Tours and Shopping in Tourist Zones: how it works in Vietnam — first-hand
Short answer
Carry approximately 1 million VND for daily expenses to avoid tourist-inflated prices in malls and cafes. For excursions, pay only after receiving services to avoid scams and always have local currency or international cards ready for attractions like VinWonders.
From real experience
In Vietnamese cafes, particularly in tourist areas like Nha Trang, a bowl of Pho can cost around 80,000 VND or more, which is roughly double the price found in less tourist-centric locations.
It's advisable to carry a sufficient amount of Vietnamese Dong for daily expenses, perhaps around 1 million VND for a comfortable buffer, although actual needs will vary.
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When booking excursions with the Victoria agency, be cautious about advance payment requests.
It is generally recommended to pay after the service or upon meeting the provider. If offered advance payment via private message, verify the legitimacy of the contact and consider consulting an administrator for verification to avoid potential scams.
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To go cashless and pay by QR code in Nha Trang, consider opening a local bank account or using the Bybit platform.
Bybit allows for USDT payments via QR code directly from the app. Avoid tourist-inflated prices in malls and opt for local shops for better deals.
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Payment for tickets at VinWonders Nha Trang using Sberbank's QR code is unlikely to be directly accepted.
Purchases on the island typically require local currency (VND) or international credit/debit cards. It is advisable to have alternative payment methods available.
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Payment with Vietnamese Dong (VND) at the Duty-Free shop in Nha Trang is generally not accepted.
Purchases are typically made using foreign currencies like USD or EUR.