Money in Vietnam: dollars, dong and where to exchange

Vietnam’s currency is the dong (VND). The tricky part is the zeros: 100,000 dong is only a few dollars, and café and taxi prices run into tens and hundreds of thousands. Here’s how to prepare.

What currency to bring

• US dollars are the main currency to exchange; every exchange office takes them at close to the market rate.
• Large, new notes (crisp 100-dollar bills without tears or marks) get the best rate. Old or damaged notes may be refused or exchanged for less.
• Euros are accepted too, though fewer places take them.

Where to exchange

• The airport pays less than the city. Change a little for the taxi and a SIM card.
• Banks are reliable but offer average rates and can have queues.
• Jewelry shops and private exchange offices in tourist areas often give the best rates. Count the money at the counter.

Work out what you should get at the market rate and compare it with the offer. On the My rate tab you can enter the exchange office rate and see the difference from the market.

Don’t mix up the notes

Polymer notes look alike: 10,000 and 100,000 dong, or 20,000 and 500,000. Keep large notes apart from small ones and check the value before paying — especially at night and in taxis.

A simple trick: drop three zeros in your head. “150k” or “150.000” means 150 thousand dong. To see the amount in your currency right away, point the price scanner at a tag or menu — the app recognizes “150.000” and shows the conversion on the picture.

ATMs

ATMs are common in cities and resorts. Each withdrawal is limited to a few million dong and carries a fee, so withdraw less often. If the ATM offers to charge you in your card’s currency at its own rate, decline and choose dong.

Prices and tipping

• Haggle at markets — the first price for tourists is often inflated.
• Use ride-hailing apps or the meter in taxis, or agree on the price first.
• Tipping isn’t required; rounding up in cafés is fine.

In short

1. Bring new dollars in large notes.
2. Exchange in town and compare with the market rate.
3. Watch the value of polymer notes.
4. Drop three zeros or use the price scanner.
5. Download rates before you go: the converter works offline.

Rules, limits and fees change — check current information before the trip.