The best ATMs to withdraw money in Vietnam are Vietcombank, BIDV, ACB, or HSBC, with reasonable fees, high limits, and convenient locations.
When I first arrived in Vietnam, one of my biggest questions was: how to withdraw cash conveniently and safely. I was used to using cards in Australia, but when I came to Vietnam, I realized that cash was still very popular, from eating at small restaurants, taking traditional taxis, to buying things at the market. Therefore, ATMs became an indispensable part of my journey, and at 123dzovietnam.com I am going to share the information I have learnt so far.
In the early days, I was a bit worried. I wondered can I withdraw money in Vietnam using international cards, whether they worked well here, how much the withdrawal fees were, and most importantly, which ATM was the best to withdraw money in Vietnam to be both convenient and inexpensive.
Knowledge about VND that you should know when coming to Vietnam
When discussing Vietnamese currency, I must mention the Dong (VND), also known as ₫, which is ubiquitous in every daily transaction in Vietnam. Currently, Vietnamese currency is mainly circulated in the form of paper money, while coins have long been out of use. The denominations of paper money are diverse, ranging from low to high, serving various spending needs.
Among the denominations of banknotes, you will encounter notes such as 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, 100,000, 200,000, and the 500,000 VND note is the largest denomination, most commonly used in transactions. In particular, the 500,000 VND note is not as rare as the 100, 200, or 500 VND notes – these notes actually rarely appear in transactions and are almost no longer seen much outside of special places.
An interesting point is that low-denomination notes such as 1,000, 2,000, and 5,000 VND are printed on paper, while high-denomination notes from 10,000 VND and above are printed on polymer material, which helps to protect durability. Knowing this helps you easily identify the note you’re carrying. It also saves you from that constant Question Marks hanging overhead because of the similarity between the note colours, especially for new tourists in Vietnam. I learned this the hard way after losing big-amount notes in the confusion.
This may come as a surprise to you when you come to Vietnam, as the 500,000 VND bill is the “big money” you will often encounter in transactions, while in countries like the US, you rarely use the 100 USD bill. In terms of image, all Vietnamese banknotes have President Ho Chi Minh’s image on the front, and the back of each banknote features typical cultural and historical symbols of the country such as the Japanese Covered Bridge in Hoi An (20,000 VND), the Temple of Literature in Hanoi (100,000 VND), Ha Long Bay (200,000 VND) or the relic site of Uncle Ho’s birthplace in Kim Lien (500,000 VND).
Whether you are preparing for a trip or working in Vietnam, getting familiar with the denominations and designs of Vietnamese currency will make it easier for you to transact and spend.
My first attempt at withdrawing money in Vietnam
My first attempt was at Da Nang airport and I was full of worry thinking about whether can i withdraw money in Vietnam using International cards or not. I chose an ATM right in the arrivals hall because I thought it would be convenient. The machine accepted cards, but the withdrawal fee was quite high, plus the exchange rate was not really good. After that experience, I learned my lesson: you should limit your withdrawals at the airport, and only use them in emergencies.
When I moved into the city centre, I started trying different banks. I noticed that:
- International banks like HSBC and Citibank often have high withdrawal limits (once I withdrew 8-10 million VND at a time), an easy-to-understand English interface, and rarely have problems. However, it is not always easy to find these ATMs, especially in small cities.
- Large domestic banks like Vietcombank, Techcombank, ACB, BIDV… are popular everywhere. Withdrawal fees with international cards range from 3-5 USD/transaction; the limit is usually lower (about 2-3 million VND each time), but in return, you can find ATMs in almost every corner, from the centre to the suburbs.
Which is the best ATM to withdraw money in Vietnam?
After many experiences, I realized that there is no single answer. If you want to withdraw a lot of money at once, with a high limit and an easy-to-use interface, international banks like HSBC or Citibank are good choices. But if you need an ATM that is easy to find and has coverage everywhere, then Vietcombank, BIDV, ACB, or Techcombank are reasonable choices.
In short, for me, the best ATM to withdraw money in Vietnam is the ATM that meets the needs at each moment: sometimes it is the convenience right on the street corner, sometimes it is the high limit when you need a large amount. The important thing is that you know the difference in advance, prepare a backup plan, and always prioritize safety when withdrawing money.
Tips for dealing with lost money in Vietnam
In the final part, I would like to share some practical experiences when managing cash in Vietnam, and also mention some forms of scams that tourists should be aware of. These tips will help you feel more secure during your trip.
- Taxi scams: One of the common tricks is that the driver pretends not to have change. For example, the trip costs 120,000 VND, but you give 200,000 VND, they may say they don’t have 80,000 VND to give change. To avoid this situation, carry cash in small denominations or book a ride through the Grab app, which is more convenient and can be paid by card.
- Limit showing off cash: Don’t count money in crowded places. If you need to check, you can open the locked bag and count the money inside. This helps you avoid unnecessary attention.
- Pickpocketing: Although not too common, this situation still happens in crowded areas. The best way is to wear a zippered bag, fanny pack, or money belt. In addition, you should only carry a small amount of cash, enough for the day.
- Confusing banknotes: In Vietnam, some banknotes have quite similar colors, which can easily confuse newcomers. For example, the 20,000 VND note is light blue and the 500,000 VND note is dark blue. Pay close attention to avoid giving or receiving the wrong amount.
- Recount the change: Always check carefully when receiving money back, because there are cases where the staff intentionally gives less by creating a distracting situation.
- Lock the bank card: This is a habit I always maintain. After paying or withdrawing money, I lock the card right on the banking app. It only takes a few dozen seconds, but it helps prevent possible unauthorized transactions.
In short, I find that each bank has its own advantages and disadvantages. The important thing is that you should choose an ATM that suits your needs, from withdrawal limits, fees, to convenient locations. For me, the best experience comes from ATMs with transparent fees, quick operation, and located in safe areas. Hopefully, this sharing will make it easier for you to find the best ATM to withdraw money when in Vietnam.
