Vietnam’s currency — the Dong (VND) — has Vietnam’s most zeros (1 USD = ~25,000 VND), making it confusing for first-time visitors. Knowing where to exchange money, how ATMs work, when to use cash vs cards, and how to spot counterfeit notes saves money and avoids embarrassment. This complete Hanoi money and currency tips guide for 2026 covers VND basics, exchange rates, ATM withdrawals, credit card use, mobile payments, and budgeting.
Vietnamese Dong Basics
Currency Symbol
- Code: VND.
- Symbol: ₫ (sometimes written as “d” or “dong”).
- Subdivisions: No widely-used coins (Dong is the smallest unit).
Exchange Rates (Approximate 2026)
- 1 USD = ~25,000 VND
- 1 GBP = ~31,000 VND
- 1 EUR = ~27,000 VND
- 1 AUD = ~16,500 VND
- 1 SGD = ~18,500 VND
Note: Rates fluctuate. Check current rate before exchanging.
Banknote Denominations
- 500,000 VND ($20) – Blue, largest note.
- 200,000 VND ($8) – Red.
- 100,000 VND ($4) – Green.
- 50,000 VND ($2) – Pink.
- 20,000 VND ($0.80) – Light blue.
- 10,000 VND ($0.40) – Brown.
- 5,000 VND ($0.20) – Blue/grey.
- 2,000 VND ($0.08) – Brown.
- 1,000 VND ($0.04) – Brown.
Look-alikes to watch: 500,000 and 20,000 are similar blue. 50,000 and 200,000 distinct colors. Read carefully.
How to Get Vietnamese Dong
1. ATM Withdrawal (Recommended)
- Best exchange rate — close to interbank rate.
- Limit: 2-5 million VND per transaction ($80-200).
- Fees: 50,000-70,000 VND per transaction (your bank may add fees too).
- Safest ATMs: Inside banks, in malls, at major hotels.
- Recommended banks: Vietcombank, BIDV, Techcombank, ACB.
2. Currency Exchange
- Banks: Best rates, slightly slower service.
- Authorized exchange counters: Convenient, slightly worse rates.
- Hotels: Convenient but worst rates (10-20% spread).
- Airport: Worst rates (15-25% above market).
- Gold shops (Tiem Vang): Often best street rates but check carefully.
3. Hotel Front Desk
- Convenient for small amounts.
- Check rate against current.
- Use only for small amounts.
4. Credit Card Cash Advance
- Most expensive option.
- 3-5% fee from your card + ATM fees.
- Avoid unless emergency.
Where to Use VND vs USD vs Cards
Use Cash (VND)
- Restaurants (most).
- Markets and street stalls.
- Old Quarter shops.
- Taxis (Mai Linh, Vinasun).
- Cyclos and motorbike taxis.
- Day-to-day purchases.
- Tipping.
Credit Cards Accepted
- 4-5 star hotels.
- Major shopping malls (Lotte, Vincom).
- Branded retail stores.
- International restaurants.
- Tour operators.
- Airlines.
USD/Foreign Currency
- Some hotels accept USD (poor rate).
- Some tour operators accept USD.
- Generally better to use VND.
Mobile Payments (Vietnamese)
- MoMo: Vietnamese e-wallet (limited tourist use).
- ZaloPay: Tied to Zalo messaging.
- VNPay QR: QR code payments.
- For tourists: Stick with cash and credit cards.
Banks & ATM Locations
Major Banks
- Vietcombank — State-owned, reliable.
- BIDV — Investment Bank.
- Techcombank — Modern banking.
- VietinBank — Industrial Bank.
- ACB — Commercial Bank.
International Banks
- HSBC Vietnam — if you have HSBC account at home.
- Citibank — international option.
- Standard Chartered — expat banking.
ATM Strategy
- Withdraw maximum allowed per transaction (saves fees).
- Use 2-3 ATMs from same bank to get larger amount.
- Withdraw 24-48 hour supply at a time.
- Notify your bank of travel before leaving home.
- Use ATMs inside banks for security.
Spotting Counterfeit Notes
Quality Indicators of Real VND
- Watermark: Visible when held to light.
- Microprinting: Tiny text visible under magnifier.
- Holographic strip: Color-shifting on larger denominations.
- Texture: Crisp paper feel.
- Color depth: Vibrant, not faded.
- Print quality: Sharp, not fuzzy.
Counterfeit Markers
- Soft, paper-like feel.
- Faded colors.
- Missing watermark.
- Print blurry.
- No holographic strip.
Tipping in Hanoi
Tipping Culture
- Not historically expected.
- Increasingly common at tourist spots.
- Always appreciated for great service.
Tipping Guidelines
- Restaurants: Round up bill or 5-10% for great service.
- Hotels: 20,000-50,000 VND for porters; same for housekeeping per day.
- Tours: 50,000-200,000 VND per person per day for great guide.
- Taxi/Grab: Round up to nearest 10,000 VND or 5-10%.
- Cyclo: 20,000-50,000 VND extra for nice ride.
- Spa: 10-20% of service price.
- Bia hoi: Round up.
Sample Hanoi Daily Budget
Backpacker ($20-40/day)
- Hostel dorm: $5-12.
- Street food: $5-10.
- Local transport: $2-5.
- Sightseeing: $0-10.
Mid-Range ($60-120/day)
- Mid-range hotel: $30-60.
- Mix of restaurants/street: $15-30.
- Grab transport: $5-10.
- Activities: $15-30.
Luxury ($150-400+/day)
- Luxury hotel: $80-300.
- Restaurants: $40-100.
- Private transport: $20-50.
- Tours and shopping: $20-100+.
Common Money Mistakes
- Confusing 50,000 and 500,000 notes.
- Not counting change carefully.
- Exchanging at airport (worst rate).
- Not having small bills for taxi tips.
- Bringing too much USD — can’t spend.
- Using credit card at small shops — surcharges.
- Not telling bank about travel — cards blocked.
- Using debit card at insecure ATMs — skimmer risk.
How Much VND to Bring
- For first day: $50-100 worth of VND from home or airport.
- Then ATM: Withdraw 2-3 days at a time.
- Carry: 1-2 million VND ($40-80) for daily expenses.
- Hotel safe: Larger amounts.
- Don’t carry: $500+ cash — theft risk.
VND Conversion Tricks
Quick Mental Conversion
- Drop 4 zeros from VND for rough USD.
- Then divide by 2.5 for actual USD.
- Example: 250,000 VND → drop zeros = 25 → divide by 2.5 = $10.
Practical Approximations
- 10,000 VND = $0.40
- 50,000 VND = $2
- 100,000 VND = $4
- 500,000 VND = $20
- 1,000,000 VND = $40
Tax Refund (VAT)
- Eligible: Purchases of 2+ million VND ($80) at participating stores.
- Refund: 8-10% of purchase price (after admin fee).
- Process: Get refund forms with receipts at store.
- Claim: Process at airport before flight.
- Bring: Receipts, forms, items unopened, passport.
Banking for Long-Term Stays
Open Vietnamese Bank Account
- Vietcombank, ACB, Techcombank are foreign-friendly.
- Need: Passport, Vietnamese address, work permit (or business visa).
- Useful for digital nomads, long-term residents.
International Money Transfers
- Wise (formerly TransferWise): Best rates.
- Western Union: Cash pickup option.
- SWIFT bank transfer: Slow, expensive.
Hanoi Money FAQs
How much cash should I bring to Hanoi?
$200-300 in USD, then ATM for VND.
Can I use US Dollars?
Some hotels yes, but rate is poor. Convert to VND.
Best place to exchange?
Bank ATMs for best rate. Authorized counters for cash exchange.
Are credit cards widely accepted?
At hotels, malls, branded restaurants yes. Markets and street stalls no.
What about ATM fees?
50,000-70,000 VND ($2-3) per transaction. Plus your bank’s fees.
Can I use debit cards?
Yes — for ATM withdrawals. Many shops also accept Visa/Mastercard debit.
Is contactless payment available?
Yes at most major hotels and restaurants.
What about traveler’s checks?
Difficult to exchange in Hanoi. Use ATM and credit card instead.
Plan Your Hanoi Money
Smart money management saves and stress-free trip. Pair this guide with our safety pillar, bargaining tips, scams to avoid, and tipping guide.
