Vietnam Currency – The Basics
Vietnam Dong - VND
The official Vietnam currency is the Vietnamese Dong, abbreviated as VND. In some contexts, the currency is also written using the symbol “₫“.
Appearance and Denominations
- Banknotes: VND comes in a variety of colorful banknotes, with denominations including 500 VND, 1,000 VND, 2,000 VND, 5,000 VND, 10,000 VND, 20,000 VND, 50,000 VND, 100,000 VND, 200,000 VND, and 500,000 VND. While the VNDs with the value under 10,000 are made of cotton paper, the others with the value from 10,000 VND are made of polymer paper. Also note that many places in Vietnam don’t accept 200 VND notes anymore.
- Coins: Coins are less common but come in 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, and 5,000 VND. Though the Vietnamese government has not officially announced to stop using the coins, most of the places in Vietnam don’t accept coins anymore
- Features: Each note is distinct in color and size for easy identification, often decorated with historical and cultural symbols of Vietnam, the front side of all currency Vietnam Dong notes is printed with an image of President Ho Chi Minh City.
Distinguishing Vietnamese Dong (VND) banknotes
As mentioned in the previous part: Vietnam currency coins are not accepted in many places in Vietnam anymore. That’s why we will only focus on the Vietnam Dong banknotes, and only the notes that are currently used in Vietnam. Distinguishing Vietnamese Dong (VND) banknotes can be a bit challenging for travelers unfamiliar with the currency. Each note has distinct characteristics in terms of color, size, and the images depicted. Here’s a breakdown of the banknotes ranging from 200 VND to 500,000 VND:
200 VND Note
- Color: Orange
- Size: 130 × 65 mm
- Back image: Agricultural production in the countryside of Vietnam
- Material: Cotton paper
- Usage: The smallest one in Vietnam currency at the moment. Rarely used, primarily as souvenirs due to small value
500 VND Note
- Color: Pink
- Size: 130 × 65 mm
- Back image: Hai Phong port – one of the biggest ports in Vietnam
- Material: Cotton paper
- Usage: Rarely used for transactions
1,000 VND Note
- Color: Brown-Green
- Size: 134 × 65 mm
- Back image: Lumber productions using elephants in the Central Highlands of Vietnam
- Material: Cotton paper
- Usage: Commonly used for small purchases
2,000 VND Note
- Color: Brown
- Size: 134 × 65 mm
- Back image: Textile factory workers in Nam Dinh – this is one of the biggest textile factories in Indochina at that time
- Material: Cotton paper
- Usage: Commonly used for small purchases
5,000 VND Note
- Color: Blue
- Size: 134 × 65 mm
- Back image: Trị An hydropower plant in Dong Nai province
- Material: Cotton paper
- Usage: Can be used to purchase small items like a bottle of water
10,000 VND Note
- Color: Yellow
- Size: 132 × 60 mm
- Back image: Bach Ho oil field in Vung Tau, which supplies most of Vietnam’s oil industry
- Material: Polymer
- Usage: Commonly used for small purchases like street snacks
20,000 VND Note
- Color: Blue
- Size: 136 × 65 mm
- Back image: Bridge pagoda (or Japanese bridge) in Hoi An
- Material: Polymer
- Usage: Commonly used for small food purchases
50,000 VND Note
- Color: Pink
- Size: 140 × 65 mm
- Back image: Luong Dinh Welcome Pavilion and Phu Van Lau Pavilion in Hue
- Material: Polymer
- Usage: Can buy a full meal at local restaurants
100,000 VND Note
- Color: Green
- Size: 144 × 65 mm
- Back image: Temple of Literature in Hanoi
- Material: Polymer
- Usage: Used for moderate expenditures like a few hours in a hostel
200,000 VND Note
- Color: Red
- Size: 148 × 65 mm
- Back image: Dinh Huong Island – a part of Ha Long Bay
- Material: Polymer
- Usage: Suitable for higher-value transactions like restaurant meals
500,000 VND Note
- Color: Cyan
- Size: 152 × 65 mm
- Back image: The bungalow in Nam Dan, Nghe An (Ho Chi Minh’s birthplace)
- Material: Polymer
- Usage: Used for significant expenses like hotel bills or tours
Security features of Vietnam Currency
Just like anything else in all other countries, there is fake Vietnam Dong. This usually happens to tourists as they don’t have much knowledge about VND. To know more about this, please visit our article “Ultimate guide to spot fake Vietnam Dong” or check the security features of a Vietnam Dong note below:
- Sunken silhouette of President Ho Chi Minh
- Insurance line
- Positioning image
- Recessed printing element
- Color changing ink
- Hidden image
- IRIODIN
- Large window with embossed number “200000” or “500000” depending on the value of the money note
- Small window with the visual element
- Super small text array
- Colorless luminescent ink with number of the value
- Luminescent horizontal/ vertical number
Remember those features will be one of the best ways to avoid currency and money scams when you travel in Vietnam, making your trip worry-free.
Non-standard Vietnam currency
Non-standard Vietnam currency is the money that is authentic, but does not meet standards to be used for payments. They are also called currency not suitable for circulation. Here are the factors that make a money note non-standard:
- Vietnamese currency issued by the State Bank that is damaged or deformed falls into this category.
- This includes paper money that has changed color, become tattered, faded, or dirty
What to do if you get a non-standard Vietnam currency note? You can come back to the place you exchange money to get another one, or go to a local bank to exchange it. However, it must follow these conditions:
- For paper money, if it’s torn or partly missing, the remaining area should be at least 60% of the original. If patched, it should have at least 90% of the original area and be identifiable.
- For polymer money affected by high heat, at least 30% of the original size should remain, retaining the basic structure and at least two security features.
Vietnam Currency exchange rate
Here are some of the newest updated Vietnam currency exchange rates:
- US Dollar to Vietnam Dong (USD to VND): 24,343 VND
- Euro to Vietnam Dong (EUR to VND): 26,872 VND
- Australian Dollar to Vietnam Dong (AUD to VND): 16,616 VND
- Pound to Vietnam Dong (GBP to VND): 30,988 VND
- Indian Rupee to Vietnam Dong (INR to VND): 292 VND
- Singapore Dollar to Vietnam Dong (SGD to VND): 18,402 VND
You can click the links in each section to see a detailed guide to exchanging your hometown currency to VND with visual images note by note.
Be aware that rates can fluctuate based on global economic conditions. It’s advisable to keep an eye on the current exchange rates between VND and your home currency, using Vietnam banks’ websites for the most correct rates. Also note that Vietnam currency exchange rates will be different between locations. Check our below articles for the best places to exchange money:
Cash or card in Vietnam?
Cash is King
Cash and card both have their pros and cons. However, in a country like Vietnam, cash is widely used, especially in smaller cities, local markets, and street vendors. Even in the big cities, many places still only accept cash as payment. Therefore, it is recommended to bring cash when you travel in Vietnam.
Tips for cash in Vietnam
Here are some tips when you bring cash in Vietnam:
Carry Mixed Denominations: Keep a mix of small and large VND notes for different types of purchases.
Use a Money Belt: Consider using a money belt or a hidden pouch to keep your cash safe, especially in crowded areas.
Limit Cash on Hand: Only carry as much cash as you might need for the day to minimize loss in case of theft.
Be Discreet: Avoid displaying large amounts of cash in public to not attract unwanted attention.
- Maximum cash in/ out: Remember you can only bring a maximum of 5000 USD or 120,000,000 VND in or out of Vietnam. If the amount is beyond this number, you must declare it before going in/ out.
Using credit cards in Vietnam
Some travelers may wonder if they can use credit cards in Vietnam. The answer is yes, you can use almost all of the credit card to pay when traveling in Vietnam. Major hotels, restaurants, and shopping centers in urban areas accept credit cards, but smaller establishments may not.
Be mindful of potential fees for international transactions and inform your bank of your travel to avoid card suspension.
Tips for using credit card
For travelers using credit cards in Vietnam, here are specific tips that will be helpful:
Dynamic Currency Conversion: Decline offers at points of sale or ATMs to be charged in your home currency (known as Dynamic Currency Conversion). Opting for local currency (VND) usually results in a better exchange rate.
Withdrawal Fees at ATMs: Investigate if your bank has a partnership with any Vietnamese banks to reduce withdrawal fees. For instance, some global banks have lower fees with specific local banks.
Card Acceptance: Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, but American Express might not be as common. Verify the types of cards accepted at a location before attempting a transaction.
Retailer Surcharge: Some merchants might add a surcharge for credit card payments, especially in smaller establishments. Ask beforehand if any additional fees apply.
Safety at ATMs: Prefer ATMs attached to banks or inside malls. Street ATMs are more prone to tampering.
Contactless Payments: Check if your card supports contactless payments, as this method is gaining popularity in Vietnam, especially in urban areas.
Credit Card Blocking: Familiarize yourself with the process of blocking your card through your banking app or online service. Quick action is necessary if your card is lost or stolen.
Credit Limit: Ensure your credit limit is sufficient for your travel needs, considering emergencies or unforeseen expenses.
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