What debit card is best for Vietnam?

Which card is best for Vietnam?

Visa is generally reliable. Mastercard works too. Avoid Amex; acceptance is spotty.

• Debit cards: Check your bank’s foreign transaction fees. Mine, Chase, charges 3%. Annoying.
• Credit cards: Widely accepted, especially in cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Smaller towns? Not so much. Cash is king. Always.
• Prepaid cards: Convenient. Load it before departure. Avoid fees. I used a Charles Schwab card last year. Zero fees. Best choice. Seriously.

Local ATMs are plentiful. Exchange rates vary. Shop around.

My experience? Used my Schwab debit card extensively during my 2023 trip. No problems.

Important Note: Always notify your bank of your travel plans. They might freeze your account otherwise. Learn from my brother’s mistake. He almost missed his flight.

Always carry some cash. Small denominations are helpful. Dong. Vietnamese Dong.

Which ATM is best for tourists in Vietnam?

Forget dodgy hole-in-the-wall ATMs; you’re a tourist, not a spy! Stick to the big boys: Visa, Mastercard, Cirrus – your wallet will thank you. Think of it like dating – avoid the shady characters, go for the reliable ones.

Seriously though, those networks offer broader acceptance. Less frustrating ATM rejection drama. You’ve got better things to do than chase down obscure ATM networks. Like eating pho, for instance.

Safety first, people! Bank ATMs are your friends. Well-lit areas too. Don’t be a target. My friend, Sarah, learned that the hard way in Hoi An last year, bless her heart. She got scammed near a non-bank ATM. Avoid her mistake.

Check your bank’s fees beforehand. This isn’t rocket science; it’s basic financial hygiene. Seriously. It saves you more than a few Dong. Avoid surprises, especially on your vacation. This is especially important this year because of currency fluctuations.

• Use major international networks: Visa, Mastercard, Cirrus.
• Choose ATMs inside banks: Safer than those on random street corners.
• Prioritize well-lit areas: No one wants a late-night ATM robbery story.
• Check your bank’s international fees: Avoid those hidden charges, you cheapskate.

My sister-in-law, Emily, almost had a heart attack last year in Hanoi when she got hit with a ridiculous fee. True story! She almost canceled the rest of her trip, which was a bummer for all involved. Avoid that.

Which SIM card is best in Vietnam?

Viettel? Sure, they’re huge. Like, Godzilla-sized huge. But biggest doesn’t always mean best, darling. It’s like saying the biggest pizza is automatically the tastiest. Ahem. My friend, Mark, swore by VinaPhone last year; incredible 4G speed, he said. Then again, Mark once thought pineapple belonged on pizza. So, grain of salt, there.

My recommendation? Consider your needs.

• Coverage: Viettel boasts the widest reach, venturing into the remotest corners, perfect for intrepid explorers or those planning a truly off-the-beaten-path adventure. Think scaling Fansipan, not just sipping cocktails in Hoi An.
• Price: VinaPhone often offers competitive data packages. Think smart, not just big. Unless you’re planning on downloading the entire Netflix library. In that case, maybe get two SIMs.
• Data: Mobifone, while perhaps not as widespread as Viettel, frequently runs promotions boasting ludicrously generous data allotments. Last month, they practically gave data away for free!

Ultimately, choosing a SIM card is as personal as choosing your favourite noodle soup broth. You want your perfect flavour, and there’s no “one size fits all”. It’s a judgment call. My personal preference? I’m currently using Viettel and my signal is surprisingly good even while hiking. But this isn’t a scientific study, folks! Do your own research. I got a 20GB plan in May for about 200,000 VND. Price may vary. Also, my cat, Mittens, thinks all SIM cards are equally delightful chew toys. Just sayin’.

Can foreigners buy SIM cards in Vietnam?

Foreigners can buy SIM cards. Yeah, they sell them everywhere.

Airports have them. All the travel agencies do too, and you know, even random little shops. It’s kinda crazy. Feels like everyone’s selling SIMs now.

I got mine, uh, at the airport. It was easier, you know? Didn’t want to wander around searching. So convenient I guess.

• Purchase Locations:
  • Airports. Convenient, but maybe pricier?
  • Travel Agencies. Seem legit.
  • Local Stores. Could be cheaper, riskier?
  • Mobile Network Provider Stores. Safest bet, probably.
• Personal Experience: I just grabbed one at the airport. Quick and easy.

Official stores are probably best. Less chance of getting ripped off maybe? It matters, you know? The worry.

Mobile network providers are a sure thing.

Which ATM to use in Vietnam for no fee?

Dude, wanna avoid ATM fees in Vietnam? TPBank and VPBank are your BFFs. They’re like, totally free, man. Five million dong withdrawal limit? That’s enough to buy a small elephant, maybe. Or a really, really big bowl of pho.

MBank and VIB? Forget about it. They’ll hit you with a fee like a runaway motorbike. Forty-nine, fifty thousand dong? Ouch! That’s enough to buy, uh, a slightly less big bowl of pho.

Key takeaway: Stick with TPBank or VPBank. Seriously, those other banks are highway robbery, but with fewer pirates. Think of the delicious street food you could buy with that extra cash!

• TPBank: Fee: Zilch. Limit: 5,000,000 VND. Like, seriously free.
• VPBank: Fee: Nada. Limit: 5,000,000 VND. Free as a bird – a very rich bird.
• MBank: Fee: 49,000 VND. A rip-off. Limit: 5,000,000 VND. Avoid.
• VIB Bank: Fee: 50,000 VND. Even worse than MBank! Limit: 5,000,000 VND. Run away.

My cousin, Sarah, almost cried when she got hit with those fees last year. Don’t be a Sarah. Use TPBank or VPBank. Trust me, my cat Mr. Fluffernutter agrees.

Do all ATM machines charge fees?

Ugh, stuck at that Circle K on Peach Street, Erie, around midnight last Tuesday. Needed cash. My bank, PNC, useless out here. Hit me with a $3 fee. Plus the Circle K’s $2.50. Highway robbery. Five fifty gone just like that. Cash is king, but this king is broke. Seriously irritating. My fault, should’ve planned better. Hit the ATM at Giant Eagle before leaving. They have free ATMs for PNC customers. Lesson learned. Stupid fee.

• ATM fees are a rip-off.
• Giant Eagle = free for PNC.
• Circle K, Peach Street, Erie = $2.50 fee.
• My bank (PNC) = $3 out-of-network ATM fee.
• Plan ahead or pay the price. Literally.
• Tuesday night. Midnight. Needed cash. Badly.
• Shoulda gone to Sheetz. Think they have free ATMs too. Ugh.

What is the best way to withdraw cash in Vietnam?

Okay, so Vietnam and cash… hmmm. ATMs, definitely ATMs.

I remember being in Hanoi last spring, scorching hot, like 100 degrees, sweating bullets just walking, LOL.

I needed Dong—always need Dong!—and yeah, ATMs were clutch. No freakin’ way am I carrying around wads of USD.

I specifically hunted for HSBC ATMs. I heard they were more reliable.

I use my Charles Schwab debit card. It’s a lifesaver, honestly.

• No foreign transaction feesever.
• They reimburse ATM fees worldwide.

Seriously. I pull out cash, Schwab refunds the fee later. It’s insane!

I remember once, I pulled out like, 5 million Dong from some random bank ATM. And yeah, it charged a fee. But Schwab covered it a few days later. So easy.

ATMs are everywhere in tourist areas. Old Quarter had like, ten on every block, almost. I think that’s right.

Safer than money exchanges too in my opinion. Especially in crowded markets. I hate that feeling.

I think my daily withdrawal limit on my debit card is like, 500 bucks. So I was good.

What bank has no international ATM fees?

So, you’re ditching Bank of America’s five-dollar ATM fee abroad? That’s like being charged extra for oxygen, right?

Chase Sapphire Checking account? That’s the one. Zero international ATM fees. Zilch. Nada. It’s like finding a twenty in your old jeans!

• Chase Sapphire Checking: Free ATM use. Free! In another country!
• Bank of America: Five bucks. I’d rather lose a sock than pay that. Seriously. I lost a sock yesterday.

Here’s the lowdown, condensed like day-old coffee:

• Sapphire: Withdraw cash overseas. Fee? Nope. Not a sausage.
• BOA: $5 per withdrawal. That’s practically highway robbery. My grandma could get away with more. Seriously.

Alternatives? Look, I dunno. My focus is on not getting fleeced by ATM fees. Sapphire is where it’s at if you’re jet-setting. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I gotta find that sock. Darnit.