Should I bring US Dollars to exchange?

Only bring crisp, clean 100 USD bills to exchange at gold shops or banks if you have an emergency. Using ATMs is significantly cheaper and more convenient.

Do I need to tip in Vietnam?

Tipping is not expected, but rounding up the bill at restaurants or leaving small change for tour guides is appreciated.

Are credit cards widely accepted?

Only in hotels, high-end restaurants, and malls. 90% of your daily transactions—street food, markets, and local transport—will be in cash.

Handling Money in Vietnam

Carry a mix of physical Vietnamese Dong (VND) for street vendors and a travel-friendly debit card for ATMs. Always choose 'debit without conversion' at the machine to avoid excessive bank fees.

Get a fee-free debit card. Open an account with a bank like Charles Schwab or Revolut that refunds international ATM fees. You will pay 20,000 to 50,000 VND per withdrawal otherwise.
Withdraw cash on arrival. Use ATMs attached to major banks like Vietcombank, Techcombank, or ACB. These are safer and have higher withdrawal limits than standalone machines.
Manage your denominations. Break large bills (500,000 VND) at supermarkets or hotels. Street vendors and taxi drivers often struggle to provide change for these notes.
Use digital payments where possible. Download MoMo or ZaloPay if you are staying longer than a month, but for short trips, keep enough cash for daily spending to avoid the hassle of setting up local e-wallets.

Should I bring US Dollars to exchange?: Only bring crisp, clean 100 USD bills to exchange at gold shops or banks if you have an emergency. Using ATMs is significantly cheaper and more convenient.
Do I need to tip in Vietnam?: Tipping is not expected, but rounding up the bill at restaurants or leaving small change for tour guides is appreciated.
Are credit cards widely accepted?: Only in hotels, high-end restaurants, and malls. 90% of your daily transactions—street food, markets, and local transport—will be in cash.