How do foreign tourists pay for things in Vietnam (cards, cash, local bank account)?

From messages by 3 participants in 2 sources · Last activity: 5 days ago

TL;DR

Apps like Freedom/Revolut don't support QR payments in Vietnam — use a Union Pay card (e.g. from a foreign bank), bring cash USD, or use money changers who deliver cash to your hotel. For longer stays, opening a local Vietnamese bank account (possible with an e-visa) is the simplest option.

What the community said

When opening an account at Vietcombank, you may be asked for your passport, visa, a Vietnamese phone number, your address in Vietnam, and an address in your home country.

14 days ago Vietcombank: passport, visa, Vietnamese phone number and addresses

For living in Vietnam long-term, opening a local Vietnamese bank account is enough — this is possible if you have an e-visa, no need for a full Vietnamese card.

Vietnamese bank account (requires e-visa)

Practical ways to pay in Vietnam: bring cash USD with you, use a Union Pay card (e.g. issued by a foreign bank), or use money changers who deliver cash directly to your hotel.

Union Pay card / USD cash / money changers

Apps like Freedom (and similar fintech neobanks) don't work for QR payments in Vietnam — they're built for other markets and simply lack this functionality here.