Are credit cards widely accepted in Vietnam? Yes, they work in hotels, malls, restaurants, but cash is still essential for daily expenses, food, local services.
I find using credit cards in Vietnam quite convenient at hotels and shopping malls, but I still encounter difficulties when paying at small restaurants or local services. Therefore, I always keep cash (VND) on hand and carry my Visa/Mastercard for flexible spending.
Are credit cards widely accepted in Vietnam?
In Vietnam, credit cards are growing in use thanks to tourism and cashless payments, but cash remains essential for small transactions and daily life, so tourists should use both travel Vietnam and cash flexibly.
#1. Popular places that accept credit cards
Credit cards are widely accepted at hotels, resorts, shopping malls, supermarkets, large restaurants, and professional travel services. Especially in major cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, most of these locations support Visa and Mastercard payments with a quick process.
In my experience, when checking into a hotel, the entire bill of several million VND was paid by card in just a few seconds. In the evening, I ate at a restaurant in a shopping mall with a bill of around 800,000 VND (~50 AUD), and the staff brought the POS machine to my table and handled it very professionally.
Additionally, when shopping at the supermarket or booking day tours, I also prefer using cards because it’s convenient and doesn’t require carrying a lot of cash. Overall, for large expenses and modern services, using cards in Vietnam is quite easy and safe.
#2. Places where card payments are NOT common
Conversely, local activities such as enjoying street food, exploring markets, buying small souvenirs, or taking traditional taxis almost exclusively accept cash (VND) because POS machines are rare and merchants often avoid card fees, which can raise question marks for travelers.
In fact, I start my day with a bowl of pho costing around 50,000 VND (~3 AUD) and a cup of coffee costing 20,000 VND (~1 AUD), but I couldn’t pay with a card at all. When shopping for souvenirs at the local market or taking a taxi, I also have to pay with cash because the vendors don’t accept cards.
Once, I carelessly didn’t bring enough cash, and as a result, I wasted a lot of time finding the nearest ATM. Since then, I’ve learned my lesson and always keep some cash on hand to avoid any unexpected situations.
Should you use cash or a card when traveling in Vietnam?
During my trip to Vietnam, I found that combining both credit cards and cash was optimal. Cards were very convenient for large payments, while cash was indispensable for daily activities.
Credit cards – when I use them:
- For large payments, when I want a safe and quick process
- High-end hotels, resorts, shopping malls, or restaurants
- Shopping for branded items or booking tours and airline tickets online
- For me, this is the “regular” part of my expenses, which helps avoid carrying too much cash
Cash (VND) – I always keep it ready:
- Daily expenses such as food, transportation, small purchases
- Places without POS machines, street vendors, traditional markets, taxis, or motorbike taxis
- Rural areas or locations with low tourist traffic
In my personal experience, many small expenses under 50,000–100,000 VND (~3–6 AUD) can’t be paid by card, which makes me often wonder, can I use my debit card in Vietnam for these payments? Therefore, I always keep cash on hand for flexibility, to avoid unexpected situations, and to fully experience local life.
05 important notes for international tourists
During my trip to Vietnam, I quickly realized that simply carrying cards wasn’t enough. Some practical experiences taught me how to combine credit cards and cash to make the trip more convenient and avoid unnecessary hassle.
- You can’t just use cards; always carry cash: Many small shops, markets, and local services don’t accept cards. I always keep Vietnamese Dong (VND) on hand to avoid being caught off guard.
- Visa and Mastercard are preferred: In my experience, most hotels, restaurants, and shopping malls accept both of these cards. American Express or JCB cards are rarely accepted, so I mainly use Visa/Mastercard.
- Check international transaction fees: I’ve swiped my card a few times and noticed that Australian banks charge a foreign currency conversion fee of around 2–3%. Checking beforehand helps me avoid unnecessary expenses.
- There is always an option to withdraw cash: Even in big cities like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, I always look for ATMs to withdraw cash when needed. Having this plan ready helps me avoid surprises with small expenses.
- Be careful when paying with a card: Some places charge extra fees when swiping a card or mistakes can happen with the bill. I always double-check before paying, especially with large bills or at new restaurants.
Conclusion
The question “Are credit cards widely accepted in Vietnam?” depends on the type of service and the region. In my experience, cards are convenient for large purchases, but cash is still necessary for flexibility in daily spending and fully enjoying local life.
