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Hanoi, September 12, 2026 – Thousands of ride hailing drivers across Vietnam are preparing to boycott Grab this weekend, escalating tensions between the platform and its workforce over commission hikes that drivers say have gutted their earnings.
The protest, organized through Facebook groups such as the Vietnam Grab Driver Community with more than 169,000 members, calls on drivers to switch off the app on September 12 and 13.
Organizers argue that Grab’s revised payment structure, introduced in July, deducts up to half of fares, leaving drivers with little more than pocket change after fuel and maintenance costs.
Under the new scheme, motorcycle drivers reportedly earn just 2,600 dong (about US$0.10) per kilometer, while car drivers take home 6,000 dong (US$0.23) per kilometer.
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“We are working harder but earning less,” one driver wrote in a widely shared post. “If Grab leaves Vietnam, we will be left with nothing.”
Grab, one of Vietnam’s largest ride hailing operators, has sought to calm the unrest. In a statement, the company said it is “engaging with our driver community to listen to concerns and clear up any misinformation.”
It pledged to maintain service continuity despite the planned boycott.
The dispute highlights the fragile economics of Southeast Asia’s gig economy.
Drivers, who shoulder rising fuel prices and vehicle depreciation, say they are squeezed by platforms that continue to raise commissions.
For many, Grab is their primary source of income, making the company’s policies a matter of survival.
Vietnamese authorities have been scrutinizing digital platforms more closely, though labor protections for gig workers remain patchy.
Analysts warn that prolonged unrest could force regulators to intervene, potentially reshaping the sector.
For commuters in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the boycott could mean longer waits and higher fares over the weekend.
For Grab, the risk is deeper: sustained driver discontent may erode loyalty and open the door for rivals in a fiercely competitive market.
The standoff in Vietnam mirrors broader tensions across Asia, where gig workers are increasingly vocal about pay structures and fairness.
As one driver put it bluntly “We are not asking for luxury, just enough to live.”
