Table of Contents
- Let's prepare money first after arriving in Vietnam
- Real user review – Withdrawal from Ho Chi Minh VP Bank, HSBC ATM
- Causes of withdrawal errors and solutions
- Key tips for using ATMs in Vietnam
- Main banks known to have no withdrawal fees in Vietnam ATM
- Comparison of KB Traveler's vs Travel Wallet vs Travel Log
- Conclusion – Always check the ‘fee details’ for cash withdrawals from ATMs in Vietnam
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Let's prepare money first after arriving in Vietnam
I've arrived in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Recently, instead of visiting a currency exchange with dollars, using overseas-only debit cards like Travel Wallet, Travel Log, and Traveler’s has become popular. With these cards, you can directly withdraw cash from local ATMs without needing to exchange dollars beforehand, allowing you to easily recharge and withdraw at real-time exchange rates. This method is very convenient.
I am currently using the KB Kookmin Traveler’s debit card. This card offers free ATM withdrawal fees up to 10 times a month, as well as international payments. I used it conveniently in Japan without currency exchange. This time, I tested whether this card works in Vietnam.
Information on preparing for travel in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
Real user review – Withdrawal from Ho Chi Minh VP Bank, HSBC ATM
After arriving at the airport, I headed straight to my accommodation. It was cumbersome to find an ATM in the busy airport, so I used Grab to go to the hotel instead of withdrawing cash.
The JW Marriott Hotel is located in District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City, and there are ATMs from Shinhan Bank and VP Bank located one floor down, making it very convenient. However, note that the Vietnamese Shinhan Bank does not waive fees.
True to being a financial hub, various banks can easily be found throughout the city.
First, I try to withdraw cash from the VP Bank ATM.
After inserting the card, I need to enter the PIN and select withdrawal. After that, I select the current account and enter the desired amount. For example, 5 million VND is approximately 250,000 KRW.
The first attempt resulted in failure. Although the balance was sufficient, a message saying “Insufficient funds” appeared.
Later I found out that the PIN must be entered as 6 digits. By adding '00' to my existing 4-digit PIN to make it 6 digits, it worked properly.
Withdrawal is not supported at CDM (deposit machines), so be sure to check that it is an ATM machine before use. Errors often occur with CDM machines.
After the first ATM withdrawal failed, I withdrew 2 million VND from a nearby HSBC ATM. A fee of 50,000 VND, roughly 2,700 KRW, was charged at that time. Before proceeding with the transaction, a notice about the fee was displayed on the screen, and user consent was required.
It was recorded that 2,050,000 VND was withdrawn through the Traveler's KB card app. At this time, the card issuer's overseas usage fee is waived, but fees incurred at local ATMs may be charged separately. This should be kept in mind when withdrawing locally.
After withdrawing cash, I made all payments using the KB Traveler's card. Thanks to the auto-recharge feature, I was able to use it conveniently without fees at Starbucks in Vietnam, GS convenience stores in Ho Chi Minh, and restaurants where card payments are accepted. It was as easy to use as in Korea.
Causes of withdrawal errors and solutions
While attempting to withdraw cash, another issue occurred. The cause was due to the open banking inspection by the Financial Settlement Center of Korea. As a result, automatic recharging did not take place, leading to the "Insufficient funds" message. Fortunately, the solution to this problem was simple.
I manually recharged foreign currency instead of using automatic recharge, and it began to operate normally.
Open banking-related issues do not frequently occur, but unexpected errors did happen during the Chuseok holiday period.
If automatic recharge is set up and any issues arise, it may be better to recharge with foreign currency manually.
Key tips for using ATMs in Vietnam
How to enter the PIN:
When entering 6 digits, you must add '00' after the basic 4 digits.
Device usage restrictions:
Can only be used at devices labeled 'ATM' for withdrawal.
Fee confirmation procedure:
If a fee notice such as “Local Fee” appears before withdrawal, it is better to cancel.
Bank selection tips:
You can receive fee exemption benefits by using banks like VP Bank or MB Bank.
Fee statement confirmation:
Sometimes fees may be charged without fee-related wording, so always check the actual withdrawal amount in the app.
Precautions during open banking inspections:
Consider manually recharging if automatic recharge fails.
Withdrawal strategy:
It is more effective to withdraw the needed amount all at once rather than withdrawing small amounts multiple times to reduce excess fees.
Main banks known to have no withdrawal fees in Vietnam ATM
Based on various user reviews and community information, there were many instances where local ATM fees were waived when using the Travel Wallet card in the summer of 2025.
Notably, it is remarkable that these benefits were enjoyed at four banks: VP Bank, SCB, OCB, and MSB. This information will be useful for planning overseas travel.
Recently, TP Bank was known to have no fees until 2024, but news has emerged that fees will be imposed starting June 2025. Also, it seems that HD Bank will also apply fees, so caution is advised when using it.
This information is based on actual user experiences, but policies can vary by bank, card issuer, and timing. Therefore, it is essential to check the fee information displayed on the ATM screen before withdrawing. However, sometimes this wording may not appear, so caution is necessary. The most accurate information is best confirmed on-site.
Travelers prioritize VP Bank as their top recommendation. This bank has no fees and a high limit, providing great satisfaction to users of the Traveler's card and Travel Wallet. If you know how to withdraw cash in Vietnam, you can travel conveniently with just the KB Traveler's card.
Comparison of KB Traveler's vs Travel Wallet vs Travel Log
| Category | Travel Wallet | Travel Log | Traveler’s (KB Kookmin Card) |
| Affiliated Brand / Logo | VISA Group | MasterCard / UnionPay | MasterCard Group |
| Conditions for Exemption from ATM Withdrawal Fees | No card company fee for withdrawals up to $500 per month (about 2% may apply if exceeded) | No card company fee for overseas ATM withdrawals (1% international brand fee and $3 overseas service fee waived) | 1% international brand fee + $3 overseas service fee waived for overseas ATM withdrawals (limited to 10 times a month) |
| Withdrawal Limits / Restrictions | $400 per transaction / $1,000 per day / $2,000 per month | $6,000 per day / $10,000 per month (based on debit card) | 6 million VND per day / 20 million VND per month, standard overseas withdrawal fee applies if exceeding 10 times |
| Remarks | Local ATM surcharge may be charged separately. Cannot withdraw foreign currency domestically. | Must be set to ‘Foreign Currency One Money’ mode to apply. Local device surcharges are not waived. | Fees apply if exceeding 10 times a month. ATM device surcharge is charged separately. |
Conclusion – Always check the ‘fee details’ for cash withdrawals from ATMs in Vietnam
Using the KB Traveler's debit card allows you to waive the card issuer's fees for ATM usage in Vietnam up to 10 times a month. However, local bank fees vary by bank, so choosing a VP Bank ATM incurs no fees.
As of summer 2025, among those using the Travel Wallet, there were many occurrences of fee waivers at four banks: VP Bank, SCB, OCB, and MSB. In contrast, it has been reported that TP Bank started imposing fees from the end of June.
When fees are charged, typically around 50,000 VND is incurred. Particularly with HSBC, messages like "Local Fee 50,000 VND" often appear. However, this message may not be displayed, so it is crucial to check the withdrawal records via the app.
In conclusion,
the PIN is 6 digits,
the device is an ATM,
and the bank is VP Bank.
If you remember these three points, you can withdraw cash for free anywhere in Vietnam.
#Traveler's, #Travel Wallet, #Travel Log, #KB Kookmin Card, #Overseas ATM, #Vietnam ATM, #Ho Chi Minh ATM, #Da Nang ATM, #Nha Trang ATM, #Phu Quoc ATM, #VPBank, #TPBank, #HSBC, #MBBank, #HDBank, #Overseas Withdrawal, #Travel Without Currency Exchange, #Overseas Payment, #Travel Card, #Overseas Debit Card, #Vietnam Travel, #Ho Chi Minh Travel, #Da Nang Travel, #Nha Trang Travel, #Phu Quoc Travel, #Overseas Travel Tips, #Overseas Fees, #Foreign Currency Recharge, #Open Banking, #Traveler's Reviews, #Traveler's ATM
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. How do I enter the PIN number when withdrawing cash with the Traveler's card in Vietnam?
The PIN for the Traveler's card in Vietnam must be entered as 6 digits, adding '00' after the basic 4 digits.
In Vietnam's ATMs, the PIN for the Traveler's card must be entered as 6 digits to function properly. You need to add '00' to the existing 4-digit PIN, and failing to do so may result in an insufficient funds error, so make sure to enter 6 digits when withdrawing.
Q. Which bank ATMs allow fee-free withdrawals in Vietnam?
Using VP Bank, SCB, OCB, and MSB often allows for fee-free local ATM withdrawals in Vietnam.
Based on user experiences as of summer 2025, it has been confirmed that the four banks: VP Bank, SCB, OCB, and MSB frequently offer fee waivers on local ATM usage when using the Travel Wallet. In contrast, TP Bank and HD bank may impose fees, so it is crucial to check the 'Local Fee' notice displayed on the ATM screen before withdrawing.
Q. How can I confirm fees when withdrawing with the Traveler's card in Vietnam?
Check the fee notice (Local Fee) on the ATM screen before withdrawal, and review your transaction history in the app afterwards.
While using ATMs, local bank fees may be charged in addition to card issuer fees. If a fee notice such as 'Local Fee 50,000 VND' appears before the transaction, it is advisable to cancel the transaction. However, in some cases, notice wording may not be displayed, so you must check the actual withdrawal amount and related fees in the Traveler's card app after the transaction to prevent unexpected costs.
Q. What should I do if a withdrawal fails in Vietnam?
If there are issues such as open banking inspections, recharge foreign currency manually instead of using automatic recharge to resolve the problem.
If you encounter errors like 'insufficient funds' while attempting to withdraw cash, it may be due to the suspension of the automatic recharge feature during open banking inspections by the Financial Settlement Center of Korea. At this time, you can immediately withdraw cash by manually recharging foreign currency through the Traveler's card app. Special periods like the Chuseok holidays in Vietnam may increase the likelihood of such errors, so be cautious.
Q. What precautions should be taken when withdrawing cash from local ATMs in Vietnam?
Make sure to enter the PIN as 6 digits and thoroughly check the ATM device, fee notices, and bank selections.
When withdrawing cash from ATMs in Vietnam, ensure to append '00' to the existing 4-digit PIN for it to be 6 digits, and confirm that it is an ATM and not a CDM (deposit machine), which does not allow for cash withdrawals. If a fee notice such as 'Local Fee' appears before withdrawal, halt the transaction, and it's recommended to choose banks like VP Bank or MB Bank that offer fee waivers. After withdrawal, always check your transaction details in the app to avoid unexpected fees.