Before traveling to Vietnam, Asian Moonlight Travel – one of the top travel agencies in Vietnam would like to give you some essential information regarding the currency and payment in the beautiful S-shaped country. Hereafter are some quick guides to money matters for tourists in Vietnam:

1. Currency in Vietnam:

The official currency of Vietnam is the Vietnamese Dong (VND)

There are numerous denominations of Vietnamese Dong in circulation, with the most commonly used including cotton banknotes of VND 1,000, VND 2,000, and VND 5,000, as well as polymer notes such as VND 10,000, VND 20,000, VND 50,000, VND 100,000, VND 200,000, and VND 500,000. However, the VND 1,000 banknote has become nearly obsolete due to its minimal purchasing power, especially since the introduction of polymer notes in 2003.

The Vietnamese Dong is generally the preferred currency for transactions in Vietnam. While some hotels, restaurants, tours, and services accept US dollars directly, it's important to note that using US dollars may result in a less favorable exchange rate. Prices for items like food, drinks, and souvenirs at airports might be displayed in US dollars, but paying in Vietnamese Dong is recommended to avoid potentially higher costs due to conversion at a less exchange rate.

Recently, there have been many clients be confused while using polymer notes because of their same color and too many “zero”. Let Asian Moonlight Travel give you some advices to recognize them correctly:

2. Payment in Vietnam: How to pay in Vietnam?

• Cash:

Most transactions in Vietnam are conducted in cash, especially in markets, small shops, and with street vendors. It's advisable to carry cash for these situations.

Most major currencies can be exchanged in Vietnam. US Dollars can be readily converted into Vietnamese Dong at banks, hotels, airport currency exchange counters, and jewelry shops. Similarly, other currencies such as Euros, Australian Dollars (AUD), and British Pounds (GBP) can also be exchanged at banks. It's recommended to exchange currency at banks, authorized exchange counters, or withdraw from ATMs to get the best rates. Airports and major hotels also offer currency exchange services, but rates might not be as favorable.

• Credit and Debit Cards

Major cities and tourist areas accept credit and debit cards at hotels, restaurants, and larger stores. Visa and MasterCard are the most widely accepted, followed by JCB and American Express to a lesser extent.

Please note that using cards may incur additional charges, such as foreign transaction fees or currency conversion fees. Always check with your bank and hotels/restaurants/shops… before using it.

• ATMs:

Widely available in cities and towns, ATMs are convenient for withdrawing Vietnamese dong using international debit or credit cards.

ATM fees vary, and your home bank might charge additional fees for international withdrawals. It's prudent to withdraw larger amounts to minimize transaction fees.

Some most popular ATM in Vietnam such as: Vietcombank, Vietinbank, BIDV, Agribank, Techcombank, VPBank, TPBank, MBBank, ACB, HSBC…

è Tips:

Currency Exchange: Use authorized exchange services to avoid counterfeit money.

Small Denominations: Keep smaller bills handy for taxis, street food, and markets.

Notify Your Bank: Inform your bank of your travel plans to avoid card issues due to foreign transactions.

Hopefully, this information can be useful for you to plan your trip to Vietnam. Please feel free to contact us if you need further information.