt I also realized the driver took me on a bit of a "round-about" route - not nearly direct at all.
I reported this to Uber - I assume they dealt with the driver accordingly.
The driver (in an SUV) decided to do a wide U-Turn because he passed the address and in the process t-boned a guy on a scooter, crushing the front of the guy's bike.
The driver just drove off (no stop to see if the scooter driver was ok), despite my yelling at him to stop and then took me to my destination (where I proceeded to get out quickly as he clearly was a dangerous driver). Upon receiving my receipt I also realized the driver took me on a bit of a "round-about" route - not nearly direct at all.
I reported this to Uber - I assume they dealt with the driver accordingly.
That is why you see the videos of people in China driving over people they have hit a number of times. In their mentality, a deceased person costs less to compensate.
This mindset is slowly changing.
The other thing that happens is that since he is clearly in the wrong, he's probably worried about being beaten up.
Jan 4, 2016, 9:42 pm
#17
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Virginia City Highlands
Programs: Nothing anymore after 20 years
Posts: 6,900
I used UberBLACK a few times in HCMC in January 2015 and one of the trips was unusual to say the least.
The driver (in an SUV) decided to do a wide U-Turn because he passed the address and in the process t-boned a guy on a scooter, crushing the front of the guy's bike.
The driver just drove off (no stop to see if the scooter driver was ok),
The driver (in an SUV) decided to do a wide U-Turn because he passed the address and in the process t-boned a guy on a scooter, crushing the front of the guy's bike.
The driver just drove off (no stop to see if the scooter driver was ok),
Jokes aside - this is the mentality in third world countries starting from China to and ending up in Indonesia and vicinity. Alive and injured person would cost him way more than payment for his family in case he is dead.
At this moment, take it or leave it - you can't change them in split second, it changes slowly.
P.S. Special warning to Western tourists who think that getting scooter rental in Vietnam (or any other neighbouring country) and drive it around is a great idea: in case of accident you know what kind of treatment (not only medical one) you will get.
Jan 4, 2016, 9:54 pm
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: QLA
Programs: SBUX Gold
Posts: 14,507
Just for clarity's sake, I believe invisible is referring to the unwritten rule that the Westerner is always at fault.
Jan 4, 2016, 11:12 pm
#19
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Virginia City Highlands
Programs: Nothing anymore after 20 years
Posts: 6,900
I also refer to the the potential situation that in case of accident other side in a car might decide that westerner is better be dead than alive with injuries.
Jan 4, 2016, 11:36 pm
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: QLA
Programs: SBUX Gold
Posts: 14,507
I don't know, I've not heard any of the same stories coming from Vietnam as from China, where it's cheaper to kill the victim. Then again, I only visit 1-2 times a year (not being snarky), so I may not see the day-to-day developments and changes to society.
Jan 12, 2016, 7:43 am
#21
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
Cheapest Uber ride ever. Just took Uber black in HCMC and it cost me 98 cents (22,000 dong).
When was the last time you every got anyone to drive you somewhere for less than a buck.
When was the last time you every got anyone to drive you somewhere for less than a buck.
Jan 12, 2016, 11:41 am
#22
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Saigon/Hanoi/San Francisco
Posts: 1,779
I asked the driver if they are being subsidized by Uber. He said, not anymore, only when they first started in VN. The driver is a former taxi driver and he says driving Uber is much more relaxing, no more fighting for customers with other drivers. Clients are upper class and he no longer worried about getting robbed.
Feb 6, 2016, 10:07 pm
#23
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
Tried Uber a half dozen more times on my last trip to VN. Basically horrible!
On 2/3rds of the rides I waited for 5 to 10 minutes and then the driver cancelled before arriving.
On the few ride requests where the driver actually arrived, they were 3 or 4 times the estimated time, and they didn't come to the right location. I had to chase them down while looking on the map.
If I were to rate car/taxi service in HCMC, on scale of 10.
Mai Linh or Vinasun 8
Uber 1
On 2/3rds of the rides I waited for 5 to 10 minutes and then the driver cancelled before arriving.
On the few ride requests where the driver actually arrived, they were 3 or 4 times the estimated time, and they didn't come to the right location. I had to chase them down while looking on the map.
If I were to rate car/taxi service in HCMC, on scale of 10.
Mai Linh or Vinasun 8
Uber 1
Feb 8, 2016, 11:54 am
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: QLA
Programs: SBUX Gold
Posts: 14,507
Tried Uber a half dozen more times on my last trip to VN. Basically horrible!
On 2/3rds of the rides I waited for 5 to 10 minutes and then the driver cancelled before arriving.
On the few ride requests where the driver actually arrived, they were 3 or 4 times the estimated time, and they didn't come to the right location. I had to chase them down while looking on the map.
If I were to rate car/taxi service in HCMC, on scale of 10.
Mai Linh or Vinasun 8
Uber 1
On 2/3rds of the rides I waited for 5 to 10 minutes and then the driver cancelled before arriving.
On the few ride requests where the driver actually arrived, they were 3 or 4 times the estimated time, and they didn't come to the right location. I had to chase them down while looking on the map.
If I were to rate car/taxi service in HCMC, on scale of 10.
Mai Linh or Vinasun 8
Uber 1
Personally, now I would only use Uber if I wasn't in a rush, or going to the airport, or out of cash for some reason.
Feb 12, 2016, 12:21 am
#25
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
You definitely ran into some bad luck there. Unfortunately, since the Uber drivers aren't taxi drivers (usually local/long distance drivers for hire), they aren't as familiar with the streets. We got an MB S-Class driver once, but instead of driving to where we were, we had to walk down an alley to get to him while he smoked a cig. Wasn't happy about that and let Uber know, but we didn't want to wait for another taxi or Uber.
Personally, now I would only use Uber if I wasn't in a rush, or going to the airport, or out of cash for some reason.
Personally, now I would only use Uber if I wasn't in a rush, or going to the airport, or out of cash for some reason.
Feb 19, 2016, 9:08 pm
#28
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
Don't entirely agree. Having a nice ride and the convenience of easy door to door transportation is something I'd be willing to pay a lot extra for. It's just I'm not willing to pay anything for a run of the mill car with a sub-par driver and a sub 50% chance of actually getting picked up and taken to your destination.
Aug 22, 2016, 8:50 pm
#29
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SIN
Programs: JL GC | Marriott LT Silver | Global Entry | SQ Silver
Posts: 6,819
I'll be using Uber this weekend in SGN mainly for airport/hotel pickup/dropoff, will report back on my experiences. I see the app lists the pickup points at the airport so that's convenient.
Aug 28, 2016, 9:48 am
#30
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SIN
Programs: JL GC | Marriott LT Silver | Global Entry | SQ Silver
Posts: 6,819
Uber from hotel to airport was no issue as I had the porter confirm my destination with the driver. I guess the issue here for Uber in HCMC is lack of english speaking drivers for foreign tourists, especially for airport pickups.