Money, ATMs & wifi in Phong Nha
The unglamorous practical bits, but they catch people out. Phong Nha is mostly cash, has a handful of ATMs, decent wifi in town and no signal in the caves. Here's what actually works.
Cash and ATMs
Vietnam runs on cash. Phong Nha runs on cash more than most. Bring Vietnamese dong from a Dong Hoi or Hue ATM before you arrive, or use one of the four or so machines in Son Trach (Vietinbank and Agribank are the most reliable).
ATM withdrawal limits are usually 2 to 3 million VND per transaction. Vietinbank charges around 30,000 VND per withdrawal. Wise and Revolut cards work, with the usual third-party fee.
Carry enough cash for a few days. ATMs occasionally empty on holiday weekends and the cave gates only take cash.
Cards and contactless
Most farmstays, the bigger hotels and Easy Tiger accept Visa and Mastercard, often with a 2 to 3% surcharge. Smaller restaurants and the valley spots are cash only.
Apple Pay and Google Pay work where the card terminal supports them, which is increasingly common in town.
Bookings with Oxalis and Jungle Boss are paid online by bank transfer or card before your trip.
Wifi and signal
Wifi in town is reliable. Almost every cafe, hotel, hostel and restaurant has free wifi, and it's usually fast enough for video calls.
Mobile signal: Viettel has the best coverage in Quang Binh, Mobifone is okay, Vinaphone is patchy. Buy a SIM in Dong Hoi airport or any phone shop, around 100,000 VND for 30 days with plenty of data.
Inside any cave, on jungle trips and on the Ho Chi Minh Trail loop, you will lose signal. Plan around it.
Tipping
Not expected, very appreciated. On a multi-day cave tour, plan for around 200,000 to 500,000 VND per traveler at the end, divided between guides and porters. Operators usually give guidance.
In restaurants, leaving small change is normal but not required.
Common questions
Are there ATMs in Phong Nha?
Yes, but only a few. There are around four ATMs in Son Trach village (Vietinbank, Agribank, BIDV). They sometimes run out of cash on weekends and major holidays. Bring enough Vietnamese dong from Dong Hoi or Hue to get you through a few days, just in case.
Can you use credit cards in Phong Nha?
In town and at bigger hotels, often yes. In the valley, at farmstays and at the cave gates, it's cash only. Plan to use cash for almost everything outside the main strip in Son Trach.
How is the wifi and mobile signal in Phong Nha?
Wifi in town and at most accommodations is decent and free. Mobile signal (Viettel is best) covers Son Trach and the valley but drops out in the deeper jungle and inside any cave. Buy a local SIM in Dong Hoi or any 7-Eleven in Vietnam.
How much cash should I bring to Phong Nha?
Plan for 600,000 to 1,000,000 VND per person per day for normal expenses (food, drinks, motorbike, cave tickets), so 2 to 3 million VND covers a few days. Big tours are paid by bank transfer or card in advance.
Sorted on cash? Plan how much your trip costs, what to pack, just have us plan it for you.