Do ATMs in Vietnam charge fees? Yes. Most ATMs charge 30,000–60,000 VND per withdrawal (around 1.8–3.6 AUD), excluding foreign bank and FX fees overseas only.
As an Australian tourist, I find withdrawing money from ATMs in Vietnam quite convenient, but there are still certain fees involved. While the costs aren’t exorbitant, the total fees are worth considering before making any transactions if you withdraw frequently.
Do ATMs in Vietnam charge fees? (Actual experience)
When I first withdrew money from an ATM in Vietnam, I was quite curious about whether ATMs charged fees. My experience, which I share in this travel Vietnam guide, showed that most ATMs do charge a service fee, but this amount isn’t too high compared to other countries.
Besides domestic ATM fees, international card users should also be aware of additional fees from the card-issuing bank and currency conversion fees, which many tourists often overlook.
The first time I withdrew 2 million VND at a Vietcombank ATM in central Hanoi, the machine showed a fee of 33,000 VND, and the actual amount received was 1,967,000 VND. The second time, I withdrew 3 million VND at a BIDV ATM near Ho Guom Lake, the fee was about 40,000 VND, and I received 2,960,000 VND.
These withdrawals showed me that the fees are fairly consistent depending on the bank, and besides ATM fees, international card users also need to consider fees from the card-issuing bank and foreign currency conversion fees, but overall it’s still quite convenient.
03 types of ATM withdrawal fees in Vietnam that tourists need to know
When withdrawing money at ATMs in Vietnam, besides the convenience, you might have Question Marks about fees. With an international card, withdrawals still incur some fees that you need to be aware of to manage your spending effectively. Below are 3 main types of fees you will often encounter:
- Domestic ATM fees: This is a fee applied by the Vietnamese bank that owns the ATM for each withdrawal. The common rate ranges from 30,000 – 60,000 VND. I withdrew 2 million VND at Vietcombank in Hanoi, the fee was 33,000 VND; withdrew 3 million VND at MB near Ho Guom Lake, the fee was 40,000 VND; withdrew 5 million VND at Sacombank Da Nang, the fee was 55,000 VND.
- International withdrawal fees from the card-issuing bank: Some foreign banks will charge an additional fee when you use your Visa, Mastercard, etc., at ATMs in Vietnam, usually around 2–5 AUD each time. I withdrew 200 AUD (≈3.2 million VND) using an Australian Visa card, and the issuing bank deducted an additional 3 AUD for the international withdrawal fee.
- Foreign exchange conversion fee (FX fee): When making transactions using a foreign currency card, the card-issuing bank will charge a conversion fee from VND to your currency, usually 1–3% of the total transaction value. I withdrew 3 million VND using a Mastercard, the FX fee was approximately 1.5%, meaning nearly 45,000 VND was deducted.
ATM withdrawal limits in Vietnam
When withdrawing money at ATMs in Vietnam, I wondered, do ATMs in Vietnam charge fees? Each machine also has a withdrawal limit per transaction and per day, usually 2–10 million VND (≈120–600 AUD).
Understanding this limit helps me plan my withdrawals effectively, avoiding multiple withdrawals and unnecessary Vietnamese ATM fees. Here are some real-world examples of ATM withdrawal limits I’ve used:
| Bank (ATM) | Withdrawal limit per transaction | Daily withdrawal limit | Equivalent to AUD per transaction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vietcombank | 2 – 5 million VND | 20 million VND | 120 – 300 AUD |
| MB | 2 – 5 million VND | 20 – 30 million VND | 120 – 300 AUD |
| VietinBank | 2 – 5 million VND | 20 – 30 million VND | 120 – 300 AUD |
| Sacombank | 2 – 8 million VND | 30 million VND | 120 – 480 AUD |
| Agribank | 2 – 5 million VND | 20 million VND | 120 – 300 AUD |
Personally, I find ATMs in the city center quite convenient, but at the airport or tourist areas, withdrawal limits are usually lower and fees are higher. Therefore, I always carefully check the on-screen notification before confirming the transaction.
Where should tourists withdraw money: airport ATMs or city ATMs?
I tried withdrawing money from both airport and city ATMs to see the difference. My experience showed that airport ATMs are very convenient, especially when you’ve just landed and need cash immediately, but the fees are usually higher than those at city bank ATMs.
For example, withdrawing 2,000,000 VND (~120 AUD) at an ATM in Tan Son Nhat Airport cost me about 50,000 VND (~3 AUD) in fees, while at a Vietcombank ATM in downtown Ho Chi Minh City, the fee was only about 33,000 VND (~2 AUD) for the same amount.
Conversely, ATMs in the city, although requiring a little walking or travel, usually have lower fees, more flexible withdrawal limits, and are more widely distributed across shopping malls, large supermarkets, or near tourist attractions, making them the best ATM to withdraw money in Vietnam for most tourists.
From this experience, I realized that if you don’t need cash urgently at the airport, withdrawing money from an ATM in the city is more economical. However, when you first arrive or need to make a payment immediately, airport ATMs are still a convenient option, even though they cost a little more.
05 things you need to know before withdrawing money at ATMs in Vietnam
When withdrawing money from ATMs in Vietnam, I noticed there are a few important things that foreign tourists should know to avoid unnecessary fees and ensure safety. Below are some key points which I usually apply every time I withdraw money:
- Check ATM fees before withdrawing money: Most ATMs will display the Vietnamese ATM fees before you confirm the transaction. I always read the notice carefully before deciding whether or not to withdraw money.
- Withdraw a large sum at once instead of multiple small installments: Each withdrawal incurs ATM fees, so withdrawing a large amount at once is more economical. For example, withdrawing 5,000,000 VND (~300 AUD) at once is usually cheaper than withdrawing 2 million + 3 million VND separately.
- Note ATM and card withdrawal limits: Each bank has a maximum withdrawal limit per transaction and per day, usually between 2 and 10 million VND (~120–600 AUD). I always check the limits to avoid making multiple withdrawals and to consider are ATMs safe in Vietnam before choosing a machine.
- Consider international card and currency conversion fees: Besides ATM fees, international card-issuing banks may also charge international withdrawal fees and foreign currency conversion fees of 1–3%. I always calculate the total fees in advance to avoid surprises.
- Choose an ATM in a safe location: I prefer bank ATMs in the city or shopping malls over those on the street or in deserted areas, as they are safer and usually have lower fees than airport ATMs.
Conclusion
Experiences show that do ATMs in Vietnam charge fees? Yes, including domestic ATM fees, international withdrawal fees, and currency conversion fees. The costs aren’t too high if you plan withdrawals wisely, check daily limits, and choose secure ATMs, making them convenient and reliable for tourists.
