🇻🇳 Vietnam · VND
Vietnam uses the dong (VND, shown as d), a currency with enormous numbers that easily trips up visitors. Cash rules for street food, markets and small vendors, and the lookalike high-value notes plus all those zeros make careful counting essential.
The dong (VND) comes in very large numbers, with common notes of 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, 100,000, 200,000 and 500,000. The polymer 20,000 and 500,000 notes are similar shades, and 10,000 vs 200,000 can also be confused, so check each note carefully. Prices are often quoted in thousands (e.g. '50' meaning 50,000).
Cash is dominant for street food, markets, taxis and small shops, while cards work in hotels, malls and tourist restaurants (sometimes with a surcharge). Always carry enough cash, and break large notes when you can since vendors often lack change. Keep small notes handy for parking, drinks and street vendors.
Reputable gold/jewellery shops and licensed money changers in cities often give excellent rates, typically better than banks, and US dollars are widely accepted for exchange. Bring clean, newer bills, as worn notes may be refused. Always count the dong carefully because the many zeros make errors (honest or not) easy.
Airport counters in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang give weak rates; change just enough for a taxi or ride-hail into town. Exchange the rest at a trusted city changer or withdraw from an ATM. Note some airport SIM/taxi touts quote in confusing amounts, so confirm prices clearly.
ATMs are common in cities; many cap foreign-card withdrawals at around 2-3 million VND and charge a fee, though banks like TPBank often allow larger amounts. Withdraw the maximum to reduce per-transaction fees, choose bank ATMs, and always select to be billed in VND. Carry backup cash for rural areas where ATMs are scarce.
Tipping is not traditional but is increasingly appreciated, especially in tourism. Upmarket restaurants may add a service charge, so check first; otherwise rounding up or leaving small change is welcome. Small tips for guides, drivers, spa staff and hotel porters are a kind gesture and increasingly expected in tourist hubs.
The classic trap is the confusing notes: vendors or taxi drivers may exploit the similar-looking 20,000/500,000 or hand back 10,000 instead of 100,000, so count slowly and check colours. Watch for 'no change' tactics and inflated taxi fares; use Grab or reputable meter taxis. Decline dynamic currency conversion and confirm whether prices are in thousands before paying.
Rely on cash daily and withdraw a few million dong at a time from bank ATMs as you travel. Keep a buffer for rural areas, smaller towns and islands where ATMs may be limited. Always maintain a supply of small notes for street food, parking and quick purchases.
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