Money & Payments
Vietnam runs largely on cash, and the dong comes with a lot of zeros. Cards work in cities and resorts, but carry notes for markets, street food and the countryside.
Currency
Vietnamese dong (₫)
Cards
Cities & hotels
Cash
Essential everywhere
Tipping
Appreciated, not required
Mind the zeros
Notes range up to 500,000₫. The 20,000₫ and 500,000₫ notes are both blue-ish — double-check before you pay. It helps to think in terms of dropping three zeros for a rough sense of value.
Cash is king
Street food, markets, taxis and small shops are cash-only. Withdraw from ATMs (which dispense dong) and keep small notes for everyday spending. Larger bank ATMs have higher withdrawal limits.
Cards & apps
Hotels, malls and mid-range restaurants in cities take Visa and Mastercard. The Grab app is invaluable for cashless rides and food delivery.
Tipping
Tipping is not expected but is warmly received — round up taxi fares and leave a little for good service or guides.
Useful phrases Phrases
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Internet & Apps