Personal finance management for students: Is using credit card truly a smart choice?

The green Visa O₂ credit card - a perfect choice for youth.  

When students are financially “mature”, a credit card becomes a tool - not a risk

Gone are the days when students relied solely on cash or traditional saving methods. Today’s students have a proactive financial mindset, are adept at managing income and expenses, and invest time in learning personal finance skills. For them, using a credit card is not a sign of uncontrolled spending but rather a calculated and informed choice.

To maximize the benefits of a credit card, students should follow a few basic principles. First, choose the right card - prioritize products with low interest rates, cashback on spending, and discounts at popular student spots such as bookstores, convenience stores, supermarkets, or platforms for ride-hailing and online learning.

Next, pay off the balance on time to avoid interest charges and unnecessary penalties. Equally important is spending within one’s repayment capacity and resisting the temptation to overspend. Additionally, students should avoid withdrawing cash with credit cards, as this incurs high interest rates and immediate fees.

Used wisely, a credit card enables students to be prepared for unexpected situations - such as tuition fees or study equipment - and to invest in personal development through language classes or soft skills training. More importantly, it serves as a stepping stone to building a credible credit history for future financial goals.

Visa O₂ – The ideal credit card for modern, green-living students

Understanding students’ spending habits and unique needs, Sacombank has launched the Sacombank Visa Platinum O₂ (Visa O₂) credit card - a financial product designed for a young generation that embraces modern, eco-conscious, and sustainable living.

More than just a convenient payment method with integrated carbon measurement technology, the Visa O₂ card opens access to a green consumption ecosystem with a variety of attractive benefits. New cardholders who accumulate at least VND 2 million in spending within the first 30 days of activation will receive up to VND 600,000 in cashback - providing practical support as students familiarize themselves with this new financial tool.

Visa O₂ offers a post-interest-free period interest rate of just 0.8% per month, one of the most competitive in the market.

Students and young users can use the Visa O₂ card for public transportation such as buses and metro systems - choices that help reduce emissions, lower costs, and support a more civilized, eco-friendly urban lifestyle. The card also offers 10% cashback, up to VND 300,000 per billing cycle, for green spending at brands like Xanh SM (electric mobility services), Vinamilk (a dairy brand committed to sustainable farming), and Decathlon (sustainable sportswear) - all popular with environmentally conscious youth.

One of the card’s most attractive features is its 0.8% monthly interest rate after the interest-free period, among the most competitive in today’s credit card market. This is especially beneficial for students, who may have unstable income, allowing them to manage urgent expenses while keeping borrowing costs low. It helps maintain cash flow for other priorities and encourages responsible financial behavior - an essential life skill.

Additionally, the Visa O₂ card allows users to convert transactions into 0% interest installment plans directly via Sacombank Pay - a valuable feature for larger purchases such as study equipment, skills courses, or travel. For transactions of VND 5 million or more, users can choose 3- or 6-month installment plans and receive up to VND 1 million in conversion fee refunds, helping reduce financial pressure while enabling meaningful investments.

Beyond that, Visa O₂ cardholders can also access 24/7 online consumer loans through Sacombank Pay, with interest rates starting from 12% per year and flexible terms ranging from 2 to 60 months - serving as a convenient financial “lifeline” for urgent needs.

The Visa O₂ card is more than just a credit card - it’s the key to a green, modern, and empowered lifestyle. With features such as carbon tracking per transaction, cashback rewards for sustainable spending, low interest rates, and smart financial tools via Sacombank Pay, it fosters a responsible and eco-friendly financial ecosystem tailored to the mindset of Gen Z.