Banking & Money

Where have travelers opened a bank account and obtained a card in Ho Chi Minh City, and can a 90-day visa be refused?

In September 2026, one traveler reported obtaining a bank card at a branch in the Golden King hotel in District 7, while another reported rejections at several banks that required a 12-month visa rather than a 90-day visa. Rules change — confirm the requirements with an official source before you travel.

2 sources · 19 days ago

Vietnam tax residency for foreigners: do you become a tax resident after 183 days and need to pay tax?

The discussion points to a total stay of more than 183 days in Vietnam as the key tax-residency threshold. Travelers should also check their visa status and any tax obligations in their previous country of residence.

1 source · 13 days ago

Do remote workers living in Ho Chi Minh City need to pay income tax in Vietnam and their home country?

For a long stay in Vietnam, tax obligations depend on residency status, contract type and income source. Community members note that spending more than 183 days outside Russia can change Russian tax treatment, while income earned while living in Vietnam may also fall under Vietnamese tax rules.

1 source · 13 days ago

What fees and exchange-rate losses should I expect when withdrawing cash or exchanging money in Ho Chi Minh City?

Costs vary by bank and method: ATM-based cash exchange through intermediaries can be about 8–10% worse than the Google rate, while bank charges are often only a few percent. Check your card’s fee-free withdrawal limit before taking out cash.

1 source · 19 days ago

Where can I deposit cash into a Vietnamese bank account at an ATM in Ho Chi Minh City?

Cash-deposit ATMs are most likely to be found near bank branches, and Vietcombank (VCB) customers report being able to top up their accounts this way. A working ATM has been reported in District 1, while BIDV cash deposits may be unavailable even at multiple locations.

2 sources · 21 days ago

Can international bank transfers be used to top up a Vietnamese bank card, and why might they be returned?

Travelers report that transfers from overseas banks to newly issued Vietnamese cards can be returned or may not arrive immediately. With BIDV, first confirm that the card is active and enabled to receive incoming transfers.

2 sources · 16 days ago

Where can I exchange cash US dollars for Vietnamese dong in Ho Chi Minh City at a good rate?

The only specific rate reported was at Gold Shop, where cash US dollars were exchanged at VND 25,900 per USD. Ask for live quotes at several counters before exchanging, as no other current rates were confirmed in the discussion.

2 sources · 21 days ago

Can travelers bring e-cigarettes into Vietnam, and what alternatives are available in Ho Chi Minh City?

The discussion does not provide confirmed import rules or vape-shop addresses. As an alternative, contributors suggest carrying cash and buying regular cigarettes in Vietnam, which are reportedly cheaper than in Russia.

2 sources · 17 days ago

Can international travelers pay by QR code in Ho Chi Minh City using a foreign banking app?

QR payments in Ho Chi Minh City often work through Sber, T-Bank, VTB and MTS apps, but T-Bank can be unreliable. Retry a failed transaction or use another banking app, and keep cash as a backup at Circle K.

1 source · 20 days ago

How can international visitors open a BIDV account and get a physical bank card in Ho Chi Minh City?

BIDV branch policies can differ: one branch may open an account without issuing a physical card. Ask specifically for a bank card, and try another branch if the first one only offers an account.

1 source · 21 days ago

How can travelers withdraw Vietnamese dong fee-free in Ho Chi Minh City using a T-Bank VND account?

Travelers report that a T-Bank VND account can be used for fee-free cash withdrawals at VRB ATMs, including in Ho Chi Minh City. Reported terms include free withdrawals from VND 1 million to VND 50 million and a top-up rate of roughly VND 300–320 per RUB.

1 source · 23 days ago

How to withdraw Vietnamese dong in Ho Chi Minh City with a T-Bank card without ATM fees

A traveler reported withdrawing VND from a VRB ATM without fees using a T-Bank VND account. Open a VND account in the app, link your card and convert funds to dong before using the ATM.

2 sources · 32 days ago

How can travelers deposit cash into a local Vietnamese bank account in Ho Chi Minh City?

Cash may be deposited at a bank branch or through an ATM that accepts cash. Tourist accounts can have restrictions, so check the rules with the specific Vietnamese bank before relying on this method.

2 sources · 19 days ago

Can foreign travelers open a BIDV bank account and get a debit card in Ho Chi Minh City with a passport and e-visa?

A BIDV branch in Ho Chi Minh City reportedly opened an account using only a passport and e-visa, without proof of residence. The virtual card was available immediately, while the physical card took about two weeks and was listed at VND 55,000.

1 source · 48 days ago

How can a foreign visitor or expat open a Vietnamese bank account and get a debit card in Ho Chi Minh City?

Based on travelers’ experience, Vietcombank may open an account with your passport, a Vietnamese phone number registered in your name, and a self-declared local address. An e-visa can improve your chances of getting a physical debit card, which has an extra fee.

2 sources · 58 days ago

Where to exchange USD to Vietnamese dong in Ho Chi Minh City — airport or city exchange offices?

Tan Son Nhat airport is not the best place to change US dollars, but not a rip-off either: in August 2026 a traveler got about VND 25,820 per dollar there versus about VND 25,900 at a gold shop, a gap of under one percent. In September 2026 participants advised changing a small amount at the airport for the taxi and the rest in the city, counting the money carefully. Bills must be clean and intact, or they will be refused or exchanged at a lower rate.

1 source · 16 days ago

Why do Vietnamese bank cards get blocked, and is it related to visa status?

Your bank card isn't directly tied to your visa — the bank can block it by its own decision regardless of whether you're in the country or abroad. The account itself gets blocked for inactivity, and some banks (like BIDV) charge around 50,000 VND to verify visa status via the public immigration database.

1 source · 63 days ago

Does my Vietnamese bank card or account get closed when my visa expires?

The bank only temporarily blocks the card, not the account itself — after a visa run and new visa, just visit a branch to update your info and the card works again. Accounts are closed only after a long period of inactivity.

1 source · 69 days ago

Do foreign (CIS/Central Asian) bank cards work in Ho Chi Minh City, and where can I exchange currency?

Cards from some CIS banks (e.g. Kyrgyzstan's Bakai Bank Visa) frequently fail at HCMC terminals and ATMs, showing errors like 'wrong PIN' even when withdrawing cash or transferring to a local Vietnamese account (e.g. BIDV). For currency exchange, local banks often refuse VND-to-USD/EUR conversion, so try jewelry shops like Ha Tam Jewelry instead.

2 sources · 56 days ago

Where can travelers in Ho Chi Minh City exchange cash or crypto to Vietnamese dong, and is cardless ATM cash withdrawal available?

Traveler chat posts mention several private exchange services in Ho Chi Minh City that convert RUB, USD, and USDT to VND, often via in-person meetup, and some offer cardless ATM cash withdrawal. Cash delivery in Ho Chi Minh City and transfers to Vietnamese bank accounts are also mentioned.

3 sources · 3 days ago

Do you need to declare cash when entering Vietnam via Ho Chi Minh City if you carry more than USD 5,000, and can you have problems taking it out later without a declaration?

Travelers report that cash is often not checked on arrival, and many enter without declaring it. But if you plan to leave Vietnam later with more than USD 5,000, it is safer to declare it on entry and keep the form, because customs may ask for proof of the money’s origin when you depart.

2 sources · 97 days ago

Where to exchange USD to Vietnamese Dong in Ho Chi Minh City?

Best USD exchange rates in Ho Chi Minh City are typically found at gold/jewelry shops, though reviews are mixed. Banks offer lower rates but are more reliable.

2 sources · 1 day ago

How to open a bank account and get a debit card at BIDV Vietnam as a foreigner

Foreigners can get a BIDV MasterCard Ready debit card with a passport and visa. The physical card fee is 55,000 VND; a virtual card is issued immediately upon approval.

1 source · 69 days ago