In the context of globalization, international money transfers from Vietnam have become an integral part of the economy. With increasing demand for purposes such as overseas education, medical treatment, investment, and family support, the international money transfer market in Vietnam is growing rapidly. This article provides an overview of market data and the average speed of international money transfers from Vietnam in 2025, along with factors affecting performance.
1. Overview of the International Money Transfer Market in Vietnam
According to the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) and international financial reports, billions of USD are legally transferred from Vietnam abroad each year. Key highlights include:
- Transaction volume: In 2023, the total value of international money transfers from Vietnam was estimated at approximately $10-12 billion, primarily for purposes like education, investment, and international payments. By 2025, this figure is projected to reach $15 billion, driven by the growth of fintech platforms and globalization demands.
- Participants: Include individuals (students, workers, investors) and businesses (international payments, raw material imports). Banks such as Vietcombank, BIDV, and fintech platforms like Wise and Remitly dominate the market.
- Fintech growth: International and domestic fintech platforms account for about 30% of the international transaction market share, with an annual growth rate of approximately 20%.
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2. Average Speed of International Money Transfers from Vietnam
The speed of international money transfers depends on factors such as the platform used, currency type, recipient country, and regulatory requirements. Below are the average figures for 2025 based on industry reports and service provider data:
- Traditional banks:
- Processing time: 1-5 business days, depending on the recipient country and verification processes.
- Example: Transfers from Vietcombank to the US (USD) take about 2-3 days; transfers to European countries (EUR) may take 4-5 days due to anti-money laundering checks.
- Cost: Transaction fees range from 0.2-1% of the transfer amount, plus a fixed fee of approximately $10-30.
- Fintech platforms (Wise, Remitly, Revolut):
- Processing time: Significantly faster, typically ranging from a few hours to 1 day. For example, transfers via Wise to a bank account in Australia can be completed in 4-12 hours.
- Cost: Lower fees, averaging 0.5-0.8% of the transfer amount, with transparent pricing and no hidden fees.
- Advantages: Integration of APIs speeds up processing and reduces intermediary costs.
- Instant money transfer services (Western Union, MoneyGram):
- Processing time: Near-instant, from a few minutes to 1 hour for cash pickups or transfers to digital wallets.
- Cost: Higher fees, around 1-5% of the transfer amount, suitable for small transactions.
Average speed data:
- Market average: International money transfers from Vietnam take about 1-2 days to reach developed countries (US, Australia, EU) and 2-4 days for other regions (Africa, South Asia).
- Technology impact: With the widespread adoption of 5G and digital infrastructure, fintech transaction processing speeds are expected to improve by 20-30% by the end of 2025.
3. Factors Affecting Speed and Efficiency of Money Transfers
Several key factors influence the speed of international money transfers from Vietnam:
- Regulatory requirements: Starting March 15, 2025, international money transfers must comply with new regulations, requiring clear documentation (e.g., admission letters, medical invoices) and a limit of $50,000 per transaction. Verification of documents may delay transactions by 1-2 days if incomplete.
- Technological infrastructure:
- Vietnam’s average mobile internet speed is 75.66 Mbps (up 60.9% from 2024), and fixed broadband speed is 153.95 Mbps (up 46.6%), supporting faster transaction processing.
- Fintech platforms using API technology reduce processing times to a few hours compared to traditional banks.
- Currency and recipient country: Transfers to countries using USD, EUR, or AUD are generally faster due to strong banking networks. Transfers to countries with fewer transactions with Vietnam (e.g., some African nations) may take 5-7 days.
- Transaction timing: Transfers initiated on weekends or holidays may be delayed due to international banking schedules.
4. Tips to Increase Speed and Save Costs on Money Transfers
To ensure safe, fast, and cost-effective money transfers, consider the following tips:
- Choose the right platform: Use fintech platforms like Wise for fast and low-fee transfers, or Western Union for urgent needs.
- Prepare complete documentation: Provide all required documents (contracts, invoices) upfront to avoid delays.
- Compare rates and fees: Check exchange rates and fees across providers before transferring.
- Prioritize business hours: Initiate transfers during working hours to avoid delays due to time zone differences.
5. Forecasted Trends for International Money Transfers in 2025
- Fintech growth: Fintech platforms are expected to expand international partnerships, capturing 40% of the market share by the end of 2025.
- AI adoption: AI will automate document verification, reducing processing times to under 6 hours for large transactions.
- Stricter regulations: The Vietnamese government will tighten controls on illegal transactions while simplifying processes for legitimate purposes like education and investment.
- 5G impact: With 99.8% 4G coverage and 5G trials in 16 provinces, fintech transaction speeds will improve significantly.
6. Conclusion: International Money Transfers – Fast, Transparent, Efficient
The international money transfer market from Vietnam is thriving, with a multi-billion USD scale and an average transfer speed of 1-2 days to developed countries. The combination of traditional banks, fintech platforms, and modern technological infrastructure enables users to transfer money safely, quickly, and cost-effectively.
To optimize the experience, select reputable providers, comply with legal regulations, and leverage new technologies. In a connected world, the flow of money from Vietnam will continue to grow strongly, transparently, and efficiently.