Good to know
Good to Know
- Hanoi is increasingly digital in major areas, but many small vendors, markets, and local establishments only accept cash. Carry a mix of both.
- Most ATMs have daily withdrawal limits of 2–3 million VND per transaction. Plan accordingly for larger amounts.
- Card transactions often incur a 2–3% surcharge on top of the bill—ask before paying, as this varies by merchant.
- Avoid exchanging money at the airport; banks and gold shops in Hanoi offer better rates.
- Keep small denominations of VND (10,000–100,000 notes) for street vendors and taxis, as many cannot make change for large bills.
- Use ride-hailing apps like Grab for transparent, card-friendly transportation; avoid negotiating with traditional taxis to prevent overpayment.
- Tipping is becoming more normalized in Hanoi's tourist-heavy restaurants and hotels, but remains optional and not expected at local eateries.
Tipping Norms
- Overview
- Tipping is not customary or mandatory in Vietnam. However, it has become increasingly common in Hanoi and other major cities among international tourists, especially in upscale establishments.
By Service Type
Restaurants
- Recommendation
- Optional. In upscale or tourist-friendly venues, 5–10% of the bill is appreciated if service is good. In local eateries and street food stalls, tipping is not expected.
- Note
- Some establishments may automatically include a service charge—check your bill.
Hotels & Accommodations
- Recommendation
- Housekeeping: 20,000–50,000 VND per day, left in your room. Bellhops/porters: 10,000–20,000 VND per bag for exceptional service. Concierge: 50,000 VND if they arrange special services.
- Note
- Not mandatory; reserved for good service.
Taxis & Ride-Hailing (Grab)
- Recommendation
- Not expected. For Grab rides, you can round up 10,000–20,000 VND or use in-app tipping for exceptional service.
- Note
- Fixed fares mean drivers are less dependent on tips.
Tour Guides
- Recommendation
- Full-day tours: 100,000–200,000 VND (or 10–15% of tour cost). Free tours: ~50,000 VND. Half-day tours: slightly less.
- Note
- Guides often rely on tips as part of income when working with international tourists.
Drivers (for Multi-day Trips)
- Recommendation
- 30,000–60,000 VND per day, or about half the guide's tip.
- Note
- Acknowledge good service and punctuality.
Spas & Massage Therapists
- Details
- 20% of the service bill, or 50,000–100,000 VND, is the norm for quality massage and spa services.
- Recommendation
- ₫50,000
General Principles
- Always tip in Vietnamese Dong (VND), preferably in cash.
- Tip discreetly and hand money directly to the service provider.
- Tipping should reflect the quality of service, not be an obligation.
- A polite smile and 'Cảm ơn' (thank you) can be equally valued.
- No one will be offended if you don't tip—it's still a gesture of thanks, not mandatory.
ATM Information
- Availability
- ATMs are widely available throughout Hanoi, especially in city centers, near hotels, banks, convenience stores, and shopping areas.
- Withdrawal Limits
- Most ATMs allow 2–10 million VND per transaction depending on the bank and operator.
Tips
- Choose VPBank or ACB for fee-free withdrawals.
- Always decline dynamic currency conversion (DCC) and choose to be charged in VND.
- Withdraw larger amounts (within your limit) to reduce transaction frequency and fees.
- Use fee-free cards like Wise or Revolut if available.
- Notify your bank before traveling to prevent card blocks.
ATM Fees
No fee for foreign cardholders
- Bank
- VPBank & ACB (TPBank)
- Max Withdrawal
- 10,000,000 VND
- Visa fee
- ₫50,000
- Bank
- Most other banks (Agribank, Vietinbank, Vietcombank, Techcombank)
- Details
- Some charge 30,000–55,000 VND; others charge 2–5% of withdrawal amount with minimum fees of 50,000–100,000 VND.
Airport ATMs
- Note
- Typically charge higher fees; withdraw in the city if possible.
Card Acceptance
- Overview
- Card payments are widely accepted in Hanoi's hotels, malls, supermarkets, and upscale restaurants, but cash remains essential for many everyday transactions.
Card Fees
- Merchant Charges
- Many establishments in Hanoi charge an additional 2–3% fee for card transactions, with some charging up to 5%. Always ask before paying.
- Note
- These are separate from any foreign transaction fees your bank may charge.
Accepted Cards
Visa & Mastercard
- Details
- Nearly universally accepted at ATMs and most mid-to-high-end establishments in Hanoi.
- Acceptance Level
- Widely accepted
UnionPay, JCB, Cirrus, Maestro
- Details
- Accepted at some ATMs but less common than Visa/Mastercard.
- Acceptance Level
- Some ATMs
American Express, Discover
- Details
- Less commonly accepted; recommend carrying a backup card.
- Acceptance Level
- limited
Mobile Payments
- Limitation
- Most local apps require a Vietnamese bank account, making them less accessible to tourists. Grab and Be apps are more tourist-friendly.
- Local Options
- MoMo, VietQR, Apple Pay, and Google Pay are growing in acceptance, especially in cafes, convenience stores, and chain restaurants.
Banking
- Strategic Locations
- Hanoi branches in Tay Ho (West Lake) or Hoan Kiem districts recommended. Staff in these areas are accustomed to expat names, TRCs, and English communication.
- Fees
- No specific fees documented; varies by bank. Minimum deposit required for account activation.
- Process
- Visit bank branch in person (online applications rarely available for foreigners). Book appointment in advance. Complete application forms. Minimum initial deposit typically required.
- Overview
- Foreigners can open bank accounts in Hanoi but must meet specific visa and documentation requirements. Residency status significantly affects eligibility.
- Restrictions Non Residents
- Cannot open savings accounts. Strictly limited to VND payment accounts only. Most major banks refuse non-resident applications.
Account Types
- Payment Account
- For daily transactions. Available to non-residents in VND only, but major banks rarely offer this.
- Savings Account
- For storing money and earning interest. Typically restricted to residents with 12+ month permits.
- Business Account
- For companies and foreign enterprises. Requires extensive documentation and KYC compliance.
Recommended Banks
- Vietcombank (largest, most branches)
- Techcombank (modern services)
- HSBC (international)
- VPBank (flexible with e-visas for some applicants)
- TPBank or ACB (smaller branches may be more flexible)
Visa Requirements
- Non Resident
- Tourists on e-visas are generally not allowed to open accounts. Major banks (Vietcombank, Techcombank) typically refuse tourist visa holders due to compliance costs.
- Long Term Resident
- Foreigners with a valid visa or residence permit for 12+ months. Temporary Resident Card (TRC), work permit, or Permanent Resident Card (PRC) required.
Required Documents
- Valid passport with at least 6 months validity
- Visa or residence permit valid for at least 12 months
- Temporary Resident Card (TRC) or work permit
- Proof of local address (sometimes required)
- Employment contract or proof of employment (sometimes required)
- For US citizens: FATCA compliance forms
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
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.wise.com
- 2.hanoiecotour.com
- 3.backpackmoments.com
- 4.wehatethecold.com
- 5.atmfeesaver.com
- 6.quangthangcatba.com
- 7.ahoyvietnam.com
- 8.junglebosstours.com
- 9.vespaagogo.com
- 10.palealetravel.com
- 11.gmpremiumhotel.com
- 12.wise.com
- 13.asiapioneertravel.com
- 14.jmmarvelhotel.com
- 15.asiamystika.com
- 16.vietpowertravel.com
- 17.asiakingtravel.com
- 18.vietnamck.cz
- 19.vietnamstory.in
- 20.xotours.vn
- 21.tradingeconomics.com
- 22.forbes.com
- 23.allianzcare.com
- 24.pacificprime.com
- 25.yesd.org
- 26.smilejet.app
- 27.vietnamtourism.com
- 28.g2b.co
- 29.wise.com
More About Hanoi
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.