How Tech Sector Freelancers in Vietnam Withdraw USD Earnings in Local Currency Without Creating Bank Wires

8 Min

May 25, 2025

Vietnam's tech and freelance scene is alive. Vietnamese professionals are working remotely with clients from around the world, driven by a young, technologically educated population and increasing demand from foreign markets. Software development and UI/UX design to marketing and content creation are driving USD, GBP, EUR, and other foreign currencies from freelancers using sites like Upwork, Fiverr, and direct B2B engagements.

Even if cross-border income is rising, most still find it challenging and expensive to get that money in Vietnamese Dong (VND).

Freelancers have typically received their pay via foreign bank wires. But bank transfers—especially those across the SWIFT network—are slow, costly, and rife with inefficiencies. In a digital economy when speed, cost, and openness count, depending just on legacy systems for receiving foreign income can be a major drawback.

This paper addresses the payment issues faced by Vietnamese freelancers together with how they might rapidly convert USD income to VND without using bank wires.

Problems involving Bank Wires

Many Vietnamese freelancers first look to foreign bank transfers since they seem to be the standard or "safe" option. On closer examination, though, several limitations become obvious.

1. High Transmission Taxes

Bank wires, depending on the participating banks, have flat fees—usually ranging from $25 to $50 each transaction. Moreover, SWIFT network intermediary or correspondent banks could apply their own hidden charges, so reducing the overall amount showing up in your account.

2. Not enough rates of exchange

Bank offerings of competitive foreign exchange (FX) rates are few. Usually running a margin on top of the mid-market rate, their every action costs freelancers more money. This margin is hardly ever shown clearly.

3. Delayed Reaction Time

Typically, bank wires show up three to seven business days. Funds pass several middlemen banks, increasing error or delay risk. For freelancers depending on timely cash flow, this could be a main bottleneck.

4. Problems in Administration and Documentation

Cross-border payments are under great control. Particularly for compliance audits, sometimes SWIFT payments call for handwritten documentation. This results in useless conflict, particularly for independent contractors handling several clients and monthly invoices.

The Search for a Faster, Less Expensive Replacement

Freelancers in Vietnam need better ways to handle foreign income as remote work grows more common. The perfect solution should eliminate the high expenses, delays, and manual labour involved with conventional bank wires. Specifically, freelancers need:

  • A method for foreign currency payment acceptance
  • Direct fund withdrawal from Vietnamese Dong (VND)
  • Faster settlement times help to preserve appropriate cash flow.
  • Low and clear rates of charge

TransFi BizPay, a digital cross-border payment system designed to streamline worldwide transactions, is one answer catered to the needs of freelancers, entrepreneurs, and small businesses.

BizPay lets Vietnamese freelancers get payments in USD and withdraw them straight in VND—without using the conventional SWIFT network—supporting more than 250 local and international payment methods over over 100 countries.

Using dynamic routing driven by artificial intelligence, BizPay guarantees that every transaction passes via the most affordable and fastest path. Unlike conventional systems depending on several middlemen, BizPay manages compliance, currency conversion, and disbursement just inside its platform. Once a client overseas makes a payment, BizPay converts the funds and deposits them directly into the freelancer's Vietnamese bank account, thereby eliminating the delays, hidden FX losses, and high fees typically associated with bank wires.

Steps Freelancers Should Take to Avoid Bank Wires

If you are a freelancer in Vietnam looking beyond the limitations of traditional transfers, this is a helpful road map:

1. Choose customers exhibiting wise payment behaviour.

Deal with customers whose pay fits their level of flexibility. Tell them straight forwardly that you would prefer to use non-wire transfer options and offer links or other payment instructions.

2. Sort invoicing involving multiple currencies.

Send bills in USD, GBP, or EUR using invoicing tools allowing you to be paid online. Avoid paying VND to overseas clients since typically their side of the conversion rates is low.

3. Onboard on a BizPay platform.

Subscribe for a cross-border platform like TransFi BizPay to settle it locally and get money anywhere. Verify and prepare your account for payments before invoicing.

4. Sort expenses.

Always figure out the total cost of receiving payments including processing delays, transfer fees, and FX losses. On paper, bank wires may appear neat, but when considering hidden costs and fees, more modern systems provide better value.

5. Establish Financial Control

You should not immediately convert everything just to get USD. If your platform allows you, pull out when exchange rates are good and save money in foreign currencies during periods of great VND volatility.

Conclusion

Many of Vietnam's digital experts, who work abroad, still get paid using outdated, costly, ineffective systems. Bank wires no longer match the speed and expectations of contemporary freelancing. Delays, fees, and poor currency values chew on hard-earned income in an otherwise digital workflow and generate needless conflict.

Freelancers in Vietnam today have quicker, more open, and reasonably priced payment options thanks to programs like TransFi BizPay. By using BizPay to accept USD payments and then converting VND straight into their local bank accounts, they can totally avoid conventional wires and save both time and money.

In an economy where international cooperation shapes everything, your salary is more crucial than anything else. Selecting suitable infrastructure not only protects your revenue but also facilitates the growth of your business.

TransFi Team

Unlocking the Future of Finance

Seamlessly process payments with Payouts.
Payouts

Make global payments at the speed of a click

Effortlessly collect payments with just a few clicks using Collections.
Collections

Accept payments, remove borders.

Buy and sell digital assets effortlessly with TransFi Ramp services.
Ramp

Unlock Seamless Digital Currency Transactions Anywhere

By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. View our Privacy Policy for more information.