How to Send Money from Japan to Vietnam in 2026: Best Providers, Fees and JPY to VND Rates

If you need to send money from Japan to Vietnam in 2026, the difference between the cheapest route and the most expensive one is not small. On a transfer of ¥100,000, the gap between a specialist provider and a Japanese megabank can reach roughly 900,000 to 1,000,000 VND — money that never reaches your family. The corridor is one of the busiest in Asia: around 660,000 Vietnamese nationals live in Japan as of June 2025, a record high and the second-largest foreign community in the country, and Vietnam received about USD 16 billion in remittances in 2024.

This guide compares the providers that genuinely work for the Japan to Vietnam route — Wise, Remitly, SBI Remit, Kyodai Remittance, Western Union and MoneyGram — using the live JPY to VND mid-market rate of 164.79 recorded on 23 October 2026, plus the bank details and paperwork that decide whether a transfer lands in hours or bounces back three days later.

JPY to VND exchange rate today

The reference rate published by the exchange-rate feed at 00:02 UTC on 23 October 2026 was 1 JPY = 164.791072 VND. Wise's own live mid-market series moved between 164.421 and 165.233 over the previous 24 hours and printed 164.707 at the time of writing, so the pair has been unusually stable — within about half a percent — during the day.

That stability matters. When the rate barely moves, fixed fees and rate markups become the only real variable in the cost of a transfer, and comparing providers is straightforward: look at the amount the recipient actually receives, not at the headline fee.

What common amounts convert to

These figures are the mid-market value only. Every provider below subtracts a fee, applies a rate markup, or both, so the received amount will always be lower than the table above.

The providers that actually serve Japan to Vietnam

Vietnam is well covered from Japan, but not every global brand is available. The list below only includes services with a working Japan-to-Vietnam route and a Japanese or Vietnamese payout network that can be checked today.

Fees marked as indicative are the figures published by independent Japan-based comparison guides in late 2026 and by the providers' own simulators; they change with amount, payment method and verification level, so always run the final quote before confirming.

Wise: mid-market rate with a transparent fee

Wise is the default recommendation for small and mid-sized transfers to Vietnam, roughly ¥50,000 to ¥200,000. It converts at the mid-market rate and charges the cost separately, which makes the total easy to calculate: on ¥50,000 the fee usually lands between ¥300 and ¥500, so the all-in cost sits around 0.6% to 1%.

In Japan, Wise is operated by Wise Payments Japan K.K., a registered Funds Transfer Service Provider licensed by the Kanto Local Finance Bureau under number 00040. Payouts land in Vietnamese bank accounts at Vietcombank, BIDV, VietinBank, Agribank, Techcombank, Sacombank and most other major banks, usually within hours and almost always inside one business day. The per-transfer cap is about 499,999,999 VND, depending on the verification level of the sender.

The trade-off is that Wise does not do cash pickup in Vietnam. If the recipient has no bank account, Wise is the wrong tool, no matter how good the rate looks. For a deeper comparison of the same provider against the biggest names in the market, see Wise vs Western Union and the three-way Wise, Remitly and WorldRemit comparison.

Remitly: the promotional welcome rate

Remitly's Japan-to-Vietnam page quoted a welcome rate of 1 JPY = 164.94 VND on 23 October 2026, with no fees on the first transfer. That is slightly better than the mid-market rate, which is exactly the point: it is a customer acquisition offer, not a permanent price.

The conditions are narrow. The promotional rate applies to the first ¥100,000 sent by a new customer, once per person, and any amount above that threshold is converted at the standard non-promotional rate. Remitly also guarantees delivery times, which is useful when the money has to arrive before a specific date, and it supports both bank deposit and cash pickup on the Vietnamese side.

For a monthly sender, the welcome rate is a one-off discount. For someone sending a single large amount to family, it can be the cheapest option on the corridor — provided the transfer stays inside the promotional ceiling. The MoneyGram vs Remitly comparison covers how the standard rates compare once the promotion is gone.

SBI Remit: the Japanese incumbent

SBI Remit is the service most Vietnamese residents in Japan already know. Fees start at about ¥460, it converts at its own rate rather than the mid-market one, and it pays out to Vietnamese bank accounts as well as through MoneyGram cash pickup locations, where funds can be available in around ten minutes in some cases.

The structure is attractive for small amounts, where a low fixed fee beats a percentage-based charge. The rate markup is where the cost hides. On ¥100,000 the difference between the SBI rate and the mid-market rate is usually larger than the fee itself, which is why the received amount, not the fee line, is the number to compare. The same logic applies at Kyodai Remittance, which charges a similar starting fee and is popular because of its Vietnamese-language support.

Kyodai Remittance: support in Vietnamese

Kyodai Remittance is the other name that comes up constantly in Vietnamese communities in Japan. Fees start at about ¥460, delivery is same day to the next business day, and the service offers both bank deposit and cash pickup. The differentiator is language: support and forms are available in Vietnamese, which removes a real barrier for first-time senders who are not confident in Japanese or English paperwork.

For anyone comparing SBI Remit and Kyodai, the practical advice is to run both simulators with the exact amount and payout method, then compare the received VND. The difference is usually small, and convenience or support language can legitimately decide it.

Western Union and MoneyGram: cash pickup and speed

Western Union covers Vietnam through bank transfer, which can complete in minutes up to one banking day, and through a large agent network for cash pickup. That network is the reason to use it: in rural provinces, an agent counter may be closer than a bank branch, and the recipient does not need an account.

MoneyGram works the same way on the payout side and is also the partner behind the cash pickup option offered by several Japan-based remittance services. Both companies price with a rate markup rather than a clean percentage fee, so the quoted fee alone tells you very little. Compare the received amount against Wise or Remitly before choosing them for a bank deposit.

Japanese megabanks and Japan Post: why they cost more

A wire transfer from MUFG, SMBC, Mizuho or Japan Post Bank works, and for very large amounts it can be the only familiar option. It is also the most expensive route on this corridor: fees of roughly ¥2,500 to ¥5,000, plus a TTS rate that sits several percent away from the mid-market rate, plus correspondent bank charges that may be deducted along the way. Settlement takes two to five business days.

On ¥100,000, a bank transfer can deliver close to 900,000 VND less than a specialist provider. That is roughly USD 35 to 40 lost on a single transfer — the equivalent of a week of groceries for a family in Vietnam. Banks make sense for property purchases, tuition payments or business invoices where documentation and traceability matter more than cost; they rarely make sense for family support.

Bank details you need on the Vietnamese side

Most failed or delayed transfers are caused by wrong recipient data, not by the provider. The account holder name must match the recipient's passport or ID exactly, in Latin script, including the order of family and given names. A mismatch is a common reason for a transfer to be returned, and the return can take weeks.

You will also need the bank name, the branch, and the account number exactly as printed on the passbook or banking app. Vietnamese account numbers vary in length between banks, so never reconstruct one from a photo or a chat message — ask the recipient to send a screenshot of the account details screen.

Fees, limits and the ¥1 million reporting rule

Under Japan's Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act, banks must report transfers above ¥1,000,000 per transaction to the Minister of Finance. In practice this means full identity verification, a clearly stated purpose, and occasionally supporting documents. Splitting a large transfer into several smaller ones to stay under the threshold is not a neutral administrative choice; it can be treated as structuring, so it is better to send one documented transfer.

Identity verification is required for every provider on this corridor. A residence card (zairyu card) is accepted by most services, including Wise, and registration usually takes minutes to a day depending on the document quality. Transfers abroad do not affect residence status, but unpaid taxes or undeclared large gifts can.

Tax notes on both sides

In Japan, gifts are subject to gift tax with an annual basic deduction of ¥1,100,000 per recipient. Regular support payments for living expenses are generally not treated as taxable gifts, but a one-off transfer of a large sum to a relative can be, and the burden falls on the person receiving the gift, not the sender. Keep records of purpose and relationship.

In Vietnam, remittance income received by individuals is not subject to personal income tax, which is one reason families prefer transfers over other channels. Banks may still ask the recipient about the source of funds when a large amount arrives, particularly if the account has been dormant.

Step by step: sending ¥100,000 to Vietnam

1. Confirm the recipient's full name in Latin script exactly as printed on the passport or ID.
2. Collect the bank name, branch, account number and SWIFT code, preferably as a screenshot.
3. Open two simulators — for example Wise and Remitly — with ¥100,000 and the same payout method.
4. Compare the received VND, not the fee. The difference can exceed 500,000 VND.
5. Complete identity verification before the day you need to send, not on the day itself.
6. Fund the transfer by bank transfer or convenience store payment, and keep the receipt.
7. Share the tracking link with the recipient and confirm the credit once it lands.

On ¥100,000 at the 23 October 2026 rate, a realistic comparison looks like this: Remitly's promotional rate delivers about 16,494,000 VND with no fee; Wise delivers roughly 16,340,000 to 16,430,000 VND after a fee of ¥500 to ¥1,000; SBI Remit and Kyodai land near 16,300,000 VND after a ¥460 fee and their own rate; and a megabank transfer can fall to about 15,500,000 VND once the fee and TTS spread are applied.

If the amount is larger and regularity matters more than a one-off promotion, the provider comparison checklist is worth reading before committing, and the Vietnam guide from the United States shows how the same corridor is priced from a different sending country.

Common mistakes that delay transfers

Name mismatches. Middle names, accents and the order of family and given names cause most returns. Copy the name from the ID, not from a chat message.

Wrong branch or account type. Some Vietnamese accounts are savings accounts that cannot receive international transfers. Ask the recipient to confirm the account can receive foreign currency or VND from abroad.

Assuming wallets work. MoMo, ZaloPay and VNPay are everywhere inside Vietnam, but direct international transfers into those wallets are still limited from major services in 2026. Bank deposit remains the reliable rail.

Ignoring the receiving bank's cut. Some Vietnamese banks deduct an inbound fee, and correspondent banks may take a slice of a SWIFT transfer. Specialist providers usually absorb this; bank wires usually do not.

Which option fits which situation

For a first transfer of up to ¥100,000, Remitly's promotional rate is hard to beat. For regular monthly support of ¥30,000 to ¥200,000, Wise is the most predictable because the fee is visible and the rate is the real one. For small amounts where a fixed ¥460 fee is cheaper than a percentage, SBI Remit or Kyodai Remittance make sense — especially for recipients who need cash pickup or Vietnamese-language support. For a property purchase or tuition payment, a bank wire with full documentation is the right choice despite the cost.

Other Asian corridors follow the same logic; the Germany to Thailand guide and the Switzerland to Philippines guide show how fees and tax rules change from country to country, while the Indonesia guide covers a neighbouring market with similar payout structures. If cash pickup matters more than bank deposit, the Philippines app comparison is a useful reference, and the Austria to Serbia article explains how SEPA-style rails change the cost picture inside Europe.

FAQ

1. What is the cheapest way to send money from Japan to Vietnam?
For a first transfer up to ¥100,000, Remitly's promotional welcome rate is usually the cheapest, because it applies no fee and a rate slightly above the mid-market level. For repeat transfers, Wise tends to be cheapest overall at ¥50,000 to ¥200,000, since it converts at the mid-market rate and charges a separate fee of roughly 0.5% to 1%. SBI Remit and Kyodai Remittance can be cheaper for very small amounts because their fee is a low fixed sum.

2. How long does a transfer from Japan to Vietnam take?
Wise usually delivers within hours and almost always inside one business day. Remitly and SBI Remit typically complete the same day or the next business day, and MoneyGram cash pickup through SBI Remit can be available in around ten minutes in some cases. Bank wires from Japanese megabanks take two to five business days.

3. What is the JPY to VND rate today?
The reference mid-market rate on 23 October 2026 was 1 JPY = 164.791072 VND, and Wise's live mid-market series printed 164.707 during the day, having moved between 164.421 and 165.233 in the previous 24 hours.

4. Do I need a bank account in Vietnam to receive money?
No. SBI Remit and Kyodai Remittance both support cash pickup through MoneyGram partner locations, and Western Union has a large agent network. If the recipient has a bank account, a direct deposit is cheaper and faster in most cases.

5. Can I send money to MoMo or ZaloPay from Japan?
Direct international transfers into Vietnamese e-wallets are still limited from the major services in 2026. The reliable route is a bank deposit to a Vietnamese bank account; the recipient can then move funds into a wallet locally if needed.

6. What happens if the recipient's name does not match the bank account?
The transfer is usually returned or held for manual review. The account holder name must match the passport or ID exactly, in Latin script, including the order of family and given names. Returns can take several weeks, so verify the details before sending.

7. Is there a limit on how much I can send from Japan?
Each provider sets its own limit, and Wise allows roughly 499,999,999 VND per transfer depending on verification level. Separately, Japanese banks must report transfers above ¥1,000,000 per transaction to the Minister of Finance, and identity verification plus a stated purpose are required.

8. Is money sent to Vietnam taxed?
Remittance income received by individuals in Vietnam is not subject to personal income tax. In Japan, the sender is not taxed on the transfer itself, but gift tax can apply to large one-off gifts, with an annual basic deduction of ¥1,100,000 per recipient.

9. Which banks in Vietnam can receive an international transfer?
Vietcombank (BFTVVNVX), BIDV (BIDVVNVX), VietinBank (ICBVVNVX), Techcombank (VTCBVNVX), Agribank (VBAAVNVX) and most other major banks accept international transfers. Confirm with the recipient that the specific account is enabled to receive funds from abroad.

10. Is it better to send yen or US dollars to Vietnam?
Sending yen and letting the provider convert directly to VND is normally cheaper. Converting to US dollars first adds a second conversion, and the recipient's bank may apply its own rate when crediting the VND amount.

Bottom line

The Japan to Vietnam corridor is competitive, which is good news for senders: Wise covers regular bank-to-bank transfers at the mid-market rate, Remitly discounts the first transfer, and SBI Remit plus Kyodai Remittance keep a low fixed fee with cash pickup for recipients without accounts. Megabanks remain the most expensive option for family support and should be reserved for large, documented payments.

Run two simulators with the exact amount before every transfer, verify the recipient's name against their ID, and keep the purpose of large payments documented. Those three habits matter more than any single provider choice.

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