Can foreigners open a bank account with an e-visa?
Yes. Banhbao TV has a first-hand example: a Russian citizen opened a personal BIDV account while holding a valid 90-day Vietnam e-visa. The branch process took about an hour. The physical card was collected roughly a week later. The applicant did not present a TRC.
This is one practical case, not a promise that every branch will approve every application. BIDV checks each customer, may ask about the account's intended use and can request supporting documents. Vietnam Government guidance dated 26 January 2026 explains the documents for foreign applicants under Circular 17/2024/TT-NHNN, including a passport and visa document. It does not establish a universal TRC requirement.
What to bring
| Document or detail | Why it is needed |
|---|---|
| Original passport | Identity check and passport details for the application |
| Valid e-visa, preferably saved as an offline PDF | Evidence of your lawful stay |
| Vietnamese phone number | SMS, the banking app and transaction confirmation |
| Vietnam address | Customer profile and application |
| Email address | Notices, communication and possible service registration |
| Time for a branch visit and a second trip to collect the card | Identity checks and card pickup |
This list follows the editor's account-opening experience. Depending on your profile, BIDV may also ask about the source of funds, expected transactions, proof of address or other documents.
How to open a BIDV account at a branch
- Visit a BIDV branch during business hours and ask for personal banking. You can say: I want to open a personal VND payment account and get a debit card.
- Show your passport and e-visa. State your real reason, such as paying rent, everyday purchases or making local bank transfers.
- Complete the application with your own details: name as shown in your passport, local phone number, address and email. Do not use another person's number for SMS.
- Complete the identity check, sign the documents and set up the BIDV app if the feature is available immediately.
- Ask whether incoming and outgoing transfers and VietQR scanning are enabled. Confirm fees and limits.
- Apply separately for a physical debit card. Ask which card it is, whether there is a fee and when to collect it.
- Make a small test transfer and save your account details.
What to say to a bank employee
You can start with: I would like to open a personal VND bank account with a 90-day e-visa. I also need mobile banking and a debit card. If Vietnamese is easier for the employee, show them one of these phrases.
- Tôi muốn mở tài khoản thanh toán cá nhân bằng đồng Việt Nam. (I want to open a personal VND payment account.)
- Tôi có hộ chiếu và thị thực điện tử 90 ngày. (I have a passport and a 90-day e-visa.)
- Tôi muốn đăng ký ngân hàng điện tử và thẻ ghi nợ. (I would like to set up mobile banking and get a debit card.)
- Khi nào tôi có thể nhận thẻ? (When can I collect the card?)
How long do the account and card take?
| Step | Banhbao TV's experience | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Application and account setup | About one hour at the branch | This is one visit, not a bank service standard |
| Account number | Issued after setup | Check whether outgoing transfers are enabled |
| Physical debit card | Roughly one week | Pickup timing depends on the product and branch |
| VietQR and mobile banking | Set up alongside feature activation | Test with a small payment; an app icon alone does not confirm access |
What can you do with the account?
A local account lets you make payments in Vietnamese dong. You can use it to transfer rent to a landlord, pay through VietQR, receive refunds and accept transfers from local banks. The VietQR guide explains how QR payments work.
Having a physical card does not by itself tell you whether online payments are supported. Ask whether it is a domestic debit card or an international payment card. Fees and limits also vary by product.
What to check in the app before your first payment
- Your name appears in Latin characters and the account number is correct.
- You can receive funds, make outgoing transfers and scan VietQR codes.
- Whether biometrics, OTP or another confirmation method must be activated.
- The daily transfer limit and any per-transaction limit.
- Fees for account maintenance, card service, SMS and cash withdrawals.
- How to contact support if your phone number or passport changes.
How to pay with BIDV VietQR
- Open the bank app and select QR scan or transfer.
- Scan the merchant's or recipient's code.
- Check the recipient name and amount shown in the app.
- Approve the payment using the bank's confirmation method.
- Make sure the transaction is complete before trying again.
VietQR is a payment method that uses Vietnam's local banking network; it does not replace a bank account. See the guide to payments in Vietnam for the differences between cards, cash and transfers.
How to fund the account from Russia
Do not assume that an international transfer from every Russian bank will go through. Choose a way to receive VND for routine expenses. For a large payment, prepare documents showing where the money came from and what the transfer is for. The guide to transfers from Russia compares cash VND, deposits to a Vietnamese account and buying USDT with rubles.
If the bank declines or asks for more documents
Ask which identity check or product requirement is missing. The issue may concern a document, phone number, card type or the planned use of the account. You can try another branch, but do not give a false purpose for transactions or use someone else's documents.
If your e-visa expires or your passport or phone changes
A bank account and immigration status are handled separately. An account does not extend your permitted stay in Vietnam. BIDV may need updated customer details. If you replace your passport or phone, ask the bank what information to update.
Related guides
If you need an account for a stay of several months, start with the Vietnam e-visa guide, then read about renting an apartment and long-term stays. The guides to ATMs in Vietnam and transfers from Russia cover spending and funding options.
Questions and answers
Can I open a BIDV account with a 90-day e-visa?
Banhbao TV has a first-hand example of an account opened with a 90-day e-visa. BIDV decides after checking the applicant and documents.
Do I need a TRC?
A TRC is not a universal requirement for every foreign applicant. In the documented case, the applicant used a passport and e-visa.
How long does setup take?
About one hour in the documented case. The physical debit card was ready roughly a week later.
Can I pay by VietQR before receiving the card?
QR payments may work if the account is open and the feature is activated in the app. Confirm this in your own account.
What should I do if I get a new passport?
Ask BIDV how to update your identity details under its current procedure.
Will every foreigner with an e-visa be approved?
No. The result and available features depend on BIDV's checks and the product.