The currency of Vietnam is the Vietnamese dong, written with the symbol ₫ and the international ISO code VND. Issued and managed by the State Bank of Vietnam, the dong is the only legal tender across the country, from the high-rise districts of Ho Chi Minh City to remote mountain villages in the north. In 2026, roughly 25,000–25,400 dong trade for one US dollar, which means everyday prices run into the tens and hundreds of thousands — a quirk that briefly turns nearly every visitor into a "millionaire."
What the Dong Looks Like
Vietnam is unusual in that it issues all of its circulating banknotes on polymer rather than paper. The switch began in 2003, and within a few years the entire higher-value series had moved to the durable plastic substrate. Polymer notes resist water and tearing, last far longer than cotton-paper bills, and famously survive an accidental trip through a washing machine. The common denominations you will handle are:
- 500,000₫ — teal-green, the largest note, worth roughly US$20
- 200,000₫ — reddish-brown
- 100,000₫ — green
- 50,000₫ — pink to mauve
- 20,000₫ — blue
- 10,000₫ — brown
Smaller notes (1,000₫ to 5,000₫) still appear, and coins ranging from 200₫ to 5,000₫ were minted from 2003 onward but have effectively fallen out of daily use. Every note in the current series carries a portrait of Ho Chi Minh, the founding leader of modern Vietnam, on the front, with national landmarks and historic sites on the reverse — the 500,000₫ note, for example, depicts his birthplace in Nghe An province.
A Short History of the Dong
The word "dong" derives from the Vietnamese term for a copper coin, a nod to the country's long pre-modern history of metallic money. The modern currency replaced the French Indochinese piastre after independence. For decades there was no single dong: North Vietnam and South Vietnam issued separate currencies during the partition era. Only after the 1975 reunification and a 1978 monetary unification did one national dong emerge for the whole country.
The early years were turbulent, marked by high inflation and revaluations. The turning point came with the Doi Moi ("renovation") reforms launched in 1986, which opened Vietnam to markets and foreign investment. Those reforms gradually stabilized the dong and underpinned one of Asia's fastest-growing economies. Today the State Bank of Vietnam sets monetary policy and manages a tightly guided exchange rate, allowing the dong to move within a controlled band against the US dollar.
Why the Numbers Are So Large
The dong's enormous denominations are a legacy of past inflation that was never erased by a redenomination (Vietnam has not lopped zeros off its currency the way some countries have). The official subunit, the hao, is one-tenth of a dong, but it has been worthless for so long that it exists only on paper. In practice, prices are quoted in thousands: a bowl of pho might cost 40,000₫, a taxi ride 100,000₫, and a mid-range hotel room a few million dong per night. A handy trick for tourists is to cover the last three zeros and treat what remains as a rough US-dollar figure — 250,000₫ becomes about 250, or roughly US$10.
Using Money in Vietnam Today
Cash remains king, especially at street stalls, markets, and small family-run shops. That said, electronic payment is spreading fast. QR-code apps such as MoMo and ZaloPay, along with bank transfers, are now common in cities, and card terminals appear in hotels, supermarkets, and chain restaurants. A few practical pointers:
- ATMs are plentiful in towns and cities; withdrawals are dispensed in dong, often capped per transaction.
- The 500,000₫ note can be hard to break with small vendors — keep a mix of smaller bills.
- US dollars are occasionally accepted in tourist zones, but the exchange rate offered is usually poor; paying in dong is almost always cheaper.
- Change money at banks, licensed exchange counters, or reputable gold shops rather than unofficial street dealers.
If you enjoy testing your knowledge of countries, capitals, and currencies, you can explore more on our geography games, and Vietnam's wider story is covered in the vietnam country guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the symbol for the Vietnamese dong?
The dong is written with the symbol ₫, usually placed after the number (for example, 100,000₫). Its three-letter ISO currency code is VND, which you will see on exchange boards, bank statements, and travel apps.
How much is 1 US dollar in Vietnamese dong?
As of 2026, one US dollar is worth approximately 25,000 to 25,400 dong, though the rate shifts daily within the band managed by the State Bank of Vietnam. Always check a live converter before exchanging money, since rates at airports and hotels tend to be less favorable than at banks.
Are Vietnamese banknotes made of plastic?
Yes. Vietnam prints its circulating banknotes on polymer, a thin, flexible plastic. This makes them water-resistant and much more durable than paper money, and Vietnam was one of the first nations to convert its entire higher-value note series to polymer.
Can I use credit cards and mobile payments in Vietnam?
Increasingly, yes. Cards and QR-based mobile wallets are widely accepted in cities, malls, and larger restaurants. However, cash in dong is still essential for street food, markets, taxis, and rural areas, so carrying some physical money is wise.