So Uber has been in Vietnam since last year I think. Buuuut… hubby never really wanted to try it because… well, you have to send in your credit card details which we’re really not comfortable with. And if you ‘ve been in Vietnam for a while, you know how easy it is to get a cab anywhere. Even the dispatchers are quick to send a cab.

In Manila, Uber has been around for a few years and received lots of flak from the Department of Transportation and Communications until it’s operation was finally  legalized this year. The difference with most vehicles used for Uber in Vietnam versus in the Philippines, is that, Uber vehicles are actually backed by tour groups or agencies — so they kinda have their own license to operate.

So anyhoo, last night WHEN the traffic was really bad in Ho Chi Minh City because of the National Day fireworks display at 9 pm, we tried Uber.

The police were everywhere and we were driving round and round in District 4, 7, and 8. Argh. The usual 30 minute ride turned to 1.5 hours! Glad though that we decided to leave early as we were bound for the airport for my mom’s midnight flight back to Manila.

This wasn’t the first time I tried Uber though. I’ve done so with friends but this was the first time I tried the application.

What do I like about it?

• I like that it’s easy to book via the Uber app and that I can monitor the progress.
• I can cancel the booking if I feel the driver is getting lost. 😛
• The price is much, much cheaper! We usually pay almost 250,000 VND (~13 USD) for one way to the airport. But last night, we only paid around 150,000 VND! That’s even cheaper when I go home from work. Sigh.

What I don’t like about it?

• Since the Uber vehicles are not actual public transport, the drivers do not know the streets as much as the the taxi cab drivers. I had to cancel a ride this morning because clearly the driver was SO LOST and there was not another Uber car around.
• The drivers don’t speak English as much. So they call to confirm the booking but it’s sometimes hard to talk to the drivers. I know, I know I have to learn Vietnamese too but it would be nice, if they too can speak a bit of English to give directions.
• The waiting time. I mean yes, I can wait for 10 minutes. But over that, I can’t especially when there are taxi cabs waiting outside.

So no, I don’t think I’d be ditching cabs yet. But it sure is great to have an alternative to cabs.