Money in Vietnam: dong, ATMs, card or cash
Updated 1 November 2026 · 4 min read
In short
The currency is the Vietnamese dong (VND), and cash is still king for street food, markets and small hotels. Withdraw from big-bank ATMs with a card that has no foreign fees, and pay by card in hotels, upscale restaurants and in Grab. Watch out for the 20,000 and 500,000 dong notes, which are the same blue colour.
Cash or card?
| Situation | How to pay |
|---|---|
| Street food, markets, street cafés | Cash only |
| Hotels, cruises, agencies | Card accepted, sometimes with a fee |
| Upscale restaurants, malls | Usually card |
| Grab, online bookings | Card saved in the app |
| Short rides, tips, temple entry | Cash |
Always keep small notes (10,000, 20,000, 50,000 dong): many vendors cannot change a big note.
Withdrawing money
ATMs are everywhere in cities and tourist areas, rarer in the mountains (Ha Giang, Sapa's villages) and in the Mekong Delta: withdraw before you go.
- Fees: some ATMs charge a fixed fee per withdrawal on top of your bank's. Withdrawal limits vary by bank, so make a few large withdrawals rather than many small ones.
- Conversion: if the ATM or card terminal offers to charge you in your home currency, decline and pay in dong. The conversion offered on the spot is almost always worse than your bank's.
- Card: a card with no foreign transaction fees makes a real difference over a two- or three-week trip.
Should you change money before you go?
No need: the ATM at your arrival airport is enough for the first days. If you bring euros, pounds or dollars in cash, exchange offices and jewellery shops in the big cities usually give better rates than the airport.
Tipping
Tipping is not mandatory in Vietnam, but it is appreciated for guides, private drivers and cruise crews. Leave the change in restaurants if you liked the service.