HCMC – Ride-hailing application provider Grab is testing its innovative single central kitchen concept, GrabKitchen, in Thu Duc District in northeast HCMC, which is expected to facilitate food deliveries to customers and bring in more revenue for popular food merchants and delivery drivers, as part of the firm’s efforts to develop the local digital economy and create income opportunities.

The Singapore-based firm noted in a statement yesterday, September 10, that GrabKitchen gathers into a single location, in a busy residential area, several restaurants and food establishments that have earned high order numbers and popularity among users of the food delivery service GrabFood.

Grab will support the food merchants at the location, so they need only bring in their staff to prepare the food and beverages at the assigned outlets.

The merchants will have the opportunity to gain new customers and enhance their businesses.

Meanwhile, GrabFood drivers will cut down on the delivery time per order and thus increase their income since they will be able to fulfill more orders.

Customers will receive their favorite foods and drinks with shorter booking times and more affordable delivery fees.

Grab stated that the GrabKitchen application will be streamlined and put into official operation in the country very soon. To place orders from the platform, users will need to update their Grab app to the latest version and select the GrabKitchen category under GrabFood.

In late August, Grab revealed its plan to invest US$500 million into Vietnam over a period of five years to tap opportunities in fintech, new mobility solutions and logistics, aiming to spur the development of the country’s digital economy and create millions of income opportunities that will elevate the quality of life for all Vietnamese people.

That month, Grab and Vietnam’s Sovico Group also announced a comprehensive strategic partnership to collaborate on mobility and logistics solutions to resolve bottlenecks and improve the first- and last-mile delivery networks of Vietnam and Southeast Asia.

In July, Grab and Sovico Group’s affiliates, including local budget airline VietJet and Swift247, a startup providing an express air delivery service, teamed up for a partnership that will provide better first- and last-mile logistics services and develop smart payment solutions.

With the technological solutions provided by Swift247, Grab and VietJet will be able to connect air flights with road transportation, delivering goods with GrabExpress delivery services and VietJet aircraft between Hanoi and HCMC within five hours.