Ride-sharing in Vietnam: Gojek
If you’re looking for an Uber in Vietnam, you might be surprised to hear that the ride-hailing giant exited southeast Asia in 2018. But thankfully, some excellent ride-sharing alternatives have sprung up in their place, with one of the biggest and best known being Gojek, formerly called GoViet.
Gojek has already made significant strides against their main competitor, Grab. They have a network of over 150,000 drivers across the country and have recently expanded to include food delivery and package courier services. Like Uber and Grab, Gojek is app-based.
The straightforward interface includes a reviews system, English to Vietnamese translation in the messaging platform, and upfront pricing information.
Gojek Motorbikes
Taking a Gojek bike. Photo: Gojek Vietnam
In Vietnam, Gojek only offers motorbike rides. Although traveling by bike might not be for everyone, it is undoubtedly the quickest and cheapest way to get around the cities! Some people might be understandably nervous about getting on a stranger’s bike, but the in-app reviews system allows you to check out what other people have said about their driving before you commit to booking the ride.
There’s also a 25km limit on journeys. In most cases, 25km is more than enough, but if you want to take a more extended trip, it’s worth checking out their competitor, Be.
GoFood
Too hungry to leave your place, but still want a meal? Gojek has a food delivery service aptly called GoFood. They have over 80,000 food merchants across the country, and booking food delivery is just as easy as booking a ride. Just select “GoFood” from the app home screen and choose from the list of restaurants and menus.
Much like the ride-hailing service, you can only pay cash, so be sure to have money ready for when they arrive.
Cost & Payment
Gojek drivers lined up. Photo: Gojek Vietnam
Gojek typically works out 10% cheaper than its main rival, Grab. But, similarly to Grab, the prices fluctuate depending on the time of day, so expect to pay a premium at peak hours. Alternatively, Be charges flat rates at all times of day, so you can shop around between providers to find the best deals.
Currently, Gojek only takes cash, so when your journey is complete, simply pay the driver the amount displayed on the app, and you’re done!
Although cash might seem like a hassle, it will almost certainly work out cheaper if you’re using a foreign bank account. Most Gojek rides cost just a few dollars, so any international card payment fees and currency conversions would increase the cost of your ride substantially.
Using Gojek
Gojek driver’s in traffic. Photo: Gojek Vietnam
- Download and install the Gojek app.
- Sign up using either an overseas or a Vietnamese phone number and your email address.
- Select GoRide.
- Using the map, select your destination. You can use your current location as the pick-up point or choose somewhere else.
- You will see the available drivers, how close they are to you on the map, and the prices.
- Select a driver and fare, and hit “Order GoRide”.
- If you need to contact your driver, you can use the in-built messaging platform to contact them. This can be particularly useful for helping them to find you in crowded areas.
- When your driver arrives, check that their license plate matches the registration given in the app.
- The driver will provide a helmet, so just strap it on, and you’re good to hop on board!
- When you’ve arrived, pay the cash amount shown in the app and leave them a review.
Go Explore
Gojek Motorbikes. Photo: Gojek Vietnam
Boasting both motorbike ride-sharing and food delivery, Gojek is a great option for not only seeing the city but filling your belly. Easy to download and convenient to use, this cash-only ridesharing company rivals the well-known Grab app, which is similar to Uber. And if you’re still looking around for other ride-hailing services, you can also consider Be.
So get out and explore the city with Gojek!
Đăng bởi: Việt Trần
