Information of Vietnam currency| Global Exchange (2024)

The dong is the official currency in Vietnam, although it arrived in different times to North Vietnam and South Vietnam, before the unification of the country.

Origins and history

The Vietnamese dong came in different stages to the country, first entering the North Area and then to the South.

This currency was first introduced to the country by the government of North Vietnam in 1946, replacing the piastra of the French Indochina. Two revaluations followed, one in 1951 and one in 1958.

Regarding South Vietnam in 1953 banknotes of piastras and dongs were printed and on the 22nd September 1975, after the fall of Saigon, the currency of this region was replaced by the new dong.

After the reunification of Vietnam on the 3rd May 1978, the dong also unified. The new dong equalled 1 dong of North Vietnam and 0.80 of South Vietnam. On the 14th September 1985 the dong was revaluated, equalling 10 old dongs. This event caused a cycle of inflation that would continue until the mid-nineties.

Current Vietnamese dong coins and banknotes

In 1978 the National Bank of Vietnam entered the first banknotes of 5 hao, 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 dongs, dated in 1976. In 1980 banknotes of 2 and 10 dongs were added, followed by 30 dongs and 100 dongs in 1981.

Up today, there have been five series of banknotes. Except for those of 2003, all previous series were mixed and did not have a unified design.

Currently, there are banknotes of 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, 100,000, 200,000 y 500,000 Vietnamese dongs.

Information of Vietnam currency| Global Exchange (1)

Regarding currencies, in 1978 there were aluminium coins in denominations of 1, 2 and 5 hao, dated from 1976. As a consequence of inflation, did not last very long.

Since 1986 there are commemorative coins in copper, tin, cupronickel, silver and gold. However they were never put in circulation.

On the 17th December 2003, the National Bank of Vietnam issued a new series of currencies. These are in denominations of 200, 500, 1000, 2000 and 5000 dong and are minted in Finland.

Interesting facts:

  • Before minting coins in 2003, Vietnamese had to exchange banknotes into tokens in order to purchase products in vending machines.
  • Since 2003 Vietnam has replaced all banknotes printed in cotton paper by polymer banknotes.
  • Between 1959 and 1975 the Vietnamese War took place as a consequence of the determination of communist guerrillas of South Vietnam (Vietcong), supported by North Vietnam to defeat the South Vietnamese government.
Information of Vietnam currency| Global Exchange (2024)

FAQs

How much is $1.00 USA change to Vietnam? ›

1 USD = 23,490.722461 VND Jun 06, 2023 11:33 UTC

Check the currency rates against all the world currencies here. The currency converter below is easy to use and the currency rates are updated frequently.

Should I use USD or Dong in Vietnam? ›

Vietnamese Dong or US Dollar, which is the best currency to use in Vietnam? Most payments are made with Vietnamese Dong, but US dollars can be directly used for some hotels, restaurants, tours, or other services. You may see the prices for food, drinks, and souvenirs in Ho Chi Minh City's airport are all in US dollars.

Should I exchange money before I travel to Vietnam? ›

TIP: It's a good idea to withdraw some extra cash before travelling to remote destinations in Vietnam, especially if you want to buy crafts or textiles directly from local artisans.

Is the US dollar good in Vietnam? ›

Due to the historical involvement of the United States in Vietnam and the country's dependence on tourism, it is fair to ask, “Will my US dollars work in Vietnam?” In short, the answer is yes. In the major cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, US dollars are widely accepted.

What can you get in Vietnam for $100? ›

In Vietnam, USD $100 Can Get You:
  • 15-18 nights in a budget hotel, or 5-8 nights in a three-star accommodation in Hanoi.
  • 15-20 mid-priced restaurant meals.
  • 1 one-way trip from Hanoi to Da Nang via Livitrans luxury train.
Jun 26, 2019

What can you buy with 20 000 dong in Vietnam? ›

Overall, Vietnam is still very affordable and there are plenty of things you can get for 20,000 dong or about a buck:
  • 1 day of bicycle rental.
  • 2 Vietnamese coffees with sweet condensed milk.
  • 15 minutes of air time on a Mobifone sim card.
  • 1 bowl of pho bo.
  • 1 small load of laundry.
  • 250 grams of candied ginger.
Nov 24, 2010

What is the best cash to take to Vietnam? ›

In short, when traveling to Vietnam, you should carry cash and VISA cards, this's the best choice. Vietnam Dong and USD are preferred to use in Vietnam. And, it is very easy to change USD into Dong at the banks in Vietnam.

How much cash should I bring to Vietnam? ›

For a more comfortable backpacker experience in Vietnam, it's best to budget around $50 per day. This way, you'll have more money to spend on things like food, drinks, activities and hotel rooms. For a comfortable mid-range experience in Vietnam, it's best to budget $60 to $100 per day for your entire costs.

How much money do you need for 2 weeks in Vietnam? ›

It depends on what kind of travelling you like to do; you will spend from just 600,000VND (~30 USD) for local style to over 1,400,000VND (~70USD) for luxury travel for 2 of you. It means that you should take 8,400,000VND (~420USD) to 19,600,000VND (~980USD) for spending during 2 weeks in Vietnam for food and drinks.

How many US dollars can I carry to Vietnam? ›

How much cash can I carry into Vietnam? Currently, there is no legal limit on the amount of cash you can bring to Vietnam (either for Vietnamese Dong or any other foreign currency).

How much USD can i carry to Vietnam? ›

CURRENCY RESTRICTIONS FOR ENTRY: None. However, Vietnamese Dong in excess of VND 150,000,000 or foreign currency in excess of 5,000 U.S. dollars or equivalent must be declared.

How much cash do I need for a week in Vietnam? ›

Recap
Luxury budget (for 1 person)Medium Budget (for 1 person)
Total (for 1 day)approximately $310 and upapproximately $95 and up
Total (for 1 week)approximately $2100 and up (including going on tour everyday and one souvenir item)approximately $630 and up (including going on tour everyday and one souvenir item)
5 more rows

Should you carry cash in Vietnam? ›

Credit cards are widely accepted but, in rural areas particularly, you should carry cash as a back-up. It may be difficult to cash travellers' cheques.

How much does a meal cost in Vietnam? ›

Two people can enjoy a full local-style meal of rice or noodles, meat, vegetables, and a couple of draft beers for less than $5. For comparison, ordering one deluxe hamburger, fries, and a bottle of imported beer at a Western-style restaurant will cost between $8 and $11.

Where is the best place to exchange money in Vietnam? ›

Exchange money in Vietnam

Banks and money changers at the airport often exchange money for bad prices. The most favorable exchange rates are often at a jeweler in the old quarter of Hanoi or behind Ben Thanh market in Ho Chi Minh City. Before you change money, always calculate whether you will receive a favorable rate.

Is gold cheap in Vietnam? ›

Gold in Vietnam is more expensive than the world price but jewellery work is usually cheaper for the reason as in #1 above.

Is Vietnam cheap for shopping? ›

As a general rule of thumb, the more luxurious and verifiable the item, the less you'll save in Vietnam. If you go to a high-end retailer, the prices will look similar to London or Paris or Milan. The real savings come from shopping at local markets and boutique shops.

How much money is considered rich in Vietnam? ›

The average wealth of people in the top 5% of the richest population in 2021 is 316,658 USD (equivalent to 7.8 billion VND), top 10% richest is 181,132 USD (equivalent to 4.1 billion VND). Meanwhile, the average wealth of the poorest 50% of the population is only 3,429 USD (nearly 78 million VND).

How much is it to buy a house in Vietnam? ›

In Vietnam, a 50m2 downtown house costs at least around $500,000, sometimes even higher. However, the average income of Vietnamese is just over $3,000 a year. Thus, it will take us more than 160 years-worth of income to purchase a house.

Is 1 million Vietnamese Dong a lot? ›

While that's technically true, having a million đồng does not make you wealthy. At the time of this writing, for example, 1 million đồng is worth about $43 U.S. dollars. That is roughly the amount that a tourist would spend per day vacationing in Hanoi.

What to bring to Vietnam from USA as a gift? ›

Ideas for Gift Giving in Vietnam

If it is for children, chocolate, candies, toys, or lucky money are the best. If you visit someone's house, bring along fruits, liquids, or a box of confectionery. For charitable organizations, it is better to donate clothes, books, food, and other necessities.

What ATM should I use in Vietnam? ›

There are a number of international banks operating in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with 24hour cash withdrawal facilities. Most ATMs enables you to get cash from VISA, MASTER CARD, Cirrus, Maestro, Plus and JCB network. Under Vietnamese law, ATM may only dispense cash in Vietnamese Dong.

Are ATMs free in Vietnam? ›

You are always charged when withdrawing money from ATMs from local banks. Use cards issued by foreign banks such as ANZ, Citibank, Advance or Premier HSBC, and find ATMs from the same banks to avoid ATM costs.

How much money do I need for 3 weeks in Vietnam? ›

Three Weeks

This route cuts down on travel costs as the only expense there would be renting a motorbike, which is quite easy to do in Hanoi Old Quarter or Pham Ngu Lao in Ho Chi Minh. You shouldn't spend more than $4-$6 per day. Three weeks could be done as cheaply as $800, but more realistically aim for $1,500.

How much do you tip in Vietnam? ›

Tipping is not part of the culture in Vietnam, and you are not required to tip anywhere. There will be a service charge for more upscale restaurants. People more accustomed to receiving tips are tour guides and in Western style hotels.

How much money can I bring to Vietnam per person? ›

Thank you for contacting us. Basing on Vietnam customs regulation, foreign currency (including cash, coin and travelers' cheques) in excess of US$7,000 must be declared at customs upon arrival with supported appropriate documentation.

How much is a massage in Vietnam? ›

Body massage price

The price range for a full body massage in Hanoi can be between $20(VND500,000) to as high as $80 (VND1,850,000).

How many days are enough for Vietnam? ›

Travelers with limited time can rejoice that Vietnam is small enough to experience the highlights in just a few days. That said, the ideal timeframe is about 10 days, as it takes at least this long to immerse yourself in Vietnam's rich culture.

What can you not bring into Vietnam? ›

Items that you cannot bring into Vietnam include weapons, munitions, explosives and inflammables, firecracker of all kinds, opium and drugs, toxic chemicals, and cultural materials unsuitable to Vietnamese society (p*rnographic seditious publications, films and photos), harmful child toys.

How many dollars can a US citizen carry to USA? ›

There is no maximum limit, however, any amount exceeding $10,000 USD must be declared upon arrival on both the Form 6059B and FinCEN 105. All forms must be filled in completely and truthfully. The penalties for inaccurate declaration and non-compliance can be severe including heavy fines and/or confiscation of funds.

How much dollar cash can you carry on a plane? ›

You can fly with any amount of cash. No law prohibits you from bringing any amount of money on a flight. Likewise, TSA has no rules that limit how much money you can bring through security. In other words, TSA has no cash limit per person.

Do US citizens need a visa for Vietnam? ›

Do United States Citizens Need a Visa to Vietnam? Yes. All US citizens need a visa to enter Vietnam for business or leisure trips.

Can I get a Vietnam visa on arrival? ›

Visa on arrival is available for Air travelers. Those arriving by land or cruise are required to contact the local Vietnam embassy to get a full Vietnam visa before departure. Visa on arrival must be picked up at Vietnam airports after landing.

What is the average paycheck in Vietnam? ›

The average salary in Vietnam is 17.2 million Vietnamese Dong (VND) per month or 733 USD/month (according to the exchange rates in May 2023) — which is significantly lower than the average salaries in countries like the USA or UK.

How much usd would i need to live for a month in Vietnam? ›

💥 Cost of living in Vietnam (in 2022) : average in USD

Plan a minimum budget of $700/month if you are young or do not spend a lot. Your expenses may be up to $1,000/month if you want to be able to travel, enjoy the nightlife a bit more.

How much money do I need to live in Vietnam for a month? ›

Cost of Living in Vietnam: $700 to $1,400 per month

How much does it cost to live in Vietnam? $700 on the low end of the range, up to $1,400 for mid-range expats. This averages living costs across many months—you may spend more getting set up, but many expats average $1,000 per month.

Should I carry my passport with me in Vietnam? ›

7. Most Hotels Will Ask To Keep Your Passport (But don't let them!) Many hotels will ask to keep your passport during your stay. Allowing someone else to keep your passport is risky, however, because they are not the ones who will be inconvenienced if your passport is lost or stolen.

Do I need to bring toilet paper to Vietnam? ›

Bring enough for your stay. Toilet paper – It may be beneficial to keep toilet paper with you while traveling, especially on long bus rides. Most hotels, hostels and restaurants in the city have conventional toilets but many bus stop bathrooms have squatting-style toilets without toilet paper.

Should I take luggage or backpack to Vietnam? ›

You can easily travel around Vietnam with either a backpack or a suitcase and both are suitable. However, You may find that some footpaths can become quite obstructed with scooters and street food vendors so if you plan on taking your bags far, then a rucksack would be best.

Is Vietnam friendly to foreigners? ›

Vietnam's culture demands that you observe certain rules, although the Vietnamese are generally forgiving of unintentional faux pas and very welcoming to foreign visitors. Generally, Vietnamese people are very appreciative if they see you knowing and trying to abide by the customs.

How much is a Big Mac meal in Vietnam? ›

In Vietnam, for example, the burger costs 69,000 dong. Although that sounds like an awful lot, you can get a lot of dong for your dollar and, therefore, a lot of bang for your buck in Vietnam. You can buy 69,000 dong for only $3 on the foreign-exchange market.

How much is a bottle of water in Vietnam? ›

How much things cost in Vietnam?
ItemsUSD - AUD - CADVietnam Dong
Bia Hoi - Glass$0.35VND 7,000
Canned beer - Heneiken$0.75VND 15,000
Bottled water - 0.5l$0.25VND 5,000
Milk - 180ml$0.30VND 6,000
6 more rows

What is 50 cents worth in Vietnam? ›

CENT to VND
AmountToday at 3:30 pm
50 CENT₫1,003.47
100 CENT₫2,006.94
500 CENT₫10,034.72
1,000 CENT₫20,069.44
4 more rows

How much is $20 US in Vietnam? ›

Are you overpaying your bank?
Conversion rates US Dollar / Vietnamese Dong
20 USD470000.00000 VND
50 USD1175000.00000 VND
100 USD2350000.00000 VND
250 USD5875000.00000 VND
8 more rows

How much is $500 US in Vietnam? ›

11745000.00000 VND

Why is Vietnam currency so cheap? ›

The dong has been devalued five times since 2014 with the aim of boosting exports and ensuring currency stability to control high inflation. The value of the currency is influenced by Vietnam's trade flows, foreign currency reserves, economic growth, interest rates and inflation, as well as US monetary policy.

What is the best currency to bring to Vietnam? ›

In short, when traveling to Vietnam, you should carry cash and VISA cards, this's the best choice. Vietnam Dong and USD are preferred to use in Vietnam. And, it is very easy to change USD into Dong at the banks in Vietnam.

How much usd can i carry to Vietnam? ›

CURRENCY RESTRICTIONS FOR ENTRY: None. However, Vietnamese Dong in excess of VND 150,000,000 or foreign currency in excess of 5,000 U.S. dollars or equivalent must be declared.

How much US dollars to retire in Vietnam? ›

Many expats live comfortably in Vietnam on less than $1200 per month. Regardless if your tastes are modest or luxury, your living costs are less than what you would spend in a MCOL city in the US.

Can I brush my teeth with tap water in Vietnam? ›

Can I Brush My Teeth with Tap Water in Vietnam? In the urban area, yes. Rinsing or brushing your teeth with tap water in Vietnam is fine, as long as you don't swallow a significant amount of it.

How much is 5 million Vietnam dong to dollars? ›

Convert Vietnamese Dong to US Dollar
VNDUSD
400,000,000 VND$17,020.00
450,000,000 VND$19,147.50
500,000,000 VND$21,275.00

How much is 10 million vietnam in dollars? ›

How much is ₫10,000,000.00 – the ten million 🇻🇳 dongs is worth $425.80 (USD) today or 💵 four hundred twenty-five us dollars 80 cents as of 13:00PM UTC. We utilize mid-market currency rates to convert VND against USD currency pair. The current exchange rate is 0.000040.

How much is $1000 in Vietnam? ›

23486500.00000 VND

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Mr. See Jast

Last Updated:

Views: 5728

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (75 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Mr. See Jast

Birthday: 1999-07-30

Address: 8409 Megan Mountain, New Mathew, MT 44997-8193

Phone: +5023589614038

Job: Chief Executive

Hobby: Leather crafting, Flag Football, Candle making, Flying, Poi, Gunsmithing, Swimming

Introduction: My name is Mr. See Jast, I am a open, jolly, gorgeous, courageous, inexpensive, friendly, homely person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.