Can international travelers pay by card in Nha Trang, or should they carry Vietnamese cash?

From messages by 5 participants in 3 sources · Last activity: 45 days ago

TL;DR

In Nha Trang, it is sensible to carry Vietnamese dong as the main payment method and keep a card as a backup for shopping malls and cafés. Options mentioned include a local BIDV card and UnionPay.

What the community said

Carry Vietnamese dong: travelers expect to use cash as their primary payment method in Nha Trang, with a card kept as a backup.

Vietnamese dong cash

Cards are mainly intended for places more likely to accept cashless payments, such as shopping malls and cafés in Nha Trang.

Shopping malls and cafés

A BIDV account and card are mentioned as a local banking option; Vietnamese dong cash may be deposited to the card through the bank, but deposit terms should be confirmed at a branch.

BIDV

UnionPay is considered a backup card for the trip alongside cash and, potentially, a local bank card.

UnionPay

If you plan to get a local card, check in advance whether it can be topped up with cash and receive transfers, and how transactions appear in the banking app or statement.

Local bank card