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Vietnam’s unit of Currency is the dong, which you’ll see abbreviated as “d” or “đ” or “ VND” after an amount. Notes come in denominations of 500d, 1000d, 2000d, 5000d, 10,000d, 20,000d, 50.000d, 100.000d, 200.000d, and 500.000d. In addition to the Dong, the American dollar operates as a parallel, unofficial currency and most travelers carry dollar as a back – up to pay large bills. On the whole, though, it’s more convenient to operate in dong, and you’ll often find dong prices are slightly lower than the equivalent in dollars.
At the time of writing, the exchange rate was around 25.000đ 1pound; 17.000đ to US$ 1; 21.000đ to 1 Euro; 14.000đ to CA$1, 11.000đ to AUS$1; and 9.000d to Z$1. Recently the country has been plagued by high inflation rates, so these exchange rates are liable to fluctuate. For the latest exchange rates go to www. xe.com
Dong are not available outside Vietnam at present, so take in some small – denomination American dollar to use until you reach a bank. Most banks and exchange bureaus don’t charge for changing foreign currency into dong; banks in major currencies, but elsewhere may only accept dollars. Some tour agents and hotels will also change money, and most jeweler shops in Vietnam will exchange dollars at a slightly better rate than the banks, but watch out for scams. Wherever you change money, ask fro a mix of denominations ( in remote places, bigger bills can be hard to split), and refuse really tatty banknotes, as you’ll have difficulty getting anyone else to accept them.
There’s also a comprehensive network of ATMs, many open 24 house, most accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express cards issued abroad. The maximum withdrawal is to million dong at a time, with a flat – rate charge of 20.000đ per transaction (in addition to whatever surcharges your own bank levies). In Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City you’ll also find ATMs operated by ANZ and HSBC. These accept a wider range of cards, including those in the cirrus and Plus networks.
Major credit cards – Visa, Master Card and, to a lesser extent, American Express – are accepted in Vietnam’s main cities and major tourist sport. All top – level and many mid-level hotels will accept them, as will a growing number of restaurants, thought some places levy surcharges of three to tour percent
Traveller’s cheqes are less common now that ATMs are so widespread, but can be cashed at major banks (you need your passport as ID), for a commission of up to two percent. Viettin banks generally charges the lowest rates: at the time of writing these the lowest rates: at the time of writing these were 0.55 percent (minimum US$ 1.1). When changing into dollars or other foreign currencies. Vietcombank waives commission on American Express traveller’s chepues.
Having money wired from home via Money Gram or Western Union is never cheap, and should to have money wired directly from a bank or post office in your home country to a bank or post office in your home country to a bank in Vietnam, although this has the added complication of involving two separate institutions, money wired this way normally takes two working days to arrive, and charges very according to the amount sent.
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