Over recent days in the buildup to Tet (Lunar New Year) festival, the operation of automated teller machine (ATMs) or cash machines in Da Nang have been relatively stable. However, there is still an unpleasant phenomenon under which many people have to wait in long lines for much time to withdraw cash from ATMs.

People queuing at a Vietcombank-operated ATM on Nguyen Luong Bang Street, Lien Chieu District

Despite the rapid development of electronic payment systems in Viet Nam, demand for cash particularly runs high ahead of Tet. 

People are queuing at cash points these days to withdraw money for big holiday spending that will include gifts for families and relatives and cash-filled red envelopes meant to bring good luck in the Lunar New Year.

A CDM owned by VP Bank on Dien Bien Phu route, Thanh Khe District, seeing large numbers of people waiting for transactions

Long queues seen outside ATMs owned by Vietinbank and Agribank based on Ton Duc Thang Street, Lien Chieu District on Monday morning

The central bank has been pouring cash into the banking system to make sure ATMs across Viet Nam don’t run dry ahead of the Lunar New Year celebrations this weekend.

Since Monday afternoon, many people have lined up in front of cash withdrawal points across Da Nang, but crowds were recorded at ATMs owned by some domestically-renowned banks as Vietcombank, Vietinbank, BIDV and Agribank.

Some people complained that they have been waiting for more than half an hour to withdraw cash.

In fact, demand for cash in the run-up to Tet is two to three times higher than usual as people often get their year-end bonuses just before the holidays.

In a similar vein, long queues could be seen outside the Cash Deposit Machine (CDM) is a self-driven device that facilitates to make deposits and payment transactions by cash. The successful transactions are immediately credited, and customers are issued an advice slip confirming the transaction.

ATMs owned by lesser-known banks have seen fewer clients. No clients doing transactions at a ATM owned Dong A Bank on Nguyen Van Linh Street, Hai Chau District on Monday afternoon.

ATM operated by HD Bank seeing quiet ambiance on Monday afternoon

Such CDMs owned by VP Bank on Dien Bien Phu route, Thanh Khe District, and Agribank on Le Hong Phong, Hai Chau District, are also crowded with people waiting for transactions.

Meanwhile, ATMs owned by other lesser-known banks have seen fewer clients.

By MAI QUE- Translated by A.T