How to carry money to Vietnam from India — forex cards, cash and ATMs explained (2026)
By Kabir Malhotra (Kabir Malhotra writes about how Indian travel buyers actually pay — UPI vs credit card vs forex card surcharges, reward-point math on the top travel credit cards, RBI tokenisation, EMI-on-flights and the small fees that compound across a year of bookings.) · Published · 13 min read
Vietnam uses the Vietnamese Dong (VND) and is almost entirely cash-based at street level. For Indian travellers, the best approach is a combination of a zero-markup forex card for hotels and larger spends, plus USD 200–300 in cash that you convert to VND on arrival.
TL;DR — the quick answer for Indian travellers
The best way to carry money to Vietnam from India in 2026 is a mix of a zero-markup forex card and some USD or EUR cash. Vietnam's dong (VND) is not freely available in India, so you convert once you land. Streets, markets and smaller restaurants are heavily cash-based; hotels and major tour operators accept cards. Withdraw VND from ATMs using your forex card to avoid the 3–4% markup that a standard debit or credit card charges. You may carry up to USD 10,000 in cash out of India without a customs declaration; anything above must be declared at departure.
What currency does Vietnam use, and can I get it in India?
Vietnam's official currency is the Vietnamese Dong (VND). Exchange rates as of mid-2026 are approximately ₹1 = 290–310 VND, meaning even small purchases involve numbers in the hundreds of thousands — a street meal might cost 60,000–80,000 VND (roughly ₹200–260), a decent hotel room in Hanoi's Old Quarter 500,000–1,200,000 VND per night (₹1,600–₹3,900), and a Halong Bay cruise from 3,000,000 VND per person upward.
VND is not widely available at Indian banks or airport forex counters before departure. Thomas Cook, BookMyForex and most HDFC/ICICI forex desks simply do not stock it in any useful quantity. The practical answer is: do not try to buy VND in India. Instead, bring USD or EUR and convert at currency exchange booths inside Vietnam's international airports — Noi Bai (HAN) in Hanoi, Tan Son Nhat (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang (DAD). Airport rates in Vietnam are reasonably competitive — typically within 1–2% of the interbank rate, which is much better than Indian airport counters handling exotic currencies.
Alternatively, withdraw VND directly from ATMs inside Vietnam using a forex card loaded in USD or EUR. This gives you close-to-interbank rates minus the ATM operator fee (typically 20,000–55,000 VND per transaction, or roughly ₹65–180).
How much cash can I legally carry from India to Vietnam?
The RBI and FEMA rules govern how much foreign currency Indian residents can take abroad:
- You may carry up to USD 3,000 in cash per trip without needing a forex purchase certificate (as part of your Basic Travel Quota / BTQ under the LRS). Above USD 3,000 in cash, your authorised dealer (bank or forex provider) will issue a certificate — keep it with you.
- The overall LRS limit for personal foreign remittances is USD 250,000 per financial year — a Vietnam holiday will be nowhere near this.
- Indian Customs allows you to carry up to USD 10,000 equivalent in foreign currency without declaring it at departure. Beyond USD 10,000, you must fill a Currency Declaration Form (CDF) at the airport.
- Vietnam allows tourists to bring in unlimited foreign currency, but amounts over USD 5,000 or VND 15 million must be declared at Vietnamese customs on arrival.
- TCS (Tax Collected at Source): from October 2023, TCS of 20% applies to forex remittances above ₹7 lakh per financial year via the LRS (such as loading a forex card). TCS is not a permanent tax — you can claim it as a credit when filing your ITR. Most Vietnam trips from India will be under ₹7 lakh total, so TCS will not apply. If you are an HDFC or SBI customer loading a Niyo or Wise card, the bank deducts TCS at source above the threshold.
In practice, for a 7–10 day Vietnam trip, most Indian travellers carry USD 200–400 in cash (for day-1 conversions, markets and emergencies) and rely on a forex card or international debit/credit card for the rest.
Forex card vs credit card vs cash — what works best in Vietnam?
| Option | Best for | Typical cost | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zero-markup forex card (Niyo Global, Scapia, Wise) | ATM withdrawals, hotels, tour operators | 0–0.5% spread + ATM fee of ₹65–180 | Load in USD; decline DCC at every ATM |
| Standard credit card (Visa/Mastercard) | Hotel check-in, emergencies | 3–4% forex markup + 18% GST on fees | Adds up fast; avoid for daily spending |
| USD cash converted to VND at airport | Day-1 transport, street markets, smaller towns | 1–2% off interbank at Vietnam airports | Don't convert more than you need — buyback rate is poor |
| Indian rupee cash | Nothing — ₹ not accepted in Vietnam | Very high spread if exchanged at all | Don't carry INR for spending |
The sweet spot for most Indian travellers: load a Niyo Global or Scapia (IDFC FIRST Bank) card with USD 400–600 equivalent, carry USD 200 in cash for converting to VND on day one, and keep a regular Visa/Mastercard as a backup. Among the zero-markup cards popular with Indian travellers, Niyo Global works on the Federal Bank Visa network, Scapia is IDFC FIRST-issued, and Wise issues a multi-currency Visa. All three are accepted at Vietcombank and Techcombank ATMs in Vietnam without the 3–4% markup that SBI, HDFC and ICICI debit/credit cards typically charge on foreign transactions. See the FlightGPT forex comparison to check current card options and partner rates.
ATMs in Vietnam — what to know before you withdraw
ATMs are plentiful in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang and Hoi An. In rural areas, smaller coastal towns and the northern highlands (Sapa, Ha Giang), they thin out significantly. Key tips:
- Always decline the ATM's offer to convert to INR — this is Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) and the rate is typically 5–8% worse than your card's own conversion. Choose to be charged in VND.
- Vietcombank, Techcombank and BIDV ATMs are the most reliable for foreign cards and have lower per-transaction fees (around 20,000–33,000 VND, roughly ₹65–110).
- Withdrawal limits per transaction are often capped at 2,000,000–5,000,000 VND (roughly ₹6,500–₹16,000) — plan multiple withdrawals if needed for a large cash day (Halong Bay cruise payment, for example).
- Carry enough cash when heading to coastal towns like Mui Ne, Phu Quoc island or the northern highlands — ATMs can run out of cash over Vietnamese public holidays and long weekends.
- Independent ATMs in tourist shops (not affiliated with any bank) often charge IDR 50,000–80,000 VND per withdrawal. Stick to bank-branded machines.
City-by-city cash and card tips for Indian travellers
Vietnam is long and each major destination has its own payment culture:
- Hanoi: The Old Quarter's street food stalls, fabric shops and traditional craft lanes are almost entirely VND cash. However, sit-down restaurants in the French Quarter and boutique hotels around Hoan Kiem Lake accept Visa/Mastercard. Noi Bai Airport (HAN) has multiple Vietcombank ATMs in the arrivals hall — a good first stop for VND.
- Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon): More cosmopolitan — Bui Vien walking street bars, Ben Thanh Market stalls and Grab rides all require cash. Shopping centres like Vincom Center and Diamond Plaza accept cards. Saigon is the best city in Vietnam to use your Niyo or Wise card at an ATM — machines are modern and widely available.
- Da Nang / Hoi An: Da Nang's My Khe beach strip is card-friendly at resorts; Hoi An's ancient town is heavily cash-based at tailors, silk shops and lantern stalls. Carry a solid amount of VND cash before entering Hoi An.
- Phu Quoc: The island is increasingly developed — Vinpearl and InterContinental resorts accept cards, but local restaurants, night markets and boat rentals to the Cham Islands are cash-only. ATMs exist at Phu Quoc airport and in Duong Dong town; carry extra before any island-hopping.
Is UPI or Google Pay accepted in Vietnam?
As of 2026, UPI is not directly accepted at Vietnamese merchants. There is no mass-market QR interoperability between India's UPI and Vietnam's payment systems yet — unlike the limited progress made with Singapore and the UAE. Do not rely on UPI for day-to-day spending in Vietnam.
Some upscale hotels and international chains may accept Rupay cards via international Rupay-JCB tie-ups — verify at check-in, but don't count on it. Vietnam's local QR payment app is VietQR, which links to Vietnamese bank accounts only. Stick to your forex card or USD/VND cash as the primary payment method.
One useful tech tool: Grab (the Southeast Asian ride-hailing app) works in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and can be paid via the app, which is linked to your Indian Visa or Mastercard. This is often the easiest way to pay for airport transfers and city rides without needing VND in hand — though you'll still need cash for most other transport.
How much money should I budget per day in Vietnam?
Vietnam is one of the most affordable destinations for Indian travellers in Southeast Asia. A rough daily budget guide per person:
- Budget traveller: USD 25–40/day (street food and pho, hostels or guesthouses, local buses and xe om motorbike taxis)
- Mid-range: USD 50–80/day (decent 3-star hotels, sit-down restaurants, guided tours, occasional boat trip)
- Comfortable: USD 100–150/day (boutique hotels in Hoi An or Hoan Kiem, cooking classes, Halong Bay cruise, private transfers)
For a 7-night trip, a mid-range Indian couple might spend USD 700–1,100 on the ground excluding flights. Load your forex card with slightly more than your estimate — reloading from India while abroad is possible through the Niyo or Wise app, but may take 1–2 hours via NEFT or IMPS. Also budget the Vietnam e-visa fee (around USD 25 per person, payable online at evisa.vietnam.gov.vn before departure) and the airport visa-on-arrival service fee if you go that route instead. Book your flights on FlightGPT to compare fares from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad or Chennai to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City — IndiGo, Air India and Vietnam Airlines all operate relevant routes, often via transit hubs.
Bottom line
For Vietnam from India: carry a zero-markup forex card (Niyo Global, Scapia or Wise) loaded in USD, bring USD 150–250 in cash to convert on arrival at Vietnam airports, and never let an ATM or POS machine convert to INR. VND cannot be bought in India in any meaningful quantity — convert at the airport in Vietnam or withdraw from Vietcombank/Techcombank ATMs there. Keep total forex spend within ₹7 lakh per financial year to avoid TCS on forex remittances. With Vietnam's e-visa in hand and a well-loaded forex card, your money should go further here than almost anywhere in Southeast Asia.
Fees and features change — verify on the official site before you rely on them. Compare forex card options on FlightGPT →
Frequently asked questions
Can I use Indian rupees in Vietnam?
No. Vietnamese merchants do not accept Indian rupees. You need to carry USD or EUR and convert to Vietnamese Dong (VND) on arrival, or withdraw VND from ATMs using a forex card.
What is the best forex card for Vietnam travel from India?
Cards with zero or near-zero markup on the interbank rate — such as Niyo Global (Federal Bank), Scapia (IDFC FIRST Bank) or Wise — are the best for Vietnam. Load in USD, withdraw VND from ATMs, and always decline Dynamic Currency Conversion at the ATM.
How much USD cash should I carry to Vietnam?
USD 150–250 is enough for day-one conversions and emergency cash. Most of your spending can go through a forex card via ATM withdrawals. RBI allows up to USD 3,000 in cash per trip under BTQ without a forex purchase certificate.
Will I pay TCS on money sent to a forex card for Vietnam?
TCS of 20% applies to forex remittances above ₹7 lakh per financial year under the LRS. Most individual Vietnam trips will be well below this threshold. If you load ₹7 lakh or less across all your forex spending in a year, no TCS applies. You can claim TCS paid as a credit in your ITR.
Are ATMs easy to find in Vietnam?
Yes, in all major cities and tourist areas. Vietcombank and Techcombank ATMs are the most reliable for foreign cards. In rural areas, the northern highlands (Ha Giang, Sapa) and small islands like Phu Quoc, carry extra VND cash as ATMs can be scarce or run out over long weekends.
Do I need a visa for Vietnam from India?
Yes. Indian passport holders need a visa for Vietnam. The Vietnam e-visa (evisa.vietnam.gov.vn) allows stays of up to 90 days and costs around USD 25 per person. It is the simplest option. Visa-on-arrival is also available but requires a prior approval letter and a service fee at the airport — the e-visa is easier. Always check the official portal for current fees and processing times.