Vietnam Money Guide: Cash, ATMs And Card Payments
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First of all, congratulations. You are all now millionaires.
The Vietnamese currency is Vietnamese Dong, also called VND, and the numbers can feel absolutely ridiculous at first. Don’t panic when you withdraw 3,000,000 VND from the ATM and suddenly feel like a billionaire.
As people who have lived in Vietnam for over a year now, trust us when we say it takes a while for your brain to adjust.
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Understanding Vietnamese Dong
The numbers in Vietnam can feel completely overwhelming at first, especially if you’re visiting from countries like Australia, the UK, Europe or the US.
- 100,000 VND is only about $5 USD or £3 GBP
- 1,000,000 VND sounds terrifying but is actually very normal to carry around
- Street food might cost 30,000-70,000 VND
- A coffee is often around 40,000-60,000 VND
After a few days your brain weirdly adjusts and suddenly spending 500,000 VND doesn’t feel stressful anymore.
Cash vs Card In Vietnam
Vietnam is becoming far more card-friendly than many people expect, especially in bigger cities like Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Da Nang.
You can usually pay by card in:
- Hotels
- Shopping centres
- Restaurants
- Cafés
- Beach clubs
- Convenience stores
However, cash is still king in many places, especially:
- Markets
- Street food stalls
- Smaller local shops
- Some bars and taxis
- Rural areas
We’d definitely recommend always carrying some cash with you, even if you mainly plan on using card.
If you are heading to the markets, our bargaining tips for Vietnam will help you know what to expect.
If you want to see more of our travels around Vietnam, you can watch the vlog below.
ATM Withdrawal Fees In Vietnam
Most ATMs in Vietnam charge withdrawal fees for international cards, and your home bank may also charge additional international transaction fees on top.
Some ATMs also have surprisingly low withdrawal limits, meaning you may need to take money out multiple times.
A few tips that helped us:
- Use ATMs attached to actual banks where possible
- Avoid random standalone ATMs
- Notify your bank before travelling
- Carry a backup card just in case
- Always double-check the ATM fee before accepting
Spending Money In Vietnam
Our number one tip? Spend your money while you are here.
Vietnam is developing incredibly quickly, and tourism plays a huge role in supporting local businesses, cafés, restaurants, tour companies and families.
Of course, budget travel is part of the fun, but don’t be afraid to spend a little more on experiences, food and local businesses while you’re here.
As more tourists visit Vietnam every year, responsible tourism and spending locally can help the country continue developing without completely pricing locals out of their own cities.
Honestly, some of our favourite memories in Vietnam have come from random cafés, local restaurants and small experiences we almost skipped because we were trying to save money.
For a wider idea of what to budget, see our Southeast Asia travel costs guide.
If you want to see more of our life in Vietnam, you can watch our Ho Chi Minh City vlog below.
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