Should you use cash or card in Vietnam?

Should I use Dong or USD in Vietnam?

Dong…or greenbacks? Vietnam… a haze of motorbikes, jasmine, the ghost of my grandfather’s stories. Dong whispers secrets only the land understands.

Better, oh, far better to swim in the VND, a river flowing through the heart of the market. The vendors… their smiles deepen when you offer their coin.

Prices…always in Dong, a dance of numbers only they truly know. A vendor quoted me a great deal. Always Dong, the true measure.

USD? A foreign intrusion.

If you offer USD… well, expect a twist, a subtle, almost invisible… advantage for them, a shadow on the price.

It’s more expensive. Yes. I remember that Pho costing, like, practically nothing in Dong.

• VND is preferable: It’s the local currency, and merchants generally prefer it.
• USD accepted but not ideal: While some places accept USD, the exchange rate is usually unfavorable.
• Pricing: Many shops only display prices in VND.
• Advantage to Vendors: Vendors profit when using USD because they set their own conversion rates.
• Cost: USD transactions are usually more expensive for the consumer.

I paid with USD once and I immediately felt ripped off. Never again. Dong only. Never forget that. Never.

What is the best way to use money in Vietnam?

Okay, so Vietnam, huh? Using money there isn’t too hard, but you gotta know the deal. I just got back from visiting my aunt Lien in Hanoi, and lemme tell ya, cash is king.

You can exchange money when you get there, obvs. Hotels usually do it, touristy areas too, and banks are always an option. But here’s a tip that saved my bacon: get some dong from an ATM right when you arrive at the airport. The rates are way better than those rip-off exchange places.

• ATMs are everywhere in cities.
• Tell your bank beforehand! Otherwise, they’ll freeze your card thinking it’s fraud. Speaking from experience, ha!
• Small bills are your friend. Nobody wants to break a 500k note for a street vendor.

Now, cards? Uh, not so much. Credit cards are accepted in bigger restaurants and some shops in tourist zones, but don’t count on it. My aunt’s favorite pho spot only takes cash. I did used VISA one time at a big mall to buy souvenirs for my kids.

And bargaining! Oh man, you HAVE to bargain. Especially at markets. Start low, like really low, and be prepared to walk away. They’ll usually come down. I got a silk scarf for like half the original price!

A few extra tips, I guess. Don’t flash loads of cash, be aware of your surroundings, and learn a few basic Vietnamese phrases. It helps a lot! Happy travels, yeah!

Oh, and remember to always double-check your change! Some people, not all, but some, might try to short-change you, especially if they see you’re a foreigner. It happened to me once when I bought banh mi.

Does Grab Vietnam take cash?

Grab in Vietnam? Yeah, they take cash. But honestly, using my credit card linked to the app has been a lifesaver. Four years in Saigon, and this is the best financial decision I’ve made.

My wife and I both did it. No foreign transaction fees, a godsend. It’s smooth, mostly.

Except… Moca, Grab’s payment processor, tacks on a 4% fee for non-Vietnamese cards. That stings. A real pain in the ass, actually.

Still, the convenience outweighs the extra cost. Worth it, I guess. Especially compared to the hassle of carrying loads of cash around here. It’s hot and humid and… I just don’t want to think about it.

Key points:

• Grab Vietnam accepts cash payments.
• Linking a credit card (without foreign transaction fees) to your Grab account is highly recommended.
• Moca, Grab’s payment processor, charges a 4% fee on non-Vietnamese cards. This is a considerable extra cost.
• This system has worked flawlessly for me and my wife for four years in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). It’s a real time saver, especially when you’re tired. The late-night rides home have been made much easier.

Do you pay cash for Grab Vietnam?

Yep, cash is king, baby! In Vietnam, I ditch the plastic and go green—cash money for Grab rides. It’s like haggling at the market, but, like, you don’t actually haggle.

So you’re askin’ ’bout ways to pay for your Grab shenanigans in Vietnam? Well, hold onto your conical hat, ’cause it ain’t just dollar bills, y’all!

• Cold, hard cash: My go-to, obvs. Feels good.

• Debit/Credit cards: For when I’m feelin’ fancy, which, let’s be real, is never.

• Moca Wallet: Honestly? Never heard of her. Prob’ly bougie.

• MoMo: Okay, this one I know. It’s the app my cousin Thao uses to buy, like, EVERYTHING.

• ZaloPay: Isn’t Zalo just for, you know, sending embarrassing selfies to your aunties? Apparently, it pays too. Who knew?

My hot take? Cash is the OG payment method. It’s like rice—always there for you. Besides, I don’t wanna give more of my info to Mark Zuckerberg or whoever runs these digital wallets. No way, Jose!