The study, which surveyed more than 2,400 two-wheeler riders in China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand and Vietnam, found that 50% of Vietnamese respondents "frequently" or "always" use mobile positioning and map apps.

Vietnam’s rate is below China’s 70% and India’s 61%, but higher than Indonesia’s 48% and far above Japan’s 30%.

The differences reflect each country’s infrastructure and traffic habits, said HERE. In Japan, roads are clearly organized, making things easier for users, while in Southeast Asia and China, digital navigation has become an almost essential tool for daily travel.

The company also considers Vietnam a unique market in the region due to its high motorbike density, heavy urban traffic, unofficial addresses, and continuous delivery activity. Users rely on maps not only for directions but also to reduce uncertainty while traveling, avoid wrong turns, and save time in densely populated areas.

This is reflected in the survey findings that show route optimization is the most valued feature for 62% of Vietnamese two-wheeler riders. Some 60% prioritize voice-guided navigation, 51% want real-time traffic updates, and 40% value automatic rerouting.

The features most valued by two-wheeler riders in Vietnam on navigation apps. Photo by HERE Technologies

"Drivers in Vietnam operate in one of the most congested and fast-changing traffic environments in Asia," Munish Kumar Verma of HERE Technologies said.

In Vietnam, two-wheelers are closely tied to daily livelihoods, making reliable, real-time navigation solutions essential for maintaining efficiency, reducing risks, and securing stable income, he said.

In terms of satisfaction with the navigation applications, 39% of Vietnamese respondents said they were "very satisfied" and 15% were "dissatisfied."

China recorded the highest "very satisfied" rate, 47%.

But users encounter multiple issues when using navigation systems. Across all six surveyed markets, common problems fall into three categories: signal and data stability, map accuracy in complex traffic environments, and the quality of turn-by-turn guidance.

Only 18% of participants reported experiencing no routing errors in the past four weeks.

The report also indicates that Vietnamese riders have high expectations regarding accuracy and real-time responsiveness.

Routing errors were identified as the biggest issue, followed by inaccurate estimated time of arrival and difficulty locating entrances to buildings or residential areas.

According to HERE experts, for ride-hailing and delivery drivers, such inaccuracies can directly affect delivery times, customer ratings, and daily incomes.

A ride-hailing motorbike driver in Ho Chi Minh City, April 2026. Photo by Vnexpress/Quynh Tran

About 28% of drivers prioritize accurate ETAs to avoid customer complaints about late deliveries, while 24% want immediate rerouting when traffic conditions change. Additionally, 20% depend on multi-stop route optimization features for delivery work.

Safety is also a major concern among Vietnamese users. Potholes, roads with large trucks and buses, and sharp bends are among the risks that more than 60% of respondents worry about.