Taxi in Vietnam: Guide to Rates and Tips

Taxis are very popular in Vietnam, not only in the two largest cities in the country, namely Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, but also in some provincial towns. However, it is above all in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City that agencies are sprouting up like mushrooms.

The main reason for this enthusiasm is that taxi fares are very reasonable compared to the service offered, they have nothing to do with the fares practiced in Europe! (see the rates section below)

You can therefore easily find a taxi at intersections, street corners, tourist centers, with travel costs generally very economical and competitive.

On the other hand, it is not always easy to find a serious taxi driver, especially for a foreigner. It is therefore recommended to try to identify well-known major brands (see below) and always ask the driver to activate the meter.

Many small taxi companies do not really have a serious recruitment or training policy. The consequences are multiple: taxis with the meter turned off; taxis with a meter running faster than normal; longer routes to increase the price… So for a foreign traveler who doesn’t know where they need to go and has difficulty with the local language, it’s better to directly call a reputable company, like Mai Linh which is everywhere or Vina Group Taxi in Ho Chi Minh City.

In many cases, hotel receptionists can help you very effectively.

What tips for choosing a taxi in Vietnam?

In this article, we try to give you some tips for choosing a taxi in Vietnam, it’s the minimum to know to get by when you need to take a taxi in Vietnam:

Some reliable agencies

Here are some companies currently recommended:

• Mai Linh – very widespread, renowned for its reliability.
• Vinasun – especially in Ho Chi Minh, very popular service.
• G7 Taxi – operating in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh, good reputation.
• Xanh SM – in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh.
• Noi Bai Taxi, Viet Thanh Taxi — for trips departing from Hanoi airport.

Reliable taxis clearly display their logo, license number and must activate the meter from the start.

Taxi fares in Vietnam

General rates in the city

• On average, taxis charge between 11,000 VND and 20,000 VND per kilometer depending on the company, area, traffic, etc.
• Numbeo indicates for Hanoi: base fare 20,000 VND, then ~16,000 VND/km.
• For Ho Chi Minh City: base fare ~18,000 VND, then ~16,500 VND/km.

Airport ↔ City center transfers

Hanoi (Noi Bai Airport → Center)

• The official taxi generally costs between 350,000 and 450,000 VND to reach the city center (Old Town / Old Quarter) depending on traffic and hotel location.
• Some services offer fixed rates starting from 300,000 VND for 5-seater cars.
• Travel time is 40 to 60 minutes depending on traffic.

A common estimate: a taxi from the airport to the center costs about 320,000 VND (≈ 11.70 EUR) according to some services.

Ho Chi Minh (Tan Son Nhat Airport → Center, District 1)

• The typical cost is between 130,000 and 200,000 VND (≈ 4.70 to 7.30 EUR) depending on traffic and destination.
• A range often cited is 150,000 to 250,000 VND for the trip to the city center (District 1).
• Note that an airport fee (about 10,000 VND) or tolls may be added.

Practical tips for taking a taxi with peace of mind

• Always ask the driver to activate the meter before starting.
• Observe the signs and numbers on a taxi carefully!
• Favor recognized companies (Mai Linh, Vinasun, G7, etc.).
• Avoid anonymous taxis in unofficial airport zones.
• In 2025, a legislative innovation allows passengers to negotiate the fare with the driver, but this is only possible if the meter is turned off — for official taxis, the meter remains the standard.
• Clearly communicate to a taxi agency the number of seats desired (4-seater or 7-seater car depending on the number of people or luggage being transported!)
• Check for surcharges: tolls, airport taxes, parking, night time surcharges may be added.
• If possible, book via the app or through your hotel for greater security.
• Parking in tourist areas of major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, especially during peak hours, is much more difficult due to traffic. So be on time, or early, with all your luggage ready, to not keep your taxi driver waiting too long!