Air conditioner repair is the most in-demand service category on ride-hailing platforms, especially during the hot season - Photo: D.L. TIEN PHAT
From repairing air conditioners, washing machines, and refrigerators to drilling walls and installing cameras, users can now book technicians through the app.
Solutions to the "bewildering maze" of mechanics.
One hot evening, the air conditioner in Ms. Minh Tran's apartment in Binh Thanh Ward (Ho Chi Minh City) suddenly broke down. She searched online for "air conditioner repair at home" and chose a company that advertised prices "starting from only 150,000 VND" and "guaranteed to arrive within 30 minutes".
The technician came, inspected the machine for a few minutes, then said it needed a complete cleaning and drainage system repair, costing a total of 650,000 VND, explaining things in a convoluted and confusing way. Since the machine had already been disassembled, she reluctantly agreed. Later, an acquaintance told her that the same problem should have only cost less than 200,000 VND.
"That's annoying. I'm not an expert on air conditioners, so how would I know?" - Ms. Tran said.
Meanwhile, on the afternoon of May 24th, Ms. Thuy Duong, residing in an apartment building in Ho Chi Minh City, was struggling with a broken toilet slide. Opening the Vua Tho app, she took a picture of the situation and entered the description "toilet hinge broken...". Based on the image and the customer's description, the app's AI feature analyzed the item and suggested this was a suitable job for a plumber. The estimated cost was 150,000 - 300,000 VND for labor, plus any additional materials that might need replacing the hinge or screws.
After entering the address and selecting "now" for the repair, I received quotes from 9 technicians shortly afterward, including 5 recommended by the app's team.
On the screen, customers not only see the price quoted by each technician, but also a portrait photo, distance to the repair location, star rating, number of completed jobs, feedback from previous customers, etc., helping customers compare and choose.
"I used the chat feature to ask the technician for more details before making a decision. This gives me more options and makes me less passive compared to calling a familiar technician or finding their phone number online," said Ms. Duong.
According to observations, ride-hailing apps now not only connect job orders but also incorporate various criteria for customers to "rate" tradespeople. Users not only see a general star rating but also know how many orders a tradesman has completed, their completion rate, previous customer reviews, and whether they have ever received complaints.
Platforms with recommendation mechanisms, transparent service providers, reasonable pricing, quick responses, few complaints, and high customer ratings will be prioritized for display or included in the app's suggested list.
Conversely, tradespeople who frequently cancel orders, fail to meet commitments, or receive numerous customer complaints may experience reduced visibility, limited order acceptance, or even be removed from the platform.
According to reports, many services such as Vua Tho, Rada, Tho Viet, Home Services… and major electronics retailers are bringing their handyman booking models to mobile apps.
The common feature is that users can select a service, preview the basic price, schedule an appointment, receive technician information, and leave a review after completion.
Mr. Tong Phuoc Dai, representative of the Vua Tho app, said that the application aims to build a community of skilled workers with stable jobs, proper training, insurance, better salaries, bonuses, and benefits.
According to Mr. Dai, Vua Tho has not set a profit target in the initial phase, even though operating costs could reach 1-1.5 billion VND/month by the end of 2026. The platform expects to attract approximately 300,000 customers and 100,000 craftsmen across various trades by the end of 2026.
Major chains are getting involved.
Previously, an electronics transaction typically ended after the customer purchased and installed the product. Now, a single appliance can generate revenue for many years – from installation, routine cleaning, maintenance, repairs, and parts replacement to extended warranties and replacements.
Dien May Xanh is one of the pioneering businesses in expanding its services with the "Tho Dien May Xanh" (Electronics Technician) app. According to the business results report for the first three months of 2026, this segment achieved revenue of 701 billion VND, a 45% increase compared to the same period last year. Notably, in just one quarter, revenue from this segment exceeded the 673 billion VND figure for the entire year of 2024.
To meet the demand, the Green Electronics Technician team, with 7,663 employees, has been mobilized to its fullest extent to expand its in-home service network.
A representative from an electronics retail chain stated that selling an air conditioner only generates a one-time payment, while maintenance and repairs can create recurring revenue. More importantly, if satisfied with after-sales service, customers are more likely to return and purchase new equipment.
In a context where retail profit margins are under pressure, promotions are becoming increasingly fierce, and technical services help generate repeat sales, customer data, and user retention.
While Dien May Xanh has the advantage of scale,FPT Shop has chosen a different path. This company is already strong in phones, laptops, and accessories.
Mr. Nguyen Viet Anh, Deputy General Director of FPT Retail, stated that FPT Shop recognizes that, as a latecomer, it must compete using its "technological DNA".
In its installation service, FPT Shop doesn't invest in a permanent team of thousands of technicians, but instead applies a sharing economy model similar to Uber and Grab. The company uses a technology platform to connect installers with orders generated from its system.
According to Mr. Viet Anh, this approach helps mobilize social resources during peak season. When the demand for air conditioner installation increases sharply, the model of coordinating technicians through the platform helps businesses deploy within 1-2 days without necessarily owning all the resources.
However, the electronics retail sector is not an easy field to "Grab-ize" because the quality of service largely depends on the skill, attitude, and responsibility of each technician.
Therefore, Mr. Nguyen Viet Anh stated that the platform connecting tradespeople with customers integrates a mechanism for users to rate tradespeople. Tradespeople will be under pressure. Those who offer reasonable prices, have good skills, and provide professional service will have an advantage in attracting customers, thereby increasing their income.
To go far, you need transparency.
According to experts, the market has seen many ride-hailing models, but no single platform has truly dominated because home repair services go beyond simply connecting customers with technicians.
For long-term success, businesses must control workmanship, pricing, parts, warranties, and post-repair complaints. This is even more challenging for home appliances, as each brand and model of air conditioner, washing machine, and refrigerator has a different structure, error codes, and troubleshooting procedures.
Many families also trust their trusted technicians more than apps. So the advantage isn't just in the app itself, but also in building trust through clear pricing, punctual technicians, responsible repairs, and having a reliable place to call when problems arise.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/len-app-tim-tho-nhu-goi-xe-cong-nghe-20260524235500594.htm
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