Do ATMs in Vietnam charge fees?

Is there a fee for ATM transactions?

ATM fees, ah, the pesky price of plastic convenience! Like paying for air at a gas station.

Yes, ATM transactions can incur fees. Think of it as the machine’s way of saying, “Thanks for the business… now pay up!”

• Withdrawal fees are a common culprit. Your bank might charge you for using an out-of-network ATM. Shocking, I know.
• Foreign ATMs, especially in lovely locales like Vietnam, can add their own layer of charges. I saw some reports on the web. I would suggest checking with your bank before your trips.

Credit card transactions? Oh, that’s a different beast.

• Expect extra charges when using credit cards, especially abroad.
• Three percent extra? Potentially. Banks adore their fees. I’d ask your bank before assuming.
• Imagine, you buy a silk scarf for a song, and suddenly the bank’s singing a very different tune.
• Also. The rates are never really clear before.

Pro tip: Check your bank’s policy on ATM fees! It will save you the drama. Trust me. My last bank statement gave me the shock of my life.

Further musings: Why do ATMs always seem to be out of order exactly when you need cash? Conspiracy? I think yes. Also, consider cashback at stores! Sneaky way to sidestep ATM shenanigans, isnt it?

Is it safe to use ATMs in Vietnam?

ATMs in Vietnam? Safe? Well, mostly, yeah. It’s not like they’re manned by ninjas waiting to swipe your card info, lol.

Think of it like jaywalking in NYC. Risky, maybe, but everyone does it.

My Aunt Mildred once said, “a watched pot never boils,” and a watched ATM never gets hacked…probably. Seriously though, peek around!

• Pick your poison: Avoid the super shady ATMs. Dark alleyways = bad juju. Find one in a well-lit area, like near a coffee shop, where you can grab a ca phe sua da after your transaction.
• Eye spy: Check the card slot. If it looks glued on with bubblegum, run! My dog, Sparky, has better crafting skills than that.
• Cash dash: Stuff that Dong (Vietnamese currency) away fast. Don’t stand there counting it like you just won the lottery.
• Be aware. Seriously. Pretend you are batman.

Think of those ATMs as a box of banh mi. Most are delicious, but once in a while, you get one with weird mystery meat.

Remember, common sense is your best travel buddy, even in Vietnam. Namaste and happy travels!

Which US banks operate in Vietnam?

Citibank? Here. Far East National Bank? Also here. Like two peas in a pod, except one’s probably fancier. JP Morgan Chase? Branch and office. Showing off. Wells Fargo and Visa? Just dipping their toes in with offices. Think of it like a pool party, but for banking. Belly flops not recommended.

• Citibank: Branch (Full-service, imagine a banking buffet)
• Far East National Bank: Branch (Another buffet, maybe different cuisine)
• JP Morgan Chase: Branch and Representative Office (Overachiever award goes to…)
• Wells Fargo: Representative Office (Toe-dipping champion)
• Visa International: Representative Office (More of a network, but still counts)

My cousin Vinny works at a pho place near the Citibank in Hanoi. Says the bankers always order the extra-spicy. Makes you wonder about their risk tolerance, right? No idea what the Wells Fargo folks eat, though. Probably bland toast. Kidding! (Not really).

Do I need to notify Bank of America of international travel?

Ugh, Bank of America. Seriously? No travel notification? That’s insane. My Chase card lets me do it. What’s the deal? Do they think their fraud detection is that good? I’m not convinced.

My last trip to Italy, my card got flagged twice! Twice! Such a hassle. I ended up calling them for like, half an hour each time. Pure headache. And the hold music? Murderous.

So, no. You don’t need to notify them, apparently. But honestly? I’d still be super cautious.

• Inform your card provider of any international travel (other banks).
• Check your account regularly during and after.
• Maybe use a different card?
• Seriously consider getting a travel credit card.
• Remember that international transactions might take longer to process.

This is ridiculous. Bank of America needs to update their system. It’s 2024 for crying out loud. Other banks are doing this. Why are they behind? I’m thinking about switching banks tbh. It’s annoying. I swear, this is such a basic feature.