How to Send Money to US from Vietnam

Sending money from Vietnam to the United States sounds simple until you meet the two villains of every international transfer story:
paperwork and fees wearing invisible cloaks. The good news: there are several legal, practical ways to do it
from bank wires to money transfer servicesonce you understand (1) what Vietnam allows, (2) what the US bank needs, and (3) how to keep “mystery charges”
from nibbling your transfer like tiny fee-gremlins.

This guide breaks down the most common methods, what they cost, how long they take, and which option fits your situationwhether you’re sending
$200 for groceries or $20,000 for tuition. No fluff, no panicjust a clear plan.

Fast Pick: Which Transfer Method Should You Use?

Step Zero: The Vietnam Reality Check (Rules, Purpose, Paperwork)

Vietnam generally allows individuals to transfer money abroad for lawful “one-way” purposesthink overseas study, medical treatment, travel/business trips,
paying foreign fees, supporting relatives living abroad, inheritance transfers, and settlement-related transfers. In practice, your bank or provider will usually
ask for a clear purpose and supporting documents before they process a transfer that involves converting VND into foreign currency and sending it out of the country.

Common purposes banks recognize (and how they verify them)

• Study: admission letter, tuition invoice, proof of enrollment, school payment instructions.
• Medical treatment: hospital letter, cost estimate, treatment schedule, passport details.
• Travel/business trip/visit: travel itinerary and reasonable-need declarations (banks may use internal policy checks).
• Family support: proof of relationship, beneficiary residency details, support purpose statement.
• Fees abroad: invoice/notice from the foreign institution (immigration, legal fees, application fees, etc.).
• Inheritance/settlement transfers: legal documents proving entitlement and value of assets.

Translation note: some banks accept English documents; others may request Vietnamese translations or notarized copies. When in doubt, bring both:
the original and a translated version. It’s annoying, yesbut it’s cheaper than a rejected transfer (and the emotional damage of redoing the forms).

How limits usually work

Instead of a single universal limit, transfers are commonly limited by purpose and supported by documentation. For example, tuition and medical transfers
often follow the invoice/estimate amounts, while travel and support transfers may be evaluated against “reasonable needs” standards defined in policy.
Your bank sets the operational limits and checks within the permitted framework.

Method 1: Bank International Wire Transfer (SWIFT) Best for Bigger, Documented Transfers

A SWIFT wire is the “grown-up suit and tie” option: slower than instant services, but widely accepted for tuition, medical bills, and large family support.
If you need an official paper trail, banks love this methodand so do universities.

What you need from the US recipient (get this right or suffer later)

• Beneficiary name (exactly as on the US bank account)
• Account number
• Bank name and address
• SWIFT/BIC code (many US banks have one for international wires)
• Routing number / ABA (often required for US bank processing)
• Intermediary bank details (sometimes needed, depending on currencies and bank networks)

Example (simplified): If your recipient banks with a major US bank, they can usually find “incoming international wire instructions”
in online banking or by calling their bank. Many banks provide separate instructions for receiving USD vs receiving foreign currency.

How the process works in Vietnam (typical flow)

1. Pick your sending bank (Vietnamese commercial bank) and ask for an “outward remittance / international transfer” service.
2. Provide purpose and documents (tuition invoice, hospital estimate, support statement, etc.).
3. Choose the currency (USD is the most common for US transfers).
4. Confirm fees and who pays them (see “OUR/SHA/BEN” below).
5. Submit transfer request and keep the receipt/SWIFT reference number (this is your tracking lifeline).

Fees: the part where your money quietly disappears

International wires can have three cost layers:

• Sending bank fee (charged by the Vietnam bank)
• Intermediary/correspondent bank fees (deducted in transit, often without asking your permission)
• Exchange rate spread (the “not-quite-the-real-rate” margin)

Ask about fee options often labeled:
OUR (sender pays most fees), SHA (shared), or BEN (beneficiary pays).
If the US recipient must receive an exact amount (like tuition), “OUR” may reduce surprisesthough it may cost more upfront.

Timing and tracking

Many international wires arrive in 1–5 business days, depending on cut-off times, compliance checks, and intermediary routing.
Always send early if you’re paying a deadline. Banks do not care that your tuition deadline “is tomorrow.” Banks respect only cut-off times.

Method 2: Western Union Great for Cash Pickup and Smaller, Faster Sends

Western Union is the classic “I need money to arrive fast” option. From Vietnam, you can typically send through agent locations and, in some cases,
through digital channels depending on local availability. Recipients in the US may receive funds as cash pickup or sometimes via bank deposit options,
depending on service configuration.

How to send (in-person is the most universally available)

1. Find a nearby agent location and bring ID.
2. Provide recipient details (full legal name, city/state; sometimes phone number).
3. Pay the send amount plus fees.
4. Receive the tracking number (MTCN) and share it with the recipient.
5. Recipient picks up cash with ID and the tracking number (or receives via available deposit method).

Pros and cons

• Pros: speed, convenience, widespread locations, useful when recipients don’t want bank transfers.
• Cons: exchange-rate markup can be significant; fees vary by funding method and payout type.

Tip: Always compare the total received (how many USD your recipient gets) rather than just the “fee.” Some transfers have low fees
but worse exchange rateslike a “sale” sign on a shirt that costs more at checkout.

Method 3: MoneyGram Similar Playbook, Different Network

MoneyGram works a lot like Western Union: you send via agents or supported digital methods, and the US recipient receives via cash pickup or other available options.
It can be a strong choice if a MoneyGram agent is closer, or if your recipient has better pickup access in the US.

How to send

1. Go to a MoneyGram agent location in Vietnam with ID.
2. Fill in recipient details and pay in the required currency/funding method.
3. Keep the reference number and receipt.
4. Recipient uses the reference number and ID to receive funds in the US.

Best use case

If your recipient needs cash pickup, or you need a widely recognized service with a predictable process, MoneyGram is worth comparing side-by-side with Western Union.

Method 4: PayPal (Vietnam to US) Convenient if Both Sides Use PayPal

PayPal can work well when both the sender and recipient are comfortable with online accounts. It’s generally easiest for smaller personal transfers
or when the recipient can keep funds in PayPal or withdraw to a US bank.

How it usually works

1. Sender logs into PayPal and selects “Send.”
2. Enter recipient email/handle, amount, and currency.
3. Choose funding method (linked card/bank, depending on what’s supported).
4. Review fees and currency conversion before confirming.
5. Recipient receives funds in PayPal and can withdraw to their US bank if eligible.

Important caveat: Xoom availability

Xoom (PayPal’s money transfer service) is available for sending from selected countries (commonly the US, Canada, the UK, much of the EEA, and Australia).
If you’re physically in Vietnam and trying to use Xoom as the sender, you may not be eligible. If you see it offered, confirm your “send country” eligibility in-app.

Where PayPal shines (and where it doesn’t)

• Shines: convenience, fast account-to-account transfers, good for tech-comfortable recipients.
• Doesn’t: can be expensive after fees + conversion; not ideal for formal tuition/medical payments unless the institution accepts PayPal.

Method 5: Carrying Cash While Traveling Legal, But Don’t Treat It Like a Movie Plot

If you’re traveling from Vietnam to the US, you can carry cashbut you must respect declaration rules. In Vietnam, carrying more than certain thresholds
typically requires declaring to customs; you may also need confirmation documents issued by a bank for large cash amounts. In the US, carrying more than
$10,000 in currency/monetary instruments generally requires filing a report with US authorities.

When carrying cash makes sense

• You’re traveling anyway and need money immediately upon arrival.
• You’re moving a modest amount and prefer not to deal with transfer delays.

When carrying cash is a bad idea

• Large amounts (security risk, reporting obligations, and “why is my backpack suddenly terrifying?”)
• Anything time-sensitive where losing it would be catastrophic

If you carry cash, document everything: source of funds, withdrawal receipts, bank confirmations, and any customs declarations. This isn’t paranoiait’s practical.

How to Compare Costs Like a Pro (Without a Spreadsheet Spiral)

The cheapest transfer is not always the one with the lowest “fee.” Use this simple comparison:

Total Cost = Provider Fee + (Exchange Rate Spread × Amount Sent) + Hidden/Intermediary Fees

Quick example

You send the equivalent of $1,000. Option A charges a $2 fee but gives an exchange rate that’s 2.5% worse than the mid-market rate.
Option B charges a $12 fee but uses a much better rate (0.5% spread).

• Option A “hidden” FX cost: 2.5% of $1,000 = $25 (plus $2 fee) → about $27 total cost.
• Option B “hidden” FX cost: 0.5% of $1,000 = $5 (plus $12 fee) → about $17 total cost.

Option B winseven though the fee looked higher. This is why “fee-only” comparisons are basically a magic trick.

Common Mistakes That Delay Transfers (and How to Avoid Them)

1) Name mismatch

If the beneficiary name doesn’t match the US account exactly, the receiving bank may reject or delay the wire. Middle names matter more than you’d think.
Banks love consistency the way cats love knocking things off tables: intensely and without apology.

2) Missing SWIFT/ABA details

International wires into the US often require both an international identifier (SWIFT/BIC) and a US routing number (ABA).
If your Vietnam bank asks for an intermediary bank and you don’t have it, ask the US bank for incoming wire instructions.

3) Sending too late in the day

Banks have daily cut-off times. If you submit after cut-off, your transfer may be treated as “tomorrow’s problem”which becomes “next week’s problem”
if tomorrow is Friday afternoon.

4) Choosing the wrong payout method

If the recipient needs cash, don’t force a bank deposit. If they need a paper trail (tuition), don’t do cash pickup. Match the method to the real-world need.

Safety: Avoid Scams and “Oops” Transfers

Treat wires and cash pickup transfers like cash. Once sent, it can be hardor impossibleto reverse. If someone pressures you to send money urgently,
especially to someone you’ve never met, that’s a giant red flag.

• Verify the recipient through a trusted channel (call a known number, not the one in the message).
• Be suspicious of “government agency” payment requests via money transfer services.
• Don’t send money to strangers for rentals, job offers, or “emergencies” that don’t check out.

FAQ: Real Questions People Ask Before Hitting “Send”

How long does it take to send money from Vietnam to the US?

Cash pickup services can be minutes to same day; bank wires often take 1–5 business days depending on compliance checks and intermediary routing.

What details does the US recipient need to provide?

For bank wires: beneficiary name, account number, bank name/address, SWIFT code, and often ABA routing number. For cash pickup: legal name and location, plus ID.

Can the US recipient be taxed just for receiving money?

Receiving a personal transfer usually isn’t automatically “taxed income,” but tax outcomes depend on why the money is sent (gift vs payment vs business).
If you’re moving large amounts or paying for services, it’s smart for the recipient to ask a tax professional for guidance specific to their situation.

What’s the easiest way to reduce fees?

Compare providers by “recipient gets” amount, avoid unnecessary currency conversions, and use bank wires for large documented transfers where cash pickup services
would take a bigger bite via rate markup.

Conclusion: A Simple, Safe Game Plan

If you want a clean, reliable approach: choose your method based on the recipient’s needs (cash vs bank), match the transfer purpose with the right documents,
and compare the total costnot just the upfront fee. For large or formal payments, SWIFT wires are usually the most accepted.
For fast support money, Western Union or MoneyGram can be convenient. For online-friendly transfers, PayPal can work when both sides are set up properly.

The “best” option isn’t universalit’s the one that lands the right amount, on the right day, with the fewest surprises. In international transfers,
boring and predictable is a compliment.

Experiences People Commonly Have Sending Money from Vietnam to the US (About )

Here’s what the process often feels like in real lifebecause the mechanics are one thing, and the lived experience is another.

The Tuition Deadline Sprint

A classic scenario: you’re sending tuition or a housing deposit to a US school, and the deadline is close enough to smell. The transfer itself isn’t hard
until the school requires the payment reference formatted a certain way, the bank needs the beneficiary name to match exactly, and someone realizes the invoice
is addressed to a slightly different legal name than the receiving bank account. The “solution” is usually calm paperwork: double-check the recipient’s official
wire instructions, attach the invoice, and send early enough that a compliance review doesn’t ruin your week. People who do this once tend to become
aggressively early senders forever.

The Mystery Fee Surprise

Another common experience: you send what looks like the perfect amount, and the recipient gets slightly less. The culprit is often intermediary bank fees
deducted during routing. This is when people discover that international banking has “tolls” you don’t always see in advance. The fix is asking your bank about
fee options (like sender-paying arrangements) and, when exact receipt matters, sending a little buffer or using a fee structure designed for exact delivery.
After the first surprise, most people stop saying “It’s only a small fee” and start saying “Show me the final received amount.”

The “Middle Name” Problem

If you’ve ever watched a wire transfer get delayed because “Nguyen Van A” doesn’t match “Nguyen Van An,” you know how picky banks can be.
People often learn (the hard way) that banks don’t do “close enough.” The best habit is copying the beneficiary name exactly from the US account profile,
including punctuation if it’s used. It feels silly, but it’s the kind of silly that saves days.

The Recipient Preference Mismatch

Sometimes the sender chooses a bank transfer because it feels “official,” but the recipient actually needs cashlike an older relative who pays rent in cash,
or someone without easy bank access. Other times, the sender picks cash pickup for speed, but the recipient needs a transaction record for a landlord or school.
The most successful transfers happen when people ask one simple question first: “Do you need cash, or do you need it in your bank account with a paper trail?”

The Calm Wins

The most consistent “experience-based” advice is boring: send earlier than you think, keep receipts and reference numbers, and treat every transfer like
it needs a Plan B. People who do that rarely have drama. People who don’t… become excellent storytellers.