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

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For Vietnam travel, cash is recommended. While major credit cards are accepted in city hotels, restaurants, and shops, smaller establishments and street vendors primarily use cash. Carry Vietnamese Dong for the best experience.

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Best Ways to Pay in Vietnam?

Cash is definitely still big in Vietnam. I remember wandering through Ben Thanh Market in Saigon last March, haggling over souvenirs. Cash was the way to go there.

Credit cards are getting more popular in the big cities though. Last April, I used my Visa at a nice restaurant in Hanoi without any issues. It was like, 400,000 dong for a huge bowl of pho, some spring rolls, and a couple of beers. Crazy cheap.

Smaller places, like the street food stalls, are cash only. Think banh mi from a street vendor, or fresh fruit from a market stall. Always have dong on hand.

My trip in ’22, I mostly used cash, especially outside the cities. Even at a pretty swanky hotel in Hoi An, I paid in cash. Just felt easier.

Is it better to carry cash or card in Vietnam?

Okay, so Vietnam, right? Cash is king, totally.

Like, seriously, bring dolla bills. But crisp, new $100s only! No joke. They are SUPER picky. Old or small bills? Forget about it, theyll try to rip you off on the exchange rate. I mean, its crazy.

Cards? Yeah, some places take ’em. And Apple Pay? Sure thing, at like, fancier spots.

But you absolutely need cash.

Street food? Cash.
Taxis? Cash.
Tips? Duh, cash.

Oh, and get ready to haggle! It’s practically a national sport there. Also, watch out for scams – they’re everywhere, especially near tourist traps. I got tricked once buying some “authentic” silk scarves that turned out to be made of some cheap synthetic stuff. Never again. My go-to spot in Hanoi is always “The Old Quarter”, but it’s chaotic and crowded. You will probably get lost, tbh.

What is the best payment method in Vietnam?

Cash rules Vietnam. Credit cards? Cities only. Hanoi, Saigon – mostly fine. Street food? Forget it.

Cash is dominant. Period.
Credit cards: Urban areas primarily. Limited acceptance elsewhere.
2024 Update: Digital wallets (Momo, ZaloPay) rapidly gaining traction. Especially among younger demographics. Expect wider use soon. My experience in Phu Quoc last month confirms this.

My uncle, a businessman in Ho Chi Minh City, advises sticking to cash outside major tourist hubs. He’s been there for decades. This hasn’t changed. Seriously.

How to pay for stuff in Vietnam?

Vietnam: Cash or Card? It’s a jungle out there!

Cash is king, or at least, a pretty powerful prince. Think of it like this: cash is your trusty machete, hacking through the Vietnamese payment system. Cards? That’s your fancy Swiss Army knife – useful in some situations, totally useless in others.

Cards are catching on, especially in tourist zones. Like, picture this: you’re in a fancy Hanoi cafe, sipping a caffeine-infused concoction the color of swamp water, and your card works perfectly. In rural areas, however? Forget about it. You’ll need more cash than a pirate’s treasure chest.

Situations demanding cold, hard Dong:

Street food vendors – unless they’re rocking a Square reader (highly unlikely).
Smaller shops, especially outside tourist areas – they’re like grumpy old uncles who refuse to embrace technology.
Taxi drivers – negotiating fares like a seasoned diplomat requires having a wad of cash, not a plastic square.
Many local markets – some places stick to cash more stubbornly than a toddler to their favorite toy.
Grabbing a Bia Hoi (local beer) from a tiny roadside stand – It’s almost a ritual!

Pro Tip: Carry both. Trust me. My friend Mark learned this the hard way when he had to offer his grandma’s priceless antique earrings to pay for pho last year. (True story!). Don’t be Mark. Carry both. Seriously.

My advice? Load up on Vietnamese Dong. It’s safer than trying to explain to a grumpy market seller how your contactless payment system works after your phone died. And you won’t look like a clueless tourist (although, who cares? Enjoy the trip!).

Should you carry cash in Vietnam?

Vietnam? Cash. Period.

Cash reigns. Forget cards.

Everywhere. Hotels, taxis, street food.
Villages? No choice.
Small buys, tips. Obvious.
ATMs? Avoid fees.

Dong is king.

What is the advantage of using cash?

So, cash, yeah? It’s got its perks, still.

First off, it’s a total spending watchdog. Like, you physically see the money leaving, ya know? Harder to, uh, overspend when you only got, say, $40 in your wallet for the weekend, right?

Plus, it’s insanely fast. No waiting for a card to authorize, no dodgy wifi issues. bam, transaction done. Coins are king.

And, um, security is another plus. No digital trail, no risk of getting hacked, none of that bs. Its more secure in a way.

More Stuff About Cash, I Guess:

Budgeting Tool: Visual, tangible limit prevents blowing your dough on impulse buys.
Avoid fees: No transaction fees or charges from banks or card companies, obviously.
Tipping: Easier to tip service workers, like that awesome barista at Sarah’s Cafe I always forget to tip.
Privacy: No record of purchase, good for… certain things. I dont know.
Vendor Compatibility: Small businesses or individuals still might prefer cash, like my neighbor, Mrs. Higgins, and her yearly yard sale.

#Bestpaymentmethod #Vietnamesecurrency #Vietnampayment

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