How can long-stay travelers pay cashlessly in Da Nang, and can foreigners open a local bank account?
Based on 3 discussions with 3 participants · Last activity: 13 days ago
TL;DR
In Da Nang, cashless payments usually work best with Visa/Mastercard or a local bank account; Vietnamese wallets like MoMo and ZaloPay typically require a local phone number and a linked Vietnamese bank. For long stays, foreigners usually start by opening an account at banks such as BIDV, Vietcombank, or Techcombank, and larger cash amounts should be declared on arrival if over the limit.
What the community said
For everyday spending in Da Nang, foreigners most often rely on Visa or Mastercard, which are commonly accepted at supermarkets, hotels, and cafes in tourist areas like My An and An Thuong. But markets, small local eateries, and street-food stalls still often require cash, so going fully cashless is inconvenient.
13 days ago My An, An Thuong
There is no easy Alipay-style option for most visitors in Vietnam: MoMo, ZaloPay, and VNPay are widely used by locals, but they usually require a Vietnamese phone number and a local bank account. If you are staying long term, this setup becomes practical only after opening an account with a major Vietnamese bank.
13 days ago MoMo, ZaloPay, VNPay
For a long stay in Da Nang, foreigners typically look at BIDV, Vietcombank, Techcombank, or ACB because they have branches in the city center and standard online banking. In practice, banks usually ask for your passport, visa or residence card, and sometimes a rental contract or proof of employment.
13 days ago BIDV, Vietcombank, Techcombank, ACB
If you need the account mainly for regular international top-ups, check with the specific branch whether it accepts incoming SWIFT transfers and what crediting fees apply. Requirements can vary not only by bank but also by your visa status, so different branches in Da Nang may give different answers.
13 days ago SWIFT
If you are bringing a large amount of cash into Vietnam, it is safer to carry proof of the money’s source and be ready to declare it at the border. Vietnam generally requires declaration for amounts above USD 5,000 or the equivalent in other currencies, so it is best not to rely on informal airport advice when carrying large cash sums.
13 days ago USD 5,000