Explore Vietnam with Grab

Vietnam is a country with a long, rich history, meaning there’s plenty to explore for every type of traveller – and often, the best experiences aren’t found in the guidebooks. They’re the ones that happen when you immerse yourself in local culture and go where the locals do, rather than following the tourist crowds. Unlock the real Vietnam with Grab. Discover the locals’ favourite food stalls, quiet temples, and incredible landscapes most tourists never see – all within easy reach with Grab. Fare prices are always fixed and given upfront, so you’ll know exactly how much your journey from A to B will cost – meaning you can just sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenic ride.

Grab also allows cashless payments, so you don’t need to worry about having the right amount of dong. For added peace of mind, download the Grab app before your trip and set up your cards so you’re ready to go as soon as you touch down in Vietnam.

And of course, one of the best things about Vietnam is the food. Skip the tourist trail and use Grab to find the restaurants most loved by locals. You can have food delivered straight to your hotel with GrabFood, or you can use Grab’s Dine Out Deals, which allow you to order in advance and dine in – perfect after a long day of exploring. You can also purchase a Grab Travel Pass, giving you vouchers for rides, meals and more. That means all you need to do is research your itinerary to ensure you enjoy Vietnam like a local.

Discover Da Nang and Hoi An like a local

Da Nang and Hoi An are roughly 18 miles apart, but each is distinctly different. Luckily, their close proximity means it’s easy to get between the two with Grab – and fixed upfront fares mean you’ll know exactly how much each ride costs without any negotiation or meter anxiety.

Explore modern Da Nang

Da Nang is a modern city, famous for its beautiful sandy beaches, but it offers more than a typical beach holiday. There are world-class museums to explore, including the Museum of Cham Sculpture. The Champa Kingdom predates modern-day Vietnam, and here you can find over 2,000 Cham sculptures dating from the 5th to 15th centuries. It’s also worth making the short trip out of the city to the Dong Dinh Museum, located on the beautiful Son Tra Peninsula. Here you’ll find artefacts telling the story of over 2,500 years of Vietnamese history, set within traditional Vietnamese-style wooden houses. And for something completely different, don’t miss the Dragon Bridge back in the city, which breathes real fire and water every weekend evening.

Da Nang is also a great place from which to explore incredible natural sights, including the Marble Mountains, just a 20-minute journey from central Da Nang. Go early or late to avoid the crowds (and the heat), and explore the caves and temples carved into the rock. Don’t miss the panoramic views from the top – well worth the climb on a clear day.

Experience historic Hoi An

Hoi An is a smaller city than Da Nang, and draws a lot of tourists, but it's easy to see why. A UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the best-preserved historic trading ports in Southeast Asia, its ancient yellow-walled streets are made for wandering without an agenda. You'll quickly notice the handmade silk lanterns lining every street, first brought to the city by Japanese, Chinese and Vietnamese merchants centuries ago. On the 14th day of every lunar month, the Full Moon Festival sees electric lights switched off across the city. The streets are lit entirely by lanterns, a spectacle not to be missed if you can time your visit right.

Eat like a local

The foodie scene in both cities is also a big draw, each with its own distinct culinary identity. One of Hoi An’s star dishes is cao lau, chewy noodles with pork and crispy rice crackers, said to be made with water drawn from the city’s Ba Le well. Head to Banh Canh Ruong for the best in town. In Da Nang, try mi quang, thick rice noodles in a rich turmeric-tinged broth – find the locals eating theirs at Mì Quảng Bà Dinh. Discover more local favourites with GrabFood. Have food delivered straight to your hotel or use Grab’s Dine Out Deals, allowing you to order in advance and dine in, perfect after a long day of exploring.

Things to do in Nha Trang

Nha Trang is well-known as a beach holiday destination – and with good reason, given that the city’s main beach, Tran Phu, is a beautiful white-sand beach over four miles long. Dotted with 19 islands along the bay, Nha Trang is one of the best places in Vietnam to dive or snorkel, especially around Hon Mun Island. Vietnam’s first marine protected area, it’s teeming with marine life, swimming among bright coral reefs in incredibly clear water. Or if you’re feeling less energetic, simply soak up the rays and enjoy fresh seafood on the beach. Ba Ho Waterfall offers a different nature experience. Just 45 minutes outside the city, here you’ll find three pools between the falls where locals come to swim, cliff jump and relax.

Explore Nha Trang's heritage

Away from the main resort strip, there’s also a rich history to explore. It’s impossible to miss the Po Nagar Cham Towers, which sit high on a hill just outside the city centre. A complex of relics built by Champa kings between the 7th and 13th centuries, the site is thought to have been used for worship as early as the 2nd century. Another significant site is Long Son Pagoda, which sits at the foot of Trai Thuy hill with Hai Duc Pagoda at the top, two of the city’s most important religious sites. Climb nearly 200 steps between them to reach the giant white Buddha statue with panoramic views over the city and bay as your reward. For something quirkier, don’t miss the Alexandre Yersin Museum. The Swiss-French scientist discovered the bacterium that causes the bubonic plague and made Nha Trang his home. It’s an unlikely claim to fame, but a fascinating small museum to explore.

Treat yourself to a spa

For something more indulgent, try one of the city’s mineral-rich mud baths. Thap Ba is the oldest and best-known mud bath in the area, just over three miles outside of the city, where you’ll find both communal and private mud baths, hot and cold mineral pools, saunas, pools and more. I-Resort, set around natural hot springs, is another popular option for locals and tourists alike. Both are easy to reach with Grab. Download the app before you travel, and communicate in confidence with your drivers thanks to the auto-translate feature.

Explore Hue like a local

Roughly 56 miles up the coast from Da Nang is Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam from 1802 to 1945. Despite its historical significance, it feels more laid-back than cities like Hanoi, and doesn’t attract as many tourists as Hoi An. That means it’s easier to enjoy the city as the locals do and enjoy hidden gems at your own pace.

Discover Hue's rich history

Hue is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, most importantly the Imperial Citadel. Dominating the heart of the city, this walled complex was once the seat of the Nguyen Dynasty (Vietnam’s last royal family) from 1802 to 1945. Today, it’s an incredible place to explore if you want to learn more about this period of Vietnam’s history and culture.

The seven-story Thien Mu Pagoda is also one of the most culturally significant places in Hue. Originally built in 1601, it’s one of the oldest pagodas in Vietnam, and has been an important spot for both religious worship and political demonstrations over the centuries. Just outside of town, there’s also the Tu Hieu Pagoda, which dates back to 1843 and was where Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh studied.

Immerse yourself in culture

Hue also has a rich artistic history, notably as the home of Ca Hue, a traditional form of Vietnamese chamber music that dates back to the 17th century. Recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, it features a female singer accompanied by traditional instruments, singing about love and the human condition. It’s best experienced on a dragon boat along the Perfume River.

The city and the surrounding area are also known for their craft villages. Take a trip to Tay Ho, where traditional conical hats are made; Thuy Xuan, which is renowned for producing colourful incense sticks; or the ceramic village of Phuoc Tich. These villages are easy to travel between with Grab, and with cashless payment, you don’t need to worry about having the right amount of Vietnamese dong.

Enjoy Hue's unique cuisine

Finally, no trip to Hue is complete without eating your way around the city. Hue’s food is distinctive from the rest of the country, influenced by its imperial past, with many elaborate dishes fit for a king (and often with bolder, spicier flavours). The best way to explore Hue’s food scene is by checking the Grab app for the top-rated restaurants to find out where locals love the most. One of the city’s most famous food exports is bahn ep, a thin pressed pancake filled with your choice of protein. It’s best enjoyed at Bánh ép Gia Di, made fresh to order while you make your own sauce. Elsewhere, seek out bun bo Hue, a spicy beef noodle soup flavoured with lemongrass, and ca phe muoi, a unique coffee made with salt.

Discover Vietnam with Grab

Like any new country, Vietnam can feel overwhelming when you first arrive. But with Grab, you can feel like a local from the moment you first land. Grab’s Advance Booking allows you to schedule Grab rides anywhere from 75 minutes to 90 days ahead of time, so you can rest assured you have a ride waiting for you at the airport. And there’s no need to worry about language barriers: Grab’s chats are auto-translated, meaning both you and your driver can communicate seamlessly in your own language.

And when it comes to exploring the country safely, Grab has you covered. All Grab drivers are officially verified, and your driver’s photo, name, car model and license plate are all displayed in your app so you can always be sure you’re on the correct ride. Plus, the Share My Ride feature allows you to share your ride details with your loved ones with a real-time tracking link to let a friend or family member back home know you’re safe and sound.