By Sumer. Checked against official sources on 2026-10-22. A few points are still open; they are listed under Sources.
A local bank account makes life in Hai Phong much easier: rent, electricity and most shops now take a QR bank transfer, and many landlords prefer it to cash. The rules for opening an account changed in 2024, when the State Bank of Vietnam replaced its account circular and tied online banking to biometric checks. This guide sets out what the current rules say for foreigners, and where the bank still decides for itself.
Payment accounts, the everyday current accounts you use for transfers and cards, are governed by Circular 17/2024/TT-NHNN, issued on 28 June 2024 and in force since 1 July 2024. It was amended by Circular 25/2025/TT-NHNN, signed on 31 August 2025. Most of the amendment applied from that day; the new identity-check rules in Article 15 apply from 1 December 2025. Among other things it widened the identity documents a foreigner may use. Article 12 lists the account-opening file: an account agreement, and documents proving who you are. A bank may ask for more papers than the circular lists, but it has to tell you which ones and guide you through them.
After the 2025 amendment, a foreign individual proves identity with a passport, or another identity document issued by a competent foreign authority. A foreigner who resides in Vietnam must also show an entry visa, a document that has the value of a visa, or proof of visa exemption. As an alternative to paper documents, the circular accepts an electronic identity, meaning a level 2 electronic identification account. In practice, banks usually ask for your passport, your visa or temporary residence card, a Vietnamese phone number and an address in Vietnam. Bring the originals.
The circular does not define residence itself. In January 2026 the State Bank answered a reader's question on the Government's news portal and said that whether a foreigner resides in Vietnam is decided under the Law on Residence and the law on entry, exit, transit and residence of foreigners, not by a separate banking definition. The answer did not say whether a tourist on a short visa or a visa exemption can open an account, and banks handle this differently. If you are staying for a while, a longer visa or a temporary residence card makes the process far smoother; see our guide to extending your stay.
Since 1 January 2025, a payment account whose holder has not completed biometric matching cannot be used for online transfers, payments or withdrawals. Vietnamese citizens can match their face against the chip in their ID card through the bank app. Since 1 December 2025, Article 15(2) of the circular, as amended, says that when the holder identifies with a passport, the bank must meet the holder in person, check the document and match your biometric data (in practice, your face) against it. So plan to open the account at the branch, in person. The same article lets a bank verify a foreign individual who is not in Vietnam through a third party, but that route is for people abroad, not for residents walking into a branch. Separately, under Decision 2345/QD-NHNN, an online transfer of more than 10 million dong, or one that takes your total for the day above 20 million dong, has to be authenticated with your face in the app.
Article 19(3) of the circular tells the bank to track when the identity documents on file expire, to notify you at least 30 days beforehand, and to suspend payments and withdrawals from the account once a document has expired. For a foreigner this usually means the passport, visa or temporary residence card. Each time you extend your visa, renew your passport or receive a new residence card, take it to the bank before the old one runs out. Banks must warn you before expiry, but do not rely on the reminder.
Yes. Circular 17/2024/TT-NHNN lets foreign individuals open payment accounts with a passport or other foreign identity document, plus a visa, temporary residence card or proof of visa exemption if they reside in Vietnam.
The rules do not rule it out, but residence is judged under Vietnam's residence and immigration laws and each bank sets its own practice. Ask the branch before you go.
Usually not on your first account. If you identify with a passport, the circular as amended from 1 December 2025 requires the bank to meet you in person, check the passport and match your biometric data (in practice, your face) against it.
The most common reason for foreigners is that the visa or residence card on file has expired. Bring the new document to the bank to lift the suspension.
Checked 2026-10-22. Items still open: Which banks in Hai Phong open accounts for foreigners on a visa exemption or a short tourist visa; Whether the 10 and 20 million dong biometric thresholds in Decision 2345/QD-NHNN have changed since 2024; Any amendment to Circular 17/2024/TT-NHNN after Circular 25/2025/TT-NHNN; Whether a temporary residence card counts as a document with the value of a visa (the circular does not say; we have not found an official answer).
Related: Hai Phong living dashboard