The Vietnamese dong (VND) can be disorienting with its amounts running to six or seven zeros: here is how to prepare your cash from Paris and avoid mixing up banknotes once you are there.
Travelling to Vietnam means getting used to paying a few tens of thousands of dong for a simple bowl of pho and several million for a night at a hotel. Nothing to worry about: it is simply a currency with very large figures. But between the polymer banknotes that look alike, an economy where cash is still king and ATMs that can be temperamental, it is best to arrive prepared. Sorting out part of your currency exchange before you leave gives you peace of mind from the moment you land in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.
Understanding the dong: a currency with very large figures
The dong (international code VND, symbol ₫) is a currency with a low unit value: it takes tens of thousands of dong to make a few euros. In practice, you will constantly be handling notes of 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, 100,000, 200,000 and 500,000 dong. The 500,000 ₫ note is the largest denomination in circulation: it is a high value that small traders often struggle to give change for, so avoid pulling it out for a street purchase.
A handy bit of mental arithmetic while you are there: to roughly convert a price in dong into euros, drop a few zeros and work out the ratio in your head. The Vietnamese themselves often shorten amounts when speaking, saying "twenty" for 20,000, or "hai trăm" (two hundred) for 200,000. Note too that many tourist prices (hotels, excursions, cruises in Halong Bay) are sometimes quoted in US dollars: the two currencies coexist, but everyday payments are almost always made in dong.
The trap of banknotes that look alike
This is the classic mistake travellers make in Vietnam. The polymer notes share very similar shades, and two pairs in particular cause confusion: the 20,000 ₫ and the 500,000 ₫ are both bluish, while the 10,000 ₫ and the 200,000 ₫ lean towards brownish-red tones. In the dim light of a night market or the rush of a taxi, it is easy to hand over a 500,000 thinking you are giving a 20,000 — that is twenty-five times too much.
- Always check the number of zeros before paying, not just the colour.
- Keep large notes separate from small ones in your wallet.
- Count your change on the spot, without embarrassment: it is a local habit.
- Keep a stock of small notes (10,000, 20,000, 50,000) for taxis, tips and street vendors.
An economy where cash is still king
Despite the rise of mobile payments among the Vietnamese, foreign travellers will pay for the vast majority of their expenses in cash: street food, markets, taxis, small guesthouses, temples, local transport. Bank cards are only genuinely accepted in upmarket hotels, large restaurants and certain shops in tourist centres, often with a surcharge. The dong, moreover, is almost never exchanged outside Vietnam: there is no point hoping to find it easily on your return, and it is wise to spend your last notes before heading back.
On the ground, ATMs are plentiful in the cities but often impose relatively low withdrawal limits per transaction and charge a fixed fee on each withdrawal — which works out expensive if you make lots of small transactions. Preparing a cash reserve before you leave, then topping up occasionally on the spot, remains the most stress-free strategy. Remember also to tell your bank about your trip to avoid any card being blocked.
Tips, bargaining and good practice
Tipping is not a cultural obligation in Vietnam as it can be elsewhere, but it is appreciated and is becoming widespread in tourism: leaving a few tens of thousands of dong for a guide, a driver or in a good restaurant is a welcome gesture. Bargaining, on the other hand, is still customary at markets and with some taxis: stay friendly and reasonable. Favour recognised taxi companies or ride-hailing apps to avoid rigged meters.
On the regulatory side, bear in mind the European customs rule: when entering or leaving the European Union, any movement of cash worth €10,000 or more (or its equivalent in foreign currency) must be declared to customs. For a typical tourist stay, you will remain well below that threshold.
Changing your euros before you leave, from Paris
Rather than chasing after a currency exchange on arrival, you can prepare your currency purchase calmly in Paris. At Paris Change, a bureau de change approved by the ACPR (Banque de France), you benefit from commission-free exchange on more than 53 currencies, with the option to book online and then collect your notes in store. Our single branch is located at 4 Boulevard Saint-Michel, 75005 Paris, in the heart of the Latin Quarter, directly accessible via the Saint-Michel metro (line 4) and the RER B and C (Saint-Michel–Notre-Dame). We are open 7 days a week, Monday to Saturday from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm and Sunday from 10:00 am to 7:30 pm — handy for getting organised even the day before you leave.
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to change your euros into dong in Paris or in Vietnam?
Preparing an initial reserve of dong before you leave saves you the stress of arrival and the repeated ATM fees. You can book your currency online at Paris Change and collect it in store, then top up occasionally on the spot.
Should you take US dollars to Vietnam?
It is not essential: everyday payments are made in dong. Some hotels and excursions display their prices in dollars, but you will settle the vast majority of your expenses in local currency.
How do you avoid mixing up dong banknotes?
Always count the zeros rather than relying on the colour, because the 20,000 and the 500,000 are very similar visually. Keep large notes separate and hold on to small notes for everyday purchases.
Prepare for your trip to Vietnam with peace of mind: book your currency purchase online and come and collect your dong at 4 Boulevard Saint-Michel, 7 days a week, commission-free.
