Quick answer: the currency in Vietnam is the Vietnamese dong (VND, symbol ₫). One US dollar buys roughly 25,800 dong, so 100 USD is about 2.6 million VND and the largest note, 500,000 VND, is worth about 19 USD. Cash is still the default for street food, markets, taxis and small shops, while cards work in hotels, malls, many restaurants and for tours and flights. The simplest plan is to withdraw dong from an ATM after you land and use a card for larger bills.
Exchange rates move every day, so use the figure above as a rough guide and check a live rate before you exchange. This guide covers the notes, how cash and cards compare, mobile payments and a few habits that save money. For detailed bank-by-bank ATM fees and exchange options, we link to separate guides instead of repeating them here.
Vietnam Currency: The Vietnamese Dong (VND)
Vietnam’s only legal tender is the Vietnamese dong, written VND or ₫. Prices are quoted in thousands, so a coffee at 35,000 VND is about 1.35 USD. Dong is hard to get outside Vietnam, so plan to get it after you arrive, by withdrawing from an ATM or exchanging cash at a bank or an authorized exchange counter. Spend or exchange back what you have left before you fly, because dong is difficult to use or sell abroad.
A quick calculation helps with the many zeros: at about 25,800 VND per dollar, 1 million VND is roughly 39 USD, 100,000 VND is roughly 3.90 USD and 10,000 VND is roughly 0.39 USD.
Vietnam Currency Notes: Vietnamese Dong Banknotes
Vietnam uses banknotes only, since coins are not used in daily life. Notes from 10,000 VND upward are printed on polymer plastic, and small notes of 1,000 to 5,000 VND are uncommon. Several notes look alike at a glance, so the most common mistake is confusing the zeros.
| Note | Rough value in USD | Main color (approximate) | Easy to confuse with |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10,000 VND | 0.39 | Yellow-brown | 100,000 VND |
| 20,000 VND | 0.78 | Blue | 500,000 VND |
| 50,000 VND | 1.94 | Pink | 200,000 VND |
| 100,000 VND | 3.88 | Green | 10,000 VND |
| 200,000 VND | 7.75 | Red-brown | 50,000 VND |
| 500,000 VND | 19.40 | Blue | 20,000 VND |
Colors are approximate, so count the zeros every time you pay, and ask for change in smaller notes. Many vendors will not break a 500,000 VND note for a small purchase, so keep a stock of 10,000, 20,000 and 50,000 VND notes for street food, taxis and tips.
A quick way to convert prices in your head: cross out the last three zeros and divide by about 26. So 50,000 VND is about $2, 200,000 VND is about $8 and a 500,000 VND note is about $19.
Cash or Card: How to Pay With Vietnam Currency
For everyday spending, Vietnam currency in cash is king, but cards are increasingly accepted where you spend the most money. Here is how the two compare:
| Where you pay | Cash | Card |
|---|---|---|
| Hotels and resorts | Accepted, often for deposits | Widely accepted; ask whether there is a card surcharge |
| Restaurants | Needed at street stalls and small places | Common in mid-range and upscale places |
| Malls and supermarkets | Accepted | Widely accepted |
| Street food, markets, small shops | Usually required | Rarely accepted |
| Taxis and ride-hailing | Possible with Grab and taxis | Grab accepts cards in the app; meters usually need cash |
| Tours, flights, activities | Sometimes | Usually accepted online |
Common mistake: assuming cards work everywhere. Away from big cities, always carry cash as a backup, and keep some in your hotel safe rather than carrying everything with you. When a card machine asks whether to pay in your home currency or in VND, choose VND. Choosing your home currency (dynamic currency conversion) usually gives the merchant’s rate, which is worse.
For how much cash to carry day to day, see our Vietnam budget guide. When you book Phu Quoc activities such as the Ngoc Hien pearl farm, the Sim Sơn winery or VinWonders and Safari, check at the time of booking whether payment is by card or cash.
ATMs: Getting Vietnam Currency in Cash
ATMs are common in cities, towns, airports and tourist areas. When you withdraw Vietnam currency, the key things to know are that most machines limit each withdrawal to a few million dong, so a large amount means several withdrawals and several fees, and that fees depend on both the Vietnamese bank and your home bank. Banks change their ATM fees and limits often, so we keep the current comparison in our best ATMs in Vietnam guide rather than listing it here.
Withdrawal fees are usually a flat amount, so the size of the withdrawal matters. A flat fee of 50,000 VND on a 3,000,000 VND withdrawal costs about 1.7%, while the same fee on 10,000,000 VND costs 0.5%. One larger withdrawal is cheaper than several small ones, as long as the machine allows it.
- Withdraw the largest amount the machine allows, within reason, to reduce the number of fees.
- Use a card from a bank or fintech that reimburses or waives international ATM fees, if you have one.
- Decline any conversion offer on the ATM screen and choose to be charged in VND.
- In smaller towns and remote areas, ATMs are fewer and can run out of cash, so withdraw before you leave the city.
Mobile Payments Beyond Vietnam Currency in Cash
Vietnam is a QR-code payment country, so Vietnam currency is often paid digitally by residents, and local wallets such as MoMo, ZaloPay and VNPay are popular with residents. They are built around Vietnamese bank accounts and phone numbers, so most visitors cannot rely on them. Apple Pay has been available in Vietnam since 2023, but it works with cards issued by Vietnamese banks, and acceptance of foreign-issued cards in Apple Pay or Google Pay is less predictable, so treat tapping your phone as a bonus rather than your main plan.
Exchanging Vietnam Currency: Where and When
Exchange only the Vietnam currency you need. Banks and authorized exchange counters are the safest places, and you may need your passport. Airport and hotel counters are convenient but typically give worse rates, so change just enough for your first taxi or train. Gold shops (tiệm vàng) are often mentioned as an easy place to exchange, but foreign currency can legally be exchanged only at banks and authorized agents, and unlicensed exchange can carry penalties, so we recommend banks and licensed counters. Our guide to exchanging money in Vietnam lists the options.
US dollars are the most widely exchanged foreign currency, and euros are also accepted at many counters. Bring clean, undamaged notes, since exchanges can refuse torn or marked bills, and newer large-denomination notes tend to get better rates than old small ones.
Practical Tips for Handling Vietnam Currency
- Carry a mix. Keep a few hundred thousand dong in small notes for daily spending and use a card for larger bills.
- Count the zeros. Whatever Vietnam currency you handle, check every note against the amount you owe before handing it over.
- Compare rates. Look up the live VND rate on your phone before exchanging.
- Tell your bank. Let your bank know you are traveling to reduce the risk of a blocked card.
- Keep a backup. Hold some USD or a second card separately from your main wallet.
- Tip in small notes. See our tipping guide.
- Use Grab with a card. Our Grab guide explains payment in the app.
For hotels, the same cash and card rules apply: card at check-in is normal, and some small places ask for cash. If you are still choosing where to stay, see our guides to the best hotels in Phu Quoc, Da Nang and Nha Trang. For your first days, our first day in Vietnam guide and travel checklist cover money steps on arrival.
Vietnam Currency FAQ
What currency is used in Vietnam?
The Vietnamese dong (VND, ₫). It is the only legal tender, and prices in shops and restaurants are in dong.
Should I bring USD or VND to Vietnam?
Bring a card and a small amount of clean USD as a backup. Dong is hard to buy outside Vietnam, so plan to withdraw it from an ATM or exchange at a bank or authorized counter after you land.
Can I use US dollars in Vietnam?
Some hotels and tour operators quote or accept USD, but the exchange rate is usually poor and local businesses mostly want dong. Pay in VND where you can.
Can I use my credit card at ATMs in Vietnam?
Yes, Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted at ATMs, and some machines also take other networks. Check your own bank’s foreign fees before you go.
Is Vietnam cash or card?
Both, depending on where you are. Cards work in hotels, malls and many restaurants, while street food, markets and small shops usually need cash.
Is Apple Pay accepted in Vietnam?
Apple Pay is available in Vietnam, but it is set up around cards issued by Vietnamese banks. With a foreign card, do not rely on it, and carry a physical card and cash.
Are there ATMs in remote areas of Vietnam?
In cities, yes. In remote areas there are fewer, and they may run out of cash, so withdraw before you leave a city.
Can I use Revolut, Wise or similar cards in Vietnam?
Generally yes, since they run on Visa or Mastercard networks, and they can reduce foreign fees. Check each provider’s current ATM limits and fees.
Final Verdict on Vietnam Currency
The simplest and safest strategy for Vietnam currency is cash for daily expenses and a card for hotels and tours. Withdraw dong from ATMs as you go, keep a small stash of USD for emergencies and exchange money at banks or authorized counters rather than at airports or hotels unless you are in a hurry.
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