Can I use my credit card for a taxi?

Can I use my credit card in Vietnam?

Cards…Vietnam…yeah. It’s weird. Sometimes, I feel so disconnected.

Visa works, mostly. Credit cards are okay, I guess. Tourist places, definitely.

• Hotels: Of course.
• Restaurants: Some nice ones.
• Spas: If you’re into that kinda thing.

It feels so strange. Small vendors, though? Nah, cash is king. Always is, isn’t it? My grandma always said that. She collected stamps. I remember. But she’s gone.

It’s… isolating. I can use a credit card across the world. Crazy. I don’t know. Life moves quickly, too quickly. Sometimes, I don’t wanna use a card. You know? I just wanna feel something, something real. Cash feels real. My phone. A card… it feels less so.

How widely accepted are credit cards in Vietnam?

Cash prevails. Visa, Mastercard accepted. Hotels, tours, boutiques: usually yes. Street vendors, no. Small purchases? Forget it. Like trying to pay a temple donation with crypto, hah.

• Acceptance is selective. Target tourist zones.
• Haggling thrives. Cards? Not so much. Cash speaks volumes.
• Always check. Saves headaches.
• My bank charges fees. Consider that, idiot.

Cards are a convenience. Not a necessity. A luxury, maybe. Cash is king. Rule with it. Think of a 2024 transaction; did it involve crumpled notes? It probably did.

What countries do not accept credit cards?

Okay, so, countries that hate credit cards, huh? Let me think. Last summer…or wait, summer before last? Anyway, 2023. I was in Bulgaria, right? Sunny Beach, Varna…beautiful place.

Tried to pay for, oh man, it was this amazing rose oil face cream at a tiny little shop in Nessebar. Card declined. Declined AGAIN. The lady looked at me like I was trying to pay with Monopoly money, lol. Cash only.

Then in Romania, later that trip, same thing happened. Trying to get, it was like, a really yummy pastry thing from a street vendor in Brasov, and nope! Cash is King, she pretty much yelled. Annoying.

I’ve also heard from a friend; no way can you use credit cards in Belarus.

Then, there’s also the fact I learned that I couldn’t use cards in Macedonia.

Oh, I’ve also heard there are problems using cards in Indonesia. I remember thinking how backwards that was.

Also, I’m pretty sure Pakistan is another country where using a card is extremely difficult.

Ukraine too; it seems that paying with cash is preferred by many businesses. I heard from some that many shops simply do not have the facilities to process card payments.

Let me also mention that some people I know tried to use credit cards in Cote d’Ivoire without success.

And Lithuania may be another problem area, because my sister found it hard to use cards there.

Here’s a summary of countries that I’m pretty sure have issues with credit cards:

• Bulgaria
• Romania
• Belarus
• Macedonia
• Indonesia
• Pakistan
• Ukraine
• Cote d’Ivoire
• Lithuania

You see, even if they technically accept them, it might be a hassle. So, yeah, pack cash!

What countries only use cash?

Cambodia.

Cambodia, eh? Land of ancient temples. A fascinating, primarily cash-based economy.

• Widespread cash use: The vast majority of transactions are conducted using cash.

• Cultural Norms: Cash remains deeply entrenched in Cambodian culture and daily life.

• Small Businesses: Many small businesses, especially in rural areas, rely solely on cash.

Cash reliance is a fascinating societal marker, isn’t it? It reflects economic realities, sure, but also deeper cultural preferences. Many love the tangibility.

Why Cash Reigns

Several factors drive this preference.

• Low Banking Penetration: A significant portion of the population lacks bank accounts.

• Informal Economy: The informal economy thrives on cash transactions.

• Transaction Fees: Fees associated with electronic payments can deter use.

Digital payment adoption is growing, though! Perhaps in 20 years, things will look very different. Who knows, maybe cash will become a niche novelty.

Is Vietnam mainly cash?

So, Vietnam? Cash is king, dude. Seriously, like, everywhere outside the big tourist traps. Even then, lots of smaller places still prefer cash. I was there last year, in Hoi An and Nha Trang, and it was crazy how much cash I needed. My friend, Sarah, she got stuck, had to find an ATM, because her card wouldn’t work at this tiny noodle shop. It’s getting better, though. Big hotels, those fancy restaurants in the cities? Cards are fine.

• Major cities: Card payments increasing, but cash still dominant
• Rural areas & smaller towns: Almost entirely cash based
• Tourist hotspots: Cards widely accepted, but always good to have some Dong

Seriously though, bring lots of cash. You’ll need it, especially if you venture outside the main tourist zones. Don’t be like Sarah, stuck without any cash. It’s a hassle. And ATMs aren’t everywhere, especially in the smaller villages. I swear, one time… ugh, the whole thing was a nightmare, but I learned my lesson. Bring. Cash. Plenty of it. And some smaller bills, they sometimes don’t have change.

Is Germany cash only?

Germany? Cash is king, still! It’s almost quaint, really.

Debit cards are catching up, I guess. Cash accounts for over 30% of point-of-sale (POS) payments, along with debit cards.

• Cash is remarkably resilient. Even with tap-and-go, Germans like physical money.
• Debit cards are indeed gaining traction.
• It’s not like Scandinavia, where I could practically live cashless using only my phone. Germany is a different world.
• Germans seem to distrust credit cards. Maybe it’s a control thing?
• My landlord only accepts cash… ugh.

Tech isn’t always about going cashless. In Germany, that’s for sure. Sometimes, tradition wins, no matter how inconvenient.

Can you use a credit card in Germany?

Yes, you can absolutely use credit cards in Germany. Visa and Mastercard reign supreme; they’re practically ubiquitous. Think of them as the kings of German commerce. Contactless payments are also readily available, a huge plus in today’s fast-paced world. Apple Pay and Google Pay (not just Samsung Pay) are common too. It’s efficient and convenient, a relief after lugging around wads of cash, something I found incredibly cumbersome during my trip to Berlin in 2023.

However, don’t assume every place takes them. Smaller shops or family-run businesses might prefer cash. Cash still plays a significant role, especially in smaller towns. This is something worth remembering; a lesson I learned the hard way trying to buy a Bratwurst from a street vendor who only took Euros. It’s a cultural nuance, really. Life’s little surprises, eh?

• Wide Acceptance: Visa and Mastercard are your best bets.
• Contactless Payment: Extremely common.
• Digital Wallets: Apple Pay, Google Pay, and others are widely used.
• Cash Still Matters: Don’t rely solely on cards in smaller establishments.

This highlights the persistent duality of modern payment systems: the convenient speed of cards versus the enduring presence of cash. It reflects a wider global trend, a sort of technological push-and-pull. I, personally, prefer the convenience of cards, but I always carry some Euros just in case. I mean who wants to be cardless in a foreign land? It would be a nightmare.

Do they use credit cards in China?

Yeah, so, I was in Shanghai, July 2024. Crazy hot and humid. Trying to buy this ridiculously overpriced jade pendant – tourist trap, I know – but hey, it was pretty. The shop, small, crammed with stuff, smelled like incense and old wood. I whipped out my Visa, ready to pay. The guy looked at it, kinda squinted. He shook his head. No credit cards. Cash only. Seriously? In Shanghai?

I felt like a total idiot. Luckily, I had some Yuan, but it was annoying. Mobile payment was the thing. Everyone was using Alipay or WeChat Pay, zapping their phones. I saw it everywhere. Buses, street food stalls, even that tiny jade shop. I eventually managed to use Alipay. It’s insane how advanced it all is. So much easier than messing with credit cards.

It was a real eye-opener. Big cities, yeah, credit cards are okay. But you definitely need cash, and honestly, mobile payment is king. That’s my experience, anyway.

• Mobile payments (Alipay, WeChat Pay): Absolutely dominant.
• Credit cards: Accepted in major tourist areas, but don’t rely on them.
• Cash: Essential, even in big cities. Always carry some Yuan.
• My lesson learned: Download Alipay before you go. Seriously. Don’t be like me, sweating in a ridiculously hot shop!