Money in Vietnam: ATMs, Exchange Rates, and Cards
A practical breakdown of Vietnamese currency, ATM fees by bank, where to exchange cash, and whether cards work outside Hanoi and Saigon.
Vietnamese Dong: What you'll carry
Vietnam uses the Vietnamese Dong (VND). You'll handle a lot of notes — the smallest denomination in wide use is 1,000 VND (about USD 0.04), the largest is 500,000 VND (roughly USD 20). In between: 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, 100,000, and 200,000 VND notes. ATMs dispense mainly 100,000 and 50,000 notes, which means even a small 200,000 VND (USD 8) lunch can feel like a thick stack.
Coins exist but are practically worthless—most vendors and taxis round amounts or just don't bother with them. Carry mostly notes, keep small denominations for street food and taxis.
ATM fees: Which banks to use
ATM fees in Vietnam vary by which bank's machine you use, not just your home bank's charges. Here's what to expect:
Techcombank: Free withdrawals for most international cards. Their machines are everywhere in Hanoi, Saigon, Da Nang, and mid-size cities. This is your first choice.
Vietcombank and BIDV: Charge 20,000–25,000 VND (USD 0.80–1) per withdrawal. Both are ubiquitous, so you'll see them, but the fee stings on small withdrawals.
ACB, SCB, MB Bank: Charge 15,000–20,000 VND, slightly cheaper than Vietcombank.
TP Bank, VIB: Often charge 25,000 VND or higher.
Withdraw larger amounts per transaction (2–3 million VND / USD 80–120) to minimize visits and fees. Most ATMs have a daily limit around 3–5 million VND, depending on your bank.
Exchange rates: Banks vs. street dealers
Official rates are published by the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) daily. Your bank and ATM will offer that rate (or very close). Street money changers—called "tien lieu"—in busy tourist areas often offer slightly better rates because they have no overhead, but the spread is small (maybe 1–2% difference).
Best exchange spots by city:
Hanoi: Ha Trung Street (between Hang Bai and Dinh Tien Hoang, near the Old Quarter) has a cluster of licensed money changers. Rates are competitive, and staff are professionals.
Saigon: Ben Thanh Market area (1 Nguyen Hue Blvd, District 1) has multiple exchange booths. Also check around Tao Duc Street in District 1. These are slightly better than airport rates but not dramatically.
Da Nang, Hue, Hoi An: Banks (Vietcombank, BIDV branches) offer standard rates. Street dealers cluster near the town center or night markets, with marginal improvements over official rates.
Avoid airport exchanges unless you need spending money immediately. Airport rates are 3–5% worse than in-city.
Bring USD or EUR in cash as backup. These currencies are easy to exchange anywhere; GBP and AUD are slower.
Debit and credit cards: Where they work
In cities (Hanoi, Saigon, Da Nang, Hue, Hoi An): Visa and Mastercard are accepted at restaurants, shops, hotels, and supermarkets. American Express is less common but still works at upscale places. Contactless payments are becoming normal in modern malls and franchises.
In rural areas and small towns: Cash only. Cafes, noodle shops, guesthouses in the countryside often don't take cards. Always have VND on hand.
PIN-entry vs. chip: Many older terminals in Vietnam still ask for manual chip insertion rather than contactless. Be prepared to hand over your card to the cashier—this is normal and safe with a licensed merchant, though understandably nerve-wracking.
Fraud and fees: Inform your bank you're traveling to Vietnam, or you may see declines on genuine transactions. Some cards charge 3–4% foreign transaction fees; others don't. Check your bank's policy before you go.
Wise card: The smartest option for frequent travelers
If you plan to stay a week or longer, or make multiple large purchases, consider opening a Wise account (formerly TransferWise) before you arrive. Their debit card offers near-mid-market exchange rates and no mark-up on ATM withdrawals or in-store purchases.
Steps: Sign up online (takes 10 minutes), load USD/EUR from your home bank, convert to VND at Wise's rate (usually 0.5–1% better than ATM rates), then use the Wise card like a regular debit card in Vietnam.
Cost: Free account, free Wise card, free ATM withdrawals worldwide, small currency conversion fee (0.4–0.6%) only when you convert money. If you withdraw 2 million VND once and spend it cash, the fee (8,000–12,000 VND) is offset by the better rate.
Works everywhere in Vietnam that accepts Visa (same network as Wise), and ATMs don't charge you the "foreign ATM" fee because Wise absorbs it.
Practical notes
Bring a mix: some USD cash, one primary card, one backup card, and open a Wise account if staying longer than a week. Withdraw from Techcombank ATMs to save fees. Keep small denominations for street food and taxis. If you're traveling through remote areas (Ha Giang, the far south), withdraw cash before you go—ATMs are sparse and fees will hurt.
Going to Vietnam? Eat and travel smarter.
Monthly: new dishes, off-the-beaten-path destinations, and itineraries — straight to your inbox. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Join 0 expats. (We just launched.)
More from Hanoi
Other articles covering this city.
Drinking Water in Vietnam: What's Safe, What Isn't, and Why
Tap water isn't safe to drink straight from the tap in Vietnam. Here's what you need to know about bottled water, ice, brushing teeth, and hot drinks.
Eating with Food Allergies in Vietnam: Peanuts, MSG, Fish Sauce & Gluten
Peanuts hide in desserts and sauces, MSG seasons nearly everything, and fish sauce is in almost every savory dish. Here's how to navigate Vietnamese food safely.
Wifi and Internet in Vietnam: What to Expect and How to Stay Connected
Free wifi is nearly everywhere in Vietnamese cities, but speeds drop in rural areas. Here's what works, where to find it, and what to pay.
More from All of Vietnam
Other articles covering the same region.
Vietnam Vaccinations: What You Actually Need Before You Go
No shots are legally required to enter Vietnam. But a few are smart, depending on where you're going and how long you'll stay.
Vietnam Currency Guide: VND Notes, Colors & How to Avoid Common Scams
A breakdown of Vietnamese dong notes, their colors, and the change scams that catch travelers. Learn how to spot fake notes and protect yourself at markets and street food stalls.
Airport to City: Getting from Tan Son Nhat, Noi Bai & Da Nang into Town
Skip the touts and overpriced taxis. Here's what Grab costs, which buses actually run, and how to avoid the classic arrival scams at Vietnam's three busiest airports.
More in Travel Tips
More articles from the same category.
Grab vs Be vs Taxi in Vietnam: How to Choose
Grab dominates, but Be is cheaper for locals. Traditional taxis still reliable. Here's what each option costs, when to use it, and why some are safer than others.
Renting a Motorbike in Vietnam: License, Insurance & Where to Rent
What you legally need, how much it costs, and which rental shops in Hanoi, Saigon, and Da Nang won't leave you stranded.
Vietnam Sleeper Bus Guide: What to Expect, How to Book
Sleeper buses are the cheapest way to travel long distances in Vietnam, but comfort and reliability vary. Here's what to pack, which operators to trust, and how to book.
Vietnam Train Travel Guide: Reunification Express and Overnight Sleepers
The Reunification Express connects Hanoi to Saigon in 30+ hours across 1,700 km. Here's how to book soft sleeper cabins, what to expect on overnight runs, and which legs are worth riding.
Best Time to Visit Vietnam: Weather by Region and Month
Vietnam's weather is fiercely regional. The north's cool dry season (October–April) is perfect for trekking in Sapa, while the central coast stays pleasant February–August. Plan by region, not country.
10 Common Vietnam Scams and How to Avoid Them
Street cons, rigged meters, and currency tricks are real. Here's what to watch for and how to sidestep them without paranoia.