Ho Chi Minh City

Sunday, January 11, 2026, 08:33 GMT+7

Grab to pilot pet-friendly car service in Ho Chi Minh City with added fee

Grab will begin piloting a pet-friendly car service in Ho Chi Minh City on January 14, allowing passengers to travel with dogs and cats for an additional fee, the ride-hailing company said, as demand grows among urban pet owners facing limited transport options.

The service, branded GrabCar Pet, will operate initially in Ho Chi Minh City, excluding areas that were formerly part of old Binh Duong and Ba Ria–Vung Tau Provinces, Grab Vietnam said on its website.

GrabCar Pet will use four-seater and six-seater cars. 

Four-seater vehicles can carry up to two passengers and one pet, while six-seater vehicles can carry up to three passengers and two pets.

Passengers will pay a surcharge of VND50,000 (US$1.9) per trip for four-seater cars and VND80,000 ($3) for six-seater cars, on top of standard GrabCar fares. 

Base fares start at about VND28,000 ($1) for the first two kilometers for four-seater cars, with prices increasing based on distance and travel time. 

Fares include an eight-percent value-added tax.

Grab said pets must be healthy and fully vaccinated. 

They must be placed in carriers or specialized bags, and dogs are required to be leashed and muzzled. 

Pets are only allowed to sit in the back seat with passengers, not in the front seat next to the driver.

Passengers are responsible for controlling their pets throughout the trip, the company said.

Grab added that all GrabCar Pet trips will be covered by a compensation policy.

In the event a pet dies due to an accident during a trip, the maximum compensation is VND15 million ($571) per pet, in addition to coverage for medical costs and vehicle damage, according to the company.

The announcement has drawn attention from pet owners in Ho Chi Minh City, where many say drivers of conventional taxis and ride-hailing services are reluctant to carry animals.

Drivers, however, have voiced concerns about hygiene, odors, and potential damage to vehicles, especially when handling multiple trips in a day. 

Some drivers said cleaning costs and the risk of disputes with passengers remain an issue, even with the added surcharge and compensation policy.

Grab did not say how long the pilot would last or whether the service would be expanded to other cities.

Bao Anh - Cong Trung / Tuoi Tre News

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