Can you pay with a card in Hanoi?

Can I use my debit card in Vietnam?

Ugh, Vietnam trip planning. Debit cards, right? Most places take Visa. That’s good. My bank’s a pain though, always charging extra fees. Seriously, $5 for every transaction? highway robbery! I should check about that before I go. Need to find a better solution, maybe a travel card.

Okay, so Visa works. That covers the big stuff, hotels, fancy restaurants, probably even that spa I want to try. But what about the street food? Cash is king there, huh? Gotta remember that. Small bills, lots of them. Don’t wanna be fumbling for change while a huge line builds behind me. Awkward!

• Visa and Mastercard accepted widely. This is good news!
• Street vendors: Cash only. Duh! Bring enough Dong.
• Check your bank’s fees. Avoid getting ripped off. Seriously, five dollars a pop?
• Consider a travel card. Lower fees. Maybe. I need to research this.

I’m also thinking about getting some local sim. My phone plan is expensive as hell. International roaming? Don’t even get me started. Should have looked into this ages ago. Completely forgot! Maybe I’ll just use wifi… except wifi is dodgy sometimes. Bleh. This is stressing me out!

Anyway, back to the debit card thing. It’ll work fine for most things, but seriously, those fees… I’ll probably regret not doing more research later. Also, packing. Should make a list for packing. Right now, my brain is a total mess.

Do you need cash in Hanoi Reddit?

Ugh, Hanoi. Cards are kinda okay there now, right? Most places take ’em. Restaurants, shops… yeah.

But ATMs are your friend if you need that sweet, sweet dong. Google the cheapest ATM though, seriously. Your bank will bend you over. Fr fr.

• My debit card charges a $5 foreign transaction fee.
• I used ACB last time. Was okay-ish.
• Avoid the ones plastered with tourist ads, lol.

Dollars? Seriously? Some shops might take USD, but the exchange rate is gonna be highway robbery. Total rip-off. Don’t do it. Like, seriously.

• My friend tried paying in dollars once. BIG mistake.
• Dude lost like 20% on the deal.

Plus, who wants to deal with that hassle? Just get dongs. I’m so tired of dealing with exchange rates. Seriously.

• Stick to card or ATM withdrawal.
• Makes everything so much easier.

Seriously, avoid the dollar thing. Its stupid, and your totally going to regret it. Okay?

How to pay a taxi in Hanoi?

Ugh, Hanoi taxis. Okay, so Vietnamese Dong is king. No way around that unless you’re using some fancy app. Do those even work well here?

• Cash is always a must.
• Apps might work.

I always forget to get cash beforehand. Seriously.

And, oh man, language barrier is REAL. Remember that time I tried to explain I wanted to go to Hoan Kiem Lake and just ended up near some random temple?

• Address written down is a MUST.
• Seriously. Or use a translation app.

Should I learn Vietnamese? Nah, too hard. Plus, I’m lazy. Pre-paid taxi? What even is that? Need to look that up later, maybe.

Do you tip taxi drivers in Hanoi?

Hanoi taxi drivers? Rounding up is the move. Think of it as a sophisticated, subtly charming way to acknowledge their masterful navigation of Hanoi’s chaotic streets – a tribute to their uncanny ability to find parking spaces the size of a postage stamp. No need for extravagant gestures; we’re not showering them with gold doubloons. Just a touch of generosity.

Key takeaway: Forget formal tips. It’s all about the subtle art of rounding up. Think of it as a cultural exchange, a silent agreement between you and the driver, a transaction laced with unspoken gratitude.

Why round up?

• It’s polite: A small gesture goes a long way.
• It’s practical: Avoid fiddling with small change.
• It’s efficient: A smooth transaction makes everyone happy.
• It’s the Hanoi way: Subtlety is king.

Alternatively, if the driver was exceptionally helpful, carrying your bags up five flights of stairs for instance (which my friend, Mark, experienced last year, resulting in a happy dance and an extra 20,000 dong), then a larger tip is certainly warranted. But that’s a completely different story, one involving heroic efforts far beyond the usual. Seriously, my friend Mark’s story is legendary.

Last year, 2022, I was in Hanoi for two weeks, and honestly, the rounding-up system worked perfectly. Never encountered any issues. The only time I didn’t round up was with that one driver who blasted terrible pop music the entire ride.