Money in Hanoi: Cash, ATMs and Cards

Handling money in Hanoi is easier than the long rows of zeros on the banknotes suggest. You will pay for most things in Vietnamese đồng, use cash for small purchases and a card for bigger ones, and top up from ATMs as you go. This guide covers the practical side and the rules visitors should know. It is general information, not financial advice; check fees and limits with your own bank before you travel.

The short answer

• Currency: the Vietnamese đồng (VND). The notes issued by the State Bank of Vietnam are the legal means of payment in the country.
• Cash or card: cash for street food, markets, small cafés and vendors; cards at most hotels, restaurants, tour operators and many shops.
• Getting cash: bank ATMs, including at the airport when you arrive.
• Exchanging money: only at banks or licensed exchange counters.
• Bringing cash: large amounts must be declared to customs at the border.

The details

The notes you will handle

Most of the notes you will use are made of polymer, a plastic-like material, and the values run up to five hundred thousand đồng. Some older cotton-paper notes are still in circulation. The table near the top of this guide lists the denominations. Because the amounts are large, a quick tip from Vietnam’s official tourism website is to ignore the last three zeros when you compare prices.

Two notes of very different value are similar shades of blue (see the table). Count your change and check each note before you hand it over, especially in dim light or in a hurry.

Cash or card?

According to Vietnam’s official tourism website, cash is still the norm for small purchases and street vendors, while hotels, tour operators, boutiques, restaurants, grocery stores and spas generally accept international debit and credit cards. Many businesses and some taxi services also take contactless card payments. When you pay by card, your card provider sets the exchange rate and any fees.

A practical approach is to carry enough cash for a day of small purchases and use a card for hotels, tours and larger bills.

ATMs

ATMs that accept international cards are easy to find in Hanoi and are located just outside the arrival gates at major airports. Each withdrawal has a limit, which depends on the bank that owns the ATM (see the table), and both that bank and your own may charge fees. Fewer, larger withdrawals usually mean fewer fees, but balance that against the risk of carrying a lot of cash.

Choose ATMs inside or next to bank branches or in busy, well-lit places, cover the keypad, and take your card and cash before you walk away.

Exchanging money

If you bring foreign cash, exchange it at a bank or a licensed exchange counter, such as those inside the international airport. Vietnamese rules treat buying or selling foreign currency at a place that is not licensed to exchange it as an administrative offence, and the same applies to paying for goods and services in foreign currency where the law does not allow it. Small amounts can bring a warning and larger amounts a fine; the table near the top of this guide has the details. In practice, expect to pay in đồng everywhere, even if a price is shown in another currency.

Bringing cash into Vietnam

There is no ban on bringing cash, but amounts above set thresholds in foreign currency or in đồng must be declared to customs at the border when you enter or leave. Bank cards and similar payment instruments do not count towards these limits. The thresholds and the penalties for not declaring are in the table.

Do and don’t

• Do tell your bank you are travelling, and check your card’s foreign-transaction and ATM fees.
• Do carry a mix of small and large notes; small vendors may not have change for the largest ones.
• Do keep cash and cards in separate places, and keep a backup card if you can.
• Don’t change money with people who approach you in the street or at unlicensed shops.
• Don’t assume a price in US dollars means you can pay in dollars.
• Don’t forget to declare cash above the customs thresholds when you arrive or leave.

Where to check official, current information

The State Bank of Vietnam publishes information on the banknotes in circulation and how to spot counterfeits. Customs rules for carrying cash are set by the State Bank’s Circular 15/2011/TT-NHNN, and penalties are summarised on the Government portal. For card fees and limits, the most reliable source is your own bank.