Digital maps today are no longer just tools for displaying location — they have become essential infrastructure for digital transformation, especially in industries like e-commerce, logistics, real estate, and public services. From pinpointing delivery addresses and locating ATMs to verifying the legal boundaries of properties, Maps APIs play an increasingly critical role.
As Vietnam enters the 2025 administrative boundary reform while businesses face growing pressure to reduce operational costs, the key question becomes: Which map platform is most suitable for Vietnamese enterprises today?
* Google Maps API provides global data with a strong ecosystem, but be mindful of high costs and policy changes in Vietnam since 2022.
Google Maps is the most popular digital map platform globally, known for its extensive coverage, powerful ecosystem, tight integration with Google services, and a rich set of APIs for various fields (place search, geocoding, routing, Street View, Places, Distance Matrix...).
The strengths of Google Maps lie in its high-quality, frequently updated data, accurate positioning, and extensive documentation and community support. It is the default choice for many businesses, especially in the initial implementation phase, thanks to its quick "plug-and-play" capability.
However, since 2022, pricing policies and access limits in Vietnam have been adjusted, making large-scale expansion challenging. Businesses need to carefully calculate costs per query, especially when using high-volume APIs like geocoding, routing, or the Distance Matrix.
Best for: Global businesses, large-scale B2C applications, systems deeply integrated with Google Cloud, or mainstream Android/iOS products.
Watch out for: In the Vietnamese market, using the Google Maps API requires careful monitoring of policies, access quotas, and query costs per package. For systems that need to control map budgets at scale or require updates for new administrative boundaries, considering a local alternative is advisable.
*Mapbox excels at UI customization and open data integration, helping create unique map experiences. However, costs can rise quickly with scale, and detailed data may not be as consistent as Google's.
Mapbox is a world-renowned map platform favored for its powerful map interface customization. Unlike platforms focused on pre-existing data, Mapbox allows businesses to combine open data (like OSM) or provide their own sources to design maps that fit their brand, user experience, or specific features.
The platform provides a full suite of tools for displaying vector tiles, creating custom styles, routing, searching, and offers excellent support on both web and mobile. More reasonable costs than Google, combined with a large developer ecosystem and comprehensive technical documentation, make Mapbox a top choice for applications needing a personalized map identity.
Best for: Startups or businesses with strong technical teams who want full control over the map interface, integrate private data, or build products with a distinctive UX/UI.
Watch out for: In Vietnam, Mapbox may face limitations regarding local data accuracy and licensing costs depending on actual usage. Businesses should consider this when implementing solutions that require detailed administrative addresses or high legal validity.
HERE Maps: strong in enterprise-grade routing & fleet optimization; it's recommended to verify local data and consider the cost model before wide-scale deployment.
HERE Technologies is a veteran map platform from Europe, trusted in large-scale operational systems due to its strengths in advanced routing and fleet optimization. HERE's API/SDK suite supports specialized vehicle profiles (trucks, containers, buses...), creating distance/time matrices for thousands of points, along with real-time and historical traffic data, and geospatial analysis tools like isochrones and geofencing.
Notably, HERE provides the ability to plan routes with constraints – such as delivery windows, weight limits, restricted roads, and tolls – helping logistics companies optimize their operations to the highest degree.
Best for: Logistics companies, multi-stop transportation, complex supply chains that require route optimization based on real-world operational rules.
Watch out for: In Vietnam, the detail of HERE's addresses and POIs needs to be verified by industry and region. Additionally, its deployment model is often enterprise-standard, which may exceed the actual needs of SMEs — businesses should run a small pilot to evaluate its effectiveness before scaling up.
*OpenStreetMap (OSM) is an open-source, free, and flexible project, but since data relies on the community, accuracy is inconsistent – consider this for systems requiring high reliability.
OpenStreetMap (OSM) is a globally renowned open-source map project, likened to the "Wikipedia of maps" — allowing anyone to use its data for free or contribute edits. OSM is built and maintained by its community, offering high flexibility and good integration into web/mobile applications through various open-source APIs and SDKs.
Its standout strength is the freedom of use, with no copyright restrictions, easy customization, and cost savings — suitable for experimental systems, MVP products, academic research, or organizations needing a map with full infrastructure control.
However, due to its reliance on community contributions, the detail and reliability of the data can be inconsistent across different regions. Large cities and densely populated areas tend to have good data, but rural, remote, or specialized areas (like administrative boundaries, planning) may be lacking or not updated in a timely manner.
Best for: Experimental applications, MVP products, organizations needing an open/self-hosted solution, or teams willing to refine the data themselves.
Watch out for: For systems requiring accurate address data, advanced routing, or updates on new administrative boundaries, it's crucial to thoroughly check OSM's scope and coverage in the deployment area — or supplement with other data sources to ensure reliability.
* Apple Maps: ideal for apps within the Apple ecosystem with a smooth native experience; address data in VN needs to be verified per use case, and it's not geared for deep enterprise routing like specialized platforms.
Apple Maps shines in applications focused on the Apple ecosystem — offering a smooth display experience, native UI/UX, and a strong emphasis on privacy and graphic performance. With MapKit (iOS/macOS) and MapKit JS (web), developers can easily create a consistent experience, supporting light/dark modes, smooth gestures, and good integration with other Apple components.
Strengths
Considerations in Vietnam
* TrackAsia is not only compatible with the Google API but also offers superior local advantages, supporting both old & new administrative boundaries, with infrastructure in Vietnam for optimal speed, and flexible pricing that is among the most competitive in the country.
TrackAsia is a local Vietnamese Maps API platform that provides both general and specialized Maps API solutions. Fast - Effective - Low Cost, it stands out with its ability to quickly update addresses, high compatibility with other providers' APIs like Google Maps API or OSM, infrastructure located in Vietnam, and a distinctly competitive price point.
TrackAsia offers a full suite of essential features including place search, geocoding, routing, distance matrix, base tiles, and display tools. The platform supports both old and new administrative boundaries – making it especially suitable for systems that need to adapt promptly to the administrative reclassification changes from July 1, 2025. With servers located in Vietnam, TrackAsia ensures fast response times, high stability, and easy scalability.
Currently, TrackAsia is one of the few providers in Vietnam with the most flexible and preferential pricing in the market, supporting both Pay-As-You-Go and Subscription models — helping businesses optimize costs right from the start. Clear technical documentation, Vietnamese language support, and Google API compatibility make it easy to switch or quickly integrate into existing systems.
Best for: E-commerce, logistics, real estate, fintech, public services — from startups needing low costs to large enterprises requiring a stable, accurate system that is updated with new administrative boundaries.
Watch out for: If migrating from a system using Google Maps, it's advisable to check the corresponding endpoint list to ensure full compatibility — especially with advanced APIs like matrix routing or real-time traffic.
*VietMap is a purely Vietnamese map platform, known for its detailed local data and domestic technical support. However, its customization capabilities and international coverage are limited — best suited for domestic systems needing basic on-the-ground accuracy.
VietMap is a long-standing domestic map platform in Vietnam, notable for its detailed local data and a basic API/SDK ecosystem serving display, place search, routing, and geocoding needs.
VietMap's strength lies in its ability to periodically update data based on fieldwork — especially in small residential areas, deep alleys, or suburban areas where many international platforms often lack detail. The platform also supports a Vietnamese interface and easy integration for popular systems like ride-hailing, delivery, or domestic e-commerce services.
Best for: Domestic systems that require detailed Vietnamese data, have basic display requirements, and do not heavily depend on advanced features or international coverage.
Watch out for: Customization capabilities are limited, advanced APIs are not extensive, and it lacks some functions like route optimization matrix or support for new administrative boundaries. Businesses should test thoroughly with real use cases before deploying at a large scale.
*Goong: A domestic API with smooth vector tile rendering, local payment & support — suitable for domestic needs; it's recommended to pilot its data/SDK for complex problems before scaling up.
Goong is a domestic Maps API platform developed by a Vietnamese team, known for its smooth display thanks to a modern vector tile architecture, which is highly compatible with web and mobile applications.
The platform provides a basic set of APIs including place search, routing, geocoding, and base tiles, accompanied by an access management dashboard and developer-friendly technical documentation. Goong also supports payments in VND, making it easy to integrate for domestic businesses.
Best for: Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), domestic applications that need a smooth-displaying map, easy integration, and operational support in Vietnamese.
Watch out for: Goong's underlying data and advanced SDKs are still being improved. For problems requiring routing optimization, support for new administrative boundaries, or high legal requirements, businesses should pilot thoroughly based on real use cases before deploying at a large scale.
* Map4D: stands out with local 3D/4D display, suitable for smart city & real estate; it's recommended to pilot data performance when optimal routing or large scale is needed.
Map4D is a digital map platform developed by a Vietnamese team, notable for its 3D/4D display capabilities – adding a "time dimension" to the map, allowing for simulations of high-rise buildings, landmarks, and urban data layers in real time. Its smooth WebGL renderer, along with 2D/3D SDKs for web and mobile, makes Map4D particularly suitable for smart city, digital tourism, real estate, and virtual tour applications.
In terms of data, Map4D focuses on major cities in Vietnam, providing foundational APIs like search, display, and basic routing. The 3D data layer helps convey brand identity clearly, creating a strong visual impression for B2C products or platforms with a high experiential factor.
Best for: Smart city applications, real estate, digital tourism, and projects that require vivid 3D spatial presentations.
Watch out for: The documentation ecosystem and developer community are not as extensive as international platforms. For systems that prioritize optimal routing, accurate geocoding, or handle high query volumes, it's advisable to pilot early to verify the backend data capabilities and performance scalability.
* eKGIS is strong in project-based, on-premise & OGC-compliant deployments—suitable for GovTech/enterprises needing data sovereignty and deep customization.
eKGIS is a long-standing GIS integrator in Vietnam, with strengths in map projects for government agencies and large enterprises. Its core strength lies in customization upon request, on-premise/Private Cloud deployment, compliance with OGC standards (WMS/WMTS/WFS), and connecting to cadastral, planning, and urban infrastructure databases. Besides base maps and thematic data layers, eKGIS provides services for tile rendering, basic search/geocoding, and application-level routing (depending on the deployment model).
Best for: GovTech, smart cities, utilities (electricity/water/telecom), and businesses that prioritize data sovereignty and internal control processes.
Watch out for: Implementation time and costs often depend on the project scope, and technical documentation may be scattered across different modules—it's recommended to pilot early to finalize the scope and performance KPIs.
Maps API is no longer just a supplementary tool; it has become a crucial part of the digital infrastructure — directly impacting user experience, delivery accuracy, and system scalability.
Depending on the scale, industry, and technological orientation, each map platform will have its own pros and cons:
In a period where businesses need to tightly control costs, ensure geographical accuracy, and react quickly to administrative changes – choosing the right Maps API platform is a strategic decision.
If your business:
✅ Needs to replace Google Maps but wants to keep the API structure,
✅ Is preparing to update for the 2025 administrative boundary changes,
✅ Wants to optimize map operational costs at a large scale,
✅ Needs to integrate quickly into existing systems (CRM, ERP, App, Website…),
👉 TrackAsia is a local option worth considering.
With its Google API compatibility, updates for both old & new boundaries, infrastructure in Vietnam, fast response speeds, and flexible pricing – TrackAsia is not just an alternative, but a strategic map solution for Vietnamese businesses in the digital transformation era.
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