Why do ATMs in Nha Trang run out of cash and how to avoid being stuck without money?
Based on 2 discussions with 8 participants · Last activity: 2 days ago
TL;DR
ATMs in Nha Trang periodically run completely out of cash, especially in the evenings and on weekends — you can find yourself unable to withdraw. It's better to withdraw a large sum in advance, carry some USD cash as backup, and set up QR code payments (though services like Lotte sometimes fail).
What the community said
One traveler ran completely out of cash and couldn't even pay for food at the hotel — card payment failed. Tip: always keep a small cash reserve for such situations.
2 days ago
In the morning an ATM showed 'no cash', but a few hours later there was already a line at the same machine — after a 30-minute wait, cash was available. Lesson: ATMs get refilled during the day, so it's worth trying again later.
2 days ago
To avoid carrying a big wad of cash, one approach is to exchange USD in small batches (around $100 at a time) and spend it fully before exchanging more.
2 days ago ~$100 at a time
A guide at one hotel refused to accept old or worn USD bills — the exchange rate didn't matter, but the condition of the bills was critical. Bring only clean, newer USD banknotes.
2 days ago
At a Lotte store, one traveler's card payment repeatedly failed — she ended up relying on cash for the rest of the day.
2 days ago Lotte store
Another traveler withdrew 20,000 (local currency) in cash at once and tried to avoid exchanging USD, paying via QR code wherever possible.
2 days ago 20,000 (local currency)
Some travelers deliberately avoid carrying large amounts of cash at once, preferring to withdraw smaller amounts regularly as needed.
2 days ago
According to one long-term resident, ATMs always had cash available — withdrawals worked fine in the morning, late evening, and on weekends. Cash shortages seem to depend on the specific ATM or area.
2 days ago