Uber and Grab will be managed similarly to taxis.

“I ask you, what is the difference between Uber, Grab and traditional taxis? Uber and Grab cannot be called contract cars but must be called high-tech taxis…” - Minister of Transport Nguyen Van The affirmed at the meeting to give comments on the draft Decree amending Decree 86/2014 regulating business and business conditions for automobile transportation.

Responsibilities need to be clearly defined.

Minister Nguyen Van The said that recently, public opinion has given a lot of information about the operations of Uber and Grab, especially the issue of safety of life and property for passengers using these services. Therefore, this draft must carefully review the shortcomings, not allowing any controversial irregularities to exist.

The Minister of Transport has proposed that the number of Uber Grab vehicles must be controlled.

"If this draft does not include the management of Uber and Grab as a taxi company, I will not submit it to the Government because I am the person primarily responsible for this decree," the Minister emphasized.

Mr. The recalled the recent incidents involving customers using Uber and Grab services and drivers, but no one took responsibility and the state management agency could not investigate and handle them. "Is it because the legal aspect is not clear that we cannot find the driver who caused the incident?" - The Minister asked and requested the drafting committee to bind the responsibility of the driver and Uber and Grab when an incident occurs. How can we ensure that people using these two services are absolutely protected? "I would like to reiterate that any incident that happens to a service user must be held responsible by an individual or organization" - the Minister emphasized.

Minister of Transport Nguyen Van The said that it is necessary to manage the number of Uber and Grab cars, not allowing them to develop rampantly, causing traffic jams like in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City recently.

One issue the Minister requested research on was the regulations for Uber and Grab drivers and the constraints between drivers and businesses. Specifically, Uber and Grab must sign labor contracts with drivers and fulfill obligations such as insurance and responsibility in case of accidents. In addition, drivers must meet criteria on moral qualities, records, criminal records, etc., to avoid criminals from mixing in or people without a driver's license still driving to transport passengers, causing danger.

Mr. The affirmed that the Ministry of Transport welcomes the application of technology in transportation activities, but it must comply with the law and fully fulfill tax obligations. Another issue raised by the Minister is the need to control the number of Uber Grab vehicles.

There will be a direction to manage Uber and Grab

Ms. Phan Thi Thu Hien, Deputy Director General of the Vietnam Road Administration, said that the draft decree currently classifies Uber and Grab as contract vehicles. However, with the above instructions from the Minister, the Ministry will put this type into the taxi group for management. Uber and Grab drivers will also be managed. “In short, the conditions will be the same as traditional taxis. Uber and Grab must register for transportation business and comply with the conditions for transportation business in Vietnam,” Ms. Hien affirmed.

Agreeing, Mr. Le Thanh Ha, Chief Inspector of the Ministry of Transport, affirmed that up to now, Uber and Grab have always been considered taxi-based transport businesses, only different in the application of high technology. Therefore, there needs to be very specific management mechanisms and policies to ensure fair competition and convenience in identifying and handling violations of this type.

In conclusion, Minister of Transport Nguyen Van The convened a meeting of the drafting committee to receive the opinions of delegates, gather more information from public opinion and associations to edit the draft accordingly. "We want Uber and Grab to develop in Vietnam, but their operations must ensure the safety of the people and comply with Vietnamese laws," the Minister emphasized.