What tourists can and cannot do at Vietnamese banks

Yes, you can open a bank account in Vietnam as a tourist, but the banks will ask for different documents than they ask Vietnamese citizens, and the account will have limits on what you can do with it. Most major banks will open what's called a non-resident account for you — this is a real account with a debit card and an ATM PIN, not a temporary travel product.

The catch is that non-resident accounts come with restrictions. You typically cannot transfer money out of Vietnam to another country, you may not be allowed to use online banking, and some banks cap how much you can deposit or withdraw per day. The exact rules depend on which bank you choose and how long you plan to stay. If you need to move money internationally, a non-resident account will not do that for you.

If you only need cash while you are in Vietnam, using ATMs with your home bank card is usually simpler and cheaper than opening a local account. But if you are staying for weeks or months, working remotely, or receiving money from Vietnam, a local account becomes practical.

Key Takeaways

  • Most major Vietnamese banks will open a non-resident account for tourists, but you must show a passport and proof of your address outside Vietnam.
  • Non-resident accounts let you withdraw cash and use a debit card in Vietnam, but usually do not allow transfers out of the country or online banking.
  • You will need to visit a branch in person — banks do not open accounts by mail or video call for tourists.
  • The process takes one to three hours on the day you visit, and you will receive your debit card and PIN when ready or within a few days depending on the bank.
  • If you only need cash, using your home bank's ATM card is often cheaper and faster than opening a local account.

Which banks accept tourists and what documents you need

The largest banks in Vietnam — Vietcombank, BIDV, Agribank, and Techcombank — all open non-resident accounts for tourists. Smaller private banks like ACB and MB Bank also do this, though policies can vary by branch. Before you go to a bank, call ahead or visit their website to confirm that the specific branch you plan to visit opens accounts for tourists, because not every branch does.

Bring your passport (the original, not a copy), and the bank will ask for proof of your address outside Vietnam. This can be a utility bill, a lease agreement, a bank statement from your home country, or a letter from your employer — anything with your name and address on it dated within the last few months. If you do not have a document with you, some banks will accept a hotel booking confirmation or a copy of your visa as temporary proof while you gather the real document.

You will also need to provide a local address in Vietnam where you can receive mail. This can be your hotel, a hostel, an Airbnb, or a friend's address — the bank just needs somewhere to send statements or cards if needed. Some banks ask for a phone number; use your home number or a local SIM card number if you have one.

The step-by-step process on the day you open the account

Go to the bank branch during business hours — most open Monday through Friday from 8 or 9 a.m. to 4 or 5 p.m., and some open Saturday mornings. Bring your passport, your address proof document, and the local address where you want mail sent. Tell the staff you want to open a non-resident account.

The bank will give you a form to fill out. It will ask for your name, passport number, date of birth, home address, local address in Vietnam, occupation, and the reason you want the account. Be honest about why — "I am staying in Vietnam for three months" or "I am working remotely" are both fine answers. The bank is not trying to catch you out; they are meeting their own legal requirements.

Once you submit the form, the bank will verify your passport, take a photocopy, and ask you to sign several documents. These are standard account agreements and anti-money-laundering disclosures. You do not need to understand every word, but you can ask the staff to explain anything that confuses you. The whole process usually takes 30 minutes to an hour.

At the end, the bank will give you a debit card and a PIN number. Some banks print the card on the spot; others mail it to your local address within a few days. Ask which applies to you before you leave. You will also receive a passbook (a small booklet that records your transactions) or a statement showing your account number. Write down your account number and keep it safe — you will need it to receive money transfers into the account.

What you can and cannot do with a non-resident account

You can withdraw cash from ATMs in Vietnam using your debit card, spend money at shops and restaurants with the card, and receive money transfers from other people or companies inside Vietnam. You can also deposit cash at the bank branch where you opened the account.

You cannot transfer money out of Vietnam to a bank account in another country. This is a legal restriction, not a bank policy — Vietnam's government limits how much foreign currency can leave the country, and non-resident accounts are subject to stricter rules than resident accounts. If you need to send money home, you will have to use a money transfer service like Western Union or Wise instead, which have their own fees and limits.

Most banks do not allow non-residents to use online banking or mobile banking apps. This means you cannot check your balance or make transfers from your phone or computer — you have to go to a branch or use an ATM. A few banks are starting to offer limited online access to tourists, so ask when you open the account whether this is available to you.

There may also be daily withdrawal limits (often around 5 to 10 million Vietnamese dong, which is roughly $200 to $400 USD, though this varies) and monthly deposit limits. Ask the bank what limits explore to your specific account.

How long you can keep the account open

Non-resident accounts do not have an expiration date. You can keep the account open indefinitely, even after you leave Vietnam, as long as you do not let it sit completely unused for several years. Some banks will close an account if there is no activity for two or three years, but this is not automatic — the bank will usually try to contact you first.

If you plan to return to Vietnam regularly, keeping the account open is convenient. You can deposit money into it before you arrive and withdraw it when you get there, without having to open a new account each time. If you do not think you will return, you can close the account by visiting the branch where you opened it and asking them to close it. They will give you any remaining balance in cash.

Alternatives if you cannot open a bank account or do not want to

If a bank turns you down, or if you are only in Vietnam for a few days, using ATMs is usually the simplest option. Withdraw cash from ATMs using your home bank's debit card. You will pay a fee per withdrawal (usually $2 to $5 USD), but you avoid the hassle of opening an account. This works well for short trips.

If you need to receive money from Vietnam or send money home, money transfer services like Wise, Western Union, and MoneyGram operate in Vietnam. These have their own fees and exchange rates, but they work for non-residents without a bank account. Ask the person sending you money which service they prefer — not all services are equally convenient in every location.

Some hotels and hostels will hold money for guests or help arrange transfers, though this is less common now. Ask when you book if they offer this service.

Costs and fees for non-resident accounts

Opening a non-resident account is free at most banks. You do not pay a fee to create the account or to receive the debit card.

Once the account is open, you may pay fees for certain transactions. ATM withdrawals at your own bank's machines are usually free, but withdrawals at other banks' ATMs may cost 10,000 to 50,000 Vietnamese dong (less than $3 USD). Debit card purchases at shops usually have no fee. Monthly account maintenance fees vary — some banks charge nothing, others charge 10,000 to 50,000 dong per month, especially if your balance drops below a certain amount. Ask about these fees when you open the account so you know what to expect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Vietnamese visa to open a bank account?

No, but you do need a valid passport and proof of your address outside Vietnam. Some banks ask to see your visa or entry stamp to confirm you are legally in the country, but the visa itself is not required — a tourist arrival stamp is enough.

Can I open an account online or by mail?

No. All banks require you to visit a branch in person, show your passport, and sign documents face-to-face. There is no way around this step.

What if I do not have a document showing my home address?

Ask the bank whether they will accept a hotel booking confirmation, a lease agreement, or a letter from your employer as temporary proof. If you cannot provide any document, some banks will let you bring one later — call ahead to ask what your specific branch will accept.

Can I use online banking or a mobile app with a non-resident account?

Most banks do not offer this to non-residents. A few larger banks are beginning to allow limited online access, but it is not standard. Ask when you open the account whether it is available to you.

What happens to my account if I leave Vietnam?

The account stays open and you can keep using it if you return. You can withdraw any remaining balance by visiting the branch in person, or you can ask the bank to close the account and send you the balance by mail or transfer (though international transfers are not usually possible from non-resident accounts).