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Hello, I did try searching this but the replies are a bit historic so I’m after a more recent answer.
I’m off on a solo trip to Vietnam next month for 7 weeks (HCMC, Nha Trang, Da Nang & Hanoi) and not sure how much cash to carry. All the flights, transfers & accommodation are already paid for so its just money for tours, food etc.
I imagine most places will be cash but is there relatively easy access to cashpoints? If so do they charge a fortune or are they just a few quid per transaction? Should I take a small amount of GBP and change to VND out there or joy do it before I leave?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks
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Gate, you will have absolutely no problem finding ATM’S in Vietnam.
“I’ve never experienced Ray’s litany of problems.”
No, me either.
Scott
First read this to get an idea of ATMs currently.
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g293921-i8432-k15465180-ATM_Fees_Latest_Update-Vietnam.html
Previously ATMs were great but.the increased charges mean they may not be such good value now.
I’ve used ATMs since 2003 and never had a problem. This trip one was out of cash. That’s the only one I can remember. I’ve never experienced Ray’s litany of problems.
You need to decide how you play it. Personally I like to use only cash unless online bookings. All your expensive stuff is booked and paid so paying by cash is a good option.
I’d take about £150 in UK cash. Change 50 at airport (not best rate but OK). Stash the rest as a fallback.
Then using Google maps search (this is your friend for so many things) locate a VP ATM. On screen you get cash amount options so no need to type in lots of zeros. Take 5 million. Do the transaction again and take another 5 million. If you want you can do a third. This will give you plenty of cash but below your insurance limit. Top up from ATM when running low.
Alternatively take a wedge of cash and go to a gold shop to change. You may get a slightly better rate but it’ll be peanuts overall. Some are fixated on the last percentage point I like a balance between good deal and convenience.
As a single person you’ll be eating in small one plate/bowl eateries. They don’t take cards, neither do bahn mi (Baguette) places or sugar cane juice carts or, or etc. Since post COVID I’ve been here for over 100 days, travelling extensively and only used cash.
That’s my way, your choice.
Enjoy you’ll have a blast.
Easy to find VP banks (currently no fee) in the cities you list.
Trisha
+1 for “You can just change £s at the airport, the rates are not great but far better than you will get in the UK”
You can just change £s at the airport, the rates are not great but far better than you will get in the UK.
I spent very little money, food and beer are cheap, especially in the local places.
Some notes look very similar, easy to give someone the wrong the amount. I did it once, fortunately l got the change. Best to give the correct money if buying stuff on the street.
Edited: 6:10 pm, January 27, 2026
ATM’s are everywhere in Vietnam in the cities. Fees vary. If you get VND in the UK you will lose around 10%. You’d get by easily with £25/day. For food etc probably less but you might be a heavy eater etc..
ATM’s are also available at HCMC Tan Son Nhat airport (signposted – I seem to recall come out the doors and head right), as are Forex places inside the International Terminal. HCMC airport exchange rates isn’t that bad, compared to some.
Tours, you don’t have to pay in cash. You can use cards but do be aware of the 3% fee that some places tag on. I tend to ask how much, cash or card and go from there. Also I usually use ATM’s located inside the banks. Any problems and help is at hand. And do check your VND, especially the larger denominated notes i.e. 200k and 500k. Any damage, nicks etc hand them back. You might get away with it but I have had one 500k that no one would take. I just went into an HSBC branch and they quite happily changed it for an undamaged one. And count your money, any Vietnamese will count their money before leaving the counter.
I’ve never had any money taken in 19years of going to Vietnam but as normal, don’t go waving money or expensive items around. And don’t stand by the kerb either.
No my cards don’t have any fees so the only issue would be availability of ATMs. I’m thinking I’ll take about £100 in VND to get me through my arrival and then a lump of GBP and my cards. The only issue is that my insurance only covers up to £600 cash so that might be a bit of a pain if I do lose it somehow.
There are ATMs, most have fees now VP bank don’t have any fees. Some of the limits are very low, one was only 2m Dong. Some people have problems getting money out, l met several. Some ATMs are empty. Mine card was declined twice, don’t know why. I went to a gold shop and changed some £s.
Some restaurants take credit cards. Roughly l would say if the main course is over 100,000 Dong they may take cards, cheaper places generally won’t.
I don’t know about tours.
I would certainly take some £s.
Do you have any fees in your cards?
Don’t buy Dong in the UK,rates will be bad,
Edited: 11:27 am, January 27, 2026
Hello, I did try searching this but the replies are a bit historic so I’m after a more recent answer.
—–
Sort answers by Date rather than Relevance.
Hello, I did try searching this but the replies are a bit historic so I’m after a more recent answer.
I’m off on a solo trip to Vietnam next month for 7 weeks (HCMC, Nha Trang, Da Nang & Hanoi) and not sure how much cash to carry. All the flights, transfers & accommodation are already paid for so its just money for tours, food etc.
I imagine most places will be cash but is there relatively easy access to cashpoints? If so do they charge a fortune or are they just a few quid per transaction? Should I take a small amount of GBP and change to VND out there or joy do it before I leave?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks