Vietnam's currency is the Vietnamese dong (VND), and because the exchange rate means even everyday purchases involve numbers in the tens or hundreds of thousands, it takes most visitors a day or two to stop mentally over- or under-estimating prices. A rough trick: drop the last three zeros and treat the rest as a loose approximation of the price in US dollars, then adjust — it's not exact, but it helps you catch obviously wrong prices quickly.
Cash vs. card
Cash is still widely used, especially for street food, markets and smaller local shops, while hotels, malls and established restaurants generally accept cards. It's worth carrying a reasonable amount of small-denomination cash at all times, since not every stall or small shop has a card reader.
ATMs
ATMs are widely available throughout District 1 and other central areas, generally the most straightforward way to get local currency, though most Vietnamese banks charge a withdrawal fee per transaction (on top of whatever your home bank charges), and per-withdrawal limits are often lower than travellers expect, meaning multiple withdrawals for a larger cash need.
Currency exchange
Gold and jewellery shops, particularly around Ben Thanh Market, often double as unofficial but commonly used currency exchange points, generally offering competitive rates for major currencies like USD. Airport exchange counters tend to offer noticeably worse rates and are best used only for a small amount to get started.
| Currency | Vietnamese dong (VND) |
|---|---|
| Best for cash | ATMs in the city (compare fees), or exchange shops near Ben Thanh |
| Avoid | Exchanging large amounts at airport counters |