Send Money from Japan to Vietnam 2026: Wise vs Revolut vs Cash-Pickup – Real VND Costs

For foreign residents in Japan sending money to Vietnam in 2026, the cheapest option is usually Wise for bank transfers (mid-market rate + low fee), while Revolut offers a competitive alternative if you have a premium plan, and cash-pickup services like Western Union or Remitly are best for recipients without a bank account. Based on live data from July 22, 2026, sending 100,000 JPY to VND via Wise costs about 3,319 JPY in fees and exchange rate markup (total cost ~3.3%), while Western Union charges around 3,273 JPY for cash pickup in minutes. Below is a detailed comparison of fees, speed, and ID requirements.

How Much Does It Cost to Send JPY to VND? A Real Example

Let's use a concrete example: sending 100,000 JPY (Japanese yen) to a recipient in Vietnam who will receive Vietnamese dong (VND). According to Monito data from July 22, 2026, the total cost (fee + exchange rate margin) for the top providers is:

Provider	Transfer Speed	Total Cost (JPY)	Total Cost (%)	Recipient Gets (VND)	Notes
Wise	Same day	3,319	3.3%	~16,700,000 VND (est.)	Uses mid-market rate; fee varies by amount
Western Union	In minutes	3,273	3.3%	~16,700,000 VND (est.)	Cash pickup at agents; may require ID
WorldRemit	1 to 3 days	3,270	3.3%	~16,700,000 VND (est.)	Bank deposit or cash pickup
Remitly	1 to 3 days	3,270 (best deal)	3.3%	~16,700,000 VND (est.)	Promotional rate for first transfer; check terms

Note: Exact VND amounts are estimates based on the mid-market rate of 1 JPY = 167 VND (approximate as of July 2026). Actual rates fluctuate. Source: Monito comparison data.

Key takeaway: The cost difference between providers is small for this amount (within 50 JPY). The real differentiator is speed and delivery method.

Wise vs Revolut: Which Is Better for Japan-to-Vietnam Transfers?

Wise (formerly TransferWise)

• How it works: You send JPY from your Japanese bank account or debit card; Wise converts at the mid-market rate and deposits VND into a Vietnamese bank account.
• Fees: A transparent fee (0.3% to 1% depending on amount) plus a small fixed fee. For 100,000 JPY, the fee is about 3,319 JPY (per Monito).
• Speed: Same day for bank transfers to Vietnam (per Monito).
• ID requirements: You need a My Number or residence card for identity verification, as per Japan's anti-money laundering laws. Wise accepts foreign passports and residence cards.
• Pros: Best exchange rate (mid-market), no hidden markup, fast, reliable.
• Cons: Recipient must have a Vietnamese bank account; no cash pickup.

Revolut

• How it works: Revolut offers currency exchange at interbank rates (up to a monthly limit on free plans). You can send VND via SWIFT or local transfer.
• Fees: On the free plan, you get 1,000 USD equivalent of fee-free exchange per month (then 1% markup). Premium plans (about 980 JPY/month) offer unlimited fee-free exchange. For 100,000 JPY (~930 USD), you may exceed the free limit, incurring a 1% fee (~1,000 JPY).
• Speed: 1-3 business days for SWIFT transfers to Vietnam.
• ID requirements: Revolut requires a valid residence card and My Number for Japanese residents.
• Pros: Good for small transfers if you stay within the free limit; multi-currency account.
• Cons: SWIFT transfers can be slower; recipient needs a bank account; free plan limit may be restrictive.

Verdict: For a one-time transfer of 100,000 JPY, Wise is cheaper and faster. Revolut is better if you already have a premium plan and send money regularly.

Cash-Pickup Services: Western Union, Remitly, WorldRemit

For recipients without a bank account, cash pickup at agents (e.g., Vietcombank, BIDV, or local money transfer counters) is essential.

Western Union

• Cost: 3,273 JPY for 100,000 JPY (per Monito).
• Speed: In minutes (cash pickup).
• How to send: Online via Western Union Japan website or at a partner location (e.g., 7-Eleven, FamilyMart).
• ID: You need a residence card (Residence Card) and My Number for online registration. In-person, a passport may suffice.
• Recipient: Needs a valid ID (passport or Vietnamese national ID) and the MTCN number.

Remitly

• Cost: 3,270 JPY for 100,000 JPY (best deal per Monito).
• Speed: 1 to 3 days for cash pickup.
• How to send: Via Remitly app or website.
• ID: Requires residence card and My Number.
• Note: First-time users may get a promotional exchange rate; check the fine print for conditions.

WorldRemit

• Cost: 3,270 JPY for 100,000 JPY.
• Speed: 1 to 3 days.
• Delivery: Bank deposit or cash pickup at over 10,000 locations in Vietnam.
• ID: Same as above.

Verdict: For cash pickup, Western Union is fastest (minutes) but costs slightly more. Remitly and WorldRemit are cheaper but slower.

What Documents Do Foreign Residents in Japan Need?

All regulated money transfer services in Japan require identity verification under the Act on Prevention of Transfer of Criminal Proceeds. You will typically need:

• Residence card (Residence Card) – front and back copy.
• My Number card (My Number Card) or a notification card (Notification Card) – for tax and identity purposes.
• Japanese bank account – for sending JPY (some services accept debit/credit cards).

Important: If you do not have a My Number card, you can use a combination of residence card and a utility bill or certificate of residence (Certificate of Residence). Confirm with the provider before starting.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Ignoring the exchange rate markup: Some providers advertise "0 fee" but build a 3-5% markup into the rate. Always compare the total cost (fee + rate margin).
2. Not checking the recipient's bank account type: Some Vietnamese banks (e.g., Vietcombank, Techcombank) accept international transfers easily; others may require additional paperwork.
3. Using a credit card for cash advance: Sending money via credit card often incurs a cash advance fee (3-5%) plus interest from day one.
4. Forgetting the My Number: Many services now require it for online registration. Get your My Number card before you need to send money.

Decision Checklist

• Does the recipient have a bank account? → Yes: use Wise or Revolut. No: use Western Union or Remitly.
• How fast does the money need to arrive? → Minutes: Western Union. Same day: Wise. 1-3 days: Remitly/WorldRemit.
• What is the amount? → Under 50,000 JPY: Revolut free plan may be best. Over 50,000 JPY: Wise is usually cheapest.
• Do you have a My Number card? → If not, check if the provider accepts alternative ID (e.g., passport + residence certificate).

Edge Case: Sending Large Amounts (Over 1,000,000 JPY)

For larger transfers, the cost difference becomes significant. Wise charges a percentage fee (0.3% for amounts over 1,000,000 JPY), while Western Union's fee is fixed plus a rate markup. For 1,000,000 JPY, Wise might cost ~3,000 JPY, while Western Union could cost 30,000+ JPY due to the rate spread. Always compare using a calculator like Monito.

Risk Disclosure

Foreign exchange rates fluctuate. The total cost and recipient amount are estimates based on data from July 22, 2026. Actual rates and fees may change. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always verify current terms with the provider before sending money. Losses can occur due to rate changes or transfer delays.

Affiliate disclosure: Northmark may earn a commission if you sign up through links on this page. This does not affect our editorial independence.

FAQ

What is the cheapest way to send money from Japan to Vietnam in 2026?

Based on July 22, 2026 data, Wise is generally the cheapest for bank transfers (total cost ~3.3% for 100,000 JPY). For cash pickup, Remitly and WorldRemit offer similar costs (~3,270 JPY for 100,000 JPY). Always compare total cost (fee + exchange rate markup) using a comparison tool like Monito.

Can I send money from Japan to Vietnam without a bank account?

Yes, you can use cash-pickup services like Western Union, Remitly, or WorldRemit. You send money online or at a partner location (e.g., 7-Eleven) using your residence card and My Number. The recipient picks up cash at an agent in Vietnam with a valid ID.

What documents do I need to send money from Japan as a foreign resident?

You typically need a residence card (residence card) and a My Number card (My Number card). Some providers accept a passport plus a certificate of residence (certificate of residence) if you don't have a My Number card. Confirm with the provider before starting.

How long does it take to send money from Japan to Vietnam?

Western Union offers cash pickup in minutes. Wise transfers to a Vietnamese bank account are usually same day. Remitly and WorldRemit take 1 to 3 business days for bank deposit or cash pickup. SWIFT transfers via Revolut may take 1-3 business days.

Is Revolut good for sending money to Vietnam from Japan?

Revolut can be good for small transfers (under 50,000 JPY) if you stay within the free monthly exchange limit (1,000 USD equivalent). For larger amounts, Wise is cheaper and faster. Revolut requires a residence card and My Number for registration.

Sources & Verification

Fact-checked on 2026-07-22:

• "Wise total cost for sending 100,000 JPY to Vietnam is 3,319 JPY as of July 22, 2026." — https://www.monito.com/send-money/japan/vietnam/jpy/vnd (2026-07-22)
• "Western Union total cost for sending 100,000 JPY to Vietnam is 3,273 JPY as of July 22, 2026." — https://www.monito.com/send-money/japan/vietnam/jpy/vnd (2026-07-22)
• "Remitly offers a best deal cost of 3,270 JPY for sending 100,000 JPY to Vietnam as of July 22, 2026." — https://www.monito.com/send-money/japan/vietnam/jpy/vnd (2026-07-22)
• "WorldRemit total cost for sending 100,000 JPY to Vietnam is 3,270 JPY as of July 22, 2026." — https://www.monito.com/send-money/japan/vietnam/jpy/vnd (2026-07-22)
• "Foreign residents in Japan need a residence card (Residence Card) and My Number for money transfer registration." — https://japanhandbook.com/sending-money-home-transfer-options-from-japan-to-vietnam/ (2026-07-22)

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