Owais Crawford
Ho Chi Minh Airport, also known as Tan Son Nhat Airport, is the largest and busiest airport in Vietnam. As it is well-connected by international flights, there is a high chance that you will start your trip here and need to exchange money. However, it is important to be informed to avoid excessive charges and get the best deals. While currency exchange rates at Ho Chi Minh Airport are equal to some of the best exchange rates you can get in Ho Chi Minh City, you should be aware that the airport exchange rate could be close to 10% worse.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Currency | Vietnamese Dong (VND) |
| Airport Name | Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN) |
| Airport Location | Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam |
| Exchange Rate at Airport | Around 24k VND for 1 USD |
| Recommended Exchange Rate | 24.8k-24.9k VND for 1 USD |
| Best Place to Exchange Money | Ha Tam Jewelry in Ho Chi Minh District 1 |
| Exchange Rate at Ha Tam | 24.9k VND for 1 USD |
| Other Good Places to Exchange Money | Gold shops or stores in the city |
| ATM Usage | Possible, but check for partnerships with your home bank to avoid extra fees |
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What You'll Learn
Exchange rates at Ho Chi Minh Airport
Ho Chi Minh Airport, also known as Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN), is the largest and busiest airport in Vietnam. It is well connected by international flights with various destinations in Asia and other regions.
If you're starting your trip in Ho Chi Minh, you'll likely need to stock up on the local currency, Vietnamese Dong (VND). While it is possible to exchange money at the airport, the exchange rates are typically worse than those found in the city centre. For example, one source states that the airport rate is around 24,000 VND per USD, while other money exchange shops in the city offer around 24,800 VND per USD.
There are money changers available at both the domestic terminal (Terminal 1) and the international terminal (Terminal 2) of Ho Chi Minh Airport. However, travellers recommend only exchanging a small amount of money at the airport due to unfavourable rates. One source suggests exchanging $50 USD at the airport to cover immediate expenses like transportation and your first night's accommodation.
To get a better exchange rate, it is recommended to exchange money in the city centre. The best money exchange shop in Ho Chi Minh District 1 is reported to be Ha Tam Jewelry, located near Ben Thanh Market. They offer competitive rates and are open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Another recommended option is Mai Van Jewelry Shop, located just a minute's walk from Ben Thanh Market.
ATMs are also available at Ho Chi Minh Airport, but cash withdrawals typically incur additional fees and may offer less favourable exchange rates compared to money changers.
If you prefer a cashless option, consider using a Wise Card, which allows you to spend abroad with the real exchange rate and works well in Vietnam. Additionally, you can book a Vietnamese SIM card online and pick it up at the airport without any cash payments.
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Alternative money exchange options
If you're looking for alternative money exchange options outside of Ho Chi Minh Airport, there are several options available to you. Firstly, you could consider exchanging a small amount of money at the airport to cover immediate expenses like transportation and accommodation, and then seek out other money changers in the city.
In Ho Chi Minh City, you can find money changers at both terminals of the airport, with better rates reportedly found at the international terminal (Terminal 2). EximBank at Terminal 2 has been recommended by some travellers for offering competitive exchange rates that are close to the best rates found in the city.
For those looking to avoid the airport exchange rates altogether, there are other options available. Ha Tam Jewelry, located near Ben Thanh Market in District 1, is a popular choice for many travellers due to its convenient location and competitive rates. It is recommended to exchange around $200 USD here, which should suffice for expenses like souvenirs, coffee, restaurants, and massages.
Additionally, gold stores (tiệm vàng) in the city are said to offer better exchange rates than the airport. ATM machines are also an option, especially if your home bank has partnerships with local Vietnamese banks, which can help you avoid extra fees.
When exchanging money in Ho Chi Minh City, it is advisable to bring brand new $100 USD notes to secure the best rates.
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Exchanging money in Ho Chi Minh District 1
Ho Chi Minh Airport, also known as Tan Son Nhat Airport, is the largest airport in Vietnam, receiving a high number of domestic and international flights. It is likely that you will start your trip here, and therefore may need to exchange money.
While it is convenient to exchange money at the airport, it is not recommended due to the poor rates and high transaction fees. It is better to exchange a small amount of money at the airport and look for a better rate elsewhere.
The best money exchange shop in Ho Chi Minh District 1 is Ha Tam Jewelry, located near Ben Thanh Market. It is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and offers good rates. During my last visit, they offered 24.9k VND for every 1 USD, while other money exchange shops offered around 24.8k VND, local banks like Vietbank offered 24.5k, and the airport rate was around 24k.
To get to Ha Tam Jewelry from the airport, you can use Grab, a cashless service that you can pay for with your credit card. It is recommended that you exchange 200 USD at Ha Tam on your first day and then top up based on your spending needs.
If you are also travelling to Hanoi, you may want to exchange money there instead, as the rates are slightly better, even compared to Ha Tam.
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How much cash to carry in Ho Chi Minh
Ho Chi Minh City is considered the most expensive city in Vietnam, but it is still budget-friendly for most travellers. The amount of cash you should carry depends on your spending habits, the duration of your stay, and your accommodation and transportation preferences.
If you are staying in a high-end hotel in Ben Nghe Ward in District 1, your expenses will be higher than if you were staying in a middle-range or economical hotel in the Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1. Similarly, if you opt for taxis or motorbike taxis, your expenses will be higher than if you choose to travel by bike.
Most transactions in Ho Chi Minh City will be in cash, except for high-end massage shops, restaurants, or malls. A meal at a local restaurant will cost around 150,000 VND, while a full-body massage will cost around 400,000 VND. You should always carry more than 1,000,000 VND in cash to be safe.
When it comes to exchanging money, it is recommended to exchange a small amount at the airport and then seek out ATMs downtown or in the city centre. The exchange rate at the airport is typically worse than what you can get at money exchange shops in the city. Ha Tam Jewelry, located near Ben Thanh Market in District 1, is recommended for its convenience and good rates. With $100 USD, you can expect to get around 2,490,000 VND.
It is important to note that there is currently no legal limit on the amount of cash you can bring into Vietnam. However, if you are carrying more than $5,000 USD, you will need to declare it upon arrival.
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Best money exchange shops in Ho Chi Minh
Ho Chi Minh Airport (SGN) is the largest and busiest airport in Vietnam, so there's a high chance you'll be starting your trip here. While it is possible to exchange money at the airport, it's recommended that you only change a small amount, as the rates are not great.
Instead, it's better to exchange your money in the city. The best money exchange shop in Ho Chi Minh District 1 is Ha Tam Jewelry, located near Ben Thanh Market. It's open daily from 8 am to 7 pm, and because of its convenience and good rates, you can expect queues every day. During one traveller's visit, Ha Tam offered 24.9k VND for every 1 USD, while other money exchange shops offered around 24.8k VND, and the airport rate was around 24k.
Another recommended option is to exchange your money at a gold store, as they offer better rates than the airport.
- Hung Long Money Exchange – 86 Mac Thi Buoi, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
- 5 Cong Truong Me Linh Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
- 135 Dong Khoi, Ben Nghe, District 1
- 109, Ho Tung Mau, Ben Nghe, District 1
- 187 Pham Ngu Lao, District 1
- 242 Cong Quynh, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1
- 69 Bui Thi Xuan, Pham Ngu Lao, District 1
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can exchange money at Ho Chi Minh Airport. Money changers can be found at both terminals: the domestic terminal (Terminal 1) and the international terminal (Terminal 2).
Exchange rates at Ho Chi Minh Airport are comparable to those found in the city. However, it is recommended to exchange only small amounts at the airport as the rates may be slightly worse than at other money changers.
The best exchange rates in Ho Chi Minh City can be found at gold shops and independent money changers, mainly jewellery shops. Ha Tam Jewellery, located near Ben Thanh Market, is recommended for its convenience and good rates.
Yes, there are plenty of money changers in central Saigon, as well as banks that offer currency exchange services. However, banks may offer less favourable rates and may not be worth the hassle.
Yes, you can also withdraw money from an ATM at the airport or use cashless payment methods such as Grab for your initial transportation and accommodation needs.
