Money and duty free for Vietnam
Currency and Money
Currency information
Dong (VND; symbol ₫). Notes are in denominations of ₫ 500,000, 200,000, 100,000, 50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 2,000, and 1,000. Coins are in denominations of ₫ 5,000, 2,000, 1,000, and 500. In everyday use, only banknotes are commonly seen; coins are rarely used in practice.
Credit cards
Credit cards are accepted in many hotels, restaurants, and shops in major cities and tourist areas. Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted, while American Express and other cards may be limited. Cash is preferred in smaller towns and markets.
ATM
ATMs are widely available in cities and larger towns, and most accept international cards. Withdrawal limits vary, and transaction fees may apply, both from local banks and your home bank.
Banking hours
Mon-Fri 08:00-16:00.
Currency restrictions
There are no restrictions on the amount of foreign currency that can be brought into Vietnam, but amounts exceeding US$5,000 or equivalent must be declared on arrival. When leaving Vietnam, the same rule applies.
Currency exchange
Currency exchange is available at banks, official exchange offices, hotels, and some gold shops. Please exchange money at authorised locations for better rates and to avoid counterfeit notes. US dollars are widely accepted for exchange into Dong.
Vietnam duty free
Overview
Travellers entering Vietnam are permitted to bring in the following goods free of customs duties and taxes, provided these items are for personal use, not intended for resale, and are declared upon arrival if required:
• Tobacco products (for travellers aged 18 and over): 200 cigarettes or 20 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco.
• Alcoholic beverages (for travellers aged 18 and over): 1.5L of liquor with alcohol content above 20% ABV or up to 2L with alcohol content below 20% ABV or 3L of beer.
• Other goods: Total value less than VND 10,000,000.
Banned Imports
Banned imports include weapons, ammunition, explosives (excluding industrial explosives), narcotics and their derivatives, toxic chemicals and substances banned under international conventions, fireworks (excluding signal flares used for navigational safety), sky lanterns, publications and cultural products deemed reactionary or depraved, and radio equipment and radio-wave appliances not complying with technical regulations.
This list is not exhaustive. Travellers should consult the official Vietnamese customs website or contact the Vietnamese embassy or consulate in their country for the most up-to-date information.
Banned Exports
Banned exports include weapons, ammunition, explosives, narcotics and their derivatives, national relics, antiques, and national treasures, rare and endangered animal and plant species protected under CITES, logs and sawn timber from natural forests in Vietnam, cryptographic products used to protect confidential state information, and toxic chemicals and substances banned under international conventions.
This list is not exhaustive. Travellers should consult the official Vietnamese customs website or contact the Vietnamese embassy or consulate in their country for the most up-to-date information.
