Quick Answer: What Apps Do You Need in Vietnam?
The essential apps for Vietnam are VNPAY and Moreta Pay for QR and payments, Grab, Be, and Xanh SM for rides and deliveries, Pharmacity for medicine and healthcare, WhatsApp for messaging, and Vexere for booking buses and trains between cities. Download all eight before you arrive — cash is still common, but QR payments and ride-hailing apps will save you time, money, and frustration every single day.
Essential Apps for Vietnam — Quick Comparison
| App | Category | Best For | English UI | Foreign Cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VNPAY | Payments / QR | QR payments at shops, restaurants | Partial | Through bank apps |
| Moreta Pay | Payments / Travel Wallet | QR payments for foreigners & nomads | Yes | Yes |
| Grab | Ride-Hailing / Delivery | Taxis, motorbikes, food, groceries | Yes | Yes |
| Be | Ride-Hailing / Delivery | Competitive rides, motorbike taxis | Yes | Yes |
| Xanh SM | Electric Ride-Hailing | Quiet, zero-emission electric car rides | Yes | Yes |
| Pharmacity | Pharmacy / Healthcare | Medicine ordering, pharmacy locator | Partial | Yes |
| Messaging | Staying in touch with contacts back home | Yes | N/A | |
| Vexere | Bus / Train / Flight Booking | Inter-city bus and train tickets | Yes | Yes |
Pay Apps
1. VNPAY — Vietnamese Payment & QR Platform
App Category: Payments / QR Payments / Financial Services
Purpose
VNPAY is a Vietnamese payment technology and financial-services platform that supports electronic payments and QR-code payments. It is one of the most widely accepted payment methods in Vietnam, integrated across banking apps, e-wallets, and merchant systems nationwide.
VNPAY's ecosystem extends beyond payments to include transportation, travel, entertainment, and shopping services. Its QR payment solution can be used through participating banking and wallet applications, meaning you may already have access to VNPAY QR payments through your Vietnamese bank's mobile app without needing a separate VNPAY installation.
Key Features
- QR code payments at restaurants, shops, and street vendors
- Integrated with major Vietnamese bank apps
- Bill payments, top-ups, and ticketing services
- Widely accepted across urban and rural Vietnam
Who It's For
VNPAY is essential for anyone living in Vietnam who wants to pay cashless at local merchants. If you open a Vietnamese bank account, VNPAY QR payments are likely built into your banking app already.
Official Website: Visit VNPAY
Google Play: Download VNPAY from Google Play
2. Moreta Pay — Global Travel Wallet for Local QR Payments
App Category: Global Travel Wallet / QR Payments
Purpose
Moreta Pay is a travel-focused digital wallet built specifically for foreigners, expats, and digital nomads in Vietnam. It solves the biggest payment pain point for newcomers: paying with QR at Vietnamese merchants without needing a local bank account.
Unlike VNPAY, which works primarily through Vietnamese bank apps, Moreta Pay lets you fund a wallet with foreign credit cards or international transfers and then scan QR codes to pay at shops, restaurants, and service providers — the same way locals do.
Key Features
- QR payments at Vietnamese merchants using foreign funds
- No Vietnamese bank account required
- Fund with international credit cards or transfers
- English-language interface designed for travelers and expats
Who It's For
Moreta Pay is ideal for digital nomads, expats, and travelers who want to pay with QR in Vietnam before they have a local bank account set up. It bridges the gap between foreign payment methods and Vietnam's QR-first merchant ecosystem.
Official Website: Visit Moreta Pay
Google Play: Download Moreta Pay from Google Play
Travel and Deliveries
3. Grab — Rides, Food & Delivery
App Category: Ride-Hailing / Food Delivery / Super App
Purpose
Grab is the dominant ride-hailing and delivery super app in Southeast Asia. In Vietnam, it is essential for getting around — you can book cars, motorbike taxis (GrabBike), and order food delivery (GrabFood), groceries (GrabMart), and packages. Grab's interface is available in English, accepts foreign credit cards, and shows upfront pricing, which eliminates haggling and reduces the risk of being overcharged.
For foreigners, Grab is often the single most useful app in Vietnam. It solves transportation, food, and delivery needs in one place, with transparent pricing and an English-language interface.
Key Features
- Car and motorbike taxi bookings with upfront pricing
- Food delivery (GrabFood) from thousands of restaurants
- Grocery delivery (GrabMart) and package delivery
- English-language interface with foreign credit card support
Who It's For
Grab is for everyone. If you only download one ride-hailing app in Vietnam, make it Grab. It is the most reliable, widely available, and foreigner-friendly option.
Official Website: Visit the official Grab Vietnam website
Apple App Store: Download Grab from the App Store
Google Play: Download Grab from Google Play
4. Be — Vietnamese Ride-Hailing & Multi-Service Platform
App Category: Ride-Hailing / Food Delivery / Multi-Service
Purpose
Be is a Vietnamese-owned ride-hailing and fast-delivery platform that competes directly with Grab. It offers motorbike and car bookings, airline tickets, coach and train ticket booking, insurance services, and more. Be often offers more competitive pricing than Grab, especially for short distances and motorbike rides.
Be is a proud Vietnamese alternative to foreign ride-hailing apps. Having both Grab and Be lets you compare prices and choose the cheaper option for each trip — a strategy many locals use daily.
Key Features
- Motorbike and car bookings, often cheaper than Grab
- Food and grocery delivery services
- Airline, coach, and train ticket booking within the app
- English-language interface with foreign card support
Who It's For
Be is for anyone who wants to compare ride prices and save money. Download it alongside Grab to always get the best fare. It is especially useful for motorbike taxis in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.
Official Website: Visit the official Be website
Google Play: Download Be from Google Play
5. Xanh SM — Electric Ride-Hailing by VinFast
App Category: Electric Ride-Hailing / Green Mobility
Purpose
Xanh SM (Green SM) is Vietnam's first and only 100% electric ride-hailing app, powered by VinGroup's VinFast electric vehicles. It offers smooth, quiet, and zero-emission car rides with professional drivers. Xanh SM is a premium option — cleaner, quieter, and often more comfortable than standard taxi services.
Launched in 2023, Xanh SM has rapidly expanded across Vietnam's major cities. It is ideal for longer rides, airport transfers, or any trip where you want a comfortable, eco-friendly experience without the noise and fumes of a gasoline motorbike or car.
Key Features
- 100% electric VinFast car fleet — quiet and zero-emission
- Professional drivers and premium service quality
- Upfront pricing with English-language interface
- Available in major cities including HCMC, Hanoi, Da Nang, and more
Who It's For
Xanh SM is for anyone who prefers a comfortable, quiet car ride over a motorbike taxi. It is especially good for airport transfers, business meetings, rainy days, or when you want a premium experience at a reasonable price.
Official Website: Visit the official Green SM website
Apple App Store: Download Green SM from the App Store
Google Play: Download Green SM from Google Play
Medical
6. Pharmacity — Vietnam's Largest Pharmacy Chain
App Category: Pharmacy / Healthcare / Medicine Delivery
Purpose
Pharmacity is Vietnam's largest and most trusted pharmacy chain, with hundreds of stores across the country. The Pharmacity app lets you search for medicines, order prescription refills, buy health and personal care products, and locate the nearest physical pharmacy. It is the easiest way for foreigners to find medications, first-aid supplies, and over-the-counter health products in Vietnam.
Pharmacity stores are ubiquitous in Vietnamese cities — you will see them on nearly every major street. The app extends that convenience to your phone, letting you check stock, compare prices, and arrange delivery for items you need.
Key Features
- Search and order medicines, vitamins, and health products
- Find the nearest Pharmacity store with stock information
- Home delivery for prescriptions and health products
- Loyalty program with member pricing and promotions
Who It's For
Pharmacity is essential for anyone living in or visiting Vietnam. Whether you need allergy medicine, first-aid supplies, sunscreen, or prescription refills, the Pharmacity app makes it easy to find and order what you need without navigating a language barrier at a local pharmacy.
Official Website: Visit the official Pharmacity website
Google Play: Download Pharmacity from Google Play
Communication
7. WhatsApp — Stay Connected with Contacts Back Home
App Category: Messaging / Communication
Purpose
WhatsApp is the world's most popular messaging app and the primary way most foreigners stay in touch with family, friends, and colleagues back home while living in Vietnam. With free text, voice, and video calls over Wi-Fi or mobile data, it is an essential communication tool for any expat or traveler.
While Vietnamese locals primarily use Zalo for messaging, WhatsApp is universally used by the international community in Vietnam. Many expat groups, co-working spaces, and international businesses communicate through WhatsApp.
Key Features
- Free text, voice, and video calls over Wi-Fi or data
- End-to-end encrypted messaging for privacy
- Group chats for expat communities and social circles
- Works on both Wi-Fi and mobile data nationwide
Who It's For
WhatsApp is for anyone who needs to stay connected with contacts outside Vietnam. If your family, friends, or business contacts use WhatsApp, you will rely on it daily. It is also widely used within Vietnam's international community.
Official Website: Visit the official WhatsApp website
Apple App Store: Download WhatsApp from the App Store
Google Play: Download WhatsApp from Google Play
Travel Between Cities
8. Vexere — Book Bus, Train & Flight Tickets Across Vietnam
App Category: Bus / Train / Flight Booking
Purpose
Vexere is Vietnam's largest bus-ticket booking platform and a one-stop-shop for inter-city travel. The app lets you search and book bus, train, and domestic flight tickets across Vietnam — all in one place. With an English-language interface and support for foreign credit cards, Vexere is the easiest way for foreigners to travel between Vietnamese cities without needing to visit a bus station or navigate Vietnamese-only booking sites.
Whether you are traveling from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang, Hanoi to Sapa, or any route in between, Vexere shows you schedules, prices, seat layouts, and operator reviews. You can book sleeper buses, limousine vans, trains, and flights, and pay with a foreign card — something that is often difficult on Vietnamese booking websites.
Key Features
- Search and book inter-city bus, train, and flight tickets
- English-language interface with foreign credit card support
- Seat selection, sleeper bus layouts, and operator reviews
- E-tickets with QR codes — no need to print or pick up physical tickets
Who It's For
Vexere is for anyone traveling between Vietnamese cities. If you plan to explore beyond your base city — and you should, Vietnam is beautiful — Vexere makes booking inter-city transport simple, transparent, and foreigner-friendly.
Official Website: Visit the official Vexere website
Apple App Store: Download Vexere from the App Store
Google Play: Download Vexere from Google Play
VNPAY vs. Moreta Pay — Which Payment App Should You Use?
VNPAY
- Vietnamese payment platform
- Works through participating bank apps
- Requires a Vietnamese bank account
- Widely accepted at local merchants
- Best for long-term residents
Moreta Pay
- Global travel wallet for foreigners
- Standalone app, no bank account needed
- Fund with foreign credit cards
- QR payments at Vietnamese merchants
- Best for newcomers and nomads
Bottom line: If you have a Vietnamese bank account, VNPAY QR payments are likely already built into your banking app. If you are new to Vietnam or don't have a local bank account yet, Moreta Pay lets you pay with QR using foreign funds — a game-changer for the first weeks or months in Vietnam.
Grab vs. Be vs. Xanh SM — Which Ride App Should You Use?
Grab
- Largest network, most drivers
- Food, groceries, and packages too
- English interface, foreign cards
- Most reliable in smaller cities
- Best all-in-one super app
Be
- Vietnamese-owned competitor
- Often cheaper for short rides
- Motorbike, car, delivery, tickets
- Great for price comparison
- Best for budget-conscious riders
Xanh SM
- 100% electric VinFast cars
- Quiet, comfortable, zero-emission
- Premium service quality
- Best for airport transfers & longer rides
- Best for comfort & eco-friendliness
Strategy
- Download all three
- Compare prices before each ride
- Use Grab for reliability & food
- Use Be for cheaper motorbike rides
- Use Xanh SM for comfort & airport
How to Pay Rent and Transfer Money to Vietnam
Need to transfer money to Vietnam for rent or living expenses? International bank transfers can be slow and expensive. Services like Remitly offer fast, affordable transfers directly to Vietnamese bank accounts — often with better exchange rates than traditional banks. First-time users may qualify for promotional rates.
Checklist: Apps to Install Before You Land in Vietnam
- Download VNPAY (or check if your Vietnamese bank app includes it)
- Download Moreta Pay for QR payments as a foreigner
- Download Grab for rides, food delivery, and groceries
- Download Be for competitive ride pricing and motorbike taxis
- Download Xanh SM for comfortable electric car rides and airport transfers
- Download Pharmacity for medicine and health product ordering
- Download WhatsApp to stay connected with contacts back home
- Download Vexere for booking inter-city buses and trains
- Set up a payment method in Grab (foreign credit cards accepted)
- Screenshot important addresses in Vietnamese for taxi drivers
Key Things to Remember
Before You Arrive in Vietnam
- Install all eight apps before you fly. Some apps require phone number verification, which is easier with your home SIM before you switch to a Vietnamese eSIM.
- Set up payment methods in Grab and Be. Both accept foreign credit cards. Having this done before you land means you can get from the airport to your hotel without needing cash.
- Download offline content. WhatsApp doesn't need offline maps, but having your key contacts and groups set up before you arrive ensures you can communicate immediately.
- Keep some cash as backup. While QR payments and ride-hailing apps cover most situations, smaller vendors and rural areas may still be cash-only. Carry small VND notes for street food and local markets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use VNPAY without a Vietnamese bank account?
VNPAY QR payments work through participating Vietnamese banking and wallet apps. Without a Vietnamese bank account or e-wallet, you cannot use VNPAY directly. This is where Moreta Pay fills the gap — it lets foreigners pay with QR using foreign funds, no Vietnamese bank account required.
Is Grab available everywhere in Vietnam?
Grab is widely available in Vietnam's major cities (Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang) and many smaller towns. It offers car rides, motorbike taxis (GrabBike), food delivery (GrabFood), and package delivery. Grab accepts foreign credit cards and has an English-language interface, making it the most foreigner-friendly ride-hailing option.
What is the difference between Be and Grab?
Be is a Vietnamese-owned ride-hailing app that competes with Grab. Both offer motorbike and car bookings, but Be often has lower prices for short distances. Grab has a larger network and more services (food, groceries, packages). Many locals and expats use both apps to compare prices and choose the cheaper option for each ride.
What makes Xanh SM different from Grab and Be?
Xanh SM (Green SM) is Vietnam's only 100% electric ride-hailing service, using VinFast electric cars. Unlike Grab and Be, which offer motorbike taxis, Xanh SM focuses on comfortable, quiet, zero-emission car rides. It is ideal for airport transfers, business meetings, or any trip where you prefer a premium, eco-friendly experience.
Can I order medicine in English with Pharmacity?
Pharmacity is Vietnam's largest pharmacy chain with hundreds of stores. While the app is primarily in Vietnamese, you can search for medicines by name (many international brand names are recognized), browse health product categories, and use the store locator to find the nearest physical pharmacy. Pharmacity staff in major cities often speak basic English.
Do people in Vietnam use WhatsApp?
Most Vietnamese locals use Zalo for messaging, but WhatsApp is widely used by the international community in Vietnam. Expat groups, co-working spaces, international businesses, and social circles often communicate through WhatsApp. It is also the easiest way to stay in touch with family and friends back home with free text, voice, and video calls.
Can I book bus tickets in Vietnam with a foreign credit card?
Yes. Vexere is Vietnam's largest bus-ticket booking platform and accepts foreign credit cards. The app has an English-language interface and lets you search schedules, compare prices, select seats, and receive e-tickets with QR codes. This is much easier than visiting a bus station in person or using Vietnamese-only booking websites.
Should I download all eight apps or just a few?
Download all eight before you arrive. Each serves a different purpose: VNPAY and Moreta Pay for payments, Grab, Be, and Xanh SM for rides and deliveries, Pharmacity for healthcare, WhatsApp for communication, and Vexere for inter-city travel. Having all of them ensures you are prepared for every situation without scrambling to download apps on Vietnamese Wi-Fi.
Related Guides
- Vietnam Residency Guide: Renting, Registration & Contracts
- Vietnam City Comparison: HCMC vs. Hanoi vs. Da Nang
- International Money Transfers Guide
- Working Abroad in Vietnam: A Remote Worker's Guide
- Airport Arrival Safety Guide for Vietnam
Plan Your Move to Vietnam
These eight apps will make your daily life in Vietnam dramatically easier — from paying for pho with QR to booking a sleeper bus to Da Nang. Download them all before you land, and you will hit the ground running. For a complete relocation roadmap, explore our Vietnam Residency Guide and City Comparison tool.