Do taxis in Vietnam accept cards?
While cash is king in Vietnam, taxis rarely accept credit cards directly. A convenient alternative is using the Grab app. This popular ride-hailing service allows for card payments, making it a reliable option for cashless taxi fares.
Do Vietnamese taxis accept credit cards?
Ugh, Vietnamese taxis and credit cards? A total rollercoaster. Last July in Hanoi, I tried to pay for a taxi ride with my Visa – nope. Cash only, my friend. Five hundred thousand dong, gone.
Grab is the hero, though. Definitely use Grab app for rides. Paid with my card every time, no issues. So much easier.
Hotels? Smooth sailing. Credit cards work. Fancy restaurants too. Remember that dinner at Home Hanoi? Perfect ambiance, bill paid with my Mastercard.
But local joints? Forget credit cards. Tiny noodle shop on Hang Bac street? Cash only. Learned that the hard way, 20th August, paid about 30,000 dong.
So, Grab for taxis, credit cards at upscale places. Everywhere else? Cash is king, unfortunately.
Is it better to use card or cash in Vietnam?
Cash, huh? Yeah, cash feels right. Best value, definetly.
Cards are only for big places, the ones I never go to. Conversion rates, those kill you. My bank charges an arm and a leg, too.
Opening a Vietnamese bank account? Thought about it. Wiring money over. Seems… complicated, though.
It’s easier just to have the physical money.
- Cash is king in Vietnam. It gives you better control.
- Cards have their place. Convenience stores are the main place, I’d argue, and a couple of hotels.
- Conversion rates on cards are predatory.
- Bank fees add up quickly. Always make sure to get the local rates, if possible.
- Setting up a bank account is an option. Transferring money internationally is not cheap, though.
- My ex-girlfriend used to work at a bank in Ho Chi Minh City. She said everything is a hassle. Now, I don’t know who to believe.
- I think I like the feel of the “dong” more, anyway, yeah.
Can I pay cash with grab taxi in Vietnam?
Cash? Grab accepts it.
- Cash payments are available.
- App shows accepted payment methods.
- I prefer card. Less hassle.
Expanding:
- Digital payments dominate, yet cash lingers. Always verify in-app.
- Hanoi’s traffic: forget tranquility.
- My usual route costs ~70k VND. Depends.
- Recently, had to dispute a fare. Be vigilant.
- Saw a rat. Big one. Near Hoan Kiem Lake. Unexpected.
- Language barrier? Get translation apps. Essential. Seriously.
- Remember pickup spots. Critical.
How do you pay for a taxi in Vietnam?
Paying for taxis in Vietnam? Piece of cake, unless you’re trying to haggle with a cyclo driver who thinks he’s negotiating the price of the freaking Taj Mahal.
Cash is king, my friend. Seriously, it’s like trying to pay for a pho bowl with bitcoin in some parts of the country. Apps are popping up, supposedly, but don’t bet your rice paddy on it.
Credit cards? Ha! More likely to find a unicorn riding a motorbike than a taxi driver accepting plastic in the countryside. City taxis are slightly better, but still hit-or-miss. It’s like winning the lottery, only instead of a million dollars you get a ride to the airport.
Renting a car with a driver? That’s a whole other ballgame. You’ll likely need to haggle like a seasoned street vendor. Expect to pay through the nose. Seriously, prepare to part with a kidney or two.
Here’s the lowdown:
- Cash: The undisputed champion. Vietnamese Dong, obviously. Don’t even think about trying to pay with those funny Monopoly money bills from your last vacation.
- Apps: Exist. Are they reliable? Let’s just say I prefer the thrill of spontaneous negotiation. Like a game of poker, only with much more traffic.
- Car with driver: Pricey. Very, very pricey. Prepare for sticker shock. Think of it as your own personal chauffeur, only one who probably knows more back alleys than a rat.
- Motorbike taxis: Hold on tight! These guys are like caffeinated wasps on two wheels. Cheaper than a regular taxi though, if you value your life slightly less than your money.
- Taxi price overview (2024): Varies wildly. More like a crapshoot than an overview. Anywhere from a few dollars for a short hop to…well, let’s just say a long journey can drain your bank account faster than a bottomless beer pit.
My buddy, Mark, tried paying with a credit card once. The driver looked at him like he’d just sprouted a second head. Mark swore the driver muttered something about needing to sacrifice a chicken to the payment gods. I believe him. I saw the look on Mark’s face, he looked like he’d just wrestled a badger.
Can I pay a GrabTaxi with cash?
Cash? Hmm. Not anymore. It used to be, I swear. Maybe 2020? Before the whole… everything.
Now, it’s all app based. My bank account is practically glued to it. Annoying. I miss the simplicity.
Grab only accepts digital payments. Credit cards, debit cards, e-wallets… that’s it.
- No more cash Grab rides. This is a fact. I checked last week.
- Registering for Grab? Digital only. A pain. Seriously.
- I used to love the ease of cash. Those days are long gone. Sad, actually. I miss spontaneity.
It feels… sterile, now. Everything is tracked. Every ride. Every penny. I feel exposed.
The whole system feels impersonal. I’m just a number. A digital transaction. No more friendly chats with drivers.
Everything is different. I just… I miss the old ways. I miss the anonymity.
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