If you travel to Vietnam, you should carry Vietnam Dong or USD.
Vietnam Dong is officially used in this country, which has become the best currency used in Vietnam. However, this money has many 0 (zero) numbers, causing many tourists to feel confused about using it.
USD is the second one, but you need to exchange it at the banks or the money exchange stations at the airports in Vietnam.
Here is more information about currency to take to Vietnam when you explore this beautiful country.
It is easy for you to go shopping or pay the bill in hotels and small restaurants by using Dong or VND.
Using Cash
Vietnam is a country, where people still like to use cash, although the government encourages using credit cards, ATMs, Visa, or other methods without cash.
You will find most small shops and restaurants do not have machines to accept money from debit or credit cards. However, most hotels and travel companies accept your card or online payment.
The currency in Vietnam is the Vietnam Dong (VND), widely used in the country. And, most of the local people are “millionaires”, and you too because of VND having a lot of Zero. The biggest note is 500,000 VND (=nearly 20 USD).
Besides, US dollars are accepted in Vietnam in most hotels, tourist restaurants, and tourist shops in the big cities; however, it is too hard to spend in the local restaurants and markets.
Euro, Pound, or other money is not widely used in Vietnam but can be exchanged or accepted in a few places.
How to change these currencies into Vietnam Dong? See the next guide below, please!
Exchange your money for Vietnam Dong:
As Vietnamdrive mentioned above, USD can be used in Vietnam. USD is very easy to change at many places in Vietnam, such as banks, hotels, or gold shops – which are allowed to exchange.
Please note that the banks of Vietnam are the top places to exchange although some gold shops have a higher rate and quicker services, it’s risky to exchange at the shops.
For other money, such as the Euro, Pound, and others, you should change at the banks.
You can find some top banks such as Vietcombank, Vietinbank, BIDV for Vietnamese banks in most of the cities in Vietnam, and ANZ, HSBC, or Citibank for international banks in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.
The exchange rate at Vietcombank
Use VISA, Credit and Debit cards
You can use these cards to pay for your services in Vietnam, just in the big cities and at some big restaurants, shops, or hotels.
Nowadays, it is easy to use VISA cards, credit or Debit cards to take money from ATMs in Vietnam.
With many guests’ experience, VISA cards are the easiest cards to take money from the ATMs of Vietnamese banks.
>> If you come from the US, please check a Vietnam visa for US citizens.
Carry traveler cheques
Although traveler cheques are accepted in Vietnam, only in the big cities, the big hotels, and some banks. These cheques are not popular to use in Vietnam.
Thus, you can get in trouble when you have only traveler cheques left.
In short, when traveling to Vietnam, you should carry cash and VISA cards – these financial methods are the best choice.
Vietnam Dong and USD are preferred to use in Vietnam. Also, it is easy to change USD into Dong at the banks in Vietnam.