How common is credit card in Vietnam?

Are credit cards widely used in Vietnam?

Credit cards in Vietnam? Think of it like this: cash is king, credit cards are the ambitious younger sibling, slowly but surely gaining ground.

Major cities? Sure, swipe away. Tourist traps? Absolutely. Fancy restaurants? No problem. But grandma’s pho stall down the street? Still clinging to its dong.

It’s a fascinating blend of old and new. My friend, who lives in Hanoi, tells me even he mostly uses cash. He claims it’s faster, which, frankly, sounds like a lazy excuse to avoid those pesky credit card fees.

Here’s the lowdown:

• Big players: Credit cards are fine in big hotels (like the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, where I splurged once), upscale eateries, and some shopping malls.
• Small businesses: Cash rules. Prepare those crisp bills. My tailor in Hoi An, for instance, wouldn’t dream of it.
• Overall trend: Increasing use. But don’t ditch your cash stash just yet. It’s 2024, and Vietnam’s still quite attached to its physical money. Think of it as a cultural quirk, not an economic backwardness.
• My personal experience (again): I once attempted to pay for a motorbike taxi ride in Ho Chi Minh City with my card. The driver looked at me like I’d sprouted a second head.

The digital revolution is happening, slowly but surely. Think of it as a delicious pho broth— slowly simmering, infusing rich flavors, but not quite ready to serve just yet. Patience, grasshopper.

Do most places take card in Vietnam?

Vietnam: Cash King, Card Climbing.

Tourist hubs? Card accepted. Smaller areas? Cash rules. Expect cash needs. My last trip? Hanoi, cards worked fine. Phu Quoc? Cash essential for smaller vendors.

• Major cities: Card usage growing rapidly.
• Rural areas: Cash remains dominant.
• Specific situations: Street food, smaller markets—cash only.

2024 Update: While card penetration increases yearly, cash remains vital for seamless travel. Prepare accordingly. My experience in Da Lat this year confirms this. Small shops, even some restaurants, needed cash. Be prepared. Don’t assume cards everywhere.

Can a foreigner get a credit card in Vietnam?

So, you want plastic in Vietnam, eh? Think you can handle the heat? Not the pho kind, the credit card kind. It’s like dating—gotta meet the parents, or, well, the bank’s requirements.

• Vietnamese? 15 and you’re golden (or at least, plastic-holding). Like a teen with a learner’s permit, but for spending.
• Foreigner? 90 days left on your visa? Amateur. Need a year, minimum. Think long-term relationship, not a holiday fling. 12 months, prove your commitment.
• Debt? None of that, buddy. Squeaky clean. Like your grandma’s kitchen, but with finances. No Group 2, bad debts, or anything sold to VAMC (that’s, uh, important).

Imagine strolling through Ben Thanh Market, haggling for souvenirs, and whipping out your Vietnamese credit card. Boom. Instant street cred. Just remember those requirements. Like a secret handshake, but for shopping. My friend, who incidentally lives near Hanoi and breeds prize-winning goldfish, got his card after just six months. Exception, not the rule. Don’t tell him I told you. He thinks he’s special. He is, with those goldfish. Orange, like a sunset over Ha Long Bay. Almost. Anyway, credit cards. Good luck. You’ll need it. (Just kidding…mostly).

Which credit cards are accepted in Vietnam?

Vietnam: Cards accepted? Prepare for an adventure! Visa reigns supreme, naturally. Think of it as the pho of payment methods.

Mastercard? Amex? Discover? They exist, bless their cotton socks. Acceptance? Spotty, like wifi in the highlands. Hit or miss, really.

ATMs are your friends, mostly. If one rejects your plastic pal, don’t despair! International banks might play ball. Or, just buy more street food instead; problem solved!

Withdrawal limits? A lottery! 2 to 10 million VND is the general range. International banks? They might treat you a little kinder. Like a fancy spring roll.

• Visa: Generally Accepted
• Mastercard, Amex, Discover: Less Common.
• ATMs: Best bet for cash. Remember! Transaction fees exist.
• Foreign Banks: Option if ATMs fail.

I took my ancient Amex there last year, expecting rejection. It worked! Once. Then promptly got swallowed by an ATM shaped like a dragon. Coincidence? I think not. Maybe bring a backup card, or twenty.

Is there a credit score in Vietnam?

Vietnam? Credit scores exist, yes. CIC manages it. Separate system. Different scale. CIC – Credit Information Center. Understand?

• CIC: The regulator. Credit scores are under its control. Think of it as the authority.
• Scale: Unique. Not FICO, not VantageScore. Know the difference.
• Importance: Crucial. Access to loans? Dependent. Your financial life hangs on this.
• Why it matters: Interest rates, loan approvals, all tied to that number. No score? No access.
• My sister had issues with this after leaving Vietnam, not fun.