ATMs in Vietnam: Fees, Limits and Which Ones to Use

ATMs in Vietnam: Are They Useful?

Yes, you can withdraw cash in Vietnam with your foreign card in almost any city. What changes is how much it costs you: most ATMs charge a flat fee per withdrawal, and it depends on the bank that owns the machine. In my case, the only ATMs that didn’t charge me a fee were VPBank and Eximbank. Two rules that always apply: choose to be charged in Vietnamese dong (VND), and withdraw one large amount instead of several small ones, because the fee is usually flat.

What You Need to Know Before You Arrive

I’ve been traveling solo since 2012, and Vietnam is one of those countries where you think you’ll sort out the money question in five minutes and end up doing math at the door of an ATM. Here’s what I learned using N26, Revolut and Neon (the Swiss card), plus which data from other guides I found useful. A heads-up: no Vietnamese bank publishes clear official figures for foreign cards, so the numbers that aren’t mine are marked as “reported by travelers.”

Can You Use a Foreign Card at ATMs in Vietnam?

Yes. ATMs accept Visa, Mastercard, Cirrus, Plus, JCB and UnionPay. Machines from the big banks work with cards from all over the world, and almost all of them have an English menu.

What nobody can guarantee is that the machine will have cash when you get there: in touristy mountain areas, for example, ATMs often run out of cash. It has happened to me when I went after 3 p.m. and there was no cash left. I recommend going in the morning and on weekdays to avoid the tourist rush on weekends.

How Much Does It Cost to Withdraw Cash? The Three Fees

A single withdrawal can come with up to three different charges. Understanding them is what separates a minimal cost from an absurd one.

1. The ATM Fee

This is what the bank that owns the machine charges. Guides report flat fees ranging from zero to around 55,000 VND per withdrawal, depending on the bank. A useful detail almost nobody explains: many banks publish the fee without the 10% VAT, which is why you see 50,000 on the screen and 55,000 on your statement.

2. Your Own Bank or Card Fee

Your bank may charge you for withdrawing outside its network or in another country. That’s why the card you bring matters a lot (more on mine below).

3. Currency Conversion

Here’s the classic mistake. Many ATMs ask whether you want to be charged in your home currency or in dong. Always choose dong (VND) and decline the ATM’s conversion: it usually comes with a worse exchange rate than your bank’s.

ATM Withdrawal Limits in Vietnam: What Actually Holds You Back

Limits can stop you from three different directions, and they’re easy to confuse:

The ATM’s per-withdrawal limit. It varies by bank: guides report between 2 and 3 million VND at many ATMs, and up to 10 million at VPBank. Some go higher.
Your own card or app limit. Daily or weekly, set by your bank, not by Vietnam. Raise it in your app before you travel.
The cash the machine has that day. There’s no way to know from the outside.

Since the fee is usually flat, withdrawing one larger amount costs less than withdrawing a small amount three times. That said, I try not to carry much cash, since I have an app I use to pay by QR code and I’d rather pay with that than lug around so much change. Not because it’s dangerous, just for convenience.

Which ATMs to Use in Vietnam

The “My experience” column is mine. The rest comes from traveler reports and guides from 2025–2026, so check the ATM screen before you confirm.

Bank	Fee (reported)	Withdrawal limit (reported)	My experience
VPBank	No fee of its own for foreign cards	Up to 10,000,000 VND	They didn’t charge me a fee.
Eximbank	No fee	Up to 10,000,000 VND	They didn’t charge me a fee.
Vietcombank	Around 50,000 VND	Varies by area	Didn’t use it because it had a fee.
ACB	Charges a fee	Around 3,000,000 VND	Didn’t use it because it had a fee.
Agribank	Charges a fee	2–3 million VND	Didn’t use it because it had a fee.

My Experience with N26, Revolut and Neon

I tried three cards. Here’s what happened with each:

N26: good exchange rate, but a monthly withdrawal limit.
Revolut: worth noting that, according to Revolut’s own page, free withdrawals have a monthly cap, and beyond that limit a percentage fee applies. This depends on your plan and country, so check yours.
Neon (Switzerland): zero fees and the best exchange rate.

The only thing I confirmed in practice: the ATM fee was charged by the machine in every case, regardless of the card. The only ATMs where that fee didn’t show up were VPBank and Eximbank.

Which Card to Bring from Latin America

There’s no single recipe here. Before choosing a card, check these things with your bank or app:

Whether it charges a fee for withdrawing cash abroad.
What exchange rate it applies and what conversion fee.
What your daily withdrawal limit abroad is and how to raise it.
If you use a multi-currency account (Wise, Revolut), first check whether it’s available in your country.

How to Withdraw Cash at an ATM in Vietnam, Step by Step

Pick a VPBank or Eximbank ATM if there’s one nearby, or one from a major bank.
Cover the keypad when you enter your PIN, and grab your card before the cash.
Read the screen: many machines show the fee before you confirm.
If they offer to charge you in your home currency, choose “decline conversion” / “charge in VND.”
Withdraw a reasonable amount that covers several days.
Keep the receipt and check your app: confirm the actual fee the next day.

ATM Safety and Common Problems in Vietnam

Skimming: it exists, but it’s reported as uncommon. Use ATMs inside bank branches or in busy, well-lit areas.
Swallowed card: if it happens, go to the branch of the bank that owns the ATM during business hours.
ATM out of cash: try another bank. In rural or mountain areas, bring extra cash.
Bills: from what I’ve noticed, the condition of the bill doesn’t matter much; they’ve accepted very crumpled, wet bills and more.

If you’re planning your stops, check out my guides: Money in Vietnam

How Much Cash Should You Carry? My System

I try not to carry much. I set up Moreta Pay, an app for paying by QR code, and the only requirement was having a bank account. It worked perfectly for me. Even so, cash is still necessary for markets, taxis and street food, so the ATM doesn’t disappear from the plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best ATM for withdrawing money in Vietnam?
Based on what the guides report and on my experience, VPBank. Eximbank also worked for me with no fee.

How much do ATMs charge in Vietnam?
The fee is usually flat, between zero and around 55,000 VND per withdrawal depending on the bank, plus whatever your own bank charges.

What’s the ATM withdrawal limit in Vietnam?
It depends on the bank: between 2 and 3 million VND in many cases and up to 10 million at VPBank, according to the guides. Your card’s own limit also counts.

Should I withdraw in dong or in my own currency?
Always in dong. Decline the ATM’s conversion.

Is it better to exchange money or withdraw from an ATM?
Opinions are mixed, even on the forums. [to complete: your take].

Can I withdraw money at the airport?
There are ATMs at the major airports, but in practice they’re the ones you should check most carefully before accepting.

Can I use a credit card at ATMs in Vietnam?
Yes, but a cash withdrawal on a credit card usually comes with extra costs. Prefer a debit card.

Conclusion

The short version: a no-fee card, VPBank or Eximbank ATMs whenever you can, get charged in dong, and withdraw as less often as possible. And if you still have questions, leave me a comment.

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Another interesting topic: Cash or Card?