Food Delivery Apps in Da Nang: GrabFood, ShopeeFood and How to Order

The most popular food delivery platforms available in Da Nang are GrabFood (inside the Grab app) and ShopeeFood, with beFood and the newer Xanh SM food service as smaller options. For most visitors, GrabFood is the easiest choice because it works with foreign phone numbers and usually accepts international cards, while ShopeeFood often needs a Vietnamese phone number to sign up. Delivery fees are typically low compared with Western cities, but they change with distance, demand and weather.

Why this matters: after a long day at the beach or during a rainy afternoon, ordering in should be easy. But wrong map pins, apartment lobby rules and payment problems trip up many foreigners. This guide shows you which app to use and how to order so your food actually arrives.

Key Takeaways

• GrabFood is the most visitor-friendly app, with English menus, foreign phone support and card payment.
• ShopeeFood has a huge restaurant selection and frequent discounts, but signing up usually needs a Vietnamese number.
• Cash on delivery remains widely available and is a reliable backup if your card fails.
• Pin your exact location and add clear notes, such as building name, tower, floor and a landmark.
• Many hotels and apartment buildings ask you to meet the rider in the lobby rather than having them come upstairs.
• Apps, fees and payment rules change often, so treat details here as accurate as of late 2026 and check in the app.

The Popular Food Delivery Platforms Available in Da Nang

Knowing the popular food delivery platforms available in Da Nang saves you from downloading apps that no longer work here. Vietnam's delivery market has shrunk to a few big players in recent years. Baemin left the country at the end of 2023, Gojek (with GoFood) withdrew in 2024, and Loship stopped operating by the end of 2024, according to Vietnamese business press. That leaves a simpler choice for you today.

GrabFood

GrabFood lives inside the green Grab super app, the same app many people use for rides. It covers a wide range of restaurants in Da Nang, from street food stalls to cafes, pizza chains and Korean or Japanese spots.

Why it suits foreigners:

• The app works in English, and many menus have English names or photos.
• Recent traveler guides report that foreign phone numbers work for sign up, and that you can also sign in with a Google or Facebook account.
• Visa and Mastercard cards usually link without trouble, though it is smart to test your card before your first order.
• You can track the rider live on a map and chat with the rider in the app, which often offers message translation.

ShopeeFood

ShopeeFood (which grew out of the older Now and Foody apps) is part of the Shopee shopping ecosystem and is very popular with locals. It often has the widest restaurant choice and strong discount codes.

The catch for visitors: recent guides say sign up usually requires a local Vietnamese phone number to receive the verification text, and foreign cards can be hit or miss. If you have a local SIM, it is well worth installing. If not, cash on delivery is usually the best payment option.

beFood

The be app is a Vietnamese ride-hailing and delivery app, and beFood is its food service. It holds a much smaller share of the market than Grab and ShopeeFood but can be a useful backup when your favorite restaurant is busy on the other apps or a promotion looks good.

Xanh SM food delivery

Xanh SM, the electric taxi and bike company, launched a food delivery service called Xanh SM Ngon in mid-2025, with plans to expand to Da Nang and other cities later that year. It is still a new and small player. Restaurant choice and availability may be limited, and some features may need a local number, so check the app if you already use Xanh SM for rides.

Which App Should You Use?

Here is a simple way to decide.

• Short trip, no local SIM: Use GrabFood. It is the least hassle.
• Longer stay or expat with a local SIM: Install both GrabFood and ShopeeFood and compare prices and promos.
• Looking for deals: Check ShopeeFood and beFood, which often run discounts.
• Late at night: Check all your apps, as some restaurants only appear on one platform after dark.

If you do not have a local number yet, our Da Nang SIM card and eSIM guide explains how to get one. A local number makes delivery, ride apps and banking much easier.

How to Order Food Delivery in Da Nang as a Foreigner

Follow these steps for a smooth first order.

1. Download the app from the App Store or Google Play before you arrive if you can, so you are ready on day one.
2. Sign up with your phone number or a Google or Facebook login. Grab usually accepts foreign numbers.
3. Add a payment method. Link your card and test it with a small order, or choose cash on delivery.
4. Set your delivery address. Type the address, then drag the map pin to your exact building entrance. Do not trust the auto pin alone.
5. Add delivery notes. Include building name, tower or block, floor, room number and a landmark. Keep it short and clear.
6. Browse and order. Use photos and ratings to choose. Check portion sizes and look for any minimum order amount.
7. Watch the tracker. Keep your phone close. Riders often call or message when they are near.
8. Meet the rider. Go to the lobby, gate or reception if your building asks you to.

Writing delivery notes that work

Riders move fast and read notes quickly on a small screen. Short notes beat long ones. Here are examples you can copy:

• "Hotel lobby. Please call when you arrive."
• "Tower B, floor 12. I will come down to the lobby."
• "Alley next to the pharmacy. Blue gate."

You can also add a short Vietnamese line. For example, "Toi xuong sanh" means "I will come down to the lobby," and "Goi cho toi khi den" means "Call me when you arrive."

Paying for Your Order

Payment is where many visitors get stuck, so have a backup plan.

• International card: Works on GrabFood for many users. If it fails, try another card or switch to cash.
• Cash on delivery: Still common and reliable. Keep small notes, since riders may not carry much change.
• E-wallets: Local wallets like MoMo, ZaloPay and ShopeePay are popular with residents but usually require a Vietnamese bank account or ID. Visitors normally will not need them.

Prices on delivery apps can be a little higher than in the restaurant itself. You may also see a small service fee, a delivery fee based on distance, and occasional extra charges at busy times or in bad weather. The total is always shown before you confirm, so check it.

Tipping Delivery Riders

Tipping is not required in Vietnam, but it is appreciated, especially in heavy rain or late at night. Many people round up or add a small amount, such as 5,000 to 10,000 VND, either in cash or through the app's tip option if one is shown. In heavy storms, a bit more is a kind gesture.

Apartment, Hotel and Lobby Rules

Da Nang has many high-rise apartments and hotels where riders are not allowed past the lobby. This is the most common reason orders get "lost" at the last step.

• Hotels: Most ask riders to leave orders at reception, or to call you to come down. Tell reception you are expecting a delivery.
• Apartments: Riders usually wait at the main lobby or gate. Some buildings have a pick-up shelf, but meeting the rider is safer.
• Homestays in alleys: Small lanes can be hard to find. Share a landmark and be ready to walk to the main road.
• Beach areas: Avoid ordering to "the beach." Give a nearby hotel or cafe as a meeting point instead.

What to Order (and What to Watch Out For)

Delivery is a great way to try local dishes on a lazy night. Popular choices include mi quang (Da Nang's signature turmeric noodles), banh mi, com ga (chicken rice), pho, bun cha and fresh spring rolls. You will also find plenty of pizza, burgers, Korean fried chicken and healthy bowls.

A few tips for good results:

• Check ratings and photos. Restaurants with many recent reviews are usually safer bets.
• Order soups carefully. Noodle soups often come with broth packed separately. Combine them at home.
• Mention allergies clearly. Use a short translated note, but remember delivery kitchens may not fully understand complex requests. If your allergy is serious, choose simple dishes or call the restaurant.
• Mind the ice. Iced drinks are common. If you are cautious, our guide to staying healthy in Da Nang covers water, ice and street food.

Simple Ways to Save Money on Delivery

Delivery in Da Nang is already cheap by global standards, but small habits add up over a long stay.

• Compare apps before you order. The same restaurant can show different prices, fees and promos on GrabFood and ShopeeFood.
• Look for free or reduced delivery filters. Most apps let you filter for restaurants with delivery deals.
• Order from nearby places. Delivery fees usually rise with distance, and the food arrives hotter.
• Group your orders. Sharing one order with friends spreads the delivery fee and reaches minimum order amounts.
• Avoid peak times. Lunch, dinner and heavy rain can bring extra fees and longer waits.
• Check subscription plans. Some apps offer paid memberships with delivery discounts. These make sense only if you order often, so read the terms first.

Delivery in Rainy Season

Da Nang's heavy rain season usually runs from around September to December. Storms can slow riders, increase fees and sometimes pause deliveries in some areas. Order a little earlier than usual, keep your phone on, and be patient. On days with severe weather warnings, it is safer for everyone to cook, eat in your hotel, or walk to a nearby place.

Common Problems and Quick Fixes

• Rider cannot find you: Share a live location in the app chat and name a landmark.
• Card declined: Try a second card or switch to cash on delivery.
• Phone call in Vietnamese: Reply by app chat instead. Many riders will message back, and the app translation helps.
• Missing items: Report the issue in the app's help section with photos. Do not argue with the rider, who usually only picks up the bag.
• Long delay: Check the tracker. If the order has not been picked up for a long time, contact support or cancel if allowed.

A handful of basic phrases makes all of this easier. Our list of useful Vietnamese phrases includes simple greetings and numbers.

Alternatives to Delivery Apps

Sometimes it is easier to skip the app.

• Order directly: Some small restaurants take orders by phone or messaging app and deliver themselves.
• Hotel room service or reception: Many hotels can order for you from nearby places.
• Walk out: Da Nang has street food on almost every block. A five-minute walk is often faster than delivery.

Find Great Food Without the Guesswork

Delivery apps make Da Nang living easy, but nothing beats finding a great local spot you can return to. Use the apps for lazy nights, and explore in person when you can.

For apps, medical help, coworking and other everyday services, check our practical resources page, or browse places to eat across the city with maps, hours and directions.