Two friends smiling and sharing a joyful travel moment together

Rent a local friendTravel more personally with Ribbon.

Rent a friend who knows the city. Book a verified local host in Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, or Thailand for food hunts, cafe hopping, hikes, and hidden gems, and make new friends along the way.

Download now How we started

60,000+community users across Asia
3,500+hosts sharing local culture
4countries where Ribbon hosts welcome travelers

How we started

Built during the hardest moment for travel, then refined into a culture-first platform.

Ribbon began from sketches in 2019 and endured repeated rejection during the pandemic. The core idea stayed simple: what travelers remember most are the moments shared with local people, not just the landmarks.

Today, Ribbon carries that vision forward by helping travelers form genuine local connections through shared interests, trusted hosts, and experiences that feel personal from the very beginning.

Early Ribbon hand sketches showing branding ideas and app wireframes

Ribbon's mission

Bring people together through healthy, meaningful cultural exchange.

Ribbon offers a more human alternative to conventional tourism — one centered on real conversations, cultural exchange, and meaningful experiences that also create income opportunities for local hosts.

“Live life, connect cultures.” Ribbon is built to make every journey feel warmer, more social, and more human than conventional travel experiences.

Main features

Designed to make social travel feel effortless, personal, and trusted.

Every feature is built to help travelers discover the right host, book with confidence, and enjoy meaningful local experiences with greater ease.

Live life, connect culture.

Meet verified local hosts and experience Malaysia like you live here. Browse by interest, from cafe hopping and food hunts to sightseeing and art.

Discover places worth the trip.

Cafes, night markets, and hidden gems curated by locals, with ratings and saves from the Ribbon community.

Plans that actually happen.

Book, chat, reschedule, and review every meet up in one place, with a meetup pass and secure in-app payment.

A community that looks out for you.

Real person verification, clear guidelines, and real-time notices keep every meetup respectful and safe.

Earn stars every step of the way.

Host, refer friends, and collect Ribbon Stars as you go.

Download here

Experience Ribbon through a more refined way to travel.

Explore curated host profiles, discover locally rooted experiences, and connect with trusted people before you arrive. Ribbon is designed for travelers who value meaningful moments, cultural connection, and a more personal journey.

Ribbon Explore screen listing places such as Malacca, George Town, and Batu Caves

Ribbon home screen with experience categories and recommended hosts

RIBBON FEATURED ON

Rating & reviews

Real voices and memorable moments from the Ribbon community.

Rated 4.94 out of 5 across 2,156 member reviews.

★★★★★

“Great meeting with [my host] :) First time coming to Penang, even drove me to souvenir store to get goodies there! Appreciate the kindness & chat we have :))”

★★★★★

“very good meetup, chat like a friend, cheertful and learn alot from her, wish to meetup again next time.”

★★★★★

“It is very interesting to meet a fellow member of this profession. During the meet-up, we managed to share our experiences. I am deeply grateful for being able to get to know someone near to my hometown as well. Cheers!”

★★★★★

“Enjoyed chatting with her, she’s so kind. It’s such a pleasant surprise that we’re from the same hometown.”

★★★★★

“The host is very down to earth, friendly to talk to:) It was really pleasure to meet her, about her stories and really comfort during the session”

★★★★★

“It is very pleasure meeting her, casual and healthy chit chat:)”

User guide

How to meet a host

From verification to booking and review, every step is designed to make meeting a host feel simple, transparent, and reassuring for both travelers and locals.

Register as a user and complete IC verification.
Upload a genuine photo and write a simple bio.
Filter the preferred activity and set the location.
Chat with the host about date, time, and meetup details.
Receive a meetup pass and proceed with payment.
Review the host after the experience.

Event & charity

Community moments that reflect the heart of the Ribbon experience.

Beyond the platform itself, Ribbon is shaped by real gatherings, partnerships, and community-led moments that bring its mission to life.

Ribbon founders Steven, Mumu, and Joey together at an event

Ribbon team meeting with another company leader

Ribbon contract signing moment with partners

Ribbon team group photo at a community gathering

Common questions

Renting a local friend, explained

New to the idea of booking a friend for the afternoon? These are the questions people ask most. More answers are in the user FAQ and the host FAQ.

What is Ribbon?

Ribbon is a rent-a-friend app. You book a verified local friend, called a host, for an activity you both enjoy: cafe hopping, a street food hunt, hiking, sightseeing, a movie, or simply a good chat.

Can I rent a friend in Malaysia?

Yes. Ribbon started in Malaysia, including Kuala Lumpur, and also has local hosts in Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand. Set your location in the app to see hosts near you.

How do I book a local friend?

Download the app, verify your identity, choose an activity and location, then chat with a host about the date and time. When you both agree, you receive a meetup pass and pay securely inside the app.

Is it safe to rent a friend or meet a stranger?

Every member verifies their IC or passport and uploads a genuine photo. Meetups take place in open, public areas, payment stays inside the app, and hosts are rated and reviewed after every meetup.

Can I use Ribbon to make new friends, not only when I travel?

Yes. Many people use Ribbon in their own city to meet new friends who share an interest, find someone to talk to, or learn from a host with experience in business, sport, or the arts.

Is Ribbon a dating or escort service?

No. Ribbon promotes healthy social activities and cultural exchange. Private meetings and sexual activities are against the rules, and accounts that break them are suspended.

Can I earn money by becoming a friend for hire?

Yes. Apply to become a Ribbon host, choose the activities you offer and your own schedule, and earn from each meetup you host.

Founding team

Who we are

Mumu Ngui

Ribbon's CEO & Founder

Steven Lim

Chief Technical Officer

Heng Jiet

VP Engineering