Money & Costs in Vietnam — budget, currency, ATMs
Vietnam is, on the whole, an affordable destination — food, domestic transport, and accommodation all come with plenty of good-value options, though there's no shortage of high-end choices either. This page gives you the basics on currency, how to pay, and how to budget for your trip.
Quick essentials
- Currency: the Vietnamese dong (VND) — the only legal tender; it's best to pay in VND (some places accept USD, but the rate is usually unfavourable).
- Banknotes: several denominations; the largest note is 500,000 VND; watch the zeros — the numbers run large.
- Cards & cash: cities, hotels, and supermarkets take cards well; for markets, street stalls, and rural areas, carry cash.
Go deeper by topic
- Vietnam travel costs: budgeting by travel style →
- Currency, ATMs & payment cards in Vietnam →
- Tipping in Vietnam: should you, and how much? →
Money caution
How to keep your money safe and avoid "short-change / note-swap" tricks is covered in our safety guide and our common scams article.
Getting ready to enter Vietnam? See the Vietnam e-visa guide 2026.
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