Do foreign bank cards (UnionPay, etc.) work in Phu Quoc, and where to exchange currency or withdraw cash?

BIDV bank processes Russian UnionPay cards without issues (unlike Techcombank, which doesn't support UnionPay at all). Most stores have multiple different payment terminals installed, so if a payment fails on one, ask staff to try another — for example, a payment at KingKong store failed simply because the right terminal wasn't available there.

If you have Sber, VTB, or T-Bank cards, you can pay by scanning a QR code directly from the bank's app — this works as an alternative to standard card payments.

Withdrawing cash at the Phu Quoc airport ATM worked fine a week ago, but repeated attempts elsewhere on the island failed — one ATM even swallowed the card temporarily before spitting it back out.

UnionPay cards are not accepted by Techcombank terminals in large stores on the island, though some ATMs do process withdrawals fine.

There's uncertainty about whether a Rosselkhozbank UnionPay card works on the island — support seems inconsistent, so it's wise to carry a backup payment method (cash or another card).

There are currency exchange offices on the island that accept transfers from Russian online banking apps — a useful option if your card doesn't work directly.

It's unclear whether a VRB bank branch exists on the island; as an alternative, travelers suggest exchanging currency in advance at Ho Chi Minh City airport before flying to Phu Quoc, or finding exchange offices locally.