Exchange Rubles for Vietnamese Dong in Ha Long

Want to exchange rubles for Vietnamese dong in Ha Long? Here's how it works with EXFM and what you'll need.

In Ha Long, rubles are needed for small things outside a prepaid cruise: tips, drinks, a market stop, a ride. Cards from Russian banks don't work here, so send rubles through SBP or to the provided details, then take dong from an ATM with a code or pay by VietQR.

Rubles abroad: where the difficulty lies

The difficulty is that both familiar routes are closed or inconvenient. A bank transfer abroad isn't available from banks disconnected from SWIFT, and few places in Vietnam deal in ruble cash. The way out is to send rubles within Russia and receive dong where you need them.

What you'll need dong for in Ha Long

Dong usually goes on:

• tips and drinks on board a cruise
• the transfer to the pier
• markets and souvenirs in the Bai Chay area

How to send rubles: SBP and banks

Rubles are sent by cashless transfer — through Russia's Faster Payments System (SBP) or to bank details provided by your manager. SBP works from the apps of banks such as Sberbank, T-Bank (Tinkoff), VTB, Alfa-Bank, Gazprombank, Sovcombank, Rosbank, Otkritie, Promsvyazbank, Raiffeisenbank, Russian Standard and Yandex Bank. Your manager confirms whether your particular bank fits before you send.

How to get dong in Ha Long

1. Withdrawal by code. A partner ATM dispenses the dong: the manager agrees on the location and time beforehand, then sends the code. It works when you need cash for the market, taxis and small expenses and don't have a Vietnamese account.

2. QR payment. For shops, restaurants and services that accept VietQR: send the code to your manager, the manager pays, and you receive a confirmation. A good fit for one-off payments when you don't want to look for an ATM.

3. Transfer to your account in Vietnam. You send the details (account number, bank, full name) to your manager, who checks them against the sender's data. Transfers between Vietnamese banks are processed promptly, so the money is usually available soon after confirmation.

Step-by-step: exchanging in Ha Long

1. Message an EXFM manager in Telegram or WhatsApp.
2. Name the currency (rubles or Online USD), the amount and how you'll send the funds.
3. Complete a video verification (KYC) if it's your first request.
4. Choose how to receive your dong: cardless ATM, VietQR payment or a transfer to your account.
5. Send the funds to the details your manager provides.
6. Receive your dong the chosen way, along with a confirmation from your manager.

A short checklist

• First find out from your manager how much dong you'll get, and only then transfer rubles.
• Informal changers in Vietnam are a risk: the rate is not always transparent, and the practice itself is tightly regulated.
• Send money only to the details provided by your manager.
• Keep proof of payment — it helps if questions come up.
• For one-off payments VietQR is more convenient; for cash, use an ATM with a code.

Still have questions about exchanging money in Ha Long? An EXFM manager will answer in a messenger and help you choose how to receive your dong.