Most common payment methods in Vietnam

What are the most common payment methods today in Vietnam: cash, debit/credit cards, bank transfers, mobile apps or digital wallets?

I think bank transfer now. Even more popular than cash nowadays.

Is contactless payment (card, phone, smartwatch or via QR code) common and widely accepted?

I am in HCMC which is quite modernized so I use google wallet almost everywhere but once you go to smaller shops or outside of the city QR bank transfer is the most popular.

Is there a popular local payment app that everyone uses?

Any local banking app.

How safe and secure do you feel using digital payments in Vietnam?

Just as safe as cash, not as safe as credit. Scams still happen with bank transfer and its  virtually impossible to get your money back if its an online scam like fake hotel or copycat fake shop. Banks wont do anything and police wont do anything from personal experience. The criminals typically use stolen names and ID cards to open the bank accounts.

Do you still need to carry cash for small shops, markets, taxis or administrative services?

I dont think I have paid with cash in over a year. If you have a local bank account and can make QR payments its accepted pretty much everywhere. I still carry cash though because you never know.

Are there any particularities in payment habits or methods in Vietnam that surprised you?

Its refreshing that tax is almost always included in the price you see. Coming from the US it is such a wonderful surprise.

hello. Withdrawing money from ATM is as any other ATM in the world and as far as your card is permitted to do (amounts, frequency, fees, etc)

POS/Card readers are available in stores sized as the biggest pharmacies. However, taxis, fruit sellers in the streets, big malls, every body use QR codes for collecting payments. Money papers is also 100% accepted (not like in China)

here the locals love ewallets MOMO, ZALOPAY and VNPAY. Very useful indeed. However new state regulations obligates users to pair the chips in their plastic citizen cards. Therefore, it is no longer worthy for expats.

therefore, unfortunately, short term visitors and tourist have no other payment options than Cards and money paper.

If you have a local bank accout, the mobile app of the bank is pretty enough for payments.