GrabBike Vietnam Ultimate Review

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GrabBike provides efficient and cost-effective transportation in Vietnam, especially for solo travelers. However, before using it, you should be aware of potential safety issues.

Whenever I travel to Vietnam, I love to use GrabBike. I used the service in Hanoi, Nha Trang, and Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) and totally recommend it. Given the underdeveloped public transport system in Vietnam, GrabBike is the cheapest and most efficient means of transportation.

How To Use GrabBike In Vietnam

GrabBike is one of the vehicle options under “Grab”. So hailing GrabBike is the same as Grab cars. First, you download and install “Grab” apps from the Play Store. Then you register on the apps and bind your credit card for payment. Although Grab also offers cash settlement, it is not recommended and could lead to scams.

Then you choose your pick-up point and destination. GrabBike shall be the third option under GrabCar Plus.

Bikes are everywhere in Vietnam and local means of transports

Best Things About Using It

The best thing about using GrabBike is the cost. The cost is usually more than 50% cheaper than GrabCar. A short ride from one attraction to another could cost less than 1 USD.

For city center transportation, GrabBike is usually faster than GrabCar. First, there are more bikes in Vietnam than cars. So you will find a driver picking up your order and nearby as soon as you submit the request. I tested GrabBike against GrabCar in Hanoi, Nha Trang, and HCMC. The driver usually arrives 5 or even 10 minutes earlier.

Similar to Thailand, Vietnam also has bad traffic during peak hours like 12 or 6 pm. Motorcycles are more flexible in navigating the roads than cars during traffic jams.

GrabBike is usually 50% chepaer than other options

Bikes are more flexible than cars during traffic jam in vietnam — GrabBike is usually 50% chepaer than other options

Motocycle Experience In Vietnam

Vietnam is a Country with a lot of bikes. You will see them everywhere on the road regardless of the city you are in. In fact, the locals ride there as early as 12 years old. So you can count bike riding as a tourist experience (which they do have a day tour for) in Vietnam.

Based on the same logic, you should at least get on GrabBike once to experience that. Additionally, you will also have a chance to wear the green signature Grab helmet.

GrabBike is a must try experiance in Vietnam — The signature green GrabBike helmet

Major Drawbacks

Despite being a highly recommendable means of travel, it is not flawless. The first and probably the worst thing is, that each bike can only serve one customer. That means if you are traveling with your friends and family. You would have to use GrabCar instead or order separately.

Remember, the bike option is usually 50% cheaper, so if you have a group of 3 then you shall save money to go for car instead of three bikes.

Also, the pick-up and drop-off points for places like airports could be far. For example, GrabBike is not available at Ho Chi Minh City airport. You will need to walk for around 5 minutes or so from or to the pick-up/drop-off point.

Lastly, the bike has limited luggage capacity. So if you are carrying anything beyond a backpack like a suitcase, you should not pick the bike.

Taking photo on GrabBike is okay but at your own risk

Only one customer only for each GrabBike — Taking photo on GrabBike is okay but at your own risk

Safety Issues

GrabBike is in general safe and I have never heard of any accident based on my personal experience. However, same as riding a motorbike, there are safety issues you should be aware of.

First, you should wear a helmet every time. You will be provided with a Grab helmet so you don’t need to prepare anything in advance.

Second, during the ride, you should hold the saddle (the iron bar around the seat) to stabilize yourself and not move. You could take photos during the ride but it will be at your own risk. Some people may advise to hold or lean on the drivers. But it is not recommended given first it is a stranger and impolite. Also, it would affect the balance of the driver.

Third, similar to all my advice for using ride-hailing apps, you should always settle your bills with a card-on app to avoid any extra cash/scams from drivers.

You should grab on the saddle (handrail) for stablizing instead of the driver

So Should I Use GrabBike

Yes, you should especially since you have never been on a motorbike before in ASEAN Countries. It is an affordable local experience that you could have in Vietnam. If you are traveling solo, you should use the bike option instead of the car option for your attraction-to-attraction ride.