Good to know
Good to Know
- Card readers at shops and restaurants can malfunction unexpectedly—always carry 500,000–2,000,000 VND in cash as backup.
- VPBank and ACB offer fee-free ATM withdrawals for foreign cards, making them cost-effective options in Da Nang.
- Street vendors, wet markets, and local food stalls almost exclusively take cash; carry small denominations (5,000–50,000 VND notes) for ease.
- At upscale restaurants with service charges already included in the bill, check before tipping extra.
- In tourist areas, establishments are increasingly familiar with tipping; however, in local neighborhoods, staff may not expect or fully understand tips.
- Tipping is viewed as genuine appreciation for exceptional service, not a social obligation.
- Unlock and lock your debit card using your mobile app when using ATMs to prevent unauthorized transactions if your card is skimmed.
Account Types
VND Current Account
- Description
- The essential account for daily life - you can deposit cash (VND), receive transfers, and use a debit card (Napas or Visa/Mastercard) at ATMs.
Foreign Currency Account (USD/EUR)
- Description
- You can receive USD from abroad into this account; however, you cannot withdraw USD cash from an ATM and generally must convert it to VND at the bank's exchange rate.
Recommended Banks
HSBC Vietnam / Standard Chartered
- Description
- Gold standards for compliance with impeccable English support, safe operations, and easy international transfers.
Local Banks (Vietcombank, BIDV, Techcombank, TPBank, MB Bank, ACB)
- Description
- TPBank and MB Bank are popular among expats for their English-friendly apps, 24/7 support, and fast onboarding via eKYC.
ATM Fees
- Fee Range
- Most Vietnamese ATMs charge 22,000 to 55,000 VND per withdrawal ($0.85–$2.15 USD).
- Fee Free Options
- VPBank and ACB offer fee-free ATM withdrawals for foreign cardholders.
- Home Bank Charges
- Your home bank may impose additional foreign ATM fees; check before travel.
- Vietnamese ATM Fee
- ₫50,000
- Dynamic Currency Conversion
- Decline dynamic currency conversion (DCC) at ATMs and instead select VND to avoid extra fees.
ATM Access
- Availability
- ATMs are plentiful in Da Nang and major cities, found at airports, convenience stores, shopping malls, and busy streets.
- Accepted Cards
- Most Vietnamese ATMs accept Visa, Mastercard, Cirrus, Maestro, JCB, and UnionPay. American Express and Discover are less commonly accepted.
- Withdrawal Limits
- Typical ATM withdrawal limits range from 2,000,000 VND to 5,000,000 VND per transaction (approximately $76–$190 USD).
Tipping Norms
- Overall Stance
- Tipping is not mandatory or deeply ingrained in Vietnamese culture. However, small tips are appreciated in tourism-related services and upscale establishments, especially in Da Nang where international tourists are common.
- Spas And Salons
- ₫75,000
- Taxis And Ride Hailing
- Tipping is not obligatory for taxis or ride-hailing apps like Grab. Small tips of 10,000–20,000 VND for exceptional service are appreciated but never expected.
- Spas And Salons Note
- 50,000–100,000 VND or 10% of bill for spa and salon services, especially in upscale locations.
Hotels
- Bellhops
- ₫20,000
- Concierge
- ₫75,000
- Housekeeping
- ₫30,000
- Bellhops Note
- 10,000–20,000 VND per bag for bellhops and porters.
- Concierge Note
- 50,000–100,000 VND if concierge arranges special services.
- Housekeeping Note
- 20,000–50,000 VND per night is customary for housekeeping staff.
Restaurants
- Casual Eateries
- Local eateries and street food stalls do not expect tips. Rounding up the bill or leaving small change is informal and optional.
- Upscale Restaurants
- At mid-range and upscale restaurants, 5–10% of the bill is appreciated if service is good. Some premium establishments may include a 10% service charge automatically.
Tour Guides And Drivers
- Driver
- ₫75,000
- Full Day Guide
- ₫150,000
- Driver Note
- Drivers often receive about half what guides receive.
- Full Day Guide Note
- For full-day guided tours, 100,000–200,000 VND for the guide is standard.
Card Acceptance
- General
- In Da Nang's major tourist areas and mid-range or upscale establishments, Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted. Street vendors, local markets, and small eateries typically accept cash only.
- Payment Surcharge Risk
- Some places charge 2–4% extra for card payments, making cash often cheaper even with exchange margin.
- Major Cities Acceptance
- Visa and Mastercard are accepted at most restaurants, hotels, convenience stores, and shopping centres in Da Nang.
ATM Fees
ATM withdrawal fees in Vietnam usually range from $0.87 to $2.17 per transaction, depending on the bank; while some ATMs may charge no fees, this is rare.
Timeline
Most banks will issue your card within 2 to 5 working days; you can either pick it up at the branch or request delivery to your registered address.
In Person Requirement
Most banks require foreigners to visit a branch in person to complete the account opening process; some banks like HSBC Vietnam allow initial applications online, but an in-person visit is often required to finalize it.
Documentation Required
For expatriates and foreign nationals, the account opening process typically begins with presenting valid identification documents (usually a passport and a valid visa or resident card); some banks may also require proof of employment or a residence address in Vietnam.
Account Opening Eligibility
If you are a legal resident in Vietnam and expect to stay for 12 months or longer, you should be able to open a bank account as a US citizen.
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this money & payments research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
- 1.you.co
- 2.smilejet.app
- 3.ahoyvietnam.com
- 4.sungetawaystravel.com
- 5.primetravelvietnam.com
- 6.jmmarvelhotel.com
- 7.gmpremiumhotel.com
- 8.asiapioneertravel.com
- 9.guide.michelin.com
- 10.yourvietnamtravel.com
- 11.xe.com
- 12.tradingeconomics.com
- 13.medicaltourismco.com
- 14.vietnamstory.in
- 15.go-danang.com
- 16.vietnamtravel.com
- 17.expatexchange.com
- 18.pacificprime.com
- 19.dongdmc.com
- 20.danangleisure.com
- 21.navisdanang.com
- 22.medigence.com
- 23.wise.com
- 24.g2b.co
- 25.vietnam.incorp.asia
- 26.expat.com
- 27.expat.com
- 28.antlawyers.vn
- 29.maisonoffice.vn
- 30.jhouse.vn
- 31.sungetawaystravel.com
- 32.impresstravel.com
- 33.expatexchange.com
- 34.expatexchange.com
- 35.danang365.com
- 36.doctorsa.com
- 37.expatfocus.com
- 38.vietnammedicalpractice.com
- 39.wise.com
- 40.forbes.com
More About Da Nang
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.