I was using an ATM near my hostel in Vietnam, and it took my card and never gave it back. No error message, just gone. Has anyone had this happen? Whats the fastest way to get it back? Any advice on who to call or what to do next?
Yes, this happened to me at a VietinBank ATM in Hanoi. The ATM looked modern, but it took my card and shut down mid-transaction. I went to the VietinBank branch on Tran Hung Dao Street with my passport. They confirmed they had the card but said they could only return it to me personally with ID. It took about two days. If your ATM is attached to a closed bank (like after hours), go first thing in the morning when it opens. Always note the bank name, ATM ID, and location. In Vietnam, foreign card recovery isn’t automatic you have to go in person and act fast. And if it’s urgent, contact your card issuer to freeze the card and ship a new one to your next city.
I had my Citibank debit card taken by an Agribank ATM in Hue, close to Why Not Hostel. Agribank wasn’t the most responsive, honestly. They told me I had to wait until their technician opened the machine, which only happened twice a week. So I called Citibank and got a replacement sent to my hostel in Hanoi. If your card gets stuck, take note of the ATM ID number (usually printed on the machine), exact address, time, and try contacting the bank directly through their hotline or a nearby branch.
Yep, happened to me in Ho Chi Minh City near Vietnam Backpacker Hostels Saigon. My card got eaten by a Techcombank ATM on Bui Vien Street. No receipt, no message, just gone. I went straight to the nearby Techcombank branch the next morning with my passport and explained what happened. They asked for the last 4 digits of my card and the exact time and location. I got lucky they retrieved the card the same day. If you’re using a foreign card like Monzo, Wise, or N26, it’s also smart to report the incident through their app to disable withdrawals until you have your card again.I was using an ATM near my hostel in Vietnam, and it took my card and never gave it back. No error message, just gone. Has anyone had this happen? Whats the fastest way to get it back? Any advice on who to call or what to do next?
This happened to me at a BIDV ATM in Da Nang, just outside Funtastic Beach Hostel. My UK Revolut card was swallowed with no warning no error message, nothing. First thing: check the ATM for a bank logo. I noted it was a BIDV machine, so I walked into the nearest BIDV branch the next morning with my passport and a screenshot of the transaction time. They were helpful, and I got my card back in 48 hours. You must act fast if it’s a local bank ATM (like Vietcombank, BIDV, Sacombank), they often destroy unclaimed cards after 2-3 days for security. Also, call your bank to freeze the card temporarily in case someone accesses it.
One thing I liked-Agribank gives your card back *before* dispensing cash. Helps avoid leaving your card behind.
Sacombank ATM was convenient and worked great with my UK card. Reliable.
No problems using my Dutch card at Sacombank ATM. Everything worked fine.
Was able to withdraw a high amount from Shinhan ATM without issues. Great option for large withdrawals.