Vietnam is a country that practically requires a local friend. The best food is on plastic stools with no menu, the traffic is a river of motorbikes, and the language is hard. Visitors search "rent a friend in Vietnam" for that reason. Vietnamese with English search it to find out how to be paid for it.
What a Vietnamese Local Friend is for#
| City | A typical plan |
|---|---|
| Hanoi | The Old Quarter's food at the right stalls, egg coffee, Train Street, a bia hơi corner |
| Ho Chi Minh City | District 4 street food, the markets, District 1 nightlife, a motorbike ride through the city |
| Da Nang and Hoi An | The beach locals use, the food beyond the tourist lanes |
| Anywhere | Prices, the traffic, the language |
How it works#
Browse Local Friends in your city, message one, agree a plan, meet in public. Each sets their own hourly rate; worldwide most charge $15 to $50 an hour, and many in Vietnam set lower rates in dong (what moves the price). Comparing cities? Bangkok vs Ho Chi Minh City, and is Vietnam safe?.
For Vietnamese: getting paid#
If you live in a city with visitors and speak some English, you're what they're looking for. Sign up free on Roavi, add real photos and a short bio, set your rate and your free times, and reply fast. Roavi takes no commission, and because you don't sell tours or drive customers, you don't need a guide licence. How to make money as a Local Friend in Vietnam has the detail, also in Vietnamese.
Live in Vietnam? Get paid to show visitors your city.
Become a Local FriendFrequently Asked Questions
Can you rent a friend in Vietnam?
Yes. On Roavi, Local Friends in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang and Hoi An offer their time by the hour for food, the city and conversation. It's companionship, not dating.How much does it cost to rent a friend in Vietnam?
Each Local Friend sets their rate. Worldwide most charge $15 to $50 an hour; many Vietnamese Local Friends set lower rates in dong. Food and transport during the meetup are agreed beforehand.What do visitors do with a local friend in Vietnam?
Street food crawls (bún chả, bánh mì, egg coffee in Hanoi; District 4 and the markets in Saigon), riding pillion through the city with someone who knows it, night markets, and Vietnamese practice.How do Vietnamese get paid as a Local Friend?
Sign up free on Roavi, add real photos and a bio in English, set an hourly rate and free times. Travellers message you; you meet in person. Roavi takes no commission, and you don't need a guide licence because you don't sell tours.