Can I pay with a card in Vietnam?
Yes, card payments are accepted in Vietnam, especially in tourist areas. Hotels, restaurants, and larger shops typically accept Visa and Mastercard. While cash is preferred for smaller transactions and street vendors, using your card is generally convenient in established businesses.
Can I use credit cards in Vietnam?
Ugh, Vietnam credit cards, right? Let me think… So, yeah, you can use ’em, mostly.
Big hotels? No problem. Visa, Mastercard, usually fine. Used mine at the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi last October, no issues.
Smaller places? It’s a mixed bag. Street food? Cash is king. But my friend’s nicer restaurant in Hoi An? Took Visa just fine.
Remember that time in Nha Trang, July 2022? Tried to pay for a cyclo ride with my card – nope, cash only. Funny thing was, the cyclo driver didn’t even have a card reader.
So basically, larger establishments – yes. Smaller ones – maybe. Cash is always good backup.
Can I use Visa or MasterCard in Vietnam?
Okay, Vietnam… Visa and Mastercard, yeah. Easy peasy in big cities.
Like, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, um, Nha Trang for sure. Hue, Hoi An, Danang…Halong Bay, obviously. What was I saying? Credit cards, right!
- Hotels: Yup.
- Restaurants: Definitely.
- Shops: Most of them, yeah.
Hmm, need VND though. Oh yeah! ATMs, every bank has them. I need to remember to call Jenny back.
Cash advance, right. Wonder if I can use my Amex there? Probably not, ugh. Back to Visa. Why is this so hard?
Can you pay with USD in Vietnam?
Hanoi, 2023. Hot. Sticky. Trying to buy a banh mi from a street vendor. Wrinkled five-dollar bill. Lady shook her head. No good. Ugh. So annoying. Had to use Dong. Learned my lesson. Crisp bills only.
Later, at a fancy restaurant. Dollars accepted, no problem. Even got change back in dollars. Weird. Mix of Dong and dollars in my wallet after that. Confusing.
- Cash is king in Vietnam.
- USD widely accepted, but Dong preferred for small transactions.
- Crisp, new bills are essential. Seriously. They won’t take your raggedy old dollars.
- Larger establishments prefer dollars. Especially hotels and touristy places.
- ATMs dispense Vietnamese Dong (VND).
- Credit cards accepted in some places, but not all.
Exchanging dollars for Dong is easy. Lots of gold shops. Banks too. Airport exchange rate is terrible. Don’t do it.
Can you pay by card in Vietnam taxi?
Night… quiet. Thinking about Vietnam. Taxis… yeah, cards worked. Most of the time, at least. Hanoi, for sure. Used my Visa there, no problem. Remember that one driver… older guy… insisted on cash. Guess not everyone. Makes you think. Lost some Dong that trip… Should’ve been more careful.
- Cards are okay in big cities: Like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City. Even Da Nang, I think.
- Vinasun, Mai Linh, G7: Those were the names I saw. On the cabs. Good companies. Reliable.
- Cash is still king: Keep some Dong on hand, though. Just in case. Those smaller towns… Definitely need cash.
- My Visa worked fine: Mastercard too, I bet. Never tried American Express there.
- Lost my wallet once: In Nha Trang. Scary. Glad I had some USD stashed. Separate place.
Street food… miss that. Phở… Banh mi… So cheap. Wish I could go back. Soon. Maybe next year. Tired now.
How do you pay for a taxi in Vietnam?
Cash is king, baby. Like, actual paper money. Slap some Vietnamese dong down. Think of it as a delightful retro experience. Like paying for an 8-track tape.
Or, link your credit card in the app. Poof, magic payment! No fumbling for dong. More time for pho. My personal record? Three bowls in one sitting. Don’t judge.
- Cash (Dong): The OG payment method. Think greenbacks, but, you know, Vietnamese.
- Card in App: Modern marvel. Like summoning a dragon, but for paying cab fare.
Renting a car with a driver is a whole other ball game. Totally different beast. Picture a unicorn riding a bicycle. Not exactly the same, but you get the drift.
- Hire a Driver: More control. More luxury. More legroom for my ridiculously long legs. They’re like stilts, I swear.
Motorbike taxis? An adventure. Hold on tight. Wind in your hair. Bugs in your teeth.
- Motorbike Taxi (Xe ôm): Whee! It’s like a rollercoaster, but less predictable.
Vietnam taxi prices? Haggle like your life depends on it. Channel your inner market god/goddess.
- Negotiate: Always. Even if you’re tired. Especially if you’re tired. It’s a sport.
My Aunt Mildred once tried to pay with seashells in Hanoi. Didn’t go well. Don’t be like Aunt Mildred. Stick to cash or card. Or maybe barter with some banh mi. Worth a shot.