Vietnam travel money tips
Heading to Vietnam? Here's a quick rundown of how to handle money on the ground — tipping etiquette, when to use cards versus cash, the best ATMs to use, and the most common pitfalls travelers run into. The local currency is the Vietnamese Dong (VND, ₫).
Tipping
Not expected, but 10,000–50,000 VND for great service in restaurants and tour guides is appreciated.
Cards vs cash
Cash dominates. Cards work in hotels and upscale restaurants, but expect a 3% surcharge.
Payment methods accepted
ATMs & cash tip
Vietcombank, BIDV, and HSBC ATMs allow up to 5 million VND per withdrawal; most others cap at 2–3 million with a 50,000 VND fee.
Heads-up
- Always agree on a taxi or motorbike fare in advance — or use Grab/Be apps with a fixed price.
- Count change carefully: 20,000 and 500,000 VND notes look very similar.
About the Vietnamese Dong (VND)
The Vietnamese Dong (VND, symbol ₫) is the official currency of Vietnam. Knowing the live VND rate against your home currency helps you sanity-check menu prices, taxi fares, and souvenir markups while traveling.
More travel tips
See all country tips →Tips are general guidance for travelers, not legal or financial advice. Customs vary — confirm with local sources for important plans.