Vietnam, a vibrant linear country in Southeast Asia along the South China Sea, enchants with its breath-taking natural beauty. From the bustling streets of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to the tranquil Ha Long Bay to the lush landscapes of the Mekong Delta… this country offers an adventure for every traveler! To navigate this fascinating country with ease, you will need an ultimate guide on money in Vietnam. Here’s the scoop on getting local cash in Vietnam, ATMs, cash or cards, fees, and payment options to explore Vietnam without breaking the bank!
You may also enjoy reading Ultimate guide on how to travel on a budget in 2025.
Where can I find ATMs in Vietnam?
There are 21,000+ ATMs in Vietnam. These are operated by 25+ commercial and specialised banks including some foreign banks too. You can find hoards of them in cities and definitely a few options in smaller towns (at least 1-2 ATMs) to get money in Vietnam. But if you’re heading to far off places, islands, don’t expect to find them.
You can find ATMs at:
- Major airports,
- Market and town squares,
- Main tourist streets of every major town,
- Shopping malls,
- Food lanes,
- Bank branches,
- Some corporate buildings.
It will be difficult to find ATMs in:
- Small airports,
- Islands,
- Regional bus stops,
- Interior of the villages,
- In small towns, off the main streets,
- Religious places,
- Remote resorts and retreats.
Best ATMs to use in Vietnam for foreigners
The best ATMs for foreigners to use in Vietnam are those owned by popular banks such as:
VP Bank,
EximBank.
VietinBank.
There are other ATMs also with lesser fees such as:
VIB Bank,
TP Bank,
Agribank,
Vietcombank,
Shinhan Bank, and
ACB.
There are other banks with ATMs that also accept international debit and credit cards.
Some international banks also have their ATMs in Vietnam, namely:
HSBC and Citibank.
Don’t accept conversion at ATMs and withdraw only in local currency
In Vietnam, some ATMs may ask – Accept OR Decline Conversion (also known as With or Without Conversion, or Charge in VND).
- If you ‘Accept’ – ATM converts your money at ATM’s set exchange rate and you pay an extra % fee to the ATM for currency conversion also.
- If you ‘Decline’ – ATM will convert at exchange rate of the bank/card logo (Visa, Master, etc.).
So, to avoid extra fees while withdrawing cash in Vietnam, select ‘Decline/Without’ Conversion or ‘Charge in VND’.
If you’d like to understand more, read ATM fees abroad: Charges to use cards at foreign ATMs explained.
Can I use a foreign debit or credit card at an ATM in Vietnam?
Yes, many types of foreign cards are easily accepted at ATMs in Vietnam. ATMs in Vietnam will mainly accept Visa, Mastercard, Cirrus, Plus, JCB and UnionPay. A handful of ATMs accept only Visa or only Mastercard, so try and get at least one of each type. Don’t expect a lot of them to accept Amex or Diners cards.
For a detailed guide, read Money and Currency in Vietnam.
What are the ATM opening hours?
Yes. Usually, ATMs in Vietnam are operational 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. ATMs in bank branches are also usually open 24×7 as you find them at the branch entrance.
What do they call ATMs in Vietnam?
ATMs in India will typically have a sign in English called “ATM” or simply just the bank name only.
PIN type
Vietnamese Atms accept 4 digit PIN usually. Some of them also accept 6 digit PINs.
Languages at ATMs in Vietnam
ATMs in Vietnam allow 3 language options by default – Vietnamese, English, and Cantonese. You get to choose this option at the start of the transaction itself. Don’t expect any other foreign language options. If you don’t understand these languages, it’s cool. Use Google Translate’s camera function and translate the options on your phone, live! Note – These translations are not always 100% accurate, so take your time and don’t rush through the transaction.
Do ATMs in Vietnam work similarly as other countries?
Yes, very much. Vietnamese ATMs are modern and look and work similar to those in US, UK, Europe, Australia, and India. Some of them take your card inside fully during the transaction so don’t forget to take it after withdrawing cash at such ATMs.
Join the discussion, read and share cash related travel experiences on ATM Fee Saver’s Community Travel Forum at Money & Travel in South East Asia.
What currencies can I withdraw from ATMs in Vietnam?
ATMs in Vietnam dispense only the official currency Vietnamese Dong (VND).Don’t be shocked with notes like 10,000, 20,000 and 500,000! These are denominations but their value is insignificantly low compared to the US Dollar, Euro or Pound.
ATM withdrawal limits in Vietnam?
Majority of the bank ATMs in Vietnam have a maximum withdrawal limit per transaction of VND 3 million to VND 5 million. Some ATMs allowto withdraw upto VND 10 million in one transaction. Many banks usually do not limit the number of transactions per day but of course, availability of cash depends on the notes in the ATM at the time of withdrawal.
ATM Fees in Vietnam?
There are some fee-free ATMs in Vietnam. Majority of the bank ATMs charge between VND 22,000 to VND 66,000 per transaction (Vietnamese Dong) as ATM Fees to foreign cardholders. One bank charges ATM fees of 4% of withdrawal amount. And some bank ATMs do not charge fees to foreign cards.So, there are fee-free options in Vietnam for a foreign cardholder!
Apart from ATM Access Fees, there can be other potential charges to withdraw cash in Vietnam – something every traveller handling cash in Vietnam should be aware of. These are:
- Currency Conversion Fees (Accept or Decline Conversion)
- Your Bank’s currency conversion fee – Some banks charge the card holder a fee to use the card abroad. Cross check with your bank on what the charges are.
How to avoid high fees when withdrawing cash in Vietnam?
- Use the fee-free or lower fee ATMs in the country.
- Use the ATM Fee Saver app to find fee-free or low-fee ATMs.
- Opt for “Decline Conversion” or “Without Conversion” during ATM transactions.
- Consider getting a fee-free travel card from your home country.
- Get one Visa and one Mastercard fee-free cards as some ATMs abroad accept only Visa and some only Mastercard.
- Avoid using ATMs at the airports, sometimes they have higher fees.
For a detailed guide, read Withdrawing cash abroad? 9 best ways to save foreign ATM fees.
Ways to find fee-free ATMs in Vietnam?
Discover fee-free and low-fee ATMs on the ATM Fee Saver mobile app for iOS and Android. This app provides ATM PINs and details of leading bank ATMs such as ATM fees and withdrawal limits for foreign cardholders at ATMs in Vietnam. Moreover, its simple fee calculator helps you determine exact withdrawal charges. You can also find cash tips and tricks on the app for 160+ countries including Singapore.
Download now from the App Store or Play Store.
Download ATM Fee Saver now.
Is it safe to use Vietnam ATMs?
Typically, yes. A lot of ATMs have camera. Near ATMs, the crime rate is lower but it does need precaution especially in remote areas and empty streets.
To be safe, use precautions such as:
- Use the ATMs located inside bank branches instead of standalone ones.
- Avoid using ATMs on empty streets or late at night.
- Keep your card visible at all times.
- Cover the PIN pad with the palm of your hand to avoid revealing your PIN to hidden cameras.
- If you find any suspicious devices attached around the keypad area of the ATM, do not use the ATM.
- Be aware of your surroundings, if you see suspicious people, move away.
- Keep two or more cards as backup.
- If also using your mobile phone for the transaction, avoid using public Wi-Fi. Use VPN for extra protection.
FAQs
What to do if an ATM takes your card?
If an ATM in Vietnam takes your card, contact the bank (if you used an ATM inside a bank branch), they may retreive your card if you have proof of identity. You can also contact the bank’s helpline but they usually retreive and resend new cards only for their own customers. If so, you’ll need to contact your own bank and ask them to deliver a new card at home or abroad.
Fee-free ATMs and possible to withdraw cash free of cost at ATMs here?
Yes, it is possible. There are some fee-free ATMs in Vietnam. Majority of the bank ATMs charge between VND 22,000 to VND 66,000 per transaction (Vietnamese Dong) as ATM Fees to foreign cardholders. One bank charges ATM fees of 4% of withdrawal amount. And some bank ATMs do not charge fees to foreign cards.So, there are fee-free options in Vietnam for a foreign cardholder!
Foreign cards from US, UK, India, China, Europe, Australia accepted at ATMs in Vietnam?
Absolutely yes! You can usually use credit cards from the US, UK, Europe, Australia, and other countries at ATMs in Vietnam. Most ATMs accept major cards like Visa, MasterCard. American Express and Diners are going to be harder to be accepted. Just look for the symbols on the ATMs – they’ll show you which cards are accepted.
Bitcoin ATMs?
As of today, there are approximately 7 Bitcoin ATMs in Vietnam, mainly in Ho Chi Minh City.
Foreign bank ATMs’ in Vietnam
Bank of America: No, there are no Bank of America ATMs in Vietnam.
Citibank: Yes, but only 3-4 so they are going to be hard to find. So don’t rely on it to get cash in Vietnam.
Barclays: No, there is no Barclays bank ATM in Vietnam. But you can use a Barclays bank card at local ATMs of a local Vietnamese bank.
HSBC: Yes, there are many HSBC ATMs in Vietnam, mostly in the bigger cities of the country.
Standard Chartered: Yes, but only 1-2 so they are going to be hard to find. So this is not really an option to get money in Vietnam.
