Money in Vietnam: currency, ATMs, cards and tipping

Vietnam runs on cash for the small, frequent purchases that make up most of a day: a bowl of phở at ₫40,000–70,000, a cà phê sữa đá at ₫20,000–45,000, a Grab car across town at ₫60,000–100,000. Cards work at hotels, malls and many sit-down restaurants, but a market stall, a xe ôm or a roadside bún chả will want notes.

How much cash you carry depends on your tier. Backpackers can run a day on ₫600,000–900,000; mid-range travellers on ₫1,500,000–2,500,000; comfort travellers on ₫4,000,000–7,000,000. The south and Hạ Long cost more than the north's towns, and Tết week adds 20–50% across the board.

Change a little at the airport for your first ride, then use city ATMs or a bank counter for better rates. ATMs are common in cities, but per-withdrawal limits are low and fees vary by bank, so take out larger amounts less often. Some machines dispense ₫2,000,000–3,000,000 per transaction; check the fee screen before confirming.

Keep a mix of notes. Vendors rarely have change for ₫500,000, so break big notes at convenience stores or hotels. Ride-hailing apps such as Grab show the fare upfront and take cards in-app, which avoids the change problem entirely. For everything else, small notes are the practical currency of the day.

Tipping is not expected in Vietnam, but it is welcome for good service. A round-up or ₫20,000–50,000 is a reasonable gesture at a restaurant, spa or hotel; tour guides and drivers often receive a little more on a full-day trip. Do not feel obliged to tip at street stalls.

Tết week changes the money picture: many stalls close, those that stay open charge more, and prices rise 20–50%. Withdraw extra cash before the holiday and expect some ATMs to run low. Outside the cities, carry enough cash for the day; card acceptance thins out fast.