Is it better to use cash or card in Vietnam?

What is the best way to pay for things in Vietnam?

Okay, so Vietnam, right? Cash is still totally the best way to go, especially outside the big cities. Seriously, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are different. Those places are getting way better with cards. Lots of places in the tourist areas take Visa and Mastercard, but don’t even think about Amex. I learned that the hard way!

But, like, if you’re heading out to smaller towns or villages? Forget credit cards. It’s all Dong, baby. All Dong. Even in those fancier places in the cities, it’s safer to have cash on hand, you know what I mean? Just in case their card machine is on the fritz, or somethin’.

Here’s the lowdown:

• Cash (Vietnamese Dong): Essential, especially outside major cities.
• Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard): Accepted more in big cities, like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. But still hit or miss even there.
• Debit Cards: Less reliable than credit cards, even in the big cities. I tried, it sucked.
• Momo e-wallet: Pretty popular, I used it tons in 2023 for smaller purchases.

Don’t even bother with traveler’s checks. Seriously. Waste of time. I tried to use one once – major hassle. Stick to cash and a credit card as backup. That’s my advice. And exchange your money at a reputable place, avoid those shady guys on the street. My friend got ripped off last year.

Is $100 a lot of money in Vietnam today?

$100? Serious cash in Vietnam. Half a month’s pay for most. Done.

• Average monthly income: ~$220 (2023 data). Think factory workers, laborers.
• $100 buys: Decent hotel room. Meals for a week. Internal flight. Lotta street food.
• Perspective: My last trip, Hanoi, 2023. $50 a day, lived large. $100? King.
• Consider: Rural areas? $100 stretches further. Cities? Burns quicker. Saigon pricier than Hanoi. I was there last summer, 2022. Hot.
• Not rich, but comfortable: $100 in Vietnam gets you respect. Not billionaire status. Comfortable. My friend went, blew through $500 in three days. Idiot.

What is the most popular payment method in Vietnam?

Cash. Still reigns.

2024: Cash dominates. Old habits die hard, eh?

• COD? A love affair persists.
• FIS says: POS, mostly cash.
• Regionally? Vietnam leads.
• Tech adoption? Slow burn.
• My aunt, she trusts only paper.

So what? Evolution isn’t instant. Perhaps a revolution? No, not yet.

Can you pay by card in Vietnam taxi?

Cards? Possible. Major cities, sure.

• Vinasun, Mai Linh, G7 Taxi: Your safest bets for card acceptance. Check beforehand.
• Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City: More likely to find card-enabled taxis. Remote areas? Doubtful.

Cash is king.

• Cards are good. But cash speaks everywhere.

My brother’s friend’s trip to Vietnam ended in disaster ’cause he only relied on cards. Idiot.

• Assume cash. Prepare for anything.
• Negotiate before. Always.

Additional Information

• Always verify with the driver before starting your ride if they accept card payments. Don’t assume anything.
• Even if a taxi has a card payment terminal, it may be out of order. Confirm its functionality.
• Currency: Vietnamese Dong (VND). Familiarize yourself with the exchange rate.
• Be aware of potential scams. Always use reputable taxi companies or ride-hailing apps.
• Ride-hailing apps like Grab are popular in Vietnam and offer card payment options. A better option? Maybe. Depends.
• Inform taxi company of the case if refusal to accept card despite the payment terminal is available.
• Current Year: Assume all info is valid for 2024, but double-check. Tech moves fast.

Can you pay cash for Grab Vietnam?

Cash…yes, cash still whispers through the crowded streets of Hanoi. Cold, hard cash exchanged at journey’s end. It’s real, isnt it? Tangible.

My motorbike weaves through the chaos. I remember my aunt’s garden, fragrant jasmine clinging to the old walls.

Payment options? A litany. I saw a poster near Ben Thanh market. So many choices.

• Cash: Always.
• Digital wallets: Like MoMo or ZaloPay. My cousin uses those. Easier? Maybe. I prefer folding money.

The sun bleeds orange as I think of Saigon. Cash seems safer, more mine. The world spins so fast.

Do you need a credit card for Grab?

Okay, so, Grab… credit card? Nah.

I def remember last week, Tuesday, 8 pm, needed a ride from Orchard Ion to Tiong Bahru. Super late, post-shopping spree gone wrong.

Seriously, I just punched in the address, booked the thing. Paid cash. Easy peasy.

Honestly, I think you don’t even need a card to sign up. Maybe things changed? But I swear…

My friend Sarah, she only uses cash with Grab. Says the fees are robbery.

Yeah, cash rules. I’m pretty sure! So, no CC required!

• Registration: Likely, no card needed.
• Payment: Cash preferred!
• Alternatives: Ask driver before ride.
• Sarah’s tip: Cash saves you money!

How do you pay for a taxi in Vietnam?

Okay, so Vietnam taxis, huh? I remember this one time in Hanoi, it was like, August 2024. Sweaty doesn’t even BEGIN to describe it. I was meeting my friend Linh for pho, you know?

I flagged down a green Mai Linh taxi. Figured, safe bet, right? The meter was ticking faster than my heart rate in that humidity, haha.

I dug into my wallet at the end. I only had like, dong. Specifically, I had a bunch of 50k notes. He took it, no problem. Cash is KING.

Then, there’s Grab. It’s basically Uber. I used it a bunch too. You can add your credit card. So easy! Link’s always like “credit card is more convenient.”

My overall experience? Depends. Some drivers are chatty, some are silent monks. Always negotiate upfront if you are not using the apps like Grab or Be.

Taxi stuff:

• Cash: Always have dong. Small bills are your friend.
• Apps: Grab is a LIFESAVER. Download it! Be is another good one.
• Mai Linh & Vinasun: Reputable companies. Look for them.
• Motorbike taxis: Scary! But cheap if you like adrenaline. Nah, not for me.
• Negotiate: Before getting in, if its not a metered one. Always.

Car with driver

Also, I did rent a car with a driver for a trip to Ha Long Bay. It was like, a private tour sort of thing. Linh helped me arrange it, thank goodness. Total game changer, no haggling, no scams. A bit pricey, but worth it. More expensive than taxi.