VietNamNet Bridge - Lawyers, citing current regulations, say that it will be very difficult to collect tax debts from Uber, which has sold its Vietnam business to Grab. 

VietNamNet Bridge - Competing with traditional taxis and avoiding tax, Uber gained ill fame during its operation in Vietnam. However, it helped energized the taxi market and create an ‘e-hailing’ culture.

VietNamNet Bridge - Uber, Grab and Easy Taxi spent big money to fight for market share in Vietnam. But after five years, two of them have left the playing field.

Vietnamese lawyers suggest that Vietnam should manage Uber as a transportation firm using a ride-hailing application, based on the European Court of Justice (ECJ)’s decision that Uber is a taxi service.

Transport regulations will be reviewed to ensure a fair business environment for firms, Deputy Minister of Transport Le Dinh Tho said at a conference on Tuesday.

Mai Linh group, a well known taxi firm, has officially joined the app-based motorbike taxi market with its Mai Linh Bike service provided in HCMC, Hanoi and Da Nang, after one month of trial.

The fierce opposition by traditional taxi firms to Uber and Grab, the uncertainty of state management of bitcoins all show that it is necessary to amend the legal framework in the context of the digital economy.

 Both Uber and Grab Taxi have reported losses, with Grab Taxi incurring VND938bn (USD41.3m) in losses due to too much promotion, discount programmes and subsidies to drivers.

VietNamNet Bridge - Analysts believe that Uber is in big crisis, with Uber Vietnam confirming the resignation of Dang Viet Dung from the post of CEO. 

VietNamNet Bridge - Many businesses, from startups to big express delivery firms, have jumped into the market of fast delivery services for online shops.

To compete with Grab and Uber, traditional taxi firms have begun providing e-hailing services. However, if people want a traditional taxi, they should call the operator rather than use an app.

VietNamNet Bridge - Besides Uber and Grab, seven more taxi firms have joined the so-called ‘technology taxi’ market, providing convenient services at low prices. 

 Both Grab and Uber as major ride-hailing firms in Vietnam have rejected as groundless accusations of tax evasion by traditional taxi companies, saying they abide by all requirements by tax and administrative authorities in the country.

Traditional taxi companies have their work cut out staving off the attack from ride-hailing apps.

VietNamNet Bridge - Uber and Grab have begun providing taxi services at airports, the market that traditional taxi firms typically have dominated.

“Disruption” has now reached down to motorbike taxis.

 Grab, the biggest rival to ride-sharing service Uber Technologies Inc [UBER.UL] in Southeast Asia, has raised $750 million in a funding round, turning up the heat on the U.S. firm now seeking to expand in the region after exiting China.

Nguyen Manh Dzung, Head of the Vietnam & Thailand Office of CyberAgent Ventures, spoke about the challenges for and the potential of the sharing economy model in Vietnam.