With more people using smartphones, mobile applications are now increasingly diversified to address more needs, including dating. Although only recently introduced in Vietnam, there are now nearly 100 actively-used online dating apps in Vietnam.
These applications’ basic features are free to use, with additional features requiring a fee. Only requiring the basic features, the applications provide a platform for users to meet people outside of a traditional school or work environment. Here, Vietcetera reviews five dating apps in Vietnam.
Tinder
Currently, Tinder is one of the most popular dating apps in the world, with 100 million downloads and ten million daily users. As the most exciting dating app in the market, Tinder creates a culture of openness through its expansive and diverse network of users.
What are Tinder users looking for? Answers range depending on the individual: a date, a one-night-stand, a casual partner, a lover, a spouse, or even just a friend.
Tinder is one of the most popular dating apps in the world, with 100 million downloads and 10 million users every day.Tinder attracts many users thanks to its user-friendly interface. It only takes a few minutes to sign-up. After, you can begin “swiping” and connecting with others. But this also has a downside — user information on Tinder is not always reliable. A “match” does not always mean that you and another user will be compatible.
Though Tinder hosts many users, users are concentrated in big cities. Because Tinder matches users based on location, living outside of central areas like Saigon or Hanoi will reduce your chances of matching with other users.
Moreover, most Tinder users (~80%) are between 20 to 30 years old. If you intend to date people outside this range, Tinder may not be the most suitable application.
OkCupid
OkCupid, one of the top dating apps in Vietnam, is estimated to have about 50 million users with more than seven million messages sent daily.
What differentiates OkCupid from other dating applications is that it allows users to provide detailed information about themselves through a series of questions. OkCupid matches users based on anywhere from ten to more than a thousand detailed questions regarding personality, habits, interests, lifestyle, political views, religion, love, sex, and more.
OkCupid matches users based on anywhere from ten to more than a thousand detailed questions about personality, habits, interests, lifestyle, and political, religious, and sexual views.Questions like, “Do you think evolution or creationism should be taught at school?”, “What are you looking for: a person to spend the night with, a person to hang out with, or a person to marry?”, “During sex, do you like to be active or passive?” and “Should men be the breadwinner of the family?” help the application create a detailed portrait of the user. From there, OkCupid calculates compatibility between two users on a percentage scale, and recommends the most suitable matches.
While OkCupid is more comprehensive, investing effort and time into a profile is often a significant deterrent for new users. Users must answer as many questions as possible to maximize the potential of this dating platform.
Like Tinder, OkCupid uses location-based suggestions. If you live in an area with fewer OkCupid users, the chances of meeting someone right for you is significantly reduced.
Matches on OkCupid tend to be few, but high in quality.
Facebook Dating
The Facebook Dating feature was released in Vietnam in early May, and garnered tremendous attention from the Facebook user community.
Facebook Dating is conveniently built into Facebook, which is available on most smartphone devices, giving the application a strong advantage over competition. The application also suggests users who are in mutual groups or attend mutual events, making it easier for you to find people with similar interests.
The application also suggests users who are in mutual groups or attend mutual events, making it easier for you to find people with similar interests.Since this feature has recently debuted, the Facebook Dating algorithm and range of features is still limited. For example, suggestions are not completely accurate and do not always align with the criteria you provide.
Facebook Dating also has a Secret Crush feature, allowing you to list up to nine people who interest you. If one of these people also adds you to their Secret Crush list, Facebook Dating will notify you and open a window for you to chat with them.
This feature, however, is not optimal yet. You can only add friends to the Secret Crush list, and the other user on your Secret Crush list needs to use Facebook Dating for you both to be matched. Currently, Facebook Dating is struggling to attract new users and retain old users.
Grindr
Grindr is a popular dating app used exclusively by the gay community with over six million users worldwide. Due to many social barriers, it is more challenging for those in the gay community to meet in real life. As a result, dating applications have become increasingly necessary.
Grindr is a popular dating app used by the gay community with more than 6 million users worldwide.Many people use Grindr for sex, and the application is designed specifically with this in mind— users can specify preferences for body type, relationship (top, bottom, versatile), and disease test results.
However, Grindr has also been criticized because of flaws in the content management system, allowing for racism and body shaming. People in the gay community looking for a serious relationship may also have more difficulty on this platform.
Jack’d
Jack’d is another dating app for the LGBTQ + community, specifically targeted towards those who identify as gay or bisexual. As of 2019, Jack’d has attracted more than 5 million users worldwide, placing it well in the top four most popular dating apps used in the LGBTQ+ community.
Besides suggestions based on personal criteria, Jack’d will suggest matches from all around the world.Whereas Grindr allows users to search for people based off proximity, Jack’d allows users to connect with people around the world. Aside from suggestions based on personal preferences, the app will also suggest suitable matches from different places.
Jack’d also informs you of who has viewed your profile. This allows you to be more proactive in communicating with people who are interested in you or share your interests.