Grab Instead of Uber in VN
 

Was with a colleague who used Grab for a couple of rides instead of Uber in HCMC. Seemed to be faster, cheaper, better driver, better car. I'm thinking about downloading the app. Has anyone else used Grab in VN? (Uber seems to get worse every time I use them.)

I haven't used Grab in Vietnam but I use it often in Thailand. It's about the same as Uber. Sometimes it's cheaper, sometimes it isn't. Reliability seems about the same, quality is about the same. I generally compare the two fares and go with the one that has the least amount of wait time.

Edit to add: In Asia, the fare difference is generally going to be measured in cents, not dollars (or euros, pounds, whatever.)

I use grab in Vietnam. I don't find much difference for me, except there are few credit card options. I don't find car or driver to be different, and haven't found either to be bad. There are, at least in my area, many more cars doing grab than uber. I asked the driver why he chose grab instead of uber, he said he gets paid daily with grab and uber is only once a week. Which is related to when I search for a grab car that will let me pay with card, I find none, but with cash I can find many more than uber.

However, from my limited experience and with friends, Uber is a little cheaper here in Saigon. Obviously not much in $$ since the fare is low to start, but if you use it daily as some do, adds up I guess.

Yes used Grab as well as uber. One benefit is grab collects you points and if you use it a lot, you can redeem. I always check which one is cheaper. Also, some areas uber has stronger presence, some grab. Have all apps downloaded and use whatever is cheapest and quickest. Had seen no correlation as to better cars, service or whatever else.

See my detailed review/observation in the dedicated thread about using them both in Saigon. Short answer - it depends. In most cases Grab will be cheaper, but most likely you will have opposite case when surge pricing is in place.

Question on this forum? We will be travelling to Malaysia in February from Canada. I downloaded the GRAB app and every time I receive the verification code to enter it does nothing? I emailed GRAB customer service and this is what they said below.

We regret to inform you that users outside of the operating countries Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Myanmar will not be able to access Grab due to a security feature. Should that not be the case, kindly screenshot the issue for us to assist you better.

Is this correct? So in essence if I don't live in those countries I cannot use it?

There is a simple workaround - get a SIM card with data after arrival and use that sim card to register/login. Will work fine.

You can use it once you get to the country. When you're outside of those countries, it's useless. Just wait until you get there to sign up.

you should still be able to set up your account in advance though. I am pretty sure I did that.

Used Grab in Bangkok and Singapore no problem. I was using the Flexiroam SIM overlay as well for my data service. I think I set it up with my Visa card and linked to AndroidPay as well.

That is what I thought too? I realize I cannot use it here in Canada but thought it would be easily downloaded, set up and ready to go......oh well, I guess it's Uber.

Grab has more promo codes than Uber. Always do a google search for codes that can be applied before riding.

You can do all that after arriving.