All You Need to Know About Currency in Vietnam
What is the currency in Vietnam?
Vietnamese Dong or US Dollar, which is the best currency to use in Vietnam?
Most payments are made in Vietnamese Dong, but US dollars can be used directly for some hotels, restaurants, tours or other services. You can see that the prices of food, drinks and souvenirs at the Ho Chi Minh City airport are all in US dollars. However, payments in US dollars are not recommended, as they will be converted at a lower exchange rate and you will end up paying more.
Where to change money in Vietnam?
Banks: You can exchange foreign currencies and checks in the safest place - banks like Eximbank, Vietcombank, Vietinbank, Agribank, ... around the city. But it is a slow process and you will be charged a commission of 0.5% to 2%. And if your note is dirty or damaged, you will have to pay an additional 2% of its value.
Hotels: You can get more competitive rates by changing your currency at large hotels, close to the bank. And small hotels may charge a service fee.
Airports: You will find several currency exchange counters upon arrival at Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City airports. However, the exchange rate is playing at a disadvantage here. Therefore, it is best to exchange a small amount to cover the taxi fare and go to town for a better rate.
Gold and Jewelry Stores: You can head to the gold and jewelry stores, usually red and yellow, on every main street for better deals. No fees, the exchange rate is significantly better than the exchange rate at hotels, banks and airports.
You can check rates and use online currency converters, and ask around to choose the best deal. In recent years, the exchange rate of Vietnamese Dong to US Dollar has ranged from 22,500 to 23,500 VND. At the time of this writing, 1 US Dollar is equivalent to 23,212 VND.
Can I use cards in Vietnam?
Debit and credit cards like Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted in Vietnam, especially in hotels or shopping malls, but probably not suitable for a roadside stall or a noodle house. You may be charged a 3%–4% commission if paying with plastic.
How to withdraw cash at ATMs in Vietnam?
ATMs are available in major cities and tourist areas of Vietnam, but it is not easy to find ATMs with chips and batteries. Therefore, it is best to carry a card with a magnetic stripe on the back. ATMs only distribute VDN. When you withdraw money from an ATM, all foreign currencies will be automatically converted to VND based on the bank's exchange rate at that time.
Limited ATMs. Usually the maximum amount is from 2,000,000 VND to 5,000,000 VND; VND 8,000,000 to 10,000,000 for some global banks; or up to 2,000,000 VND in districts. Fees also vary from bank to bank. Most banks charge a fee of 40,000 to 100,000 VND ($2–5) each time. ANZ or Citibank is recommended as they charge the lowest transaction fees.
It's best to use an ATM that is connected to your bank and be wary of anything or anyone suspicious nearby. Always check the card slot before inserting the card.
How much money do I need in Vietnam?
Hotels: Usually, the price of budget hotels is USD 25–50 per night; If you choose to stay at more modest accommodations like a guesthouse, the price is around USD10–20 per night.
Transportation: Domestic airfare for round trips should be not more than USD 150 within the country if you book in advance. Train fares are USD 5–60 while bus fares are a little lower at USD 1.5–50 depending on the class and distance. The average price of a taxi is USD 0.4–0.48 per km.
Food: You can have lunch or dinner at USD 8–15 per person and USD 3–4 for breakfast. For common Vietnamese dishes, the price may be as low as USD 1–5 per dish.
Tour Activities: Expect to pay USD 20–40 for a day trip in Vietnam, including a shuttle service. And the price is about USD 120–200 for a 2D1N Halong Bay Cruise.
Therefore, USD 40 per day or less is enough for backpackers. If you want to have a more comfortable holiday, you can prepare USD 50–100 per day. If you like to wake up in a luxury hotel, it's easy to find 5-star hotels to match a budget of more than USD 200 a day.
How to bargain in Vietnam?
Is it customary to tip in Vietnam?
Hotel: You can give a small bonus to the cleaning staff and porters if you want. But a service charge of 5% –10% may already be added to your bill at major hotels.
Restaurant: Locals don't tip. A service fee of 5% –10% may be charged on your bill.
Guide and Driver: A tip of a few dollars a day is reasonable if you think they did a good job of making your trip memorable, but you should do it.
More tips for changing and using money in Vietnam
1. Don't change money on the black market as it is probably just the lead-up to a scam.
2. Don't change too much money at one time, or you will need a suitcase to carry your Vietnamese Dong around.
3. Don't accept any damaged notes from others, as it will be hard for you to use them again.
4. Check the polymer material, hidden image element and embossing to ensure you receive genuine notes.
5. The new polymer notes easily stick to each other, so count your money carefully and try not to pay more money than you need.
Related tour
The panoramic view of Ha Long Bay on Bell helicopter will definitely be a wonderful feeling not to be missed in your life.
Departure day: 4D3N
Departure: Hanoi City
Arrival: Ha Long Bay
Regions: Northern Vietnam
Type: Classic Tours
Departure day: 7D6N
Departure: Hanoi City
Arrival: Ba Na Hills
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Type: Classic Tours
Departure day: 8D7N
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Arrival: Mekong river
Regions: Northern Vietnam
Type: Classic Tours
Departure day: 1D0N
Departure: Hanoi City
Arrival: Hanoi City
Regions: Northern Vietnam
Type: Daily Tour
Begin the third day with a comfortable transfer from your hotel in Hanoi to Ha Long Bay. Arrive at Ha Long Bay's Tuan Chau Pier, where you'll board your cruise ship
Set sail across the emerald waters of Halong Bay, surrounded by towering limestone karsts and islets. Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views as you make your way towards Bo Hon Island, one of the bay's most scenic spots.
Departure day: 5D4N
Departure: Hanoi City
Arrival: Hanoi City
Regions: Northern Vietnam
Type: Classic Tours
Countinue your journey to Halong Bay, surrounded by towering limestone karsts and islets. Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views as you make your way towards Bo Hon Island, one of the bay's most scenic spots.
The end of the tour, you will visit Da Nang where considered the symbol of urban hustle and bustle in the Central region of Vietnam. Visiting this city, you can get a lot of exciting tourism experiences and have a chance to enjoy many unique dishes.
Departure day: 6D5N
Departure: Hanoi City
Arrival: Ba Na Hills
Regions: Northern Vietnam
Type: Classic Tours
Departure day: 7D6N
Departure: Hanoi City
Arrival: Ha Long Bay
Regions: Northern Vietnam
Type: Classic Tours
Departure day: 7D6N
Departure: Hanoi City
Arrival: Mekong river
Regions: Northern Vietnam
Type: Classic Tours
Departure day: 10D9N
Departure: Ho Chi Minh City
Arrival: Ha Long Bay
Regions: Northern Vietnam
Type: Classic Tours
Departure day: 1D0N
Departure: Hanoi City
Arrival: Huong pagoda
Regions: Northern Vietnam
Type: Daily Tour
Departure day: 12D11N
Departure: Ho Chi Minh City
Arrival: Hanoi City
Regions: Northern Vietnam
Type: Luxury Tour,Classic Tours
Departure day: 1D0N
Departure: Ha Noi City
Arrival: Ha Noi City
Regions: Northern Vietnam
Type: Food Tour
Departure day: 1D0N
Departure: Ha Noi City
Arrival: Ha Noi City
Regions: Northern Vietnam
Type: Food Tour
Departure day: 1D0N
Departure: Ha Noi City
Arrival: Ha Noi City
Regions: Northern Vietnam
Type: Food Tour
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