A handful of apps installed in advance cuts the difficulty of a Vietnam trip in half. Install, log in and download offline data while you still have Wi-Fi before departure.
These apps need data
Most of the apps below only work properly with an internet connection, which is why getting a SIM/eSIM is priority one (see the Money chapter). Google Maps and Translate can do some things offline if you download their data in advance.
Grab — ride-hailing & food
The essential app for Vietnam. Hail a car, motorbike or rental, and order food (GrabFood). The fare is shown upfront, avoiding haggling and rigged-meter scams. Needs data/SIM and a payment method (card or cash).
Google Maps — offline maps
Before arrival, download the offline map of each city you'll visit. Even with no data you can navigate and locate courses. Pre-save pins for the clubhouse and hotel to show your Grab driver.
Google Translate — camera/photo
Download the Vietnamese pack for offline use. Point the camera at a menu or sign for live translation. The voice conversation mode is useful in restaurants and pharmacies.
XE — currency converter
Quickly check dong↔baht rates. It converts those zero-heavy prices on the spot so you don't get confused. It shows the last-synced rate even offline.
Weather app
Vietnam varies a lot by region and season. Check the hourly rain and wind to plan your tee time, umbrella and sun protection. Afternoon showers (especially in the central/southern rainy season) are common.
Golf booking & scoring
Bookings are usually handled by us (the agency) or the clubhouse. For yourself, a GPS rangefinder/scorecard app helps you attack an unfamiliar course. Download the course data in advance.
From real reports, airport SIM booths often take cash only (USD/dong), forcing you to exchange at a poor rate right after landing. Buying an eSIM in advance connects you the moment you switch off airplane mode, skipping both the queue and the exchange. For coverage, Viettel for rural/national travel and Vinaphone/Mobifone for city-focused trips work well. Online eSIMs are usually data-only (no calls/texts), while physical airport/shop SIMs include calls and texts.
How to use Grab
Grab is the surest way to avoid local taxi overcharging. If it's your first time, follow the steps below.
- Set pickup & destination
Enter your current location (GPS) and destination. Search the clubhouse/hotel by map pin or English name.
- Pick the car type & fare
Check the fixed fare shown and choose the car type. With golf bags, pick a larger vehicle (e.g. 4-seater+/SUV) for boot space.
- Choose payment
Select card or cash. For cash, have change ready; for card, register it in advance.
- Match the car & driver
Confirm the arriving car's plate, model and driver name match the app before boarding. If they differ, do not get in.
- Arrive & rate
On arrival, pay the fare as shown, check you haven't left anything, and leave a rating.
Some courses are out of town where return Grabs are scarce. Pickup after the round can be hard, so arrange a round-trip car through us (the agency) or the clubhouse in advance. Among street taxis, the Mai Linh and Vinasun brands are relatively safe.
Even when you must take a regular taxi, first pull up the same route's fare in the Grab app to know the fair price. Don't be swayed if a driver shows an inflated fare on a phone. Keeping data (location) on and checking the rate yourself is the easiest way to avoid being overcharged.
Prepare for offline, too
Courses are often in fringe areas with weak signal. Download these in advance so a data drop doesn't strand you.
- Google Maps: offline maps of your cities plus the course area
- Google Translate: the Vietnamese offline language pack
- Scoring/GPS app: the data for your course
- Screenshots: passport, tickets, hotel, insurance and arrival-card QR saved to an album
- Install Grab + register payment (card/cash) + log in
- Download Google Maps offline (city + course)
- Install the Google Translate Vietnamese offline pack
- Install the XE currency app + sync once
- Weather app + a round GPS/scoring app
- Save the Digital Arrival Card QR as a photo
Remember the core four: Grab (getting around), Google Maps (navigation), Google Translate (communication), XE (money). Add a weather app and a round GPS app and you're set.