How do I withdraw money from Vietnam?

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To withdraw money in Vietnam, use ATMs accepting Visa, Mastercard, Cirrus, Plus, JCB, and UnionPay. Have both Visa and Mastercard for wider access. American Express and Diners Club may have limited acceptance. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted for card payments.
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Withdraw Money from Vietnam: How-To Guide?

Okay, withdrawing money in Vietnam… lemme tell ya, it's a bit of an adventure, haha. ATMs there mostly vibe with Visa, Mastercard, Cirrus, Plus, JCB, and UnionPay.

Trust me on this. I learned the hard way.

I'd carry at least one Visa and one Mastercard, just to be safe, y'know?

Some machines are picky! Some accept only Visa or only Mastercard. Not great.

Forget about Amex or Diners. Seriously. Don't even bother. You'll thank me later.

Swiping? Yeah, Visa and Mastercard are your pals there. You'll find those used pretty often.

Remember that time I tried using my Amex in Hanoi? Oof, that was… fun. (Not really, haha).

What is the cash withdrawal limit in Vietnam?

Vietnam ATM withdrawals? Limits hover.

  • 2,000,000 VND to 10,000,000 VND. Depends on the bank. Take note.

  • Big cities? Expect slightly more. Hanoi possibly.

  • Fees are predators. Be vigilant. My Vietcombank experience wasn't great.

  • Research is survival.

ATM limits vary.

Can I withdraw USD from ATM in Vietnam?

Okay, so, no way to get USD directly from ATMs in Vietnam. Happened to me.

I remember landing in Hanoi, summer of 2024, super jet-lagged. Needed cash fast.

Tried using my Bank of America card at this shiny, new ATM near Hoan Kiem Lake. Frustration!

Thought, hey, maybe my USD account would spit out USD. Nope. Just Vietnamese Dong (VND).

That's the rule there. Only VND from ATMs. Period. It's the law, so no arguing.

My experience:

  • Location: ATM near Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi
  • Date: June 2024
  • Card: Bank of America (USD account)
  • Result: Only received VND
  • Feeling: Slightly annoyed and super sleepy

Like, seriously, why would they give out USD anyway? It's Vietnam. VND is king. Now, exchanging USD to VND at banks or licensed exchange booths? That's totally doable. Better rates usually. So exchanging at banks is preferable. I learned that the hard way.

Also, credit cards are accepted in many places, especially in tourist areas. Still, having VND on hand is essential for smaller shops and street food. Street food is like a must! Pho!