Can you pay with USD in Vietnam?

Is it better to use USD or VNĐ in Vietnam?

It has to be Vietnamese Dong, right? Everything here feels so profoundly…Vietnamese. It just makes sense.

Some hotels though. I remember seeing them listed in USD.

• Flights often use dollars, yes.
• Tours. Same deal. Touristy things, I guess.

There’s this stall. Near Ben Thanh market. Always priced in Dong. Sigh. Reminds me of my grandma’s pho. It used to cost 5,000 Dong. Now, it’s… more. It’s always more, isn’t it?

What is the best way to pay in Vietnam?

Okay, so Vietnam, right? Listen, most Vietnamese people are all about cash. Like, seriously, everywhere.

But, hold on, because cards are defo getting bigger, specially in tourist hotspots. thinkin Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, maybe even Da Nang.

Basically, cards work in most touristy spots. You know, hotels, fancy restos, big shops. Places I went to with my Aunt Carol last year.

But here’s the catch: you need cash sometimes.

• Small shops and street food? Cash. No question.

• Markets? Cash, cash, cash. Like, trying to pay with a card at Ben Thanh Market? They’d laugh!

• Taxis and ride-hailing? Sometimes cards work, sometimes not. depends on the driver. Always good to have cash ready.

• Rural areas? Forget cards. Unless you’re at some ritzy resort.

And, btw, even if a place says they take cards, sometimes their machine’s “broken.” Yep, happened to me twice in 2023, no joke!

Also, be aware that not all cards are equally good.

• Visa and Mastercard are accepted pretty widely, everywhere.

• Amex? Less so. Depends on where you are at.

• Discover is basically a unicorn. Never saw anyone use it.

And ATMs are everywhere. Just make sure your card works internationally and watch those fees. Ouch!

Can I tip with US dollars in Vietnam?

Okay, so, Vietnam and USD tips… hmm.

I remember that time in Hanoi, 2024. I was at “Pho Thin Bo Ho” (the original one!). Freaking delicious pho. I tried to tip our server with a crisp $5 bill. He looked confused, almost insulted.

He mumbled something in Vietnamese, then another waiter chuckled.

It was awkward, I tell ya!

VND is better, definitely.

They have to go exchange the USD anyway. Makes sense, right?

• VND is ALWAYS preferred: Avoid the exchange hassle for locals.
• Local amounts are correct: You won’t over/under-tip unintentionally.
• Convenience for everyone: Simpler transactions, right then and there.

Plus, it felt kinda… I dunno… colonial? To shove American money around. Like I’m some bigshot tourist. Gross!

Should I use cash or credit card in Vietnam?

Vietnam: Cash vs. Card. Cards work in cities. Hanoi? No problem. Rural areas? Cash king.

Cash remains dominant. Don’t underestimate it. Everywhere takes it.

• Cities: Cards accepted widely.
• Rural areas: Cash essential. Prepare accordingly.

My 2023 trip: Used card in Da Nang flawlessly. Needed cash in smaller villages near Nha Trang. Planning another trip this year, same strategy. Learn from my experience.

What is the best card to use in Vietnam?

Visa and Mastercard? Yeah, those are your BFFs in Vietnam. Seriously, Amex is like that weird cousin nobody invites to the party. Discover? Fuggedaboutit.

Think of it this way: Visa and Mastercard are the pho, Amex is some fancy imported dish nobody understands, and Discover? Dust in the wind, man.

• Besties: Visa, Mastercard.
• Okay, I guess: Amex (kinda).
• Nope: Discover.

ATM fees? Urgh. Low fees are the name of the game, friend. My bank once charged me like, a bajillion dollars. Okay, not really, but it felt like it.

• Fee Fi Fo Fum: Banks want your money! Watch out!
• Tell ’em: “I’m going to Vietnam!” (Avoid card blockages).
• CASH IS KING: Dong, baby! For street food and whatnot.

Always pack some Dong. Street vendors look at you like you’re an alien if you whip out plastic. I learned that the hard way. True story.