Top 7 Apps You Should Install Before Visiting Vietnam

When traveling to Vietnam, several apps will greatly enhance your experience. Below are seven must-have applications that locals frequently use, along with explanations for why you should install them before arriving.

No	Category	App	Description
1	VPN	NordVPN	Ensures privacy and can significantly boost your internet speed, especially during outages.
2	Communication	Zalo	The most popular messaging app in Vietnam—WhatsApp is rarely used.
3	Transportation	Grab / XanhSM	Similar to Uber, offering both motorbikes and cars; XanhSM uses exclusively electric vehicles.
4	Delivery	GrabFood / ShopeeFood	Fast and convenient food and small-item delivery services.
5	Shopping	Shopee	The leading e-commerce platform in Vietnam.
		Lazada / Tiki	Alternative platforms, especially Tiki for books and authentic products.
6	Dating	Tinder	The most popular dating app for meeting locals.
7	Navigation	Google Maps	Essential for finding your way around cities and rural areas, providing reliable routes and locations.

VPN

Nord VPN

A VPN is essential in Vietnam because certain international services like Reddit, Steam, and Medium.com are blocked, primarily due to registration issues with Vietnamese regulations. Additionally, Vietnam occasionally experiences disruptions in international internet connectivity due to undersea cable damages, typically happening once or twice a year. Using a VPN during these periods significantly improves internet speed and stability. Connecting through servers located in Taiwan, Hong Kong, or Japan usually yields the best results.

Recommended: NordVPN, known for its reliability and exceptional uptime.

Communication

When connecting with locals, Zalo is essential. It’s a Vietnamese-developed messaging app used daily by nearly everyone in the country. While Facebook Messenger and Telegram are also commonly used, WhatsApp is rarely utilized. To seamlessly communicate with locals, Zalo should be your primary choice.

Zalo is the most social media platform in Vietnam

Transportation

Grab and XanhSM provide Uber-like transportation services with multiple options, including motorbikes and 4 or 7-seater cars. Motorbikes are economical and popular among locals. XanhSM differentiates itself by exclusively using electric vehicles from VinFast, Vietnam's leading automotive manufacturer.

XanhSM

Delivery

Grabfood

GrabFood and ShopeeFood are your go-to options for quick food and small-item deliveries, typically within 15-30 minutes. These apps offer convenience when you’re hungry or need quick delivery of items within a short radius (around 5km).

Shopping

Shopee is Vietnam's number one online shopping platform, known for its vast selection of products. Lazada offers a similar shopping experience, while Tiki is more niche-focused, ideal for books and authentic, high-quality products.

Shopee is the most popular shopping platform in Vietnam

Vietnam offers Cash on Delivery (COD) as a unique payment method. You can pay upon receiving the product, beneficial for those without credit cards or who prefer verifying products physically before payment. However, be cautious with this option as scams involving fake delivery calls occur occasionally. It’s advisable to pay online via reputable payment gateways to avoid such issues.

Dating

Tinder

Tinder remains the top dating platform in Vietnam, widely used by locals. If you're interested in meeting Vietnamese singles or simply expanding your social network, Tinder is your best bet.

Navigation

Google Maps is crucial for navigating Vietnam’s busy streets and rural roads. It provides accurate directions, helps you discover local businesses and landmarks, and is widely trusted by both tourists and residents.