Cash & Paying for Food

Hanoi is still very much a cash-first city, especially when it comes to street food, cafés, and small local spots. You’ll want cash on you most of the time, but it’s easy once you know how it works.

We had the best luck using VPBank ATMs. These usually have very low or sometimes no withdrawal fees for foreign cards, which makes a big difference if you’re taking cash out more than once. If you spot a VPBank ATM, it’s worth using that one first.

That said, most ATMs around Hanoi are reliable. Always check the fee screen before confirming, as charges vary by bank and machine.