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VN
Vietnam
Southeast Asia
Travel guide essentials
Vietnam is an incredibly vibrant market where cash is still king for daily life, though card acceptance and local QR wallets are growing fast in major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
What matters most
- Cash is essential for street food, markets, and local transport
- Cards are accepted in hotels, large malls, and tourist-oriented restaurants
- Mobile data is cheap and vital for using ride-hailing apps which are the best way to get around
Payments and daily life
While digital payments are rising, Vietnam remains a cash-heavy economy for travelers. You will need physical currency for the most authentic experiences like street food and local markets.
- Always carry cash in smaller denominations (VND)
- Credit cards are fine for high-end spending but rare for small shops
- Check for surcharge on card payments in some smaller hotels or agencies
Transport and connectivity
Ride-hailing apps have transformed travel in Vietnam. They are safer and more transparent than random street taxis, but they require a stable internet connection.
- Download local ride-hailing apps and link a card before arrival
- Vietnam has excellent 4G/5G coverage; get an eSIM for constant access
- Google Maps is reliable for navigation but always verify routes with locals
Available Services Overview
| Service | Category | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| PayPal | Payment | Fully Supported | View |
| Apple Pay | Payment | Fully Supported | View |
| Google Pay | Payment | Fully Supported | View |
| Stripe | Payment | Not Supported | View |
| Alipay | Payment | Fully Supported | View |
| WeChat Pay | Payment | Fully Supported | View |
| Venmo | Payment | Not Supported | View |
| Revolut | Banking | Not Supported | View |
| N26 | Banking | Not Supported | View |
| Wise | Remittance | Not Supported | View |
| Social | Fully Supported | View | |
| Social | Fully Supported | View | |
| YouTube | Video | Fully Supported | View |
| Netflix | Video | Fully Supported | View |
| Messaging | Fully Supported | View | |
| LINE | Messaging | Not Supported | View |
| Airalo | Telecom | Fully Supported | View |
| Holafly | Telecom | Fully Supported | View |
| Uber | Transport | Not Supported | View |
| Grab | Transport | Fully Supported | View |
| Spotify | Video | Fully Supported | View |
| TikTok | Social | Fully Supported | View |
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