Vietnamese currency - Vietnam Dong (VND)
The
currency of Vietnam is "Dong"
(abbreviated "d" or VND).
Bank notes are: 100d , 200d and 500d (too small
value - rarely used); 1,000d; 2,000d; 5,000d;
10,000d, 20,000d, 50,000d and 100,000d (each has two
versions - cotton and polymer), 200,000d and
500,000d. Coins have recently come into circulation
but not widely been accepted due to inconvenience,
including: 200d; 500d; 1,000d; 2,000d and 5,000d.
Their photos are as below.
US
dollar is widely accepted while most major
currencies can be exchanged at leading banks in
Vietnam (Vietcombank, ANZ, ACB, VIB Bank…) or some
hotels and jewelry shops. The official rate of
exchange is approximately VND15,500 to US$1. With
the relatively low value of Dong, you are
recommended to carry US dollar in small
notes; it will help you to change easily.
ATMs can be a choice as it’s very popular
in most of tourist destinations now. Vietcombank (VCB)
has the best network in the country. Withdrawals are
issued in Dong (50,000d and
100,000d only). There is a limit of 2,000,000d
(about US$125) for each withdrawal and a daily limit
of 20,000,000d. Fee is 50,000d (US$3) each time.
Visa, MasterCard and JCB
cards are widely accepted. Some merchants
also accept Amex. A 4%-commission
charge on every transaction (3% for other
cards) is pretty common, due to bank’s policy.
Getting cash in advance from cards is possible at
Vietcombank and some foreign banks in Hanoi and Ho
Chi Minh City.
Travellers Cheques are accepted at most of
hotels, restaurants but in major cities. If you only
have travellers cheques, stock up on US dollars at a
bank, which usually charge anywhere from 1.25%
to 3% commission to change them into cash.
VCB charges no commission to changing travellers
cheques for Dong. If your travellers cheques are in
currencies other than US dollars, they may be
useless beyond the major cities. Hefty commissions
are the norm it they can be exchanged at all.
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