A guide to money in Vietnam
Money – how much to bring, where to get it, how to exchange it – is a task on everyone’s holiday prep list. So, let’s make it simple.
In this post, we’ll explain everything you need to know about money in Vietnam – so that you can focus on getting excited about the more fun parts of your trip: where to go, what to pack and what to eat.
Currency in Vietnam (dollars vs. dong)
The official Vietnamese currency is the dong (VND).
The highest denomination note in Vietnamese dong is 500,000 VND – but be careful, as it looks very much like the 20,000 VND note! Other notes are: 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, 100,000 and 200,000 VND.
For up-to-date VND conversion rates into your currency, we suggest checking XE.
Changing cash in Vietnam
If you're wondering whether to exchange cash at home, in country, or to withdraw it from an ATM when you arrive, the answer depends on your banking preference and if you like to travel with cash.
If you can exchange for dong easily in your home country, we recommend doing so. But, you do have plenty of options to get hold of dong in Vietnam.
Withdrawing from ATMs
Airports have lots of ATMs meaning you can take cash out on arrival in Vietnam – and you tend to get a better exchange rate from a Vietnamese ATM than at home, although worse than if you exchange at banks and hotels. If you use an international bank (like HSBC or ANZ) the exchange rates can be slightly more favourable than local banks.
The downside is that some ATMs charge transaction fees (either a flat fee or a percentage of what your withdraw).
Digital banking apps
Money transfer apps that work with global currencies and have a debit card (like Revolut, Wise or Monzo) are a great option. These have favourable exchange rates and keep your primary bank account separate.
Exchanging money in Vietnam
You can exchange cash in Vietnam at many hotels, banks and bureau de change.
US dollars are by far the most widely accepted foreign currency for exchange in Vietnam, followed (very distantly) by the Euro. So if, for whatever reason, you're caught without dong, most hotels accept US dollars (but exchange rates are generally not good).
British pounds, Canadian dollars and Australian dollars are not widely accepted, and where they are, the exchange rate is usually terrible.
If you need a Visa on Arrival (VOA) in Vietnam you must bring enough cash to pay for it in USD – no other form of payment is accepted (however most people now use the e-visa system).
Card vs. cash in Vietnam
Vietnam remains a predominantly cash-based society, and many restaurants and shops (with the exception of large international chains) will not accept plastic. Instead, it’s best to carry enough cash for everyday transactions.
Despite the lack of card facilities in many establishments, ATMs are common in Vietnam cities – but stock up before you head out to more rural areas. Even though exchange rates aren't always the best (see above), this is a convenient and reliable way to withdraw cash if you need to top up.
So, how much cash should I bring to Vietnam?
How much you spend a day is completely up to you, but most travellers find that Vietnam is extremely affordable. Your money can go a long way – especially if you’re prepared to haggle.
It's a good idea to bring an additional wad of emergency cash (we recommend around 200 USD - exchanged in your home country, if necessary) tucked away somewhere in case anything goes awry.
Should I tip in Vietnam?
Tipping is not generally the done thing in Vietnam, but the practice has become more common in areas frequented by tourists. As a rule of thumb, you aren’t expected to tip at restaurants or in taxis, but if a local guide, driver or boat crew has provided you with good service, they'd certainly appreciate a tip.
If you decide to tip a guide or driver, it’s customary to give the tip (sometimes in an envelope) at the end of the time spent with them.
Should I haggle in Vietnam?
Haggling is customary in Vietnam (much more so than its more reserved neighbours, Laos and Cambodia) and you will find that bargaining and negotiation is going on all around you.
It’s a fun way to get involved in local culture while picking up some bargains along the way, but don’t get too carried away. At the end of the day, that last 10,000 dong is going to be worth a lot more to the seller than it is to you.
Ready to travel to Vietnam? Get inspired by some of our favourite routes or get in touch to discuss your ideas with one of our Vietnam holiday travel specialists.
