Money in Vietnam: currency, where to exchange, ATMs and card payments
In Vietnam you pay only in dong — paying in dollars or other foreign currency is banned. Exchange legally at a bank or a bank's licensed agent («Đại lý đổi ngoại tệ»), withdraw cash at an ATM attached to a bank branch.
In Vietnam you pay only in Vietnamese dong (VND, ₫): paying in dollars, roubles or any other foreign currency in shops, cafés, hotels and taxis is banned for both buyer and seller. You can legally exchange money at a bank or at a bank's licensed agent with a «Đại lý đổi ngoại tệ» sign; exchanging on the street, in a shop without a sign or through Telegram money changers is punished: from a warning to a fine, with confiscation for larger sums. Foreign Visa and Mastercard cards are easiest to use at ATMs attached to a bank branch.
| What | Allowed? | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Paying in dong | yes | everywhere: shops, cafés, taxis, hotels |
| Paying in dollars or other currency | no | banned, except duty free and border fees |
| Exchanging at a bank | yes | passport usually required; closed at weekends |
| Exchanging at a bank's agent | yes | «Đại lý đổi ngoại tệ» sign with the bank's name |
| Street, unlicensed shop, Telegram exchange | no | warning or fine; confiscation for larger sums |
| ATM withdrawal | yes | the ATM fee is shown on screen before you confirm |
What currency is used in Vietnam?
Vietnam's currency is the dong (VND, ₫), and you can only pay in dong: that's Article 3 of State Bank of Vietnam Circular No. 32/2013/TT-NHNN. If a café or shop accepts dollars, the conversion is usually not in your favour, and Decree 340/2025/NĐ-CP sets warnings and fines for paying in foreign currency. Check the dong rate on Vietcombank's rates page — it changes during the day.
Which currency should you bring to Vietnam?
US dollars are the easiest currency to bring to Vietnam: every bank and agent exchanges them. Bring clean, preferably new notes: torn, damaged or very worn notes are often refused or exchanged at a lower rate. Take your passport — banks usually ask for it.
Where can you exchange money legally in Vietnam?
You can legally exchange money in Vietnam only at a bank or a bank's agent — an agent has a «Đại lý đổi ngoại tệ» sign with the bank's name at the door and displays its rates. Since 9 February 2026 Decree 340/2025/NĐ-CP applies: exchanging under 1,000 dollars outside a bank brings a warning, larger sums a fine and confiscation of all the currency. Addresses by city: where to exchange money in Nha Trang and in Da Nang.
How do you withdraw cash with a card in Vietnam?
A foreign Visa or Mastercard is easiest to use at an ATM attached to a bank branch: if the machine swallows your card, the branch can return it. The ATM fee is shown on screen before you confirm — trust the screen, not stickers; your own bank may add its own fee. When the ATM offers to convert into your card's currency, choose dong and let your bank do the conversion. More in ATMs in Nha Trang and ATMs in Da Nang.
FAQ
What currency does Vietnam use? The Vietnamese dong (VND, ₫). You can only pay in dong.
Can you pay in US dollars in Vietnam? No, it's banned for both buyer and seller, except duty free and border fees. Exchange dollars for dong at a bank or a bank's agent.
Where can you exchange money in Vietnam? At a bank or a bank's agent with a «Đại lý đổi ngoại tệ» sign. Street exchange brings a warning or a fine, and confiscation for larger sums.
Which currency should you bring? US dollars — they're exchanged everywhere.
How do you avoid overpaying at ATMs? Use an ATM attached to a bank branch, check the fee on screen and choose conversion in dong.