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Jan 19, 2018 / 11:51

Uber nominates new leader to Vietnam

While Grab Vietnam grows fast and on the way to complete its piloting period in the country, its peer Uber enlists the addition leader as the respond.

According to Uber's latest announcement, Charity Safford shall be appointed as managing director in Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar. Once assigned, she would work in Ho Chi Minh City and be responsible for leading Uber in the three nations. This move was announced by the ride-hailing firm as "doubled effort to develop potential markets".
Charity Safford
Charity Safford
Charity plays role as senior developer specializing in market development with more than 20 years of leadership experience in the telecommunications industry in Eastern Europe, Africa and Asia. As such, along with managing director Tom White, Uber Vietnam now has one more leader while Grab is thriving fast when two piloting years nearly end.
Few days ago, Uber proposed the Ministry of Transport and government adjust some automobile transportation business conditions, which includes the recent recognition of electronic contracts but accompanied by numerous conditions "to control" Uber, Grab as traditional taxi.
Though not directly mentioning, Brooks Entwistle – Director of Uber in Asia-Pacific suggested government to consider the impact of the sharing service on traditional taxis. The emergence of new technology, according to him, would the same time brings challenges to the long-standing traditional business and help ease the increasing transportation demand.
"It’s incorrect to see traditional taxis as opposite side to Uber.  Prior to Uber's presence, some Asian governments abolished regulations for the taxi industry, which enhances cooperation opportunity between Uber and the taxi. In Taiwan, Thailand and Singapore, we have succeeded in collaborating with traditional taxis", Entwistle stated.
Brooks Entwistle also defended the company's flexible pricing policy in light of the new conditions that the Ministry of Transport will take to manage and stabilize prices. According to him, all passengers can rate the fee before calling the trip. If the prices are too high, they can wait until demand drops or pick up another vehicles.
“It’s reasonable with authority’s desire to stabilize prices and protect consumers. Nonetheless, allowing prices to rise and fall based on demand is the best way to facilitate passengers in travelling” he said.
Vietnam is one of the Uber first market in Asia. So far, despite the strong competition from Grab, the harshness of traditional taxis and the suspense awaiting new management regulations, Uber is still quite successful in this market.
According to Brooks Entwistle, Uber’s passengers in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City only have to wait an average of 3.3 minutes after sending the trip request. This is one of the shortest waiting duration in Southeast Asia, demonstrating the greatness and popularity of this service in Vietnam.