A recent visit to Vietnam by Arun Prabhudesai, Founder and CEO of India-based Armoks Media, has sparked widespread discussion on social media about the contrast between Vietnam’s thriving motorbike taxi services and the regulatory crackdown on similar services in parts of India.
During his trip, Prabhudesai was struck by the overwhelming number of two-wheelers navigating Vietnam’s urban streets. He shared his observations in a post on X (formerly Twitter), comparing Vietnam’s open embrace of motorbike taxis to the restrictive environment in his home country, particularly the ban on ride-hailing bikes in Karnataka.
“Just landed in Vietnam, checked into the hotel, and I’m absolutely stunned by the number of two-wheelers on the roads,” he wrote. “Vietnam is truly the land of two-wheelers. You can easily explore the city with services like GrabBike. Meanwhile, in India, bike taxis like Rapido are banned in several states. Why is that? Aren’t bike taxis a more affordable and accessible option for Indian consumers?”
Accompanying his post was a video showcasing the bustling streets of Vietnam filled with motorbikes. The post quickly gained traction, igniting a spirited debate.
Mixed Reactions Online
Some users supported Prabhudesai’s viewpoint. One shared: “I had a similar experience when I visited Vietnam last December. I asked my tour guide why there were so many bikes, and he explained that high car prices force many people to rely on two-wheelers.”
Others, however, raised concerns about safety and infrastructure. One user noted, “At least in Vietnam, people follow traffic lanes and laws. In India, it’s not like that. So bike taxis become very dangerous, especially with the way they are driven.”
Another commenter described a troubling experience: “Bike taxis in India are unsafe. I don’t support banning them entirely, but rules like speed limits need to be enforced. Once, I asked a driver to slow down—he was going 85 km/h in the city. In response, he deliberately dropped to 18-20 km/h to mock me.”
A different perspective pointed to the recklessness of some drivers: “They’re a threat. Many riders rush to grab the next ride, using their phones while navigating traffic, especially toward the end of trips. Cars are slightly better because they’re at least stable when stationary—but still not ideal.”
Several users emphasized India’s lack of suitable infrastructure. “I don’t think Vietnam’s motorbike taxi culture is comparable to Rapido or Uber Moto in India,” one user wrote. “Our roads aren’t designed for it, most drivers are undertrained, and it’s far too risky. Convenience shouldn’t come at the cost of lives.”
Karnataka’s Ban on Bike Taxis
On June 16, 2025, the state of Karnataka officially suspended all motorbike taxi services following a Supreme Court ruling that upheld the government’s initial ban. The directive requires all service providers to halt operations until new regulatory guidelines are introduced.
In response, major platforms like Rapido and Uber have removed the bike taxi option from their apps within the state, effectively suspending the service for millions of potential users.
As India debates the future of tech-enabled mobility, Prabhudesai’s Vietnam experience serves as a powerful comparison—and a potential roadmap for what could be possible with the right policies and infrastructure in place.
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Source: Vietnam Insider