Active Uber riders in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have reached over 300,000 in the last three months, according to Uber Vietnam.
In the two cities the average waiting time is under four minutes and, overall, 92 per cent of trips in Ho Chi Minh City arrive within ten minutes of the estimated time and 94 per cent in Hanoi.
Over the last two years tens of thousands of Vietnamese drivers have become Uber drivers, with the company reaching its target last year of providing 10,000 jobs. “Eighty per cent of Vietnamese driver-partners choose to drive 40 hours a week or less,” the company said.
Vietnam has a fast-growing economy and a young population. Since the Uber app was launched the level of technology and innovation adoption has been remarkable, according to Mr. Dang Viet Dung, General Manager of Uber Vietnam.
“Vietnamese have always been forward-thinking, inclusive and quick to embrace new ideas and innovative technology,” he went on. “We’re very pleased to see how the app has influenced driver and passengers in Vietnam.”
Uber’s growing presence in over 450 cities in 70 countries ensures overseas visitors have a familiar and safe way to explore Vietnam and visit a broader and more diverse range of neighborhoods. Uber has connected Ho Chi Minh City with international passengers from 66 countries and Hanoi with passengers with 62 countries. An Uber user in the US, for example, can book an Uber ride in Vietnam for a friend and the two can see the trip updated via smartphone.
Uber entered Vietnam in July 2014. Late last year Vietnam became the first country in Southeast Asia to launch cash payments and since then a significant proportion of fares have been paid for by cash. uberMOTO was launched early this year, providing motorbike taxis with lower fares.
Uber China recently merged with Didi Chuxing, a Chinese car service similar to Uber. The value of the new company is estimated at $35 billion. Didi is the leading booking car app in China while Uber China lost about $2 billion. By merging with Didi, Uber can save its resources in the country to develop in Asia Pacific countries, including Vietnam.
Last year Uber Vietnam said it was looking at Nha Trang and Da Nang as part of its expansion plans but specifics are yet to be revealed.