Vietnam motorbike taxis draw praise as India imposes state bans

The discussion gained traction after Indian tech entrepreneur Arun Prabhudesai, founder and CEO of Armoks Media, posted on X earlier this week about his experience in Vietnam. 

While checking into his hotel, he said he was immediately struck by the sheer volume of motorbikes on the streets.

Prabhudesai pointed out that services like GrabBike are widely available in Vietnam and offer an easy, affordable way to get around. 

He contrasted this with India’s situation, where Karnataka officially banned bike taxis on Monday after the Supreme Court denied a temporary extension that would have allowed them to operate while awaiting new regulations.

In response to the court ruling, companies such as Rapido and Uber removed bike taxi options from their apps for users in the state.

“Aren’t bike taxis a more affordable and accessible option for Indian consumers?” Prabhudesai asked in his post, which included a video showing Vietnam’s bustling streets filled with motorbikes.

His comments quickly sparked a flurry of responses. 

One user, Jaynam Shah, recalled learning from a tour guide in December 2024 that high car prices in Vietnam drive widespread reliance on two-wheelers.

“I spent a few months in Vietnam back in 2018, and bikes are a major part of their culture,” another user wrote.

Others pointed out key differences between the two countries. 

A user named Shinobi argued that Vietnam’s riders follow traffic rules more strictly, while bike taxi services in India often operate in chaotic conditions.

Another user, Satyam Sinha, shared an unnerving experience with a bike taxi in India. 

He said the driver sped through city traffic at 85 kilometers per hour, then deliberately slowed down to around 20 as a form of annoyance.

Some users, like Sai Kiran, were more critical. 

“Bike taxi drivers in India are a menace,” he wrote. “They rush just to get to the next ride faster.”

Asad Khan added that comparing Vietnam’s system to India’s was flawed. 

“Our roads aren’t built for it. Many drivers lack proper training. It’s too risky,” he said. 

“People shouldn’t risk their lives for convenience.”

Several users pointed to the apparent order and infrastructure in Vietnam as contributing factors.

“Lane discipline, cleanliness, good footpaths and above all, good motorable roads,” one user, Kiran Hedge, observed.

“OMG, look at the lane discipline and driving they maintain there,” Mohan Kumar commented.

“Look at the roads and the impeccable road markings,” another user marveled.