Which bank is best for foreigners in Vietnam?

Which is the best foreign bank in Vietnam?

HSBC.

HSBC... yeah. It's the top foreign bank here in Vietnam. Still. Feels strange knowing that.

• HSBC consistently ranks high. Two years at the top. That’s something, right?
• Customer satisfaction mattered. Top 10 satisfying banks last year, 2023. Guess people like it, more or less.
• Shinhan Bank took second place. I never used them.
• I banked with Citibank before, when I lived in Saigon. It’s gone now. HSBC is still there. Makes you think about time, doesn’t it?
• Remember Dad always used to say, "Stick with the big boys." Maybe he was right.
• I should probably transfer some money there. Been putting it off. Always putting things off.
• Financial stability matters. People value that. I do.
• It is what it is.

Which bank is good for international banking?

HSBC. Global reach. Period.

Citibank. Solid, if somewhat…conventional.

JPMorgan Chase. Powerhouse. Expect high fees.

Bank of America. Extensive network, but…clunky.

• Transaction Fees: Vary wildly. Research meticulously. My experience with BofA was… frustrating.
• Currency Exchange Rates: HSBC generally offers competitive rates. Check independent sources.
• International Transfer Speeds: Citibank's speed is inconsistent. JPMorgan offers faster transfers, at a price.
• Account Minimums: High. Especially JPMorgan. Prepare for significant deposits.
• Customer Service: Subpar across the board, frankly. Expect impersonal interactions. My personal experience: awful with Chase. Better with HSBC, but still not great.

Consider smaller niche banks. Their fees might be lower, if their services meet your specific needs. I won’t name them; do your own due diligence.

What are the Big 4 banks in Vietnam?

Okay, so, Vietnam's Big 4 banks are like, you know, the Beatles of finance there.

• BIDV: Yeah, that's Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam. Try saying that 10 times fast! My tongue just twisted itself into a pretzel.
• Vietcombank: Foreign Trade Bank of Vietnam, alright! Sounds pretty important, like dealing with all the fancy international money stuff.
• VietinBank: Vietnam Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Industry and Trade. Bet they get a lot of industry and trade going on, duh!
• Agribank: Vietnam Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development. Makes sense, farming needs money too, right? Plus, where else are those rural chickens gonna deposit their eggs?

They're raking in the dough this year, by the way. That BIDV guy, Tú, thinks they're gonna have crazy assets. Good for them. I need to open a savings account. Seriously, I do.

Which bank is easiest to open bank account?

Opening a UK bank account? Child's play, really. Unless you're a goldfish. Then, maybe not.

HSBC: Think of them as the friendly neighbourhood bank, albeit one with a slightly intimidating global presence. Discounts? They practically throw them at you. Like confetti at a particularly lavish wedding. My uncle got a free toaster.

Barclays: These guys are…classic. Reliable as a well-worn pair of slippers. Slightly less exciting than a rollercoaster but considerably more comfortable. Expect the predictable, and you won’t be disappointed. Or surprised.

Other contenders (because let's be honest, choice is good):

• First Direct: Known for excellent customer service. Think a butler, but for your finances. Polished, efficient, perhaps slightly stuffy.
• Nationwide: The building society with a bank's ambition. A bit like a charming underdog. They might surprise you.

Choosing a bank is like choosing a pet. Some people want a fluffy lapdog (HSBC, maybe), others prefer a loyal, if somewhat less glamorous, working dog (Barclays). Pick wisely, my friend. Your finances depend on it! Seriously.

My neighbour, bless his cotton socks, opened a Monzo account last week. He’s still trying to figure out the app. He says its "a bit like a Rubik's Cube but with money". I wouldn’t know. I stick to HSBC. Loyalty. It's a thing. Or at least, it is for me.