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Money & Payments in Ho Chi Minh City

Good to know

Good to Know

  • Ho Chi Minh City accepts cards more widely than rural Vietnam, but cash is still essential for daily transactions—especially at markets, street food, and small vendors
  • ATM fees vary by bank; VPBank is fee-free for foreign cardholders, making it a smart choice
  • Some venues add 2–3% surcharge for card payments; ask before ordering if budget is tight
  • Tipping is becoming more common in HCMC due to tourism, but remains entirely optional and appreciated rather than expected
  • Always withdraw in VND at ATMs to avoid poor dynamic currency conversion rates
  • Keep small VND denominations handy (10,000–50,000 notes) for tips and small purchases; large bills (500,000 VND) are hard to break
  • Mobile wallets like Grab accept cards and cash; ride-hailing drivers do not expect tips but appreciate rounding up

Account Types

  • VND Account
    Note
    Essential for most expats; used for rent, local payments, salary deposits
  • Foreign Currency Account (USD/EUR)
    Best Use
    Holding account for international transfers, not day-to-day banking
    Limitation
    Cannot withdraw foreign currency cash from ATM; must convert to VND at bank exchange rate. Only withdraw cash if traveling abroad with proof (flight ticket + visa).

Recommended Banks For Expats

  • Asian International Bank
    Pros
    Excellent customer service, English-fluent staff, lower fees than Western banks, good digital experience
    Best For
    Digital experience, low fees, accessibility
    Bank Name
    Shinhan Bank
  • International Bank
    Cons
    Strict requirements, higher monthly fees, fewer ATMs/branches
    Pros
    Impeccable English support, safe, easy international transfers, dedicated foreign client desks
    Bank Name
    HSBC Vietnam
    Minimum Balance
    ₫30,000,000
  • State-owned Local Bank
    Pros
    Universal acceptance with payment gateways and e-wallets; widespread ATM network
    Bank Name
    Vietcombank (VCB)
    Note
    Works with Momo, ZaloPay, and other local payment systems
  • Local Banks
    Pros
    English-friendly mobile apps, 24/7 support, fast eKYC onboarding, lower fees
    Best For
    Digital nomads and expats seeking local banking with modern apps
    Bank Name
    MB Bank / TPBank

Tipping Norms

General Note
Tipping is optional, not mandatory. Increasingly common in Ho Chi Minh City due to Western tourist influence, but remains discretionary.

By Service

Ride Hailing
Not expected; optional to round up via app if exceptional service

Hotels

Concierge
₫100,000

for arranging special services

Bellhops Housekeeping
₫50,000

per bag or per night

Restaurants

High End
5–10% of bill appreciated for excellent service
Mid Range
5–10% or round up bill
Local Eateries
Not expected; rounding up is polite gesture if service good

Spas Salons

Luxury Spa
₫100,000

5–15% of service cost

Standard Establishment
₫50,000

5–10% of service cost

Tour Guides Drivers

Driver
₫100,000

per day

Tour Guide
₫150,000

per day

Important Notes

  • Always tip in Vietnamese Dong, never USD
  • Use small denominations (20,000–50,000 VND notes)
  • Hand tips directly to recipient, not left on table
  • Check bills for included service charges before tipping

ATM Information

Availability
ATMs are plentiful in Ho Chi Minh City at airports, shopping malls, convenience stores, busy streets, and near hotels
Supported Cards
Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay, JCB, and Maestro

Fee Structure

Local ATM Fees

Range Low
₫22,000
Range High
₫55,000
Note
Fee varies by bank; VPBank offers zero fees for foreign cardholders as of April 2026

Bank Recommendations

  • VPBank: No ATM fee for foreign cardholders
  • Vietcombank: ~50,000 VND fee
  • Techcombank: ~30,000 VND fee
  • Sacombank: 30,000–40,000 VND fee

Withdrawal Limits

International Bank ATM
₫10,000,000
Typical Local Bank ATM
₫5,000,000

Card Acceptance

Overview
Cards are widely accepted in Ho Chi Minh City at mid-to-high-end establishments, but cash remains essential.

Not Accepted

Description
Cash only at street vendors, local markets, small family-run eateries, and public transportation

Widely Accepted

Description
Visa and Mastercard accepted at hotels, shopping malls, restaurants, convenience stores, and major tourist attractions
Surcharge Note
Some establishments add 2–3% surcharge for card payments to cover merchant fees

Limited Acceptance

Where
Mainly at luxury hotels and international chains
Description
American Express and Discover/UnionPay have limited acceptance outside upscale establishments

General Payment Tips

Recommended Strategy
Carry a mix of cash, card, and consider e-wallets (MoMo, ZaloPay) for convenience
Notify Bank
Inform your bank before travel to prevent card blocks for 'suspicious activity'
Dynamic Currency Conversion
Always decline DCC offers at ATMs and card terminals; choose to be charged in VND for better rates

Eligibility

Foreigners can open accounts if holding a long-term visa or residence permit valid for at least 12 months. Recent changes have restricted short-term visitor access.

Key Requirement

As of January 1, 2025, each person with a bank account needs an updated biometrics report attached to their account.

Process Timeline

30-60 minutes at branch if documents are complete. Most rejections occur due to missing documentation, not ineligibility.

Required Documents

Required Documents

  • Valid passport with 6+ months remaining validity (original + 1 photocopy of bio page and visa page)
  • Valid Vietnamese visa or Temporary Residence Card (TRC)
  • Proof of address in Vietnam (apartment lease + landlord ID copy + property red book photocopy, or hotel booking for short-term)
  • Phone number registered in your name (Vietnamese SIM required)
  • Proof of residence confirmation from local authority or rental agreement

Branch Recommendation

Visit foreigner-friendly branches in District 1 or Thao Dien (District 2), preferably in morning hours

Special Note US Citizens

Must complete FATCA (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act) forms for IRS reporting

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. 1.you.co
  2. 2.smilejet.app
  3. 3.vietnamck.cz
  4. 4.junglebosstours.com
  5. 5.hochiminhguide.com
  6. 6.tradingeconomics.com
  7. 7.asiakingtravel.com
  8. 8.vietpowertravel.com
  9. 9.nomedic.co
  10. 10.pacificprime.com
  11. 11.vietnamteachingjobs.com
  12. 12.alea.care
  13. 13.allianzcare.com
  14. 14.medicaltourism.vn
  15. 15.g2b.co
  16. 16.wise.com
  17. 17.maisonoffice.vn
  18. 18.vietnam.incorp.asia
  19. 19.jhouse.vn
  20. 20.expat.com
  21. 21.vietnamrenty.com
  22. 22.antlawyers.vn
  23. 23.exiap.co.uk
  24. 24.investing.com
  25. 25.forbes.com

More About Ho Chi Minh City

Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.