As the 2025 Lunar New Year (Tet) is due in a few days, many people are voicing their frustration over the increasing difficulty of booking ride-hailing services in Ho Chi Minh City. 

Customers are puzzled as to why they are kept waiting for so long while drivers keep moving.

Common driver hangouts in Ho Chi Minh City, such as the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education and locations beneath overpasses, have become noticeably less crowded with drivers these days as demand seems to continuously far outweigh supply.

Nguyen Minh Chien, a 26-year-old rideshare driver from Thu Duc City, explained that he had been driving non-stop since 6:00 am, with barely enough time to stop for a bite.

“I’ve been riding all morning without a break,” he said, adding that he has been averaging 3-5 rides per hour over the last few days, raking in about VND500,000 (US$20) or higher daily.

“I just hope I can keep going and earn more before Tet. There's no reason to turn off the app when there is so much money to be made,” he said, responding to customer accusations that drivers have been turning off their apps.  

In Thu Duc University Village, a cluster of universities under the Vietnam National University in Thu Duc City, an administrative district of Ho Chi Minh City, several drivers are both excited and frustrated as their earnings rise but so do their already busy work hours.

Phan Tuan Kiet, a 42 year-old resident of Tan Phu District, said that the current driver shortage has kept him so busy that sometimes he has no choice but to turn off the app just so he can take a few minutes to stop and grab a quick bite to eat.

“I wonder if some drivers are going back to their hometowns earlier this year because there seems to be a serious shortage,” said Kiet.

Meanwhile, Hoa, another local tech-based driver, lamented that his income had dropped significantly compared to previous years. 

"The roads are crowded, and traffic jams make it take twice as long to complete a ride. When the streets are too congested, I turn off my app and take a break, which is why passengers end up waiting longer,” Hoa said.

How ride-hailing service providers are responding

In response to these issues, ride-hailing companies like Grab and Be have explained that the high demand for rides as Tet draws near means that drivers are taking longer to complete each trip, which increases wait times for passengers. 

During rush hours, it becomes even harder for customers to book rides.

Representatives from Grab and Be confirmed that ride fees have remained relatively unchanged.

According to Grab, the app adjusts prices based on the actual travel time, distance, and supply-demand dynamics. 

Additionally, Grab has made several technological improvements, including real-time traffic updates and incentive programs to encourage drivers to stay on the road.

Similarly, Be clarified that its pricing remains steady, but surging fares may be applied to attract more drivers to areas with a shortage of drivers. 

The extra charges go directly to the drivers, not the platform. 

Despite these measures, traffic congestion has led to fewer completed trips and lower driver incomes.

From January 25 to February 1, Be will apply Tet surcharges to encourage more drivers to work, with VND5,000 ($0.2) per ride for two-wheeled services and VND15,000 ($0.6) per ride for four-wheeled services, all of which will go directly to the drivers.

Driving early in the morning and late at night to avoid traffic jams

To compensate for the downtime caused by traffic jams, some drivers, including Hoa, have opted to work at night. 

“The streets are much clearer at night, which makes it easier to drive. Plus, night rides tend to pay more, so it’s a good way to maintain my income,” Hoa said.

Similarly, Phung Thanh Son, 64, shared that his average earnings have dropped 20 percent compared to before. 

Now, he only drives early in the morning when the app offers higher rates. 

"During the hot midday hours with heavy traffic, I turn off the app and rest before continuing my shift in the afternoon," Son said.

Traditional taxis might become more popular

Hoang Anh, a resident of Thu Duc City, noticed a sharp spike in ride fees and difficulty booking ride-hailing services over the past week. 

A few days ago, he tried to book a GrabCar to travel from Gia Dinh Park in Go Vap District to his home in An Phu Ward, Thu Duc City. 

At around 7:30 pm, the app quoted him VND430,000 ($17.2) for a four-seater car and VND470,000 ($18.8) for a seven-seater car, much higher than the usual price range of VND270,000-320,000 ($10.8-12.8).

“Although the price was higher than expected, I thought it was fair considering the traffic congestion,” he said.

However, after waiting for over 30 minutes with no drivers accepting the ride, he decided to try BeCar, only to face the same outcome.

After nearly an hour of unsuccessful attempts, he opted for a traditional taxi. It arrived within 10 minutes and cost just VND301,000 ($12).

Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam!