Method of payment
Direct payment of cash is most popular in Vietnam. Small shops, restaurants and markets usually do not accept any other payment.
Major credit/debit cards (such as VisaCard, MasterCard and to some extent American Express) are increasingly being used, especially in big cities and tourist places, but only in restaurants, hotels or big shopping malls with a transactional fee (3%-5%).
Traveler’s cheques are an easy method of carrying money around, and can be cashed at major banks (but not small banks in small towns).
Two tier pricing system
In many places in Vietnam, foreigners and visitors still have to pay a much higher fee for entrance or services. However this system is slowly changing as prices are being standardized.
Money-Exchange places and ATM machines
For those hesitant to carry a large amount of cash around, ATMs (automatic teller machines) have become increasingly popular in Vietnam (mostly in cities) and have attracted many foreign visitors. Most banks offer this service and the registration for an account is simple and fast. All ATMs are locally interconnected. However, ATMs only give in Vietnamese Dong (VND).
• In Hanoi
- ANZ bank @ 14 Le Thai To St., Hanoi
- Vietcom bank @ 198 Tran Quang Khai St., Hanoi
- City bank @ 17 Ngo Quyen St., Hanoi
- Bank of American @ 27 Ly Thuong Kiet St., Hanoi
- Gold shops in Hang Gai, Hang Ngang, Hang Dao St., and in your hotel.
ATMs:
- Trang Tien Plaza @ Trang Tien St., Hanoi
- 110 Cau Go St., Hanoi
- Intimex supermarket @ 30-32 Le Thai To St., Hanoi
- Lake side post office @ 75 Dinh Tien Hoang St., Hanoi
- Hanoi tower @ 49 Hai Ba Trung St., Hanoi, and so on.
• In Hue & Hoian
- Vietcom bank –Hue branch @ 78 Hung Vuong St., Hue
- Industrial & Commercial bank @ 2A Le Quy Don St., Hue
- Vietcombank Hoian @37B Tran Hung Dao St., Hoian
ATMs:
- 78 Hung Vuong St.,
- Saigon Morin hotel @ 30 Le Loi St.,
- Huong Giang hotel @ 51 Le Loi St.,
- Century hotel @ 49 Le Loi St.,
- 37 B Tran Hung Dao St., Hoian
• In Nha Trang
- Vietcom bank – Nha Trang branch @ 17 Quang Trung St., Nha Trang
ATMs:
- Yasaka hotel @ 18 Tran Phu St., Nha Trang
- Nha Trang Lodge hotel @ 42 Tran Phu St., Nha Trang
- Nha Trang post office @ 4 Le Loi St., Nha Trang
- Tran Phu night market @ Tran Phu seashore, Nha Trang
• In Hochiminh City/Saigon
- ANZ bank @ 11 M e Linh Square, Dist.1, Hochiminh City
- Vietcom bank @ 29 Chuong Duong St, Dist.1, Hochiminh City
- City bank @ 15th floor, 115 Nguyen Hue St, Dist.1, Hochiminh City
- Bank of American @ 1 Phung Khac Khoan St., Dist.1, Hochiminh City
- Deutsche Bank @ 65 Le Loi St., Dist.1, Hochiminh City
- Gold shops in Dong Khoi St, Hochiminh City and in your hotel.
ATMs:
- Saigon Trade Center @ 37 Ton Duc Thang St., Dist.1, Hochiminh City
- Diamond Plaza @ 34 Le Duan St., Dist.1, Hochiminh City
- Caravel hotel @ 19 Lam Son square, Dist.1, Hochiminh City
- Majestic hotel @ 1 Dong Khoi St., Dist.1, Hochiminh City
- Saigon tourist center @ 45 Le Thanh Ton St., Hochiminh City and so on.
Note: ANZ and Vietcombank ATMs enable you to withdraw cash from VISA, MASTER CARD, CIRRUS, PLUS, MAESTRO, JCB, DINNER CLUB through its network, 24 hours per day.