What is the Currency in Vietnam?

What is the Currency in Vietnam?

If you’re planning a trip to Vietnam—whether to cruise Ha Long Bay, explore the streets of Hanoi or relax in Hoi An—it’s important to understand the local currency and how best to manage your money during your stay. This guide is written for UK travellers and provides practical information about Vietnam’s currency, payment habits and money tips.

What currency does Vietnam use?

Vietnam uses the Vietnamese Dong, abbreviated as VND and often symbolised as ₫. It is the only legal tender used for purchases throughout the country, including in hotels, restaurants, markets and transport services.

How is the Vietnamese dong structured?

The dong is a non-decimal currency—there are no coins or smaller units in circulation, and all transactions are completed in full dong notes.

Banknotes include:

• ₫1,000, ₫2,000, ₫5,000

• ₫10,000, ₫20,000, ₫50,000

• ₫100,000, ₫200,000, ₫500,000

Because of inflation and the currency’s low value relative to stronger currencies like the pound, you’ll often deal with large numerical values. For example, ₫100,000 is worth around £3.10–£3.30, depending on the exchange rate.

Can you use British pounds or other foreign currencies in Vietnam?

No. While some high-end hotels and tour agencies may quote prices in US dollars or euros, all payments must legally be made in Vietnamese dong. You won’t be able to pay in pounds, and it’s generally not practical to carry foreign currency for spending purposes.

Should you bring cash or use a card in Vietnam?

Vietnam is still largely a cash-based society, especially outside major cities. While debit and credit cards (primarily Visa and Mastercard) are accepted at high-end hotels, restaurants and shopping centres in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, most daily transactions require cash.

UK travellers should plan to carry Vietnamese dong in cash and use fee-free travel cards (like Monzo, Starling or Revolut) to withdraw money from ATMs or to pay at modern businesses where cards are accepted.

Where to get Vietnamese dong

It is often more cost-effective to exchange money once you arrive in Vietnam. You can:

• Exchange pounds at local banks, gold shops or authorised currency exchange counters

• Withdraw dong from ATMs (widespread in urban areas)

Some UK currency providers stock VND, but rates may be less favourable than exchanging locally. Always check your bank’s international withdrawal fees beforehand.

Tips for managing money in Vietnam

• Carry small denominations for street food, taxis and local shops

• Use ATMs attached to banks for better security and reliability

• Avoid dynamic currency conversion at ATMs—always opt to be charged in dong

• Keep an eye on the number of zeros—₫50,000 and ₫500,000 notes can look similar

• Tipping isn’t expected but is appreciated—rounding up or leaving a small note is common in restaurants

Common mistakes to avoid

It’s easy to get confused by the high denominations of Vietnamese currency. Double-check values before handing over large notes, and always confirm prices when haggling in markets or paying for transport.

Another mistake is relying too heavily on card payments. Many places, especially in smaller towns and local areas, are cash-only, and ATMs can occasionally run out of money or be temporarily offline.

In summary

Vietnam uses the Vietnamese Dong (VND) as its official currency. While card use is growing in big cities, cash remains the main payment method across the country. UK travellers can avoid issues by bringing a fee-free travel card, withdrawing dong from local ATMs, and using cash for daily expenses.