Tours
Hotels
Resorts
Support Online
Money
The official currency issued by the Vietnam State Bank is the “dong” (abbreviated "d" or VND) which is used throughout the country. Bank Notes are in denominations of VND500,000; 100,000; 200,000; 50,000; 20,000; 10,000; 5000; 2000; 1000; 500; 200 and 100. Coins are in denominations of VND5000, 2000, 1000, 500 and 200.
The government introduced new 500,000; 200,000; 100,000; 50,000; 20,000 and 10,000 VND notes made from plastic (like Australian dollars), rather than the regular paper. Most are clearly identifiable by color.
The Dong is non-convertible and at the time of writing trades at approximately 16,000 to USD1. The US dollar, preferably crisp clean bills, is widely accepted among major shops and restaurants and hotels. Banks are open Monday to Friday and some are open Saturday morning. In the major cities there are money changers and most hotels will change US Dollars although for other currencies it is usually necessary to visit a bank.
Make sure that the Vietnamese notes you receive are not torn, this because many shops and restaurants will not accept them
Travelers checks can be cashed at authorized foreign exchange outlets and banks and require presentation of passport. There is normally a 2 to 5 percent transaction fee for cashing Travelers checks. Visa and Master card are becoming more accepted in many of the bigger hotels, restaurants and shops, especially in the larger cities. Outside main cities, it is wise to carry cash but US Dollars cash are still the most reliable form of money to carry. Check with your credit or debit card suppliers for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available. Vietnam is still a cash society and credit cards are not widely accepted. Don't be surprised if you are charged an extra 3-4% to cover merchant fees. Exceptions are upscale hotels and airline tickets purchased directly from an airline. Travel agents expect cash or will reluctantly accept credit cards for an extra 4% fee.
There are a number of international banks operating in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with 24hour cash withdrawal facilities, including ANZ Bank in Hanoi and the HSBC, Citibank in Ho Chi Minh City. Here cash can be withdrawn on Visa and Master cards as well as other cards such as Cirrus. ATMs are now commonplace in the cities, and nearly all accept the main credit cards
Please note that the Vietnamese Dong is non-convertible outside Vietnam
The government introduced new 500,000; 200,000; 100,000; 50,000; 20,000 and 10,000 VND notes made from plastic (like Australian dollars), rather than the regular paper. Most are clearly identifiable by color.
The Dong is non-convertible and at the time of writing trades at approximately 16,000 to USD1. The US dollar, preferably crisp clean bills, is widely accepted among major shops and restaurants and hotels. Banks are open Monday to Friday and some are open Saturday morning. In the major cities there are money changers and most hotels will change US Dollars although for other currencies it is usually necessary to visit a bank.
Make sure that the Vietnamese notes you receive are not torn, this because many shops and restaurants will not accept them
Travelers checks can be cashed at authorized foreign exchange outlets and banks and require presentation of passport. There is normally a 2 to 5 percent transaction fee for cashing Travelers checks. Visa and Master card are becoming more accepted in many of the bigger hotels, restaurants and shops, especially in the larger cities. Outside main cities, it is wise to carry cash but US Dollars cash are still the most reliable form of money to carry. Check with your credit or debit card suppliers for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available. Vietnam is still a cash society and credit cards are not widely accepted. Don't be surprised if you are charged an extra 3-4% to cover merchant fees. Exceptions are upscale hotels and airline tickets purchased directly from an airline. Travel agents expect cash or will reluctantly accept credit cards for an extra 4% fee.
There are a number of international banks operating in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with 24hour cash withdrawal facilities, including ANZ Bank in Hanoi and the HSBC, Citibank in Ho Chi Minh City. Here cash can be withdrawn on Visa and Master cards as well as other cards such as Cirrus. ATMs are now commonplace in the cities, and nearly all accept the main credit cards
Please note that the Vietnamese Dong is non-convertible outside Vietnam
See more