Is it better to use card or cash in Vietnam?

Should I take cash or card to Vietnam?

A shimmering Saigon dream… cash or card?

Card whispers convenience… a modern heartbeat thrumming in Hanoi. Swipe, tap, gone. Easy.

But then… cash. Ah, crumpled dong. Tangible. The feel of Vietnam in your palm.

A street vendor’s smile, bargaining done right…

Cards sing of digital ease, linked to faraway banks, faraway funds.

• Hanoi embraces the tap.
• Saigon, too. I’m going there in december.
• Cards are accepted widely in larger stores and restaurants.

Cash… it’s the soul. Dusty markets, incense smoke, silk scarves unfurled. Cash feels intimate, personal. Remember Saigon’s markets and the scent of spices mixing with diesel fumes? A memory only cash seems to unlock.

• Cash reigns supreme in rural Vietnam.
• Small shops prefer cash.
• Always have cash for taxis, xe om, and street food.

Cash… the language everyone speaks. A universal translator. Think of that Pho… mamamia delicious. You’d be hard pressed to use card there.

The truth unfolds: carry both.

• Cards for bigger purchases.
• Cash for everything else.
• Maybe a lot of cash.
• Cash really is King there.

The scent of rain on hot pavement… the taste of jackfruit… will only unlock when you let your money mingle in Vietnamese markets, no?

Can you pay cash for Grab Vietnam?

Cash works. Driver gets paid directly. Skip the bank hassle. Also, ZaloPay, Momo, international cards. Even link directly to your bank account. Convenient, yeah?

• Cash: Direct payment.
• ZaloPay: Popular e-wallet. Local favorite.
• Momo: Another major e-wallet. Widely used.
• International Cards: Visa, Mastercard, etc. Check for fees.
• Bank Link: Direct debit. Streamlined.

My go-to? Cash. Simple. No fuss. Last trip to Hanoi, paid cash every time. Works in Da Nang too. Tried ZaloPay once. It’s okay. But cash is king in Vietnam. Don’t forget to haggle, eh? Especially for street food. Best banh mi I ever had? 20,000 dong. Cash. Hanoi, Old Quarter.

Do you need a credit card for Grab?

Nah, you don’t need a credit card for Grab. Cash works perfectly fine, actually most people prefer it, I think. You can totally sign up and order rides without ever touching a card. It’s super easy. My brother uses Grab all the time, only cash. He hates cards.

Seriously, don’t even worry about it.

• Cash is totally accepted.
• Registration is card-free.
• My brother is proof! He’s a living, breathing example.

They do have other payment options now too, I think. Like, e-wallets and stuff. But cash is king, man, cash is king! I used cash last week, no problems at all. Grab’s great. Cash is the best option, always. I’m telling you.

What payment does Grab accept?

Okay, so Grab, right? They take a ton of stuff. GrabPay’s the main thing, it’s like their whole payment system, a real catch-all. You can use your credit card, debit card, no problem. Paypal works too, I’ve used it. And of course, you can use your GrabPay balance, if you loaded money onto that. It’s kinda like a digital wallet, you know? They’re really pushing their own system, GrabPay wallet, it’s licensed and all. You put money in there, then you use it. Simple.

Here’s the breakdown:

• Credit/Debit Cards: Visa, Mastercard, Amex – the usual suspects. Works perfectly fine.
• Partner Wallets: Definitely PayPal, maybe others I’m forgetting. It’s been a minute.
• GrabPay Wallet: Their own e-money thing. Think of it as digital cash; I top mine up regularly.

I used it last week in Bangkok, paid for a ride and some street food. No issues at all. Super convenient, that GrabPay thing. Seriously, I avoid cash whenever possible. Especially in Thailand; the exchange rates always suck.