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Vietnam Currency Exchange, Travel Cards, and ATM Fee Guide

You can use international cards at tourist businesses such as hotels and restaurants, but cash is practical for street stalls and small purchases. Check travel card foreign transaction fees, ATM withdrawal fees, and any additional fees charged by local ATMs separately. When paying or withdrawing, choose VND instead of your home currency.

At a glance

Should I bring cash or cards to Vietnam?

Major international cards such as Visa are accepted at tourist businesses, including hotels, travel agencies, boutiques, restaurants, grocery stores, and spas. Cash is used for small purchases and at street stalls, so it is convenient to bring both payment methods.

The tourism authority lists the average price of one serving of street food and iced tea as 45,000 dong. Prices vary by business, so keep some small bills on hand.

Where can I exchange Vietnamese dong, and how can I tell the banknotes apart?

You can exchange money at airport counters, banks, and local exchange offices. There are airport exchange counters just before the arrivals exit gate, too.

Licensed gold shops, such as those on Hà Trung Street in Hanoi, sometimes offer better rates than banks. Rates vary by time and location, so check the rate and amount you will receive before making a transaction.

The 10,000 dong note is brown and olive, while the 100,000 dong note is green. Both feature a portrait of Ho Chi Minh, so check the denomination first. The image of Hanoi’s Temple of Literature on the back of the 100,000 dong note can also help you tell it apart.

What are the ATM withdrawal limits and fees in Vietnam?

According to the Vietnam tourism authority, the one-time withdrawal limit for foreign cards is 2,000,000–3,000,000 dong at local bank ATMs and 5,000,000–10,000,000 dong at international bank ATMs. It says there are more than 20,000 ATMs nationwide that support international card networks.

Fees for international cards vary by bank and card. Check the local fee on the ATM screen before withdrawing, and see whether your card’s international ATM fee waiver also covers extra fees charged by the local ATM.

How can I avoid DCC when paying by card or withdrawing from an ATM?

If a card terminal or ATM offers payment in your home currency, choose VND. Declining dynamic currency conversion (DCC) lets the transaction use your card issuer’s exchange rate. Paying in your home currency abroad may incur extra fees.

Hana Card says its Travelog debit card offers a setting to block payments in your home currency abroad in advance. Check your card settings before departure, and confirm the currency shown on the payment screen.

How should I prepare for QR payments and Grab payments in Vietnam?

Do not assume that visitors can use their home country’s apps to pay with every VietQR code. South Korea is not listed among the participating countries in the VIETQRGlobal information, so plan to use cash and cards as your main payment methods.

You can pay with a card registered in the Grab app, but cash may also be available depending on your destination. Check the payment options in the app before booking, and carry small bills in case you need change.

What to do in these situations

  1. When you need cash as soon as you arrive at the airport

    You can exchange money at an airport counter just before the arrivals exit gate. Check the exchange rate and amount you will receive before exchanging.

  2. When paying at a street stall or street food vendor

    Carry small-denomination dong so you can pay in cash.

  3. When an ATM offers to charge you in your home currency

    Decline conversion to your home currency and choose VND.

  4. When checking an ATM withdrawal limit

    Refer to the stated one-time limits for local and international bank ATMs, and check the fee displayed on the machine’s screen.

  5. When booking a Grab ride

    Before booking, check in the app whether payment by registered card or cash is available.

Pre-departure checklist

FAQ

Is cash or card more convenient for a trip to Vietnam?

Major international cards are accepted at tourist businesses, but street stalls and small purchases are often paid for in cash. Bring both a card and cash in dong (VND).

How much can I withdraw at a time from an ATM in Vietnam?

According to the tourism authority, the limit is 2,000,000–3,000,000 dong at local bank ATMs and 5,000,000–10,000,000 dong at international bank ATMs.

Does withdrawing with a travel card also waive local ATM fees?

A card issuer’s international ATM fee waiver does not necessarily cover fees charged directly by a local ATM. Check the ATM screen and your card issuer’s terms before withdrawing.

When paying by card in Vietnam, should I choose my home currency or dong?

Choose the local currency, VND. If you decline conversion into your home currency (DCC), the transaction can use your card issuer’s exchange rate.

Can I pay with VietQR in Vietnam using an app from my home country?

South Korea is not listed as a VIETQRGlobal participating country, so availability of local QR payments through apps from there varies by app. It is best to bring a card and cash.

Can I exchange money into Vietnamese dong at the airport?

Yes. The Vietnam tourism authority lists airport exchange counters, including counters just before the arrivals exit gate.

Official sources & check dates

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Site updated: 2026-10-28