| Banknote | Rough value | Useful for |
|---|---|---|
| 10,000 to 20,000 VND | under 1 USD | coffee, water, small market |
| 50,000 to 100,000 VND | about 2 to 4 USD | street meal, short Grab ride |
| 200,000 to 500,000 VND | about 8 to 19 USD | restaurant, hotel, shopping |
Banknotes: beware of mix-ups
The 20,000 VND note (blue) and the 500,000 VND note (blue-green) look alike: count the zeros before paying. Amounts are large, so count each note by hand and keep small change.
Where to get dong
The simplest way is to withdraw from an ATM; fees and limits are covered in money in Hanoi: ATMs and cards. You can also change euros or dollars in cash at a bank or official exchange office; avoid airport exchange when you can compare, and decline any conversion the ATM offers: pay in dong.
Card or cash?
Hotels, larger restaurants, malls and many transport companies take cards, often with a surcharge. Markets, street food stalls and small shops want cash. Ride-hailing apps such as Grab accept card or cash: see Grab taxis and scams.
Budget and tipping
You can build a budget in dong: a street meal costs a few tens of thousands of dong, a mid-range hotel several hundred thousand. Tipping is not compulsory but is appreciated for a guide or driver. To stay reachable and pay more easily through apps, an eSIM for Vietnam is handy.
FAQ
What is the currency of Vietnam? The Vietnamese dong (VND).
Can I pay in euros or dollars? Generally no: prices are in dong, even if some tourist operators quote dollars.
How many dong for 1 US dollar? About 26,300 VND in April 2026: check the day's rate.
The Hanoi Authority editorial team, 29 October 2026.
