Comparing Delivery App Fees in Vietnam

Delivery apps have become essential for buying groceries and daily necessities in Vietnam. However, shipping fees and service charges differ between apps, and you may wonder "which app is actually the most affordable?"

This article explains the differences in fee structures across major delivery apps available in Vietnam.

Types of Delivery App Fees

First, let's break down the types of costs involved when using delivery apps.

Delivery Fee (Shipping)

This is the cost to have products delivered to your door. Many apps calculate delivery fees based on distance and order amount. Some services offer free delivery when orders exceed a certain amount.

Service Fee

Separate from shipping, this is a platform usage fee. It may be calculated as a percentage of the order amount or set as a fixed charge.

Small Order Fee

An extra charge applied when orders fall below the minimum order amount. This is something to watch out for when making small purchases.

Peak Time Surcharge

An additional fee on top of regular delivery charges during high-demand periods (lunch, evening) or bad weather. Not all apps apply this, but some do.

Membership / Subscription

Some apps offer monthly or annual membership programs that provide benefits such as discounted or free delivery.

Major Delivery Apps in Vietnam

Here are the main apps you can use for grocery delivery in Vietnam.

Grab (GrabMart/GrabFood)

The most widely used ride-hailing and delivery app in Vietnam. GrabMart lets you purchase items from nearby supermarkets and convenience stores. Delivery fees vary by distance and are sometimes discounted through promotions.

ShopeeFood

A food delivery service operated by Shopee. It also handles grocery delivery and can be combined with Shopee points and vouchers.

Specialized Grocery Delivery Services

Services specializing in groceries, such as Farmi and Chopp.vn, have their own delivery systems. Their fee structures often differ from general delivery apps.

How Fee Structures Differ

Each type of service has a different approach to fees.

General Delivery Apps

General apps like GrabMart and ShopeeFood typically calculate delivery fees dynamically based on distance and demand. Since fees change with each order, it can be hard to predict exact costs in advance.

On the other hand, promo codes and coupons are frequently offered, so you can sometimes get great deals depending on timing.

Specialized Grocery Delivery Services

Grocery-focused services tend to have simpler, more transparent fee structures. Many offer free delivery above a certain order amount, making bulk buying more economical.

Some may include delivery costs in product pricing, meaning less difference between the displayed price and what you actually pay.

Tips to Keep Costs Down

Here are some tips to reduce your delivery costs.

• Buy in bulk: Many services offer free delivery above a minimum amount, so list what you need and order together
• Use promotions: Turn on notifications from LINE official accounts and apps so you don't miss coupons and campaigns
• Avoid peak hours: For apps with demand-based pricing, ordering during off-peak hours can reduce delivery fees
• Adjust order frequency: Instead of small daily orders, consolidating into a few orders per week reduces total shipping costs

Evaluating Total Cost: Product Price Plus Delivery

When choosing a delivery service, it's important to evaluate total cost including both product prices and delivery fees. Free delivery doesn't always mean cheaper if product prices are higher, and paying for delivery can still be a good deal if product prices are fair.

Also, when you factor in the time and transportation costs of going shopping yourself, paying for delivery to your doorstep is often the more practical choice.

Summary

Delivery app fee structures in Vietnam vary widely. Compare delivery fees, service charges, and minimum order amounts to find the service that best fits your shopping habits.

If you want to buy Japanese groceries at good value, download the Farmi app to check delivery conditions and product lineup.

Note: This article and some images were created with the assistance of AI (artificial intelligence) and reviewed by the editorial team before publication.