15 Must-Have Apps For Living in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Moving to Vietnam can be a little daunting, but the advent of apps has made life a whole lot easier. Having trouble with the language? No problem, use a translator app. How about trying to find your way? Use a navigation app. Here are the ones Culture Trip finds most useful.

Foody is the Vietnamese equivalent of Yelp and Burpple, allowing users to share restaurant and street food recommendations with one another. In a city that can only be described as a giant open-air restaurant, this app comes in handy when making the difficult decision of where to dine next. Lucky for foreigners, the app even includes an English language option for easy navigation (though a big chunk of the reviews remain in Vietnamese).

Application platforms: iOS and Android

Price: Free

Timo is the first digital bank in Vietnam, offering a fantastic alternative to traditional banking. To get an account, simply email their customer service and set up a meeting time at their Timo Hangout, where you will be welcomed with a complimentary cup of coffee. Setting up your account takes just 10 minutes. With the app you are able to do many things. You can pay your internet, water and electricity bills, top up your phone, and easily move money around without the app requiring you to add fields of information.

While traditional banks have opened up over 200 branches within the city, Timo has only one. Everything is done over the phone. It certainly makes living here much easier.

Application platforms: iOS and Android

Price: Free

Cốc Cốc Map is a wonderful Vietnamese substitute to Google Maps, and it is even more user friendly. It easily allows you to find a certain type of venue in your district such as cafes, ATMs and petrol stations. Simply plug in your city, and then choose a category, and all the results that fit your category will light up in green on the map.

Application platforms: iOS and Android

Price: Free

Moving to Vietnam without speaking the local language can prove challenging for some, but thanks to this handy little app things have never been easier. With Vietnam Translator App, users are able to translate Vietnamese to English or vice versa – and there is even an audio option to help you get those tricky tones right.

Application platforms: iOS and Android

Price: Free

Using taxis and GrabCars everyday may take a toll on your wallet, but with the Busmap.vn app users are able to take advantage of the 100 plus bus routes and 2,000 bus stops scattered around Ho Chi Minh City. You even get the approximate waiting time for the next bus (but we don’t guarantee that the buses run on time). The app comes in English too, but is only available for Ho Chi Minh City specifically.

Application platforms: iOS and Android

Price: Free

After acquiring the ride sharing app Uber in the Southeast Asian market, Grab has created a transport app monopoly. Using it is simple: all you have to do is plug in your current location, destination, and then choose what type of vehicle you’d like to pick you up. Users may be delighted to know that Grab Bikes are a thing in Vietnam, as they are able to navigate the traffic congested streets more easily. You can also opt to pay with cash, card or your virtual wallet that you top-up in advance, GrabPay.

Application platforms: iOS and Android

Price: Free

The Grab app doesn’t necessarily have raving reviews from Vietnamese residents, mainly due to high prices and frequent cancellations. Taking advantage of this, local app Go Viet has sprung up and is becoming increasingly popular among the locals. It offers similar services to Grab for a much cheaper price, however only the motorbike option is available. You can also use Go Viet to deliver items.

Application platforms: iOS and Android

Price: Free

The Vietnam Travel Guide by Triposo is a great travel app with plenty of local and foreign recommendations on places to visit, restaurants and other practical information such as useful Vietnamese phrases and even currency exchange rates. All of this in one place makes it a very handy travel companion.

Application platforms: iOS and Android

Price: Free

Despite plenty of eateries being open 24/7 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnammm is an app that comes in handy during rainy days or for when you just don’t feel like stepping out of the house. Plenty of restaurants have partnered up with Vietnammm and you can browse by food category, price and minimum order cost. Within minutes you’ll have a hot meal waiting at your door, delivered fresh by motorbike.

Application platforms: iOS and Android

Price: Free

Ahamove is the perfect app for those looking to move in or out of Vietnam with a little more luggage than just a simple backpack. This moving service allows you to move big furniture without having to hail a cab or renting a moving truck. You can opt for various modes of transportation and weight limits, and even make a note if you need help with carrying the items up or down the stairs.

Application platforms: iOS and Android

Price: Free

Need some groceries to cook a meal and have no time to head out? MarketOi aims to be your personal shopper. Find what you need through the app, set up the payment method, choose delivery time and voila – like magic you’ll have it in your hands.

Application platforms: iOS and Android

Price: Free

Zalo app is the Whatsapp/WeChat of Vietnam, and has been downloaded over 30 million times. Undoubtedly you’ll meet many friendly locals during your travels, and with Zalo in your phone, you’ll be able to keep in touch with them after you leave.

Application platforms: iOS and Android

Price: Free

This app is a solution to prevent most of your apps turning completely useless without an internet connection. This happens often in Vietnam, especially once you step out of the tourist trail. Wi-Fi Finder will show you the way to the nearest free or paid public Wi-Fi available.

Application platforms: iOS and Android

Price: Free

Btaskee is the ultimate app for couch potatoes. This app comes in handy when you need some cleaning done in your house. You can easily book the cleaning service and choose which cleaning personnel or company you wish depending on the reviews, and soon you will have your space looking brand new.

Application platforms: iOS and Android

Price: Free

Facebook is an extremely useful app to have when living in Ho Chi Minh City – not only to keep in touch with friends who live far away, but also to gain access to the the city’s diverse range of communities. Type in Ho Chi Minh City on the search bar and you’ll discover plenty of useful networks for your trip. The HCMC Expat group is especially useful if you’re looking to make a long-term move.

Application platforms: iOS and Android

Price: Free