Money in Vietnam: Dong, Exchange, Withdrawals and Payments (2026)
In Vietnam, the official currency is the Vietnamese dong (VND). As of 18 October 2026, 1 euro is worth approximately 27,000 VND according to the State Bank of Vietnam. You can exchange euros or dollars at banks and exchange offices, withdraw from ATMs (limits of 5 to 10 million VND per transaction), or pay by Visa/Mastercard in most shops.
The dong comes in banknotes of 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, 100,000, 200,000 and 500,000 VND. Coins exist but hardly circulate anymore. Prices are often rounded to the nearest thousand dong.
Vietnam remains a cash-dominated economy: markets, small restaurants, taxis and motorbike taxis operate on cash. Always carry some banknotes with you, especially outside major cities.
The Vietnamese dong: banknotes and values
The dong (VND, ISO 4217 code: VND) is the only legal tender in Vietnam. Polymer banknotes, issued by the State Bank of Vietnam, are colourful and bear the portrait of Ho Chi Minh.
Common denominations:
| Banknote | Approximate euro equivalent (2026) | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 500,000 VND | €18.50 | Rent, large purchases |
| 200,000 VND | €7.40 | Restaurant, groceries |
| 100,000 VND | €3.70 | Meal, transport |
| 50,000 VND | €1.85 | Coffee, snack |
| 20,000 VND | €0.74 | Water, fruit |
| 10,000 VND | €0.37 | Tip, small purchase |
Banknotes of 500, 1,000, 2,000 and 5,000 VND exist but are rare. Shopkeepers often round to the nearest 10,000 or 20,000 VND note.
The dong is not exported: you cannot buy it in France before leaving. You will exchange your euros or withdraw cash once there.
Dong/euro and dollar exchange rates
The official exchange rate is published daily by the State Bank of Vietnam. As of 18 October 2026, indicative rates are:
- 1 EUR ≈ 27,000 VND
- 1 USD ≈ 25,000 VND
These rates fluctuate little on a daily basis, with the central bank maintaining a relatively stable parity. The dong has depreciated slightly in recent years against the euro and dollar.
On the street, exchange offices display rates close to the official rate, with a spread of 1 to 3%. Hotels often apply a less favourable rate, with a 5 to 10% spread.
To convert quickly: 100,000 VND ≈ €3.70, 1 million VND ≈ €37. Get used to counting in thousands of dong ("nghìn"): a coffee at 30,000 VND is called "ba mươi nghìn" (thirty thousand).
Where to exchange euros or dollars in Vietnam
You can exchange euros or dollars at several types of establishments:
Banks: Vietcombank, BIDV, Techcombank, ACB accept euros and dollars. You must present your passport. Rates are close to the official rate, commission varies from 0 to 1%. Opening hours generally from 8am to 4:30pm on weekdays, closed at weekends.
Licensed exchange offices: present in airports (Noi Bai in Hanoi, Tan Son Nhat in Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang) and in tourist areas. Rates slightly worse than banks (1 to 3% spread), but wider opening hours (often until 9pm). Ask for the rate before handing over your notes.
Hotels: convenient in emergencies, but unfavourable rates (5 to 10% spread). Reserve this option for emergencies.
Jewellery shops: in some cities (Ho Chi Minh City notably), jewellers exchange currency. Decent rates, but check the establishment's reputation.
Street exchange: not recommended. Risk of scams (counterfeit notes, rigged counting) and illegal. If you have no choice, count the notes in front of the exchanger and check them one by one.
Euro banknotes must be in good condition: no tears, writing or stains. €100 and €200 notes are sometimes refused (fear of counterfeits). €20 and €50 denominations are accepted everywhere. Dollars must be recent (2013 series or later) and immaculate: a slightly folded or stained note will be refused or exchanged at a reduced rate.
Withdrawing money from ATMs
Automatic teller machines (ATMs) are present in all cities and most towns. Visa and Mastercard are accepted everywhere. American Express works in major cities.
Withdrawal limits: most ATMs limit withdrawals to 5 million VND (€185) per transaction, some go up to 10 million VND (€370). To withdraw more, chain several transactions or look for a BIDV or Vietcombank ATM, which sometimes authorise 10 million.
Fees: the Vietnamese bank charges €1 to €3 per withdrawal (22,000 to 66,000 VND). Your French bank adds its own fees (exchange commission of 2 to 3%, fixed fees of €2 to €5). A withdrawal of 5 million VND can therefore cost you €5 to €10 in cumulative fees. Travel cards (Wise, Revolut) reduce these fees, but check the conditions in 2026.
Recommended ATMs: Vietcombank (green and white logo), BIDV (blue logo), Techcombank (purple logo) are reliable and present everywhere. Avoid isolated ATMs or those in poorly frequented places.
Security: withdraw during the day, in a busy place (bank, shopping centre). Hide your code, check that no suspicious device is attached to the card reader. Count the notes before leaving the ATM. If the machine swallows your card, contact your bank immediately.
Since the cost of living in Vietnam is moderate, 5 million VND (€185) covers several days of current expenses for a traveller.
Paying by bank card in Vietnam
Visa and Mastercard are accepted in most hotels, mid-range and upscale restaurants, supermarkets, shopping centres and major brands. Small shops, markets, street vendors and taxis operate on cash.
Fees: your French bank applies an exchange commission (1.5 to 3%) and sometimes fixed fees per transaction (€1 to €2). Travel cards (Wise, Revolut, N26) reduce these fees, but check limits and conditions in 2026.
Security: contactless payment is becoming widespread in major cities. For high amounts, you will be asked for your code. Keep your card in sight during payment to avoid copying. Fraud cases remain rare, but immediately report any suspicious transaction to your bank.
Online payments: Vietnamese sites (e-commerce, booking) accept international cards, but some require 3D Secure authentication. Plan access to your banking app.
QR code payment and mobile applications
Vietnamese people massively use QR code payments via applications like Momo, ZaloPay, VNPay or banking apps (Vietcombank, Techcombank). In 2026, these systems represent a significant share of urban payments.
For a tourist, these apps require a Vietnamese phone number and, often, a local bank account. If you stay several weeks or are an expatriate, opening an account and installing Momo or ZaloPay simplifies payments (coffee, taxi, delivery). See our guide on opening a bank account in Vietnam for the procedure.
Merchants display their Momo or ZaloPay QR code at the checkout. You scan, enter the amount, confirm. No fees for the customer, instant. Some restaurants and cafés only accept QR code and cash.
Should you bring euros or dollars
You can bring euros or dollars. Both currencies are easily exchanged in Vietnam.
Euros: accepted in all banks and exchange offices. Decent rate. Prefer €20 and €50 notes, in perfect condition.
US dollars: slightly more widespread than the euro, especially in tourist areas and at the Cambodian border. Some hotels and agencies display their prices in dollars. Notes must be recent (2013 or later) and immaculate: a crease, stain or tear reduces the rate or leads to refusal.
How much to bring: for a two-week stay, €300 to €500 (or equivalent in dollars) in cash is enough if you withdraw the rest from ATMs. For a trip of several months or expatriation, favour regular withdrawals and international transfers (see money transfer France-Vietnam for recurring transfers).
Do not exchange all your money upon arrival: exchange in tranches of €100 to €200 according to your needs, to benefit from potentially more favourable rates in town than at the airport.
Exchange scams and precautions
Exchange scams exist, especially in tourist places. Here are the most common and how to avoid them:
Rigged counting: the exchanger counts the notes quickly, palms a few, then hands you the bundle. Solution: count the notes yourself, in front of them, before leaving the counter. Ask again if the count is wrong.
Displayed rate vs applied rate: a sign displays 27,000 VND for €1, but the exchanger applies 25,000 at the checkout. Solution: ask for the exact rate before handing over your notes, and check the calculation on your phone.
Counterfeit notes: rare, but possible in street exchanges. Counterfeit 500,000 and 200,000 VND notes circulate. Solution: exchange at a bank or licensed office. If you receive a suspicious note (paper too smooth, dull colours, no watermark), refuse it.
Hidden fees: some offices display "no commission" but apply a very unfavourable rate. Solution: compare the proposed rate to the official rate of the day. A spread of more than 5% is excessive.
Poor condition notes refused: you exchange euros, you are given damaged dong that you cannot use. Solution: check the condition of the notes before leaving the counter, refuse torn or very worn notes.
Card surcharge: some merchants add 3 to 5% fees if you pay by card. Solution: ask before paying, pay cash if the surcharge is excessive.
In case of dispute, remain calm, ask for a receipt (rarely provided in small offices), and if the amount is significant, contact the tourist police according to information available from French Travel Advice.
Daily budget and money management
The cost of living in Vietnam varies according to your travel style. Orders of magnitude in 2026:
- Backpacker: €15 to €25 per day (street food, dormitory or guesthouse, local transport).
- Mid-range comfort: €40 to €70 per day (3-star hotel, restaurants, some visits).
- High comfort: €100 and more per day (4-5 star hotel, Western restaurants, private excursions).
To manage your money:
- Always keep 500,000 to 1 million VND (€18 to €37) in small denominations (20,000, 50,000, 100,000 VND) for taxis, markets, small restaurants.
- Withdraw in tranches of 5 to 10 million VND to limit withdrawal fees.
- Note your daily expenses to track your budget, especially if you travel for several weeks.
- Separate your money: part in your wallet, part in your bag, a reserve at the hotel (safe if available).
- Use a travel card (Wise, Revolut) to reduce exchange and withdrawal fees.
Hidden expenses (visas, insurance, vaccinations, tips) are added to the daily budget. Allow a 20% margin for contingencies.
Entry rules depend on your nationality; the official portal is evisa.gov.vn. If you prefer someone to handle the application, visa-vietnam.app can do it. visa-vietnam.app is run by the same publisher as this site.
If you settle in Vietnam, regular transfers from France go through services like Wise or Western Union. See our article on money transfer France-Vietnam to compare fees and delays.
What to remember
The Vietnamese currency is the dong (VND). In 2026, €1 ≈ 27,000 VND. You will exchange your euros or dollars at banks (best rates) or exchange offices, or withdraw from ATMs (limits of 5 to 10 million VND, fees of €1 to €3 by the local bank). Bank cards work in mid-range and upscale shops, but cash remains essential for small shops, markets and transport. QR code payments are becoming widespread, but require a local bank account.
Bring notes in good condition (euros or dollars), exchange in small tranches, always count your notes, and beware of rates that are too attractive. For regular transfers (expatriates, retirees), see our guide on international transfers.
Next step: estimate your budget with our budget calculator or consult the detailed cost of living to prepare your stay or installation.
Frequently asked questions
Jérémie Chiari
Author, based in Da Nang
A French entrepreneur living in Da Nang, Jérémie writes these guides from first-hand experience and official sources, cited and dated.
About the author