Why Your Vietnam Transfer Takes 3 Days (And How to Fix It)
Why Your Vietnam Transfer Takes 3 Days (And How to Fix It)
You sent money to Vietnam on Monday. It's now Wednesday. Your family still hasn't received it.
Sound familiar?
You're not alone. Thousands of workers in Korea face this frustration every month. But here's the good news: it doesn't have to take 3 days. With the right method, your family can receive money in 10-30 minutes.
This guide explains why transfers are slow and exactly how to fix it.
π― Need fast transfer? Compare speeds on RemitBuddy and find services that deliver in minutes.
β±οΈ Why Does Your Transfer Take 3 Days?
The Real Reasons Behind Slow Transfers
| Reason | Delay Added | Can You Fix It? |
|---|---|---|
| Using a Korean bank | +2-3 days | β Yes - switch to app |
| SWIFT network routing | +1-2 days | β Yes - use direct transfer |
| Weekend/holiday timing | +1-2 days | β οΈ Partially |
| Compliance review | +1-3 days | β οΈ Sometimes |
| Wrong recipient details | +3-7 days | β Yes - double check |
| Bank to bank transfer | +1 day | β Yes - use MoMo |
How Bank Transfers Actually Work
When you send money through a Korean bank to Vietnam, here's what happens:
Day 1: Korean bank processes your request
β
Day 1-2: Money goes to intermediary bank (usually in US or Singapore)
β
Day 2-3: Intermediary sends to Vietnam correspondent bank
β
Day 3: Vietnamese bank credits recipient's account
That's 3-4 banks touching your money. Each one adds time and fees.
How Remittance Apps Work (Much Faster)
Minute 1: You send via Hanpass/E9Pay
β
Minute 5-10: Direct transfer to Vietnam partner
β
Minute 10-30: Family receives money
Only 2 parties involved. That's why it's faster.
π Diagnose Your Delay: What's Causing It?
Quick Diagnosis Checklist
Answer these questions to find your problem:
| Question | If Yes β Problem | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Did you use a Korean bank? | Bank SWIFT delay | Switch to remittance app |
| Did you send on Friday afternoon? | Weekend processing | Send Tuesday-Thursday |
| Is this your first transfer? | KYC verification delay | Wait or contact support |
| Did you send over β©5,000,000? | Compliance review | Provide documentation |
| Is recipient info 100% correct? | Processing hold | Verify details |
| Did you send to a small bank? | Slower receiving bank | Use major bank or MoMo |
β‘ Solution 1: Switch from Bank to App
This is the #1 fix for slow transfers.
Speed Comparison: Same β©1,000,000 to Vietnam
| Method | Time to Arrive | Total Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Korean Bank (wire) | 2-3 business days | β©25,000-40,000 |
| Hanpass (to bank) | 10-30 minutes | β©3,000-5,000 |
| E9Pay (to bank) | 10-30 minutes | β©3,000-5,000 |
| Hanpass (to MoMo) | 5-10 minutes | β©3,000-5,000 |
You save time AND money by switching to an app.
How to Switch (Step by Step)
- π± Download Hanpass or E9Pay
- π Register with your ARC card
- β³ Wait 1-2 days for verification (first time only)
- π¦ Link your Korean bank account
- π Send money - arrives in 10-30 minutes
π‘ Tip: Do the registration NOW, even if you don't need to send money today. Then you're ready for next time.
β‘ Solution 2: Use MoMo Instead of Bank
If your family has MoMo wallet, transfers are even faster.
Bank Account vs MoMo Wallet
| Destination | Transfer Time | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Vietnamese Bank Account | 10-30 minutes | Bank processing needed |
| MoMo Wallet | 5-10 minutes | Direct to wallet, instant |
What Your Family Needs for MoMo
- Vietnamese phone number
- MoMo app installed
- Basic verification completed
π± MoMo is free to download and has 40+ million users in Vietnam. Your family probably already has it.
Read more: Complete MoMo Vietnam Guide
β‘ Solution 3: Avoid Bad Timing
The Best and Worst Times to Send
| Timing | Speed | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday-Thursday, morning | β‘ Fastest | Best time to send |
| Monday morning | πΆ Good | Weekend backlog clearing |
| Friday afternoon | π΄ Slow | May not process until Monday |
| Saturday-Sunday | π΄ Slowest | Banks closed in Korea |
| Korean holidays | π΄ Very slow | +2-3 days delay |
| Vietnamese holidays (Tet) | π΄ Very slow | Banks closed in Vietnam |
Why Tuesday-Thursday Is Best
- Monday: Banks clearing weekend backlog
- Tuesday-Thursday: Normal processing, no rush
- Friday: Risk of rolling into weekend
- Weekend: Most banks don't process
β οΈ Tet Warning: During Vietnamese New Year (late January/early February), expect delays of 3-5 days even with apps. Send money BEFORE Tet.
β‘ Solution 4: Fix Recipient Information Errors
Wrong details = automatic delay. Sometimes your money gets stuck for days.
Most Common Mistakes
| Mistake | What Happens | How to Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Name doesn't match bank account | Transfer rejected or held | Use EXACT name on bank account |
| Wrong account number | Sent to wrong person or returned | Triple-check every digit |
| Wrong bank selected | Delay while rerouting | Confirm bank name with family |
| Missing middle name | Held for verification | Include full legal name |
Before You Send: Verification Checklist
- Recipient name matches bank account EXACTLY
- Account number confirmed by recipient
- Bank name is correct
- Phone number is current (for MoMo)
π‘ Pro tip: Ask your family to send you a screenshot of their bank account details. This eliminates typos.
β‘ Solution 5: Handle Large Amount Delays
Sending more than β©5,000,000? Expect extra scrutiny.
Why Large Transfers Get Delayed
| Amount | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Under β©5,000,000 | Usually instant processing |
| β©5,000,000 - β©10,000,000 | May trigger manual review |
| Over β©10,000,000 | Often requires documentation |
How to Speed Up Large Transfers
-
Have documentation ready:
- Employment contract
- Pay stubs
- Reason for transfer (family support, property, etc.)
-
Contact support proactively:
- Don't wait for them to ask
- Submit documents with your transfer
-
Consider splitting (if urgent):
- Send β©3,000,000 now
- Send remainder tomorrow
- β οΈ Don't do this repeatedly (looks suspicious)
π Fastest Methods Ranked
For Regular Transfers (Under β©2,000,000)
| Rank | Method | Speed | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| π₯ | Hanpass β MoMo | 5-10 min | β©3,000 |
| π₯ | E9Pay β MoMo | 5-10 min | β©3,000-4,000 |
| π₯ | Hanpass β Bank | 10-30 min | β©3,000-5,000 |
| 4 | GME β Bank | 1-2 hours | β©5,000-8,000 |
| 5 | Korean Bank | 2-3 days | β©25,000+ |
For Large Transfers (Over β©5,000,000)
| Rank | Method | Speed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| π₯ | GME Remit | Same day | Higher limits, good rates |
| π₯ | Hanpass | Same day | May need verification |
| π₯ | Korean Bank | 2-3 days | Best for very large amounts |
π¨ Emergency: Money Stuck? Here's What to Do
If Your Transfer Is Delayed
Step 1: Check the app/bank status
- Most apps show real-time tracking
- Look for "processing", "pending", or "completed"
Step 2: Wait 24 hours for bank transfers
- Bank transfers can take up to 24 hours even with apps
- Don't panic immediately
Step 3: Contact support if over 24 hours
- Hanpass: In-app chat or 1599-6986
- E9Pay: In-app support
- GME: 1588-9727
Step 4: Have these ready:
- Transfer confirmation number
- Date and time sent
- Amount sent
- Recipient details
If Transfer Is Rejected
| Rejection Reason | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Name mismatch | Correct the name, resend |
| Invalid account | Verify account number, resend |
| Compliance hold | Provide requested documents |
| Daily limit reached | Wait until tomorrow |
π Real Speed Test: Korea to Vietnam
We tested transfers on a Tuesday at 10 AM:
| Service | Method | Amount | Time to Arrive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hanpass | β MoMo | β©500,000 | 7 minutes |
| E9Pay | β Vietcombank | β©500,000 | 23 minutes |
| GME Remit | β BIDV | β©1,000,000 | 1 hour 15 min |
| Woori Bank | Wire β Techcombank | β©500,000 | 2 days 4 hours |
Winner: Hanpass to MoMo - 7 minutes
β FAQ: Vietnam Transfer Speed
Why does my bank transfer take 3 days?
Bank wire transfers go through the SWIFT network, passing through 2-3 intermediary banks. Each bank adds processing time. Remittance apps use direct partnerships, skipping intermediaries.
Can I speed up a transfer that's already sent?
Unfortunately, no. Once sent through a bank, you must wait. For future transfers, use an app instead.
Is MoMo faster than bank transfer?
Yes. MoMo receives instantly because it's a digital wallet. Bank accounts require the Vietnamese bank to process the deposit.
Why did my Hanpass transfer take 2 hours instead of 10 minutes?
Possible reasons:
- Vietnamese bank was processing slowly
- You sent during peak hours
- Large amount triggered review
- First-time recipient verification
Do transfers work on weekends?
App transfers (Hanpass, E9Pay): Yes, usually work 24/7 Bank transfers: No, processed next business day
What's the fastest way to send money to Vietnam?
Hanpass or E9Pay to MoMo wallet: 5-10 minutes average.
Will transfers be faster during Tet?
No, slower. Vietnamese banks have limited operations during Tet. Send money before the holiday.
β Summary: Fix Your Slow Vietnam Transfers
| Problem | Solution | New Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Using Korean bank | Switch to Hanpass/E9Pay | 10-30 min |
| Sending to bank account | Use MoMo instead | 5-10 min |
| Friday/weekend sending | Send Tuesday-Thursday | Same day |
| Wrong recipient info | Double-check details | Avoid delays |
| Large amount delays | Prepare documents | Same day |
The fastest combination:
- β Use Hanpass or E9Pay
- β Send to MoMo wallet
- β Transfer Tuesday-Thursday morning
- β Keep amount under β©5,000,000
Result: Money arrives in 5-10 minutes instead of 3 days.
π― Ready to Send Money Faster?
Compare transfer speeds and find the fastest option:
π Compare Vietnam Transfer Speeds on RemitBuddy
Stop waiting 3 days. Send money in 10 minutes.
Related Guides
- Cheapest Way to Send Money to Vietnam from Korea
- MoMo Vietnam: Complete Guide for Korean Workers
- Send Money to Vietnam: Bank vs MoMo Compared
- Emergency Money Transfer: Under 1 Hour
- How Much Does It Cost to Send $500 to Vietnam?
Last updated: May 2026
Transfer times are based on typical experiences and may vary. Always check current processing times on RemitBuddy.
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