For foreign residents, Vietcombank and Techcombank are generally the most widely recommended: Vietcombank for its state-bank reliability, extensive branch/ATM network, and international transfer capability; Techcombank for its stronger English-language app and digital banking experience. VPBank, ACB, TPBank, and BIDV are also commonly used by expats, especially in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. HSBC and a small number of foreign bank branches operate in Vietnam and offer familiar international banking but with fewer branches and pickier onboarding criteria.
Picking a bank with a genuinely usable English-language app matters more day-to-day than marginal interest-rate differences — many domestic Vietnamese banks still have Vietnamese-only functionality buried in their apps that trips up new arrivals for bill pay and transfers.
Key Facts
Vietcombank (Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam) is Vietnam's largest bank by international transaction volume, with the widest ATM network and generally the most experience handling foreign clients.
Techcombank has one of the most polished mobile banking apps with decent English support, popular with younger expats and remote workers.
VPBank and ACB are widely used and increasingly foreigner-friendly, with growing English-language digital banking features.
HSBC Vietnam and a few other foreign bank branches (Standard Chartered, Shinhan) offer international-standard service but have far fewer branches and sometimes higher minimum balance requirements.
BIDV and VietinBank (both state-owned) have vast branch networks useful outside major cities, but historically weaker English support.
No single bank is objectively 'best' for everyone — the right choice depends on whether you prioritize branch density (state banks), app quality (Techcombank/VPBank), or familiar international banking standards (HSBC/Standard Chartered).
Steps
Match the bank to your priority — Prioritize Vietcombank or a state bank if you need dense ATM/branch coverage outside major cities; prioritize Techcombank or VPBank if English-language app quality and digital-first banking matter most; consider HSBC/Standard Chartered if you want an internationally familiar banking relationship and don't mind fewer branches.
Check international transfer/SWIFT support — If you regularly receive or send money internationally, confirm the bank's SWIFT transfer fees and processing times before committing — these vary meaningfully across banks.
Visit in person before committing — Branch-level service quality and foreigner-friendliness varies more than brand reputation suggests — visit or call the specific branch nearest your home/office to confirm their comfort with foreign account holders.
Common Mistakes
Choosing a bank based on brand recognition from another country (e.g., HSBC) without checking that the Vietnam branch network actually covers where you live.
Assuming all Vietnamese banks have equally usable English-language apps — many still have significant Vietnamese-only sections.
Not comparing international transfer fees before opening an account, since these can differ significantly between banks for expats who regularly remit money.