Visiting
Getting around Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City — transport for New Zealand patients
How to get around Hanoi and HCMC during your dental treatment trip — Grab ride-share, walking near our clinic, what to avoid post-surgery, and using time between appointments.
New Zealand patients visiting Picasso Dental Clinic in Hanoi can reach the Old Quarter flagship at 16 Phố Châu Long by Grab ride-share for NZD 3–8 per trip within the city, with the clinic walkable from most Old Quarter and Ba Đình accommodation, as of May 2026.
Getting around Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City during your dental trip is practical and low-cost. Both cities have reliable ride-share infrastructure, and the neighbourhoods around our clinics are navigable on foot on non-surgery days. This page covers the transport options, what to avoid after procedures, and how to make good use of time between appointments.
Grab — the main transport app
Grab is the standard ride-share app across Southeast Asia and works in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and at both Nội Bài and Tân Sơn Nhất airports. It is the recommended transport for the majority of your movements during a dental treatment trip.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Fare shown before booking | Yes — price is fixed when you confirm |
| Payment options | Linked Visa/Mastercard or cash in VND |
| Vehicle options | GrabCar (standard car), GrabBike (motorbike), GrabTaxi |
| Typical fare within Hanoi Old Quarter area | NZD 3–8 |
| Download | iOS App Store or Google Play |
GrabCar vs GrabBike:
GrabCar is a standard saloon car with air conditioning. GrabBike is a motorbike taxi — faster in traffic but less comfortable and not recommended for travel immediately after dental procedures. For all clinic visits and any post-surgery travel, use GrabCar.
Setting up Grab: Download the app before you leave New Zealand. Add your Visa or Mastercard in the payment settings. You can also select “cash” at booking if you prefer to pay in VND — useful if you have local currency on hand. The app works on any mobile data connection, including roaming on a NZ plan.
Walking near our Hanoi clinic
Our Hanoi flagship at 16 Phố Châu Long, Trúc Bạch, Ba Đình sits at the edge of the Old Quarter adjacent to Trúc Bạch Lake. The surrounding streets are walkable, with a mixture of residential lanes, cafés, and restaurants within a few minutes on foot.
On non-surgery days: the Old Quarter is entirely walkable. Most accommodation within the Old Quarter and Ba Đình district is within a 5–15 minute walk of our clinic. Hoan Kiem Lake — the centre of Old Quarter activity — is approximately 15–20 minutes on foot.
After surgery: limit walking for 24–48 hours. Even short walks on busy Old Quarter streets can be physically tiring post-procedure. On your surgery day, use Grab to and from the clinic rather than walking. Your written post-surgery instructions will specify any activity restrictions.
Street crossing: Hanoi traffic does not follow New Zealand road crossing conventions. Walk slowly and steadily when crossing — vehicles adjust to you. Grab is more practical than walking across multiple major roads after a procedure.
Getting around Ho Chi Minh City
Our HCMC branch at 25B Nguyễn Duy Hiệu, Thảo Điền, Quận 2 is in a car-orientated district. Walking is less practical here than in Hanoi — street connections between blocks are not as pedestrian-friendly. Grab is the primary transport option for most movements.
From Thảo Điền to District 1 (central HCMC): approximately 15–20 minutes by Grab. District 1 is the main commercial and tourist area of HCMC, with a higher concentration of restaurants, shops, and markets.
Staying in Thảo Điền: if your accommodation is in Thảo Điền, the clinic is reachable on foot on non-surgery days — though the streets are wider and less pedestrian-dense than Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Use Grab for surgery days.
What to avoid during your trip
Motorbike rental: Motorbike rental is popular in Vietnam for tourists on extended stays. During a dental treatment trip, it is not recommended. Surgical procedures require rest, not physical activity; and navigating Hanoi or HCMC traffic on an unfamiliar motorbike adds risk. If you intend to combine dental treatment with motorbike touring, plan the touring after your final procedure and recovery period.
Unlicensed taxis: In both Hanoi and HCMC, drivers at airports and tourist areas sometimes offer fixed-price trips. These are not metered, and fares are negotiable and often inflated. If you are not using Grab, use only Mai Linh (green livery) or Vinasun (white/green livery) metered taxis, which you can also book via their own apps.
Strenuous physical activity post-surgery: After implant surgery, bone grafting, or extraction, avoid strenuous exercise for at least 72 hours. This includes swimming, cycling, and vigorous walking. Your written post-surgery instructions from Picasso specify activity restrictions for your case.
Between appointments — using your time in Hanoi and HCMC
Most multi-visit treatment plans involve a 3–7 day gap between appointments while the laboratory fabricates your restorations. This time is yours to use as you choose. Both cities have plenty of accessible options by Grab:
Hanoi:
- Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple — 15–20 min walk from our clinic
- Vietnam Museum of Ethnology — 20 min by Grab
- Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex — 15 min walk from our clinic
- Day trips to Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay, or the Perfume Pagoda — 1.5–3 hours by car
Ho Chi Minh City:
- Reunification Palace and War Remnants Museum — 20 min by Grab from Thảo Điền
- Ben Thanh Market area — 20 min by Grab
- Day trips to the Mekong Delta or Cu Chi Tunnels — half-day by organised transport
Discuss any day-trip plans involving long bus, boat, or car journeys with your treating dentist during your appointment. In the 48–72 hours after implant surgery or bone grafting, long journeys are not ideal. After that rest window, most patients are comfortable travelling.
Next step
Visiting our clinic — overview · Where to stay near our clinic · Getting to our clinic from the airport · Request a free NZD quote
About this page
Medically reviewed by
Dr. Emily Nguyen
Founding Clinical Director, Picasso Dental Clinic
DDS · Founder and Clinical Director, Picasso Dental Clinic group
Clinical focus: Cosmetic dentistry · Veneers · Smile design
Dr. Emily Nguyen founded Picasso Dental Clinic in 2013 (originally Serenity International Dental Clinic) and led its 2023 rebrand. She sets clinical standards across the group's six branches in Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Lat, and personally reviews cosmetic protocols including the Portrait Sitting workflow for veneers and smile makeovers.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best way to get around Hanoi during a dental treatment trip?
Grab is the most practical option for getting around Hanoi. It shows the fare before you confirm, works with a linked NZ credit card or cash, and is more reliable than street taxis. For short distances near the Old Quarter and our clinic, walking is practical on non-surgery days.
Is it safe to walk around Hanoi's Old Quarter after dental treatment?
On non-surgery days, walking the Old Quarter is fine. After any surgical procedure (implant placement, extraction, bone graft), limit walking for 24–48 hours and avoid crowded, busy streets where jostling is possible. On surgery days, use Grab rather than walking to and from the clinic.
Should I use GrabCar or GrabBike?
GrabCar (a standard car) is recommended for any post-procedure travel. GrabBike (a motorbike) is faster in traffic but involves more physical exposure to road noise, vibration, and the need to wear a helmet — not comfortable after dental surgery. Use GrabBike only on fully recovered days if you are comfortable on a motorbike.
Are taxis safe to use in Hanoi and HCMC?
Yes, if you use the correct companies. In Hanoi, use Mai Linh (green) or Vinasun (white/green) metered taxis from official taxi stands, or book via their phone apps. In HCMC, the same companies operate. Avoid private drivers who approach you in airport arrivals or tourist areas — these are not licenced metered taxis.
What can I do in Hanoi between appointments?
Most treatment plans include 3–7 day gaps for laboratory work. Hanoi's Old Quarter has a high density of museums, markets, and day-trip options within easy Grab range. Hoan Kiem Lake and the Temple of Literature are short rides from our clinic. Day trips to Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh, or the Perfume Pagoda are accessible from Hanoi — though discuss with your dentist before undertaking long bus or boat journeys in the first few days after surgery.