City, Vietnam
Getting around Ho Chi Minh City
How to get around Ho Chi Minh City
Grab bikes and cars are the easiest way around. Metro Line 1 links the center to Thu Duc; city buses are cheap but slow and confusing.
Ways to get around Ho Chi Minh City
| Option | Fare | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Grab bike or car | About 20,000–50,000 VND for short rides | Cheapest and simplest; fixed price shown before you book |
| Metro Line 1 | 6,000–20,000 VND | Ben Thanh to Suoi Tien via Thu Duc; useful for Thao Dien area and Suoi Tien |
| City bus | 6,000–7,000 VND | Runs to the airport and suburbs; see the BusMap app |
| Taxi (Vinasun, Mai Linh) | Meter, about 12,000–16,000 VND per km | Stick to known brands and check the meter runs |
Ride-hailing apps in Ho Chi Minh City
A 5 km ride costs about ₫45,000–90,000 ($1.7–3.5).
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Grab | Most drivers; bikes, cars and airport pickups |
| Be | Local app, often a little cheaper |
| Green SM | Electric cars and bikes; reliable, set fares |
- Vinasun and Mai Linh taxis are reliable if the meter runs. Avoid unmarked cars and unmetered airport offers; use Grab.
Arriving in Ho Chi Minh City
Tan Son Nhat (SGN)
Bus 109 to the center about 20,000 VND, 40–60 min; Grab or metered taxi to District 1 about 150,000–250,000 VND, 20–40 min.
Driving and onward travel
- Scooters: Rentable for 120,000–200,000 VND a day, but traffic is intense and a Vietnamese licence or valid 1968 IDP is required; insurance rarely covers you.
- Driving: on the right. Only 1968-Convention IDPs are valid (US ones aren't); unlicensed scooter riding is common but voids most insurance.
- Onward travel in Vietnam: Cheap flights (Vietjet, Vietnam Airlines) link Hanoi, Da Nang and Saigon; the coastal North–South railway and sleeper buses are slower, scenic alternatives.
Quick answers
Is there Uber in Ho Chi Minh City?
No. Use Grab, Be, Green SM instead.
What's the best way to get around Ho Chi Minh City?
Grab bikes and cars are the easiest way around. Metro Line 1 links the center to Thu Duc; city buses are cheap but slow and confusing.
How do I get from the airport to Ho Chi Minh City?
Bus 109 to the center about 20,000 VND, 40–60 min; Grab or metered taxi to District 1 about 150,000–250,000 VND, 20–40 min.
Is Ho Chi Minh City walkable?
Walkable center.
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Sources
Fares are typical 2026 prices; check the operator for today's fares. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.