How to Use ATMs in Vietnam: Fees, Withdrawal Limits, Exchange Rates & Travel Money Tips

How to Use ATMs in Vietnam

1. Insert Your Card

• Slide your card into the machine following the arrow.
• Most machines accept international cards (Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay, JCB). American Express is less common.

2. Choose Language

• Most ATMs offer both Vietnamese and English. Select English for easier navigation.

3. Enter Your PIN

• Enter your 4-digit PIN. If your card uses a 6-digit PIN, try adding zeros in front if needed (e.g. 001234).

4. Select Transaction Type

• Choose “Withdraw,” then select a “Checking” or “Current” account.

5. Enter Amount

• Type the amount you want in Vietnamese Dong (VND). Some ATMs have a per-transaction limit (commonly 2–5 million VND). You can repeat the process if you need more.

6. Decline Currency Conversion

• If asked whether to be charged in your home currency or VND, always choose VND. This avoids poor exchange rates from dynamic currency conversion.

7. Take Your Cash and Card

• Don’t forget to take your money, your receipt (if needed), and your card.

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💰 Fees & Limits (General Info)

• ATM fees vary by bank, typically from 22,000 to 55,000 VND per withdrawal.
• Daily limits can range from 2 to 10 million VND depending on the ATM.
• Local banks like TPBank, VPBank, or ACB often have lower or no fees.
• International banks like HSBC or Citibank may allow higher withdrawals but charge higher fees.

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💡 Tips to Save Money

• Withdraw larger amounts at once to avoid multiple fees.
• Avoid airport ATMs, they often have higher fees.
• Use travel-friendly debit cards that refund ATM fees (like Revolut or Wise).

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🔒 Safety Advice

• Use ATMs inside banks or malls rather than those on the street.
• Cover the keypad when entering your PIN.
• Check for anything strange on the card slot (to avoid skimming).
• If something feels off, cancel and find another ATM.

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🛠 If Problems Happen

• If your card is swallowed, write down the ATM location and contact the bank immediately.
• If cash doesn’t come out but you’re charged, keep the receipt and contact your bank to resolve the issue.

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💰 ATM Fees & Withdrawal Limits in Vietnam

1. General Fee Range:
   • Most ATMs in Vietnam charge a fee of 22,000–99,000 VND (approx. $1–$4.30 USD) per withdrawal, regardless of how much you take out.
   • To save money, it’s smarter to withdraw larger amounts less frequently.
2. Maximum Per-Transaction Withdrawal Limit:
   • Limits usually range between 2,000,000–3,000,000 VND (~$85–$130 USD) per transaction.
   • Some international banks (like Citibank or HSBC) offer higher limits (up to 8,000,000 VND) but may charge more.
3. Daily Limit:
   • You can withdraw multiple times a day if needed (until your bank’s daily limit is reached).

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🏦 Best and Worst ATMs in Vietnam (Fee + Limit Comparison)

Bank	Fee (VND)	Limit (VND)	% of Fee per Withdrawal	Note
TPBank	0	3,000,000	0%	Best choice
Eximbank	0	3,000,000	0%	Best choice
Agribank	22,000	3,000,000	0.7%	Low-cost option
Citibank	60,000	8,000,000	0.8%	Free for Citibank users
Sacombank	30,000	3,000,000	1%	Still decent
MB Bank	33,000	3,000,000	1.1%	Common in cities
ACB	55,000	3,000,000	1.8%	Mid-range option
HSBC	160,000	8,000,000	2%	High limit but high fee
VietcomBank	50,000	2,000,000	2.5%	Popular, but costly
VietinBank	55,000	2,000,000	2.8%	Lower limit, higher cost
Techcombank	66,000	2,000,000	3.3%	Avoid if possible
BIDV	99,000	3,000,000	3.3%	Very high fee
VietBank	160,000	2,000,000	8%	Worst choice

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⚠️ Other Important Notes

• Your home bank may charge a foreign withdrawal fee, typically $5–$15 USD per transaction. Check this before traveling.
• Always choose to be charged in VND, not your home currency. Selecting your own currency triggers Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC), which adds hidden fees of $5–$10+ USD.

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💡 Smart Tips for Travelers

• 💳 Use TPBank or Eximbank whenever possible.
• 🚫 Avoid airport ATMs and VietBank due to high fees.
• 🧾 Withdraw larger amounts to reduce fee frequency.
• 🌍 Consider using cards like Wise, Revolut, or Charles Schwab that refund international ATM fees.