Bank card in Vietnam: how to use a VND account and what you need to know

What you need to know about bank cards in Vietnam

The banking system in Vietnam began developing back in the 1970s. As of 2025, there are more than 200 million bank accounts across the country — almost twice the population of Vietnam. In addition, Vietnam is one of the leaders in the number of interbank payments: in the first quarter of 2025 alone, more than 5.5 billion cashless transactions were made.

The most common bank cards in Vietnamese dong (VND) are from the Visa and Mastercard payment systems, including those issued by foreign banks — these can be used to pay for purchases in Vietnam without any problems. In some places, American Express is accepted, but this option is much less common.

In a number of tourist areas, such as Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Nha Trang, UnionPay cards are also accepted. Cards from this payment system can usually be used in large stores, shopping malls, hotels, and restaurants.

Obtaining a bank card in Vietnamese dong (VND)

More than 50 banks across the country issue bank cards in Vietnamese dong. Among them:

• Vietcombank;
• BIDV;
• VietinBank;
• Techcombank;
• ANZ Vietnam;
• MB Bank;
• Sacombank;
• Eximbank.

To obtain a debit card in Vietnamese dong, you need to open an account with one of the local banks — this can be done by both residents and foreign citizens.

Non-residents can open an account to obtain a card in Vietnamese dong by providing the following documents:

• International passport (must be valid for at least six months);
• Visa;
• Proof of address, including hotel booking or rental agreement;
• Income certificate;
• In some cases, a temporary registration or employment contract.

Tourists without a visa can also open a VND account in some banks, such as Vietcombank and BIDV, but additional documents will be required to obtain a bank card.

The account opening process usually takes no more than an hour, but to receive a bank card in Vietnamese dong, an initial deposit of up to 50,000 VND may be required, and a card issuance fee may also apply. Deposit requirements may vary depending on the bank.

You can also open a VND account remotely in banks in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, or Turkey. In this case, only an international passport is required, but banks may also request a power of attorney or other additional documents, depending on the institution. Note that the online account-opening process may take up to 5 business days.

Before visiting Vietnam, keep in mind that if you bring in more than 15,000,000 Vietnamese dong or $5,000, you may be required to declare your funds. It is also advisable to carry a small amount of cash in Vietnamese dong, US dollars, or euros, which can be converted into VND if necessary. Outside tourist regions, cashless payments may not be available, and locals accept only Vietnamese dong. Currency can be exchanged at banks, exchange offices, large hotels, and airports.

Funding and withdrawing from a bank card in Vietnamese dong (VND)

There are many ways to deposit and withdraw funds from a bank card, but the available methods depend on the bank. The most accessible ways include:

• Cash via ATMs or terminals in airports, hotels, and jewelry stores;
• Money transfers via Western Union.
• Third-party payment systems such as Wise and Stripe, or local services MoMo and ZaloPay;
• Interbank transfer by account or card number;
• QR code payments (quick scan codes) or mobile payments;
• Through exchangers and P2P services (direct exchange services).

When choosing a deposit or withdrawal method, it is important to consider fees, which can reach 8–10% of the transaction amount. The most expensive option is depositing or withdrawing funds at airports and hotels due to highly unfavorable exchange rates, while the most âûãîäíûé option is through exchange services or payment systems.

It is also necessary to consider transaction limits. For example, ATM withdrawal limits may range from 2 to 5 million Vietnamese dong depending on the bank.