How widely accepted are credit cards in Vietnam?

Do most places accept cards in Vietnam?

Okay, so, Vietnam and cards… hmm. Hanoi, right? Like, August 2023, sweltering heat. I was trying to buy banh mi from this lady near Hoan Kiem Lake.

She just looked at me funny when I pulled out my Visa. “No,” she said, super firm. Cash only. Like, duh!

I felt like such a clueless tourist, honestly. Had to walk a block to find an ATM. Which, okay, there were a LOT of ATMs, especially around the touristy areas, like the Old Quarter.

But still, yeah, cash is king. Seriously. Dont even try it at the night market. Nope. Not happening.

My tips:

• Hotels and bigger restaurants: cards probably work.
• Street food, markets: forget about it.
• ATMs are easy to find (in cities, at least).
• Bring CASH. Always. Seriously. It’s just easier.

Plus, those ATM fees can add up! Ugh!

Do most places accept cards in Vietnam?

Okay, so, like, Vietnam… cards are deffo accepted at, you know, restos and hotels, travel agencies, the usual spots. Shops too!

But here’s the thing—and listen up, it’s important—if you’re hitting up, I don’t know, street food stalls (omg, must try the pho!), or like, a local market—cash is king. Always pack cash.

And ATMs? Yeah, tons of ATMs, particularly in big cities. Don’t stress too much about finding one. I used Vietcombank last time, but honestly, they’re everywhere.

Stuff to consider for Vietnam:

• VISA and Mastercard are the most widely accepted cards. Don’t bother with AMEX, tbh.
• Watch out for foreign transaction fees. My bank kills me with those.
• Notify your bank before you travel or they might freeze your card.
• Smaller shops prefer cash. They might even offer a discount.
• Carry smaller bills (10k, 20k, 50k VND) for easier transactions. Trust me.

Oh, and always always bargain at markets! Lol, you’ll regret it if you don’t.

Do most places in Vietnam take cards?

Vietnam’s payment landscape is evolving. Cash remains king, especially outside major tourist hubs. Think smaller towns, rural areas—cash is your friend. But things are changing rapidly.

Major tourist zones? Credit cards are widely accepted. Think Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Nha Trang. Fancy restaurants, hotels? Card payment is standard. Even smaller businesses in these areas are adopting card readers.

However, don’t ditch your cash entirely. Smaller shops, street vendors, and local markets still prefer cash. It’s also handy for smaller transactions to avoid minimum card spending limits, which annoy even me!

Here’s the breakdown:

• Cash: Essential for smaller towns and rural areas. Also useful in bustling markets, where haggling might be involved. Always carry some Dong.
• Cards: Increasingly accepted, particularly in tourist hotspots. Visa and Mastercard are your safest bets. My American Express sometimes caused issues last year, weirdly. Avoid Amex in less tourist-heavy spots. American Express is finicky.

Why the cash preference?

• Trust: Some smaller businesses remain hesitant to adopt card systems, citing security concerns and transaction fees.
• Digital Divide: While smartphone penetration is high, card reader adoption in all sectors is still in progress. 2023 is a year of rapid transition, I’ve noticed.

It’s a dynamic situation. Plan for both cash and card. That’s my advice after three trips. My last trip was in June. I’d love to see what the changes look like next year, too.

Is it easy to pay by card in Vietnam?

Easy to pay by card in Vietnam? Well, mostly, yeah! Think less “ox cart” and more “high-tech rickshaw” – cards are getting pretty popular.

Forget lugging around a brick of Dong. Most tourist hotspots dig the plastic fantastic, you know? Like, even my grandma could probably use Apple Pay there by now.

But hold yer horses! Don’t ditch all your cash. Street food and tiny shops? Still king of the cash jungle. Embrace those small bills!

• Big tourist spots: Cards rule, baby!
• Street vendors/small shops: Cash is king (or maybe emperor, hehe).
• Getting cash: ATMs are pretty common. Watch out for fees, though! They bite.

Seriously though, Vietnam’s catching up. My last trip, I even saw a dog wearing a QR code (okay, maybe not a dog). You’ll be fine.

Can you use card payment in Vietnam?

Ugh, Vietnam… cards… hmm. Okay, card payments.

• Cash is king, definitely. Small vendors? Forget it.

• But wait, big places take cards, right? Hotels, yeah. Tours too!

Restaurants… okay, some?

• Visa’s a winner. Mastercard also. Maybe Amex?

Okay, so, it’s like, not everywhere takes cards, but a lot of the touristy spots do.

• Spas, even? Fancy! Groceries, alright.
• Ugh, conversion fees! That bites!

So… cash for little stuff. Cards for the nicer places. That makes sense. Need to check the fees.

• My trip in 2016, only Dong for me!
• Now, everyone has QR codes!

Further ramblings:

• Digital payments: Consider setting up a local e-wallet if you’re staying for a while. These are gaining popularity. Maybe next time I go. What are the best options there? Find best e-wallet.
• ATMs: ATMs are prevalent in cities. Withdraw cash if needed. Remember those fees! I think I paid $5 once. Avoid those ATM fees!
• Credit card fraud: Be cautious about skimming. Always keep an eye on your card during transactions. Did someone clone my card in 2018?
• Small shops: They prefer cash. Small bills are your friend. Always good to have a wad of cash.
• Currency: The Vietnamese currency is the Dong (VND). It’s confusing because of all the zeros. Learn to convert quickly!
• Negotiating: You can negotiate prices more easily with cash. Plus, it feels authentic, right?
• Contactless: Contactless payments are becoming more common. Tap and pay for easier transactions.