Vietnam - Money Manual 💰

Travel with Niyo
1

Currency: Vietnamese Dong (VND) :dollar:

  • :india: INR 1 = VND 295

  • :vietnam: VND 10,000 = INR 34

  • :us: USD 1 = VND 24,000

:warning: VND is a weak currency, but prices aren’t necessarily lower than in India!

At the Airport :flight_departure:

Item Price Payment Method
Sim card (Viettel) From VND 100k :dollar: Cash
eVisa fees Online payment :credit_card: Card
Airport to city by bus From VND 15k :dollar: Cash
Grab Gojek Taxi / Varies :credit_card: Card / :dollar: Cash

Money Forms in Vietnam :currency_exchange:

  1. VND cash* :dollar:

  2. Zero forex card (primary) :credit_card:

  3. USD/EUR (spare cash) :dollar:

  4. Backup: More zero forex cards or international ATM cards :credit_card:

*Spend before leaving Vietnam (no value outside the country)

Payment Acceptance :credit_card::dollar:

Location Cash Card
Minimarkets :white_check_mark: :x:
Hostels :white_check_mark: :x:
Small cafes :white_check_mark: :x:
Hotels :white_check_mark: :white_check_mark:
Restaurants :white_check_mark: :white_check_mark:
Supermarkets :white_check_mark: :white_check_mark:

Activities & Transport :red_car::motor_scooter::bus:

Service Payment Method
Budget excursions :dollar: Cash
Premium excursions :credit_card: Card / :dollar: Cash
Scooter rental (fees & deposit) :dollar: Cash
Car rental (fees & deposit) :credit_card: Card / :dollar: Cash
Public transport :dollar: Cash
Intercity buses & trains :credit_card: Card / :dollar: Cash

:warning: Merchants may charge 1-2% extra for card payments. Debit card fees are usually lower than credit card fees.

Important Tip :bangbang:

:white_check_mark: Always choose to pay in VND when using a card

:x: Never choose the INR value on the screen (includes high conversion fees)

Daily Budget Guide (Backpacker) :school_satchel:

Type of Spend Starting From
Stay Hostels: VND 50k
Hotels: VND 250k
Food Street food: VND 15k
Transport Bus: VND 10k
Motorbike taxis: VND 15k
Sightseeing Free sights to paid excursions
(negotiate price in USD)

:bulb: This is a @TheBackpacksters budget. Adjust upwards for more luxury!

By keeping these tips in mind, you can manage your money effectively and enjoy your trip to Vietnam! :earth_asia::moneybag:

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Wow @Zahid_Niyo . I wish you had given me this cheat sheet before my tour. It’s a well-researched document and is going to help a lot of travelers. From my personal experience I wanna add something to this.

  1. As Vietnam is a bustling tourist destination, always pre-book your stay. I booked through Agoda and received a good amount of cashback after leaving a proper review.
  2. The payment methods in hostels vary by property. However, as @Zahid_Niyo says, cash is the dominant payment method for backpacker hostels, and for the same property, paying with cash costs much less than paying with a card. When booking a property online, you can use filters to check the available payment methods.
  3. For local excursions, I recommend booking through the Klook app. You can pay with your card, so there’s no need for cash. Additionally, leaving feedback after completing a tour gives you a good cashback.
  4. For local shopping, cash is a must, as are your bargaining skills.

Cheers!!! Enjoy a trip to Vietnam :slight_smile: and dont forget to share your stories with us.

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Hey @Prantick_Santra!


Thanks for the kind words and the extra tips! :raised_hands: Pre-booking stays and using Agoda for cashback is a great idea. The Klook app sounds handy for booking tours with a card, too.

You’re right—having cash for local shopping and small expenses is a must. And a little bargaining can go a long way! :blush:

Thanks again for sharing. Looking forward to hearing more travel stories from everyone! :earth_asia::airplane:

Cheers! :raised_hands:

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How do you mainly spend your money in Vietnam? :vietnam:

  • VND cash :dollar:
  • Niyo Card :credit_card:
  • USD/EUR cash :dollar:
  • Other forex cards or international ATM cards :credit_card:
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Very good summary about handling money in Vietnam! It is useful to learn that VND has low value but costs are not always cheaper than India. The advice about always opting to pay in VND when using a card is very important to avoid high conversion fees. This suggestion is excellent for backpackers who want to control their expenses well. Thanks for sharing!

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Thanks @AdventureAlchemy! Glad you found it useful. If you feel like adding more tips or experiences, that would be amazing. Safe travels! :blush:

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The VND cash was withdrawn from ATM using Niyo card :stuck_out_tongue:

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