禁漫天堂

Can somebody please tell me which banks offer the highest ATM withdrawal amount (so I can cut down on fees)?
My understanding is that the fees I will be charged if I take money out from an overseas debit card are the local bank's ATM fee, a margin by my bank (1.5%), a fee by my bank $3 or so, and then the exchange rate is set by VISA since it is a debit card.

Is this correct?

Thanks in advance for your help.
-@expatvn22

if you have a bad ATM card yes that's true.

If you have a Schwab Bank ATM card, whatever fees they charge you will be rebated to you at the end of the month.

You'll get all that money back so you won't really pay anything, and they have perhaps the best exchange rate which is virtually identical to the current market rates, much better than Vietnam Bank rates.

Since according to your profile you are living in Australia, it's probably best for you to get specific feedback from Australians about what ATM cards are available.

The only way you can open an account with Schwab outside of the USA is to open an international account with a minimum $25,000.00 USD deposit

Thanks for your reply, I'm talking about withdrawing money from an existing account I have in Taiwan. Obviously, I want to minimise the number of withdrawals, hence I'm looking for the bank which has the largest limit. I know some banks only allow a few million per transaction and it differs for each bank.

@expatvn22

It may stop the confusion if you pop into your profile and change your location to HCMC (yes I know the clue is in your user name expatVN)

Left click on your profile - then expat experience.

You can edit country and city etc and add places you have lived in.

Thanks for your reply, I'm talking about withdrawing money from an existing account I have in Taiwan. Obviously, I want to minimise the number of withdrawals, hence I'm looking for the bank which has the largest limit. I know some banks only allow a few million per transaction and it differs for each bank.
-@expatvn22

Understood.

Thanks for the clarification.

Agribank has been costing me 鈧�22,000 VN膼 to get 鈧�3,000,000 VN膼

MB (Military Bank) charges a more expensive 鈧�49,500 VN膼 to get 鈧�5,000,000 VN膼, but I usually use the MB ATM across the street from the local Agribank ATM because I like the ability to get 鈧�20,000,000 VN膼 in 4 withdrawals, instead of 7 withdrawals at Agribank.

When I lived in HCMC, I could get up to 13.000.000 in one transaction from TPBank, with no fee, if I used my CapitalOne 360 Checking debit card, which is not a Visa -- it has a Mastercard two-circle logo, but not the word "Mastercard".聽 Visa debit cards charge a 1% FTF, in my experience -- both my credit union debit cards are Visa, and both charged me 1% at theTPBank ATMs and in Europe. No fees from the TPBank ATM, and the exchange rate was always close to the xe.com mid-market rate.

Poster should ask if his Taiwan account issues a non-Visa debit card.

I only have a Visa debit, thank you.

So I'm going to get charged a decent fee by both banks (circa $5US) and then a 1.5% fee by my bank along with the Visa exchange rate, which presumably is going to be in the order 3-4%... and each transaction is capped at around $200 US. So, I'm looking at something approaching 10% for each transaction.

I only have a Visa debit, thank you.
So I'm going to get charged a decent fee by both banks (circa $5US) and then a 1.5% fee by my bank along with the Visa exchange rate, which presumably is going to be in the order 3-4%... and each transaction is capped at around $200 US. So, I'm looking at something approaching 10% for each transaction.
-@expatvn22

This is definitely not meant to ridicule you, but based on what you are saying, you may have brought the worst possible ATM card to Vietnam.

Hopefully you can minimize the sting.

It might be better for you to walk into a bank and do a Visa card cash advance (if possible with your card).

At least you'd likely be able to exceed the $200.00 limit.

I only have a Visa debit, thank you.
So I'm going to get charged a decent fee by both banks (circa $5US) and then a 1.5% fee by my bank along with the Visa exchange rate, which presumably is going to be in the order 3-4%... and each transaction is capped at around $200 US. So, I'm looking at something approaching 10% for each transaction.
-@expatvn22

This is definitely not meant to ridicule you, but based on what you are saying, you may have brought the worst possible ATM card to Vietnam.

Hopefully you can minimize the sting.

It might be better for you to walk into a bank and do a Visa card cash advance (if possible with your card).

At least you'd likely be able to exceed the $200.00 limit.
-@OceanBeach92107

I'll consider doing the cash advance in a branch. I'll ask what the fees/limits are.

I do think those are fairly standard fees for many banks that have overseas credit card transactions. Some may not charge the 1.5% extra, but they do charge a fee for an overseas ATM withdrawal and they charge the VISA exchange rate. The other fee is charged by the bank here, which, again, is fairly normal to charge a fee for the use of their ATM.

Its just expensive to withdraw from an ATM in a foreign country and so its something I want to avoid doing.

I do think those are fairly standard fees for many banks that have overseas credit card transactions. Some may not charge the 1.5% extra, but they do charge a fee for an overseas ATM withdrawal and they charge the VISA exchange rate. The other fee is charged by the bank here, which, again, is fairly normal to charge a fee for the use of their ATM.
-@expatvn22

Yeah, you're probably right that "many" banks have those fees.

I don't have a clue what's available to citizens of Australia (or most other countries) but in the USA there are at least 3 major financial institutions providing Visa ATM cards with:

1. No foreign transaction fees

2. Very insignificant or no currency exchange fees.

3. No fee for using another bank's ATM anywhere in the world

4. Rebate of ATM withdrawal fees charged by the foreign bank.

I'm writing this for the sake of the casual reader who may be considering coming to Vietnam.

It's possible to save a lot of money by searching for a bank that does #1 through #4 above before coming to Vietnam.

Can somebody please tell me which banks offer the highest ATM withdrawal amount (so I can cut down on fees)?

-@expatvn22

BIDV allows me 5 million each transaction. The others (many) I have tried top out at 3 million.

@Aidan in HCMC

Many have historically mentioned Citibank as allowing much more. Has anybody tried them?

@Aidan in HCMC
Many have historically mentioned Citibank as allowing much more. Has anybody tried them?
-@expatvn22

Based on what others have posted in the past, I'm pretty sure that's only possible if you have a Citibank account.

I'm happy to be corrected if that's not true.

If true, it wouldn't be unique in Vietnam.

With my Schwab card I can only withdraw 鈧�3,000,000 VN膼 from an ACB ATM.

With my ACB debit card I can withdraw up to 鈧�10,000,000

@OceanBeach92107

Agreed. Schwab is the way to go.

other banks (at least in the US and Canada) also rebate any fees you pay for atm use...

but alas if you are already out of your home country, it may be difficult to get

other banks (at least in the US and Canada) also rebate any fees you pay for atm use...
but alas if you are already out of your home country, it may be difficult to get
-@woodsdancer

It would be helpful to mention specific names (just names. No links)

@Aidan in HCMC
Many have historically mentioned Citibank as allowing much more. Has anybody tried them?
-@expatvn22

I try not to make a habit of using my Canadian debit card too much these days. But when I do need larger amounts of cash, my go to choices here in HCMC are Citibank (6mil VND limit per transaction) and HSBC (8mil VND limit per transaction). In my experience the fees and exchange rate from Citibank are slightly better than HSBC, but minimally.

I discovered today that MB Bank ATMs will dispense 5 million per transaction.

I discovered today that MB Bank ATMs will dispense 5 million per transaction.
-@Aidan in HCMC

Were you using a foreign issued card or a local card?

I discovered today that MB Bank ATMs will dispense 5 million per transaction.
-@Aidan in HCMC

Were you using a foreign issued card or a local card?
-@kschulz

I use MB ATMs a couple of times every month for multiple withdrawals of 鈧�5,000,000 VN膼 at the same time.

I use a Schwab Visa庐 debit card issued in the USA.

My Australian ING debit card allows 3m vnd from almost all bank ATMs except HSBC, where I can get 8m vnd per transaction.

The fees are the same no matter what ATM I use.

Were you using a foreign issued card or a local card?
-@kschulz

Foreign card. Well, okay, not "foreign" for you and I.

Toronto Dominion (TD Bank)

Kind of on topic when figuring the total cost of using an ATM card:

Schwab just rebated my February ATM withdrawal fees:

$44.14 USD (鈧�1,048,104 VN膼)

That's a bit above average for me, but more cash was needed to buy our 2 eBikes this month.

Still, it's probably correct that we save between 鈧�10 million & 鈧�11 million in ATM withdrawal fees every year by using the Schwab card.

I pretty much stopped using the debit card. Hassle with all the foreign banks (with decent daily withdrawal rules) that have closed over the years (Commonwealth, Anza) and closing locations (HSBC).聽 Also the habit was encouraged during the Great Chinese Covid crisis.

Now I just do a Schwab international transfer to my wife's bank, VietcomBank I think, and deposits into her USD account within minutes.

Schwab charges $15 for any amount, and the viet bank charges about $2 I think.聽

She then withdraws USD, and if desired, sends her uncle to a gold shop for VND.

She can also move money into an interest paying VND account.

Just FYI for newbies.

VP Bank has the highest limits. I've withdrawn $40 million dong in one transaction many times with no fee

VP Bank has the highest limits. I've withdrawn $40 million dong in one transaction many times with no fee
-@Jeff73

Please comment in context or add the details you aren't mentioning.

This thread is essentially about foreigners withdrawing money at ATM machines in Vietnam from foreign accounts with foreign ATM/Debit cards.

Perhaps you are talking about withdrawing funds from a Vietnam bank account with a card from a Vietnam bank?

Also, when you say "one transaction", I'd seriously like to know where you found what must certainly be a modern ATM machine, capable of coughing up a 鈧�40,000,000 VN膼 hairball in one, single transaction.

Or do you mean multiple transactions during 1 visit to the ATM?

Or, an inside-the-bank transaction?

Seriously, if your account is exactly as stated and implied, in context, it sounds as if you've set a new forum record for anecdotal accounts on the subject.

Thanks for clarifying for us.

VP Bank has the highest limits. I've withdrawn $40 million dong in one transaction many times with no fee
-@Jeff73

Also, when you say "one transaction", I'd seriously like to know where you found what must certainly be a modern ATM machine, capable of coughing up a 鈧�40,000,000 VN膼 hairball in one, single transaction.

-@OceanBeach92107

You are some man OB, just PMSL at that comment,

My atm works just fine at VP Bank at $40 million in one transaction. Yours might work for 20 dong who knows. But I'll keep going where it works for me. Also, I read people's comments who ate worried it cost them an extra $1 to use the ATM. Man, if your time is that worthless to worry about a buck, you've got bigger problems than an ATM fee.

My atm works just fine at VP Bank at $40 million in one transaction. Yours might work for 20 dong who knows. But I'll keep going where it works for me. Also, I read people's comments who ate worried it cost them an extra $1 to use the ATM. Man, if your time is that worthless to worry about a buck, you've got bigger problems than an ATM fee.
-@Jeff73

You obviously missed his point..."one transaction."

You took 40 trieu vnd by doing numerous transactions at one visit to the atm. Maybe English is not your native tongue, but with a name like Jeff I thought it may be.

I was lucky to hear about Schwab as well.

I Tried a few ATMs and some had limits and randomly used a VP bank ATM. I took out 30 Mil VND no problem.聽 So I keep going back to the same one. Nice to know I can do 40 Mil VND. As stated before, Schwab offers exchange rates that nearly match the market rate, The VP Bank fee seems to be nearly nothing for that amount and Yes Schwab refunds the fees at the end of the month.

I just wanted to add my confirmation that Schwab and VP Bank and a winning combo.聽 聽

To clarify. I have done many times:聽 30 Mil VND in a single transaction at VP Bank ATM with Schwab.

@colinoscapee hey
-@Jeff73

Ok, looks like we have a mental giant amongst us

My atm works just fine at VP Bank at $40 million in one transaction. Yours might work for 20 dong who knows. But I'll keep going where it works for me. Also, I read people's comments who ate worried it cost them an extra $1 to use the ATM. Man, if your time is that worthless to worry about a buck, you've got bigger problems than an ATM fee.
-@Jeff73

The other factor you are leaving unsaid is the card you are using.

Certain cards have been reported to be able to withdraw larger sums than others.

I read people's comments who ate worried it cost them an extra $1 to use the ATM. Man, if your time is that worthless to worry about a buck, you've got bigger problems than an ATM fee.
-@Jeff73

And that reveals why you jumped in this discussion.

You wanted a quick hit saying "mine is bigger than yours", but you aren't really interested in being of assistance to those who are obviously inferior to you.

@JON92

Thanks for the feedback.聽 I just opened an Charles Schwab (investor checking (from the US).

TT

My atm works just fine at VP Bank at $40 million in one transaction. Yours might work for 20 dong who knows. But I'll keep going where it works for me. Also, I read people's comments who ate worried it cost them an extra $1 to use the ATM. Man, if your time is that worthless to worry about a buck, you've got bigger problems than an ATM fee.
-@Jeff73

The other factor you are leaving unsaid is the card you are using.

Certain cards have been reported to be able to withdraw larger sums than others.
-@OceanBeach92107

My experience today.............. I was very interested about these large one transaction ATM withdrawals cos saves a lot of hassle. So off I goes with my (in credit 27,000usd +-cash in account) SCHWAB ONE BROKERAGE Debit card in hand & heads down to VPBANK ATM at AEON Mall. Did the biz & requested 30 mil vnd, nothing & card spat out, so tries 20mil vnd same again rejected & card spat out, so tries 10 mil vnd & same again so just to make sure I am doing everything right tries for 2 mil vnd & Bob's yer Uncle success. So got on the old Mobylette & runs up to VPBANK ATM on Le Trong Tan Street & tries again & exactly the same.

So @Jeff73 can you enlighten me what VPBANK ATM you are using to get 40 mil in one transaction as I would really like to take advantage of this facility!

@goodolboy we live in Viet Tri about an hour outside of Hanoi. I've done that one time $40 million dong transaction numerous times at that bank without rejection, unless the machine doesn't have the funds. I tried $50 million and that was declined, but $40 million accepted everytime in one transaction. Now the card I'm using is a debit mastercard from Comerica Bank. It's the debit card I have my social security applied to each month from the US. Believe me, I was shocked that it worked for such a high amount as I was just doing $5 million at a time and repeating. But all I can say is it works for me with that card. Thanks for your kind reply at least . I especially like the dude trying to save a dollar on the atm. His time to figure that out should be worth more than that buck. Good luck

@goodolboy we live in Viet Tri about an hour outside of Hanoi. I've done that one time $40 million dong transaction numerous times at that bank without rejection, unless the machine doesn't have the funds. I tried $50 million and that was declined, but $40 million accepted everytime in one transaction. Now the card I'm using is a debit mastercard from Comerica Bank. It's the debit card I have my social security applied to each month from the US. Believe me, I was shocked that it worked for such a high amount as I was just doing $5 million at a time and repeating. But all I can say is it works for me with that card. Thanks for your kind reply at least . I especially like the dude trying to save a dollar on the atm. His time to figure that out should be worth more than that buck. Good luck
-@Jeff73

OK Jeff, thanks for clarification, I am in HCMC so will just keep trying cos saves a lot of time. Actually will have to try at my Standard Chartered Bank International Bank ATM using the Schwab card & see what happens there. Now I have the bit between my teeth I am just going to try a multitude of different banks round here & you just never know I might just hit the jackpot.

@OceanBeach92107 Hey folks, quick question, we are coming over in about 2 weeks. Am I better off brining some U.S. cash and just getting a local bank to exchange it instead of using a ATM card?

Thanks in advance.

@OceanBeach92107 Hey folks, quick question, we are coming over in about 2 weeks. Am I better off brining some U.S. cash and just getting a local bank to exchange it instead of using a ATM card?
Thanks in advance.
-@jculpepper22

that depends upon the ATM/Debit card you bring.

if it's a Schwab Visa debit card, you're much better off bringing that than dealing with cash exchanges in Banks.