Vietnam is a country in South-East Asia that offers an amazing variety of cultural and natural sights.
From the bright lights of Ho Chi Minh City to the quaint UNESCO World Heritage ancient town of Hoi An and the lush jungles and caves of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, Vietnam truly has something for everyone.
If you are planning to visit this beautiful country, apply for your Vietnam e-visa (if you need one!), pack your carry on, race to your closest airport and let’s go!
There are a lot of travel apps to choose from, and it can be hard to decide which ones are the best to download but I’ve got you covered! All of these apps are FREE except the very last one but it’s worth it! If you’re backpacking South East Asia and heading to Indonesia, check out the 15 Best Apps for Travel in Indonesia too!
Here’s a list of the best apps to download for Vietnam:
TRANSPORT
12Go Asia
My favourite app to book train tickets in Vietnam. It’s so easy to use, pay via PayPal and you can book the exact seats you want. Perfect for travelling along the Hai Van Pass in a train. I found this app after trying to book directly through the official Vietnam Railways website and then realising they only accepted Vietnamese issued credit cards which I didn’t have. (Download: iOS / Android)
Grab
One of the main ridesharing apps in Vietnam that allows you to book a ride from the moment you get off the plane and is great for those who want to get around town and see the sights on their own terms. I used this app mainly in Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City. (Download: iOS / Android)
Gojek
Another ridesharing app to use as a backup. If you are travelling with a backpack, you can book a motorbike to pick you up and you jump on the back and it’s such a fun way to travel! Motorcycles are also cheaper than cars if you’re travelling on a budget. (Download: iOS / Android)
MAPS
BusMap
I love using public transport when I’m travelling and this app is perfect. Listing public bus routes in Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang and Hanoi, this will easily get you to wear you want to go, just like the locals 🙂 (Download: iOS / Android)
Google Maps
Free and one of the best apps ever, this will be your primary map you’ll use day to day. Perfect for cycling around Hoi An. Usable through wifi or mobile data or download maps to use offline. (Download: iOS / Android)
Maps.me
I use this as my secondary travel map app as it lists smaller trails and paths and users add notes to it. (Download: iOS / Android)
CocCoc.Map
A popular Vietnamese designed map app, this keeps you up to date with the ever changing landscape of small businesses and includes cafes, restaurants, Banh Mi stands and souvenir shops. (Updated in September 2023: this is only available as a website now – https://map.coccoc.com )
ACCOMMODATION
Agoda
This is my number 1 accommodation app. I have used Agoda for the past 10 years for nearly all of my travel accommodation and I’ve never had anything go wrong (I know some people are a bit wary of not booking directly with the hotel so I want to reassure you). Their customer service is wonderful and if I needed anything changed their live chat was perfect and very quick. You can also earn points and cash back offers and they nearly always have “free cancellation” if your plans changed. (Download: iOS / Android)
Booking.com
I use this app as a backup because I noticed that a small amount of hotels listed on Agoda don’t accept Mastercard (under 5%), so I need this one to book a random hotel here and there. I’ve also never had any problems and recommend this one highly. It’s very popular. (Download: iOS / Android)
MONEY
Currency Converter Plus
If you’re in a cafe in Vietnam having Banh Mi and need to work out how much 50,000 Vietnamese Dong is in your home currency, this is one of the best apps to use. It has such a simple and easy to use interface and I suggest popping it onto the front page of your phone so it’s quickly accessible. (Download: iOS / Android)
COMMUNICATION
Google Translate
One of the best translation apps I’ve found. It also has Google Lens includes which means you can take a picture of a sign or a menu and it will tell you what is written in your own language. (Download: iOS / Android)
A great app to use to stay in contact with your friends and family back home. Send them videos and photos of your trip and you can call them over wifi. (Download: iOS / Android)
VEGAN FOOD
Happy Cow
I’ve been using this app for years now and it’s so great for finding vegan friendly places to eat and drink in places like Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City, because you can look up reviews from other users and find the best spots nearby. (Download: iOS / Android)
Happy Cow is my favorite app! Saved my life many times 😅
Oooh I knew quite a few of these, but it is always good to find new (to me) good apps! Happy Cow sounds soooo useful!
If you have a local sim card I’d also recommend using the Zalo app to communicate with Vietnamese people, e.g. your tour guide, your homestay owner etc. Most Vietnamese use Zalo nowadays for video call, text messages and file storage 😉
This is really great information! Thank you so much Fiona 🙂
I love Vietnam! Great post and suggestions about the apps.