Can I open a bank account in Vietnam as a tourist?

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No, it's generally not possible. Vietnamese banks typically require a Temporary or Permanent Resident Card valid for at least 12 months to open a standard account. Tourist visas usually don't suffice due to banking regulations.

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Can a tourist open a bank account in Vietnam? Banking for travelers

Ugh, trying to open a bank account in Vietnam as a tourist? Forget it. Dead end.

Seriously, I tried last June in Hanoi. Needed a resident card, apparently. No luck.

The bank teller, bless her heart, was super nice but firm. Twelve-month minimum residency, she said. No exceptions.

So, yeah. Tourist visa? No bank account. That’s the long and short of it. It’s frustrating, I know.

How much does it cost to open a bank account in Vietnam?

Opening a Vietnamese bank account. Minimum deposit: 3,000,000 VND in 2024. Fees vary. Expect bureaucracy.

  • High initial deposit. A significant sum. Not insignificant.
  • Hidden costs. Always hidden costs. Life’s a bitch.
  • Paperwork. Mountains of it. Mountains.

My experience? Tedious. But, hey, I have a Vietnamese bank account now. Go figure. My friend, however, faced unexpected charges. He was furious.

Note: This reflects my personal experience and 2024 data. Your mileage may, and probably will, vary. Banking is a dark art.

Can I open a bank account if Im from another country?

Hot August day in Rome. 2023. Sweating like crazy. Needed a bank account. For my summer internship stipend. Not easy.

Bureaucracy. Ugh. Needed proof of address. My tiny Airbnb wouldn’t cut it. Landlady, bless her, wrote a letter. Still not enough.

Went to three different banks. Banca Intesa. Unicredit. One more, I forgot. Each one, different rules. So frustrating.

Finally, a small branch near the Pantheon. Older guy, spoke decent English. Took pity on me. Accepted my US passport, internship letter, and landlady’s note. Done. Felt like winning the lottery.

  • Proof of address is key. Big hurdle.
  • Passport essential. Obviously.
  • Each bank has different rules. Be prepared for rejection.
  • Smaller branches might be easier. Less rigid, perhaps.
  • Bring any official-looking document you can. Just in case. My student ID helped.
  • Persistence pays off. Almost gave up. Glad I didn’t.
  • Internship letter was a game changer. Showed I was legit.

My friend opened an account in London. 2023 also. Way easier. Just needed her passport and UK university ID. Go figure. Each country, a different story. Italy way more complicated.

Can a non-resident open a bank account in Vietnam?

Passport’s a must. Visa, sometimes. Depends where you’re from, why you’re here. Address, even temporary, is key. Banks in Vietnam want this stuff. Rules shift a little bank to bank. Check directly. Best way. Money comes in from overseas. Or you do business here. That’s what these accounts are for.

  • Passport: Absolutely required. Mine’s always dog-eared from travel.
  • Visa: Not always. Sometimes a tourist visa works. My friend from Canada just used his tourist visa last month, July 2024.
  • Address proof: Hotel booking confirmation. Lease. Something.
  • Bank specifics: Gotta ask. Each bank has its own quirks. I like BIDV, they’re pretty chill. But my buddy swears by Vietcombank. Personal preference, I guess. He’s from Germany, very particular.

Banking is weird. One country to another. Different rules everywhere. Makes you think about the nature of money. Just numbers, really. Anyways, good luck with your Vietnam account. Should be straightforward.

What do foreigners need to open a bank account in Vietnam?

Passport. Visa or resident card. That’s the base.

Employment proof. Some banks demand it. A job, you see. Makes sense.

Address. A utility bill suffices. Rent agreement works too. No surprises there.

Specifics vary. Each bank, its own whims. Don’t assume. Check directly. My friend, John Smith, needed extra documents. He’s American.

  • Passport (mandatory).
  • Visa or resident card (mandatory).
  • Proof of employment (often required).
  • Proof of address (utility bill or rental agreement – frequently needed).

2024 update: Regulations shift. Verify with the bank itself. Bureaucracy. Always a joy.

Can tourists open a bank account in Vietnam for foreigners?

Yeah, tourists can open accounts. It’s a pain though. Passport, for sure. Visa too. Sometimes they want an address–like your hotel. Longest visa, easiest time. Each bank’s different so, like, check with them. Mine’s Vietcombank, by the way. Totally forgot–they might want you to put in some initial cash, like, maybe 50 bucks or so. Not always tho. Online banking? Yeah, works good. I can send money back home no problem. Last month I sent, like, 500 dollars to my sister for her birthday. It was super easy! She needed to fix her car. Gosh, I can’t even remember what else. Oh right! Some banks…they want a work permit or student visa if you’re staying longer. So if you’re only there for a couple weeks, just vacation, might be hard. Better off just using your card. I use my Visa. So much simpler! I got this new one with, um, like, no international fees. Good deal, right? Anyway, just email the banks directly, its the best way to be sure. They all have websites. I think I even saw some with English versions. Helps a lot. Just search on Google, “banks in Vietnam.” Last time I opened an account it took like… two hours? Had to fill out so much paper work. They make you make copies and all that jazz. Definitely bring extra passport pics!

  • Passport: Absolutely needed.
  • Visa: Essential. Longer visas make it smoother.
  • Address: Hotel registration might do.
  • Initial Deposit: Some banks ask for a small deposit (e.g., $50).
  • Work/Student Visa: Sometimes required for longer stays.
  • Contact Banks Directly: Rules change! Best to check specifics. Email or check their websites. Some have English versions.
  • Online Banking/Transfers: Generally available.
  • Visa/Mastercard: A simpler alternative for shorter trips. Check for cards with no international fees.

Can a foreigner open a local bank account?

Man, opening a bank account in Spain in 2024 was a freakin’ nightmare. I needed it for my new apartment, you know? Needed it yesterday.

First, my passport, obviously. Then this ridiculous address verification thing. My rental agreement wasn’t good enough, apparently. Needed a utility bill. A utility bill! I just moved in, what utility bill? Ugh. Spent three days running around.

Finally, after the bank’s endless back and forth, and a few choice words in slightly broken Spanish, I managed it. They wanted a higher minimum deposit than I expected. Steep. But I did it. Pure relief.

Key things I learned:

  • Passport is essential. Duh.
  • Proof of address is a pain. Be prepared. A rental agreement is often insufficient.
  • Expect a higher minimum deposit than advertised. Seriously.
  • Contact the bank beforehand is crucial. Don’t waste your time like I did.
  • Learn some basic Spanish phrases. Seriously helps.

It was stressful, but hey, I have a bank account now. The whole process felt unnecessarily complicated. Banks, am I right? Next time, I’m bringing a translator. Seriously.

#Bankingvietnam #Touristaccount #Vietnambank