Before you start

A TRC or a visa with 12+ months validity (tourist visas are now refused by major banks)
Passport valid 6+ months
An active Vietnamese phone number
A Confirmation of Temporary Residence (Phiếu Khai Báo Tạm Trú)

Step-by-step

1
Get resident status first
Major banks (Vietcombank, BIDV, Techcombank, HSBC) stopped accepting tourist visas in 2025 under State Bank rules requiring 12+ months residence validity. A TRC or long-stay visa is the key document.
In personWho: You——
2
Sort a SIM + temporary-residence confirmation
You need an active local number and the police temporary-residence confirmation (the same Phiếu Khai Báo Tạm Trú used for the TRC) as proof of address.
In personWho: You / landlord——
3
Visit a branch with your dossier
Bring passport (6+ mo), work permit, visa/TRC (12+ mo), employment contract, address proof, and your phone number. Some banks support partial onboarding in-app afterwards.
In personWho: YouSame dayInitial deposit VND 50,000–3,000,000
4
Activate card + online banking
Collect your card and set up the app. Resident status gets you higher limits and USD-account access.
In personWho: YouSame day–days—

Documents you’ll need

Passport (6+ months)
Work permit (DOLISA)
Visa or TRC (12+ months remaining)
Employment contract
Confirmation of Temporary Residence (address proof)
Active Vietnamese phone number

Things most newcomers don’t know

Tourist-visa bank accounts are basically over (2025 change).

Under State Bank rules, big banks now require 12+ months residence validity — most refuse tourist-visa holders. Don't plan to open one before your TRC/long-stay visa.

Source: multiple guides agree; State Bank rule

The TRC flips you from 'non-resident' to 'resident'.

Resident status means higher transfer limits, real online banking, and USD-account access — a materially better account, so get the TRC moving.

Source: provider consensus

You need a Vietnamese phone number first.

OTPs and app onboarding require a local SIM — sort that before the bank visit or you'll be turned away mid-process.

Source: community-reported

Reuse your temporary-residence confirmation as address proof.

The same Phiếu Khai Báo Tạm Trú the police issue for your TRC doubles as the bank's proof of address.

Source: provider consensus

Common mistakes to avoid

Expecting to open on a tourist visa — banks now refuse
Showing up without a local phone number
Lacking the temporary-residence confirmation for address proof

Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.

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