Q&Me has released a report titled “The Ride-Hailing Battle Between Xanh SM and Grab in Vietnam,” conducted in September 2025 across 20 locations in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The study involved 196 test rides and 2,479 user interviews, spanning four different time frames.
Key metrics compared include fare rates, driver acceptance speed, estimated time of arrival (ETA), and app popularity, all aimed at evaluating the performance of both ride-hailing services.
Grab Leads in Speed, But Xanh SM Wins on Price and Pickup Time
According to Q&Me’s survey, Grab outperforms Xanh SM in response time and user popularity. In Hanoi, 83% of Grab bookings are confirmed within 30 seconds, highlighting a robust driver supply and efficient system.
In Ho Chi Minh City, Grab maintains its lead in response time, while Xanh SM faces higher delays in driver confirmations.
However, Xanh SM holds a competitive edge in pricing, effectively attracting cost-conscious users, particularly in Hanoi, to rapidly penetrate the market.
Xanh SM’s average pickup time is 0.5 to 1.5 minutes faster than Grab, indicating better fleet allocation or higher driver availability.
Market Share Race: Grab Still Leads, But the Gap is Narrowing
The survey reveals Grab remains the most popular app, especially in Ho Chi Minh City, where its user base significantly outnumbers Xanh SM’s.
In Hanoi, however, Xanh SM is rapidly closing the gap, reflecting a trend toward localization and preference for Vietnamese brands.
While 54% of users prefer Grab, 46% have switched to or tried Xanh SM, signaling a notable shift in consumer behavior.
It’s important to note that this survey only reflects app usage frequency among users in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, not nationwide market share statistics.
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