Vietnam's feet are made of motorbikes again today——before Tet, between Grab and XanhSM

Before Tet, Ho Chi Minh City buzzes with restless energy

⚫️Loading up year-end gift assortment packs~ The motorbikes delivering year-end gifts are zipping around, and the town is already slipping into holiday mode. Here and there you spot people with suitcases strapped to their bikes, heading back to their hometowns. The number of motorbikes has thinned out a little, hasn't it. What troubles those of us staying behind at a time like this is getting around. In Vietnam, car taxis are convenient too (definitely on rainy days—like when you're heading to the hair salon), but since it's a motorbike culture after all, motorbike taxis are lighter on their feet and more dependable. They're cheap, and they slip nimbly right past the cars. It's a bit of a thrill, but in the end you often arrive faster. And when it comes to those handy motorbike taxis, the go-to is Grab. But Grab, which usually you can catch right away, has been impossible to catch lately. You open the ride-hailing app, and it just keeps spinning around on the map. With so many people heading home for the holidays, I suppose there's nothing to be done……

So, my phone has various motorbike-taxi ride-hailing apps installed on it. Grab, of course, but what's been growing in Ho Chi Minh City is

The VinFast motorbike taxi "XanhSM" — an electric bike whose cute, pop teal-green color is simply adorable.

And there's "Be," a Vietnamese company whose bold yellow-and-blue color scheme catches the eye

For now, I make full use of these three. During the Tết season, opening each company's app and waiting might be a sign of a bit of an expert. Searching around to see which one is faster, which one is cheaper. And I can't forget how moved I was the first time I rode one of the electric bikes that have suddenly increased around here lately. Surprisingly quiet, with a great sense of stability. Since there's no engine noise, maybe the sound of the wind feels closer. As if blending in with the air of Ho Chi Minh City, the feeling of gliding smoothly along the road is so pleasant. On the other hand, with Grab and Be, the type of vehicle that shows up is different every time. Sometimes it's Honda's classic bike, sometimes a Yamaha, sometimes a body that's like the trusty partner of a quite seasoned driver. Sometimes the cargo rack is oddly high and gives a great view, and there's all sorts of variation in the condition of the bikes, so there's a small joy of wondering "what kind of bike will it be today?" More than a matter of hit or miss, it feels like riding through the city's collection.

⚫️Motorbikes are so woven into the scenery of Vietnam that we wanted to reflect that in the game's design too. And when it comes to Vietnamese motorbikes, it really has to be Honda. It's the king of getting around the city. Into that scene, in recent years, VinFast's electrification has been spreading with great momentum. I've also heard that Vingroup, one of Vietnam's biggest companies, is staking its future on it, pushing electrification for both cars and motorbikes. So it makes sense that you see them around town more and more. And amid all this, it seems even Honda, the king of motorbikes, has started releasing electric models too. When you compare the prices, they may look a little on the expensive side, but performance and peace of mind are a whole different matter, so it's not something you can compare so simply.

⚫️In any case, for Vietnamese people it's all about motorbikes! (Supplementary note) Recent electric motorbike trends 　　⚫️VinFast's electric motorbikes have rapidly grown in presence over the past few years, and 　　　in 2025 they sold approximately 406,000 units within Vietnam, 　　　and it's been reported that they became the top player in the electric two-wheeler market. 　　　・The price range varies by model, but it's roughly 100,000 to 190,000 yen. 　　⚫️Meanwhile, Honda, the king of motorbikes, also launched its first electric motorbike 　　　in Vietnam in the spring of 2025 (March–April). 　　・The body price is said to be about 160,000 to 170,000 yen, and at last there's a growing sense that 　　　Honda too is getting seriously into electrification……～ I'm still a gasoline fan, and I ride a 50cc Taiwanese-made scooter～

It was handed down to me, and since I only putter around nearby, it's plenty good enough. But my husband has started saying, "Why not switch to an electric bike?" so...Really?! I couldn't help but grin a little. That said, accidents scare me, and for now I have no intention of going on long trips. I just enjoy the fun of riding along the river for a change of pace, or blending into Vietnam's army of motorbikes as I ride. Someday, when the time comes again. Migrant Life Ranking