Ride-hailing driver earns $0.3 for 2-km trip, spends 30 minutes waiting for riders

By Huu Nghi November 26, 2025 | 08:16 pm PT

A 2-km ride earns a Vietnamese ride-hailing driver less than VND9,000 (US$0.34), but each trip can take nearly half an hour as many customers ask him to wait “five to seven minutes.”

"I work as an app-based ride-hailing driver. For a ride under 2 km, the fare is VND15,000, and after deducting the commission for the company, I take home less than VND9,000. But many customers, when I arrive, ask me to wait another five to seven minutes. I end up spending about 25 minutes for less than VND9,000," a VnExpress reader under the nickname anhtk2806 shared.

He said those few minutes of waiting often become stressful and waste valuable time. His comment came under a recent article about two women who caused a traffic jam in a narrow alley after making their ride-hailing driver wait too long, sparking widespread discussion among readers.

Reader Tuanguyen said: "Some women passengers are still busy chatting as they get out of the car. One woman steps out, puts away her phone, looks for her bag, puts on her shoes, then asks for payment details. Only then does she collect her belongings from the trunk. Meanwhile, the street is blocked in both directions as they wait for us."

App-based ride-hailing drivers on a street in downtown HCMC. Photo by VnExpress/Thanh Tung

Reader sang le who is a delivery driver said: "In my experience delivering food, nearly 100% of Western customers wait ready to receive their order. But among East Asian customers, including ours, even when I call before arriving, I still end up waiting at least five minutes.

Notably, one time I waited up to 30 minutes and even received complaints for asking them to hurry up, especially women, probably because they need time to finish putting on makeup. A delivery driver completes around 30 trips a day, and five minutes of waiting per trip adds up to two wasted hours."

Reader Hoang An said some customers insisted that drivers drive deep into narrow alleys: "There are alleyways so tight that when a taxi enters, motorbikes cannot pass. Yet customers still wanted to be picked up right at their door, even when they were not carrying heavy items or traveling with children or elderly people. I ended up being scolded by residents for blocking the way.

If customers walked just a short distance to the main road, it would be easier for everyone."

Similarly, reader shuntachi01 wrote: "Many people asked drivers to come all the way to their doorstep, even through winding alleys, disrupting others. But there were also very polite passengers who always waited at the main road. Whether there is congestion during rush hour often depends on people’s awareness."

Reader Truong Thien Lan said: "When I book a car, I am always ready and waiting three to four minutes before the driver arrives. I can recognize my driver quickly and often wave so they do not have to check every house number. Drivers are always happy because I save them time."

Reader Haivy Nguyen agreed that keeping drivers and delivery people waiting is unfair to service workers and suggested: "I always prepare before booking, so when the driver arrives, I get in immediately. If traffic is heavy near the destination, I get off earlier so the driver does not have to enter a crowded area.

My mother, who is 75, also waits ready every time she books a car because she knows she moves slowly. She says it is easier to prepare early.

In my opinion, ride-hailing and delivery apps should encourage customers to be ready before booking by offering reward points if the driver confirms no waiting time. Customers who are late should not receive points, compliments, or badges. Apps could even add messages reminding users to be ready to receive their ride or delivery on time."

*Readers' opinions are personal and do not necessarily match VnExpress' viewpoints.