Money and ATMs in Vietnam
Cash is still normal in Vietnam, cards work in the bigger places, and ATM fees and limits vary by bank. This guide gives ranges, not promises, and says where to check.
Cash and cards
- Carry some cash. Street food, markets, small shops and some taxis take cash only. Cards are usually accepted at restaurants, cafes and convenience stores in cities, and less reliably outside main tourist areas 1.
- Keep small notes. Drivers and stall owners often cannot change a big note 1.
- Count the zeros. Dong notes run to hundreds of thousands, and some look alike. Check the number before you hand one over.
- Tipping is not traditional. It is more common on private tours and in salons, and it is appreciated but not expected in restaurants and cafes 1.
ATMs: limits and fees
Two charges apply. The Vietnamese bank charges its own fee on the machine, and your home bank may add a foreign-withdrawal fee and a currency margin. The machine fee is the part you can see before you confirm.
- Limit per withdrawal. Typical limits are 3 to 5 million dong a time 1. Listings for Vietcombank, BIDV, Agribank and others show about 2 to 5 million 2. One bank is reported to allow 10 million 3. For a larger amount you make several withdrawals, and each can carry the fee.
- Fee per withdrawal. Reported machine fees run from nothing up to about 50,000 to 66,000 dong, with some banks charging a percentage instead 1,2,3. Check before you go: guides disagree on which banks charge nothing, and fees change without notice.
- Check the screen. The machine shows its fee before you confirm. If it is high, cancel and try another machine.
| Bank | Machine fee per withdrawal, rough | Limit per withdrawal, rough |
|---|---|---|
| Vietcombank | 50,000 to 66,000 dong | 2 to 3 million dong |
| BIDV | 50,000 to 60,000 dong | 2 to 5 million dong |
| Agribank | 22,000 to 55,000 dong | 2 to 3 million dong |
| Sacombank | 30,000 to 55,000 dong | 2 to 5 million dong |
| Techcombank | 22,000 to 60,000 dong | 3 to 5 million dong |
These are early 2026 ranges from a travel-site listing 2. They cover only the Vietnamese bank's fee. Treat them as rough and read the machine.
Before you fly
- Tell your bank you are travelling, and ask what it charges for foreign withdrawals and what its daily limit is. Your own bank's limit may be the one that stops you.
- Bring a card that works abroad, and a second one in a different place from the first.
- Land with a little cash or plan to use an airport ATM, then withdraw larger amounts less often.
- Use machines inside banks or malls. They are easier to trust and easier to get help from.
Before you fly
Find out what your passport needs in the visa check. Then read common scams, many of which involve money.
Questions and answers
Should I change money before I go?
You do not need to. Many travellers withdraw from an ATM on arrival and pay by card where they can. If you do change cash, compare the rate with the one on your card, and count the notes.
Which card is cheapest to use?
It depends on your home bank. The Vietnamese machine fee and your bank's fee are separate, so add both. Check your bank's foreign fee before you fly.
Are ATMs safe to use?
Use machines in bank branches or malls, cover the keypad, and take the card and the cash before you walk away. If a machine keeps your card, call the bank on the machine at once.
Sources
All pages were read on Oct 20, 2026. Most are travel or comparison sites, not bank pages, so figures are rough.
- Wise, "Cash or card in Vietnam", updated Jul 10, 2026 (ATM limits, fees, acceptance, QR, tipping): wise.com
- Day Trips Vietnam, "Vietnam ATM fees 2026", Sep 5, 2026 (fee and limit table): daytripsvietnam.com
- Vietnam With Me, "Best ATMs in Vietnam", Aug 7, 2026 (seen in search, page not opened): vietnamwithme.com
- Day Trips Vietnam, "Card vs cash in Vietnam 2026" (card conversion advice, seen in search, page not opened): daytripsvietnam.com