On 12/24/2022 at 10:49 AM, jcmj said:

Can’t I just use my Thai atm card?

Yes

What's the best ATM in Vietnam these days for fatang card with minimum fee and maximum withdrawal option...?

9 hours ago, Agusts said:

What's the best ATM in Vietnam these days for fatang card with minimum fee and maximum withdrawal option...?

That is a good question. In the past I tried several with my Thai debit card and on all of them lost anywhere from 5 to 10%, it's not the fee, which is somewhere around 60000Dong, so much as the currency conversion where they get you. Remember BIDV, ACB were the worst, Sacombank was somewhat better. I got a Vietnamese account /debit card a couple of years, and haven't used my Thai card here since.

6 hours ago, thecyclist said:

That is a good question. In the past I tried several with my Thai debit card and on all of them lost anywhere from 5 to 10%, it's not the fee, which is somewhere around 60000Dong, so much as the currency conversion where they get you. Remember BIDV, ACB were the worst, Sacombank was somewhat better. I got a Vietnamese account /debit card a couple of years, and haven't used my Thai card here since.

This is incorrect in the sense of it being you who was sucked into accepting a poor currency conversion rate.

It's optional. A 'service' by the name of 'DCC' Dynamic Currency Conversion that suggests to you the option of converting directly into your home currency. You should always Decline to do so, instead choosing to convert using the card system(VISA/Mastercard). Otherwise, instead of the usual 0.5% to 3% off the Spot Rate, you may be charged up to 6%.

For International cards, the best bank to choose, if available, is VP Bank. No ATM fee at all.

49 minutes ago, IsmeUno said:

This is incorrect in the sense of it being you who was sucked into accepting a poor currency conversion rate.

It's optional. A 'service' by the name of 'DCC' Dynamic Currency Conversion that suggests to you the option of converting directly into your home currency. You should always Decline to do so, instead choosing to convert using the card system(VISA/Mastercard). Otherwise, instead of the usual 0.5% to 3% off the Spot Rate, you may be charged up to 6%.

For International cards, the best bank to choose, if available, is VP Bank. No ATM fee at all.

Correcto. Always say no.

19 hours ago, IsmeUno said:

This is incorrect in the sense of it being you who was sucked into accepting a poor currency conversion rate.

It's optional. A 'service' by the name of 'DCC' Dynamic Currency Conversion that suggests to you the option of converting directly into your home currency. You should always Decline to do so, instead choosing to convert using the card system(VISA/Mastercard). Otherwise, instead of the usual 0.5% to 3% off the Spot Rate, you may be charged up to 6%.

For International cards, the best bank to choose, if available, is VP Bank. No ATM fee at all.

So my "home currency" when using a Vietnamese ATM with a Thai card would be the Thai Baht?

What are the exact options the Atm gives me?

46 minutes ago, thecyclist said:

So my "home currency" when using a Vietnamese ATM with a Thai card would be the Thai Baht?

What are the exact options the Atm gives me?

Yes.

Depends on the ATM and bank. You'll need to run a search for an image someone has taken to see the exact text.

4 hours ago, thecyclist said:

So my "home currency" when using a Vietnamese ATM with a Thai card would be the Thai Baht?

What are the exact options the Atm gives me?

You have two options YES or NO to accept conversion rate. Say no then you get the visa or mastercard rate. Mastercard beats visa by 0.1

On 5/7/2026 at 11:02 PM, Rockyroad said:

Mastercard beats visa by 0.1

Usual swill.

If the poster had drawn 1,000,000 VND out yesterday using a Visa card, his Thai bank would have charged him 1228.049 THB.

Using a Mastercard his Thai bank would have charged him 1232.80 THB.

Both excluding any bank charges.

On 12/23/2022 at 7:57 PM, Lacessit said:

I found the USD was gleefully accepted in Vietnam, preferred to the dong.

Yes, but technically illegal, if you want a large amount, change your money in Gold Shops (also illegal now) but widely done. Banks give daily rate, Ihave seen folks sitting outside my Bank waiting for a jump in exchange. Today, $$1 = 26,339 dong. You can change Thai Baht in either, I don't as I only carry $$$ when I come in country. peace

Edited May 11May 11 by Explorator en Action

6 hours ago, treetops said:

Usual swill.

If the poster had drawn 1,000,000 VND out yesterday using a Visa card, his Thai bank would have charged him 1228.049 THB.

Using a Mastercard his Thai bank would have charged him 1232.80 THB.

Both excluding any bank charges.

That is why you say No to the bank rate offered.

7 hours ago, treetops said:

Usual swill.

If the poster had drawn 1,000,000 VND out yesterday using a Visa card, his Thai bank would have charged him 1228.049 THB.

Using a Mastercard his Thai bank would have charged him 1232.80 THB.

Both excluding any bank charges.

The visa and mastercard rates yesterday were identical.

Why post crap?

7 hours ago, Rockyroad said:

That is why you say No to the bank rate offered.

You say no to the bank rate offered to get the Visa or Mastercard rate, just as I have posted.

6 hours ago, Rockyroad said:

The visa and mastercard rates yesterday were identical.

The images I have posted are from the respective checkers from Visa and Mastercard's own sites. They clearly show the date and exchange rates in use. They are not identical and Mastercard are worse, not better by 0.1% as you claimed.

6 hours ago, Rockyroad said:

Why post crap?

I posted actual figures with images from the source, not an innacurate soundbite that some readers that don't know your form might mistakenly take for granted. I corrected you. Look in a mirror and you'll see who posted crap.

7 minutes ago, treetops said:

You say no to the bank rate offered to get the Visa or Mastercard rate, just as I have posted.

The images I have posted are from the respective checkers from Visa and Mastercard's own sites. They clearly show the date and exchange rates in use. They are not identical and Mastercard are worse, not better by 0.1% as you claimed.

I posted actual figures with images from the source, not an innacurate soundbite that some readers that don't know your form might mistakenly take for granted. I corrected you. Look in a mirror and you'll see who posted crap.

You posted a mastercard link but no visa link. You showed a 10 baht difference lol

Get a life.

4 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

You posted a mastercard link but no visa link.

Go back and read my post through - there are two images, one each from mastercard and visa.

5 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

You showed a 10 baht difference lol

The point was not if the difference was 10 baht or 100 baht (it was actually less than 5). The point was to show others they should not believe that "Mastercard beats visa by 0.1" which is what you wrote.

7 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

Get a life.

As per another thread, you just can't help yourself, can you?

Now please take your ramblings elsewhere.

3 minutes ago, treetops said:

Go back and read my post through - there are two images, one each from mastercard and visa.

The point was not if the difference was 10 baht or 100 baht (it was actually less than 5). The point was to show others they should not believe that "Mastercard beats visa by 0.1" which is what you wrote.

As per another thread, you just can't help yourself, can you?

Now please take your ramblings elsewhere.

In Thailand Mastercard beats visa 70% of the time Mr 10 baht.

9 minutes ago, treetops said:

Go back and read my post through - there are two images, one each from mastercard and visa.

The point was not if the difference was 10 baht or 100 baht (it was actually less than 5). The point was to show others they should not believe that "Mastercard beats visa by 0.1" which is what you wrote.

As per another thread, you just can't help yourself, can you?

Now please take your ramblings elsewhere.

14 hours ago, treetops said:

Usual swill.

If the poster had drawn 1,000,000 VND out yesterday using a Visa card, his Thai bank would have charged him 1228.049 THB.

Using a Mastercard his Thai bank would have charged him 1232.80 THB.

Both excluding any bank charges.

Only 1 image and it's incorrect.

3 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

In Thailand Mastercard beats visa 70% of the time Mr 10 baht.

Spurious claim with no backup. I'd advise anyone to check before acting on this data.

Meanwhile, this is the post you directly responded to:

On 5/7/2026 at 6:16 PM, thecyclist said:

So my "home currency" when using a Vietnamese ATM with a Thai card would be the Thai Baht?

What are the exact options the Atm gives me?

So not in Thailand, in the Vietnam section of the forum, we don't know how much he's going to spend, and your 10 baht figure has already been pointed out to be inaccurate and irrelevant.

Run along please.

Edited May 12May 12 by treetops

14 hours ago, treetops said:

Image 1.

14 hours ago, treetops said:

Image 2

13 minutes ago, treetops said:

The point was not if the difference was 10 baht or 100 baht (it was actually less than 5).

2 minutes ago, treetops said:

Spurious ckaim with no backup. I'd advise anyone to check before acting on this data.

Meanwhile, this is the post you directly responded to:

So not in Thailand, in the Vietnam section of the forum, we don't know how much he's going to spend, and your 10 baht figure has already been pointed out to be inaccurate and irrelevant.

Run along please.

You posted 1 link only and 4 baht difference. That's amazing. So helpful.

Just now, Rockyroad said:

You posted 1 link only and 4 baht difference. That's amazing. So helpful.

Both images now posted seperately for the hard of reading. The information in my other posts stands.

1 minute ago, treetops said:

Both images now posted seperately for the hard of reading. The information in my other posts stands.

6 minutes ago, treetops said:

Image 2

Image 2 is lower by 4 baht.

Can't even buy a kebab with 4 baht.

Edited May 12May 12 by Rockyroad

2 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

Image 2 is lower.

Exactly.

It's from Visa and shows thecyclist would be charged less when using a Visa card just, as I've been saying.

10 minutes ago, treetops said:

Exactly.

It's from Visa and shows thecyclist would be charged less when using a Visa card just, as I've been saying.

4 baht. What should he spend the 4 baht on?

5 minutes ago, treetops said:

Exactly.

It's from Visa and shows thecyclist would be charged less when using a Visa card just, as I've been saying.

it's actually a little more complicated that that, as there are variations with the times that VISA and Mastercard update their rates and different policies in reference to when the rate is applied. VISA at authorisation and Mastercard at the time of processing.

Let's just agree that they are both a good option for travellers.

Visa and Mastercard differ in applying their exchange rates primarily through the timing of the conversion, the specific daily rate applied, and a slight preference for different currency pairs. [1, 2, 3, 4]

While both companies offer competitive, near-mid-market rates that are typically better than cash bureaux, studies have historically shown that Mastercard often provides slightly better exchange rates than Visa, frequently by a small margin (around 0.1–0.7% on average). [1]

Key Differences in Applying Exchange Rates

• Timing of Conversion (Processing vs. Transaction Date):

  • Visa: Generally uses the exchange rate available at the time of authorization (when you make the purchase) to settle the transaction, though it may default to the processing date if the authorization rate is unavailable.

  • Mastercard: Historically, Mastercard often uses the rate from the day the transaction is processed (settled), which may differ from the day of purchase. [1, 2]

• Rate Variability:

  • Mastercard: Studies have suggested that Mastercard offers slightly more competitive rates in about 70% of scenarios, particularly across popular currencies for travellers.

  • Visa: While sometimes slightly higher in foreign exchange fees, Visa generally provides a broader global acceptance network. [1, 2]

• Fluctuation and Currencies: Both networks update their rates daily based on interbank market rates. However, the exact rate applied can differ slightly depending on the specific currency pairing and the day of the week.

26 minutes ago, treetops said:

Spurious claim with no backup. I'd advise anyone to check before acting on this data.

From Ai. I checked it on their apps too. Mastercard beats Visa in Thailand a lot. Dutch banks refund the bank fees.

1 hour ago, Rockyroad said:

4 baht. What should he spend the 4 baht on?

Please, slow down long enough to read and understand the replies instead of jumping in with your ill thought out one liners. Once again, the 4 baht is an example only shown for a withdrawal of 100,000 VND or just over 1,200 THB. Maybe he wants to spend or withdraw a lot more, or many times over a longer period?

Whether it's 4 or 4,000 is immaterial - it was only to show your post of "Mastercard beats visa by 0.1" was incorrect for the currencies being discussed.

1 hour ago, IsmeUno said:

it's actually a little more complicated that that . . . . .

Indeed, I have one of each, neither of which has any bank charges for overseas/foreign currency transactions. I have used them in many places including both Thailand and Vietnam, and mainly stick to the MBNA Visa card as it has a cashback element too, which likely outweighs any exchange rate differences.

My current regret is that my Halifax Clarity will soon be changing from MC to Visa so I will no longer have a fall back if one network goes down, without obtaining another card.

1 hour ago, Rockyroad said:

From Ai.

Better not to rely on that too much. Look what it says about Dutch Banks. I've no idea if it's true but then I suspect neither do you.

Finally, without any backup or evidence your comment:

1 hour ago, Rockyroad said:

I checked it on their apps too. Mastercard beats Visa in Thailand a lot.

is worthless as well as off topic. Quelle surprise.

1 minute ago, treetops said:

Please, slow down long enough to read and understand the replies instead of jumping in with your ill thought out one liners. Once again, the 4 baht is an example only shown for a withdrawal of 100,000 VND or just over 1,200 THB. Maybe he wants to spend or withdraw a lot more, or many times over a longer period?

Whether it's 4 or 4,000 is immaterial - it was only to show your post of "Mastercard beats visa by 0.1" was incorrect for the currencies being discussed.

Indeed, I have one of each, neither of which has any bank charges for overseas/foreign currency transactions. I have used them in many places including both Thailand and Vietnam, and mainly stick to the MBNA Visa card as it has a cashback element too, which likely outweighs any exchange rate differences.

My current regret is that my Halifax Clarity will soon be changing from MC to Visa so I will no longer have a fall back if one network goes down, without obtaining another card.

Better not to rely on that too much. Look what it says about Dutch Banks. I've no idea if it's true but then I suspect neither do you.

Finally, without any backup or evidence your comment:

is worthless as well as off topic. Quelle surprise.

ING used to refund atm fees and merchant fees. They dropped the atm fee refunds. You really are ignorant. A 4 baht man.

• 0 International Transaction Fees: No ING fees for online or in-store purchases made in a foreign currency.

• $0 ING International ATM Fees: ING won't charge you for using an ATM overseas.

• ATM Fee Rebates: While ING doesn't charge you, the local ATM operator might. If you meet the criteria, ING will rebate the first 5 third-party ATM fees charged to you each month (domestic or international).