Roberta Aguirre
When travelling to a foreign country, it is often a good idea to exchange your home currency for the local one. In Vietnam, for example, the official currency is the Vietnamese Dong (VND). While some vendors in Vietnam may accept US Dollars, it is not recommended to pay with them, as they will be converted at a lower exchange rate. Most major currencies can be exchanged in Vietnam at banks, hotels, airport currency exchange stalls, and jewelry shops. However, it is generally not advisable to exchange currency at the airport, as the exchange rate is often unfavourable. Instead, it may be better to exchange a small amount of money at the airport to cover immediate expenses and then seek out a better exchange rate in town.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can US dollars be converted to Vietnamese dong at the airport? | Yes, currency exchange stalls at the airports of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City can convert US dollars to Vietnamese dong. |
| Where else can US dollars be converted to dong? | Banks, hotels, gold and jewellery shops, and some street vendors. |
| What denominations of banknotes are used in Vietnam? | Cotton banknotes of VND 1,000, VND 2,000, and VND 5,000; polymer notes of VND 10,000, VND 20,000, VND 50,000, VND 100,000, VND 200,000, and VND 500,000. |
| Is it better to pay in US dollars or dong? | It is recommended to pay in dong as US dollars will be converted at a lower exchange rate. |
| What is the current exchange rate for US dollars to dong? | 1 USD = 26,149.415 VND (as of 26 June 2025). |
| Are there any specific requirements for exchanging currency? | Some sources suggest that only new, crisp $100 bills are accepted for exchange, especially at gold and jewellery shops, where the exchange rate may be better. |
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What You'll Learn
- US dollars can be exchanged for dong at airport banks and kiosks
- The exchange rate at the airport is often unfavourable
- It is recommended to exchange a small amount of money at the airport and the rest elsewhere
- Some vendors may refuse to accept wrinkled or marked dollar bills
- US dollars can be directly used for some hotels, restaurants, and tours in Vietnam
US dollars can be exchanged for dong at airport banks and kiosks
The Vietnamese Dong (VND) is the official currency of Vietnam. While some hotels, restaurants, and other services directly accept US Dollars, it is not recommended to pay with them as they will be converted at a lower exchange rate.
If you plan to exchange dollars at the airport or in town, make sure you have new, wrinkle-free $100 bills, as older or damaged bills may be refused. You will get a slightly better exchange rate for newer bills.
ATMs are another option for exchanging currency. You can use your ATM card to withdraw dong directly, but be sure to exercise good judgment when choosing an ATM, and be aware of your bank's withdrawal limit.
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The exchange rate at the airport is often unfavourable
Converting US Dollars to Dong at the Airport
While it is possible to exchange US dollars for Vietnamese dong at the airport, the exchange rate is often unfavourable. You will find currency exchange stalls at the airports in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, but the rates are not competitive. Travellers have reported that the displayed rate may not be the rate they receive, with additional commissions and fees reducing the amount of dong they get.
It is recommended that you only change a small amount of money at the airport, just enough to cover immediate expenses like a taxi into the city, where you will be able to find better rates.
One option is to change your currency at a bank in the city, although you may be charged a fee for this service. You can also change money at large hotels, which often offer rates that are nearly equal to the bank rate, although smaller hotels may charge a service fee.
Another option is to change your money at a gold or jewellery shop, which can be found on most main streets in the city. These shops often offer the best rates, but they will only accept new, wrinkle-free $100 bills.
It is also worth noting that US dollars are widely accepted in Vietnam, and you may find that you do not need to exchange your money at all. Many hotels, restaurants, tours, and other services will accept payment in US dollars, although you may end up paying more as your dollars will be converted at a lower exchange rate.
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It is recommended to exchange a small amount of money at the airport and the rest elsewhere
The Vietnamese Dong (VND) is the official currency of Vietnam. US dollars can be directly used for some hotels, restaurants, tours, or other services. However, it is not recommended to pay with US dollars as they will be converted at a lower exchange rate, resulting in higher costs.
It is possible to exchange US dollars at the airport in Vietnam, with currency exchange stalls available at Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City airports. However, the exchange rate at the airport is often unfavourable, so it is recommended to only change a small amount of money to cover immediate expenses like taxi fare.
There are various other options for exchanging money in Vietnam. Banks and hotels offer competitive rates, although small hotels may charge a service fee. Gold and jewellery stores, which can be found on most main streets, also offer good exchange rates and do not charge fees. It is recommended to use newer, wrinkle-free $100 bills when exchanging money, as these will fetch a higher value, especially in jewellery stores.
ATMs are another option for obtaining Vietnamese Dong, although it is important to exercise good judgment when choosing which ATMs to use. Additionally, credit cards can be used for larger purchases, such as hotel stays.
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Some vendors may refuse to accept wrinkled or marked dollar bills
US dollars can be converted to Vietnamese dong at the airport. Currency exchange stalls at the airports in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City allow you to exchange currency. However, the exchange rate at the airport is not favourable. Therefore, it is recommended to exchange a small sum of money at the airport to cover immediate expenses, and then head to the city for a better rate. Banks and hotels in Vietnam also allow you to exchange currency.
When exchanging currency, it is important to note that some vendors may refuse to accept wrinkled or marked dollar bills. This is because money exchanges and local vendors are concerned with the quality of the currency they accept. US dollar bills that are crisp, clean, and unmarked are preferred in many countries, particularly in South America, East Africa, and Asia. This is due to concerns about the reliability of their own currencies. As such, it is advisable to exchange any worn or damaged bills for new ones before departing for your trip. Federal Reserves in your home country will usually exchange damaged dollars for fresh dollars at face value. While it is possible to find money exchange vendors or banks that will exchange your worn dollars abroad, they may offer you a lower exchange rate or knock value off the bill you are exchanging.
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US dollars can be directly used for some hotels, restaurants, and tours in Vietnam
The official currency of Vietnam is the Vietnamese Dong (VND). While most payments are made in VND, some hotels, restaurants, and tour companies in Vietnam accept payment in US dollars.
US dollars are also accepted by some vendors in Ho Chi Minh City's airport, and you may be quoted prices in US dollars for food, drinks, and souvenirs. However, it is not recommended to pay in US dollars, as vendors will likely apply an unfavourable exchange rate, causing you to pay more than you would in VND.
If you are planning to pay in US dollars, it is a good idea to bring newer, wrinkle-free $100 bills, as these will get you a slightly better exchange rate.
You can exchange US dollars for VND at currency exchange stalls at the airport, in banks, in hotels, and in jewellery shops. However, the exchange rate at the airport is unfavourable, so it is recommended that you only exchange a small amount of money at the airport to cover immediate expenses like taxi fare, and then find a better exchange rate in town. Large hotels and banks tend to offer the most competitive rates.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, US dollars can be converted to dong at the airport. However, the exchange rate is not favourable here. It is recommended to change a small amount of money at the airport to cover immediate expenses and then head to the city for a better rate.
You can get a competitive rate by changing your currency in large hotels or banks. Gold and jewellery stores on every main street also offer better deals and no fees.
The Vietnamese Dong (VND) is the official currency of Vietnam.
Yes, US dollars can be directly used for some hotels, restaurants, tours, or other services. However, it is not recommended as they will be converted at a lower exchange rate.
Commonly used denominations include cotton banknotes of VND 1,000, VND 2,000, VND 5,000; and polymer notes of VND 10,000, VND 20,000, VND 50,000, VND 100,000, VND 200,000, and VND 500,000.
