Money, Currency & Payments

Across Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, you should expect a mix of cash, cards, and occasional transfers. Hotels and high-end restaurants are more likely to accept cards, while smaller shops, local cafes, markets, and drivers may still prefer cash.

Best practice before departure

• Tell your bank where you are traveling so your card is less likely to be flagged.
• Carry at least two payment methods from different providers.
• Keep a small reserve of emergency cash separate from your daily wallet.
• Download your banking app and enable transaction notifications.

Do not assume card acceptance will be consistent, even in major cities. Cash is still useful for tips, drinks, snacks, markets, and small transport costs. Cards are convenient for larger payments, but network issues and terminal problems do happen.

ATM and exchange habits

• Withdraw reasonable amounts instead of carrying too much cash at once.
• Use bank ATMs or machines in secure, well-lit locations.
• Count cash before leaving the ATM area.
• Exchange money only through reputable counters, hotels, or banks.

Tipping culture varies by service type and destination. For guided trips, many travelers tip guides and drivers separately. A practical rule is to keep smaller notes available so you are not forced into awkward over-tipping because you only have large bills.

• Use cards for larger, trackable payments when accepted.
• Use cash for small routine spending.
• Review your account after each travel day, not just after the trip.
• Keep photos of the front and back of your cards in a secure password manager, not in your camera roll.

Try another network, move to a bank branch ATM, and contact your bank before assuming the card is dead. If you are traveling on a custom itinerary with us, tell our team quickly so we can help you adjust payments or timings without affecting the trip flow.