The Ultimate Essential Apps for Vietnam Travel

Having the right apps for Vietnam travel on your phone can make traveling around Vietnam much easier.

You do not need to download twenty different applications before your flight.

A small group of useful apps can cover almost everything you are likely to need.

Using apps for Vietnam travel can help with navigation, transport, translation, hotels, flights, food, communication and money.

This guide focuses on apps for Vietnam travel that are actually useful to tourists.

It explains what each app does, when you need it, and which ones are worth installing before you arrive.

If you are visiting Vietnam for the first time, you may also want to read our Vietnam for First-Timers Guide and Vietnam Travel Checklist.

Which Apps Should You Download Before Vietnam?

If you only want the essentials, start with these:

1. Google Maps — navigation and places
2. Grab — rides and food delivery
3. Google Translate — translation
4. Zalo — communication with local businesses and people
5. Your banking app — money and card security
6. A currency converter — understanding Vietnamese dong
7. Your airline and hotel apps — bookings and travel information

After that, you can add apps for buses, trains, food delivery, domestic flights and tours depending on your itinerary.

1. Google Maps

Google Maps is probably the most useful app you can have in Vietnam.

You can use it to find hotels, restaurants, cafes, attractions, supermarkets, pharmacies, ATMs and transportation points.

It is also useful for checking reviews and opening hours before you visit somewhere.

Before leaving your hotel, you can save important locations such as your accommodation, airport, train station and bus station.

Downloading offline maps is also a good idea if you are traveling to areas where mobile coverage may be less reliable.

What Google Maps is useful for

• walking directions;
• driving directions;
• finding restaurants;
• finding hotels;
• checking opening hours;
• reading reviews;
• finding ATMs;
• saving places you want to visit.

One useful trick is to search for the Vietnamese name of a place if the English name does not produce the correct result.

2. Grab

If you install only one transportation app before traveling to Vietnam, make it Grab.

Grab can be used to order cars, motorbike rides and food delivery in many Vietnamese destinations.

One of the biggest advantages for tourists is that the price is normally shown before you confirm the ride.

This makes it much easier than trying to negotiate a price with someone on the street.

Grab is particularly useful when you arrive at an airport, when you are traveling around a large city or when you simply do not want to deal with local transportation after a long day.

Our Grab Vietnam Guide explains how to use the app and what first-time visitors should know.

If you are still arranging your trip, you can also search for Vietnam transportation and travel experiences.

3. Google Translate

You do not need to speak Vietnamese to travel around Vietnam, but a translation app can make everyday situations much easier.

Google Translate can help when communicating with hotel staff, restaurants, drivers, shopkeepers and other people you meet during your trip.

The camera translation feature is particularly useful for menus, signs and written instructions.

It is worth downloading Vietnamese language data for offline use before traveling in case you lose your internet connection.

4. Zalo

Zalo is one of the most widely used communication platforms in Vietnam.

For a short holiday, you may not need it every day. However, it can become useful if you communicate directly with hotels, tour operators, restaurants, drivers or local businesses.

Some Vietnamese businesses use Zalo for customer communication instead of WhatsApp.

If you are staying in Vietnam for a longer period, Zalo becomes considerably more useful.

5. Your Banking App

Your own banking app is one of the most important apps to have when traveling abroad.

Before leaving home, make sure you can log in and that you know how to approve international transactions.

Use it to:

• check card payments;
• monitor ATM withdrawals;
• freeze a card if necessary;
• check exchange rates;
• contact your bank;
• monitor unusual transactions.

It is also worth checking whether your bank requires SMS verification or another authentication method when you are abroad.

Our Vietnam ATM Guide explains what tourists should know about withdrawing cash.

6. A Currency Converter

Vietnamese dong uses large numbers, so a currency converter can be useful during your first few days.

Seeing prices such as 150,000 VND or 2,500,000 VND can initially look more complicated than they actually are.

A currency app allows you to quickly estimate the price in your home currency.

You can also use it when comparing hotel prices, restaurant bills, transportation costs and shopping.

Our Vietnam Currency: Cash or Card guide explains how money and card payments work in Vietnam.

7. Your Airline App

Do not forget the app of the airline you are flying with.

It can be useful for:

• checking flight status;
• receiving schedule changes;
• managing your booking;
• checking baggage information;
• completing online check-in;
• accessing your boarding pass.

If you have several flights during your Vietnam trip, keeping all your booking information in one place can save time.

You can also compare Vietnam flights when planning domestic connections.

8. Your Hotel Booking App

Keep whichever booking app you used to reserve your accommodation installed on your phone.

You may need it to show your reservation, check cancellation conditions or contact the property.

It is also useful to keep your hotel address available offline.

If you are still looking for accommodation, you can compare Vietnam hotels by destination and travel dates.

9. GrabFood

You do not need a separate application for GrabFood if you already have Grab.

Food delivery can be particularly useful when you are tired, staying in an apartment or simply do not want to go outside in heavy rain.

It can also help you understand local restaurant options because you can browse menus and prices before ordering.

10. ShopeeFood

ShopeeFood is another food-delivery option worth knowing about.

It can be useful when a restaurant is not available on GrabFood or when you want to compare different restaurants and delivery options.

You do not necessarily need it for a short trip, but frequent travelers and people staying in Vietnam for several weeks may find it useful.

11. Xanh SM

Xanh SM is a Vietnamese ride-hailing service based around electric vehicles.

It can be useful as an alternative to Grab, particularly in major cities.

One advantage of having a second ride-hailing app installed is that you can compare availability and prices when you need a ride.

You do not have to use several transportation apps every day. Having one alternative available is enough for most tourists.

12. Be

Be is another Vietnamese ride-hailing platform.

Like Grab, it can provide transportation services and may be useful when availability or pricing differs between apps.

For a short holiday, Grab alone will often be sufficient. Be becomes more useful if you are staying longer or regularly comparing transportation options.

13. VeXeRe

If you plan to travel between Vietnamese cities by bus or sleeper bus, VeXeRe can be useful for finding and booking bus tickets.

This is particularly relevant for travelers building a multi-city itinerary without flying between every destination.

For example, you may use a domestic flight for a long journey and a sleeper bus for a shorter route.

Our Vietnam Transport Guide explains the main ways to move around the country.

14. Trip.com

Trip.com can be useful when you are comparing flights, hotels and activities in Vietnam.

This is especially convenient if you prefer to keep different parts of your trip in one booking platform.

You can use Trip.com for flights, find hotels and browse tours and activities.

You do not need to use every booking platform available. The important thing is to have a reliable way to access your reservations while traveling.

15. WhatsApp

WhatsApp can still be useful for communicating with international travelers, friends, family and some hotels or businesses.

However, do not assume that every Vietnamese business will use WhatsApp.

If you are staying in Vietnam for a longer period, having both WhatsApp and Zalo can give you better coverage for communication.

16. Google Photos or Another Cloud Backup App

This is not a Vietnam-specific travel app, but it is worth checking before your trip.

You are likely to take hundreds of photos and videos during your holiday.

Make sure your phone automatically backs up your photos when connected to Wi-Fi.

This is particularly important if your phone is lost, damaged or stolen.

17. Notes or a Travel Planning App

You do not need a specialized travel-planning application.

A simple notes app can be enough.

Save:

• hotel addresses;
• flight numbers;
• train and bus information;
• emergency contacts;
• restaurant names;
• places you want to visit;
• important booking numbers.

Keeping this information in one place is much easier than searching through emails every time you need an address.

18. Do You Need a VPN in Vietnam?

A VPN is not an essential travel app for every tourist.

Whether you want one depends on your personal needs, the services you use and your approach to online privacy.

If you regularly use public Wi-Fi, a reputable VPN can be useful as an additional privacy measure.

However, do not install a random free VPN simply because it is advertised as “unlimited.”

If online privacy is important to you, choose a reputable provider and install it before traveling.

19. Do You Need a Vietnamese Payment App?

Most short-term tourists do not need to install Vietnamese mobile-payment apps simply to visit Vietnam.

International cards are accepted at many hotels, restaurants, shops and other tourist-oriented businesses, while cash remains useful for smaller purchases.

Domestic Vietnamese payment systems are more useful for people who live in Vietnam or stay for longer periods and have access to the local banking infrastructure.

For a normal holiday, an international card, some Vietnamese dong and your banking app are usually a much simpler combination.

20. What Apps Should You Install Before You Fly?

Do not wait until you land to install everything.

Some apps may require account verification, email confirmation or an SMS code.

It is much easier to complete the setup while you still have your normal phone number and reliable home Wi-Fi.

Before departure, install and test:

• Google Maps;
• Grab;
• Google Translate;
• your banking app;
• your hotel booking app;
• your airline app;
• a currency converter.

Then add Zalo, Xanh SM, Be, VeXeRe or food-delivery apps only if you think you will use them.

Best Apps for Vietnam: Quick Comparison

App	What It Does	Priority for Tourists
Google Maps	Navigation, places and reviews	Essential
Grab	Cars, motorbikes and food delivery	Essential
Google Translate	Translation and camera translation	Essential
Banking app	Cards, payments and account security	Essential
Currency converter	Convert VND to your home currency	Very useful
Zalo	Local communication	Useful
Xanh SM	Alternative ride-hailing	Optional
Be	Alternative ride-hailing	Optional
ShopeeFood	Food delivery	Optional
VeXeRe	Bus and sleeper-bus bookings	Useful for multi-city trips
Trip.com	Flights, hotels and activities	Useful

What Are the Five Apps You Actually Need?

If you want to keep things simple, install these five before your flight:

1. Google Maps for navigation.
2. Grab for transportation.
3. Google Translate for communication.
4. Your banking app for money.
5. Your hotel and airline apps for your bookings.

Add a currency converter and Zalo, and you will be well prepared for most everyday situations.

What If You Lose Internet Access?

This is why it is worth preparing your phone before you travel.

Download offline maps, save hotel information and keep screenshots of important bookings.

Your phone should still contain enough information to get you back to your hotel even if your SIM or eSIM temporarily stops working.

Our Vietnam SIM and eSIM Guide explains the main ways to stay connected.

Final Recommendation

You do not need a phone full of Vietnam-specific applications.

For most tourists, the combination of Google Maps, Grab, Google Translate, a banking app, a currency converter and your booking apps is enough to handle the majority of everyday situations.

Add Zalo if you expect to communicate directly with Vietnamese businesses, and consider Xanh SM, Be, ShopeeFood or VeXeRe depending on your itinerary.

Install the important apps before you fly, sign in while you still have reliable internet and save your essential information offline.

Once that is done, you can concentrate on the actual trip rather than trying to configure your phone after landing.

And when you are ready to book the next part of your trip, you can compare Vietnam flights, hotels and Vietnam tours and activities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most important app for tourists in Vietnam?

Google Maps and Grab are probably the two most useful apps for most visitors. Google Maps helps you find places and navigate, while Grab makes transportation much easier.

Does Grab work in Vietnam?

Yes. Grab is widely used in major Vietnamese cities and offers ride-hailing and food delivery services.

Is Google Maps useful in Vietnam?

Yes. Google Maps is useful for navigation, finding restaurants and attractions, checking reviews and saving important locations.

Do I need Zalo as a tourist?

Not necessarily for a short holiday, but it can be useful for communicating with Vietnamese businesses, hotels, tour operators and local contacts.

Do I need a Vietnamese payment app?

Most short-term tourists do not. International cards and cash are generally sufficient for ordinary travel, while Vietnamese payment apps are more useful for people with local banking access or longer stays.

Should I install the apps before arriving in Vietnam?

Yes. Install and test your essential apps before your flight, particularly Grab, banking, translation and your travel-booking apps.

What apps are useful for traveling between Vietnamese cities?

For domestic flights, flight-booking platforms can be useful. For buses and sleeper buses, services such as VeXeRe can help you compare and book routes.

Do I need a VPN in Vietnam?

A VPN is not essential for every tourist. It can be useful if you want an additional layer of privacy when using public Wi-Fi or need it for specific online services.

What apps should I install if I only have limited phone storage?

Prioritize Google Maps, Grab, Google Translate, your banking app and your hotel or airline apps. Everything else can be added only when you actually need it.