Vietnam of today is a youthful nation fueled by the desire for modernisation and commercialisation while protective of its traditional past. In the stoic political capital of Hanoi in the north and vibrant cosmopolitan Ho Chi Minh City in the south, observing modern cities in the making. But along small streets, like those in the Old Quarter in Hanoi, you will still find silversmiths practicing their century-old trade, far removed from the modern changes around them. The former imperial capital of Hue and the ancient port city of Hoi An offer an evocative glimpse into the country’s rich historical past.
Hanoi, Halong/Lan Ha bay, Mai Chau, Hue, Hoi An, Saigon, Mekong, Phu Quoc Island
20 Days - 19 Nights
Essential Vietnam
Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hue, Hoi An, Saigon
12 Days - 11 Nights
Overview
Thailand is one of the most favorite holiday destination in Asia. It has rich historic culture, lively arts, beautiful beaches, exciting nightlife, friendly and hospitable people and with one of the best cuisines in the world makes Thailand a fascinating country to visit. Thailand also serves as a hub for Southeast Asia, is well placed to combine with other countries in the region.
Bangkok is the largest and most populous city in the country. It has more 10 million inhabitants and is known among Thais as Krung Thep which means “city of angels”.
Torn by a decade of civil war, Cambodia has only recently experienced peace and is beginning to establish itself as an attractive tourist destination. As one of the poorest countries in the world, the country has relied heavily on tourism for its economic growth. The government of Cambodia has given priority to developing the country’s cultural and eco-tourism industries to facilitate economic development and help reduce the widespread poverty.
The main tourist attraction of Cambodia is the ancient archeological ruins of Angkor, a World Heritage Site in Siem Reap.
Hanoi, Mai Chau, Lan Ha bay, Hoi An, Siem Reap, Mekong cruise and Saigon
22 Days - 21 Nights
Ancient Kingdoms of Indochina and the Siam
Chiang Rai, Siem Riep, Phom Penh, Luang Prabang
15 Days - 14 Nights
Overview
Laos, a peaceful land-locked nation, is one of Southeast Asia’s hidden gems. The stunning natural beauty of forested mountains and valleys teeming with wildlife combined with a fascinating Buddhist culture make Laos a superb destination for those seeking an adventurous and authentic cultural experience.
The tranquil capital city of Vientiane maintains a vintage charm with its faded old colonial architecture juxtaposed with ornate, gilded temples.
Vietnam’s money: The BEST guide for your cost-conscious trip
Besides, having information on Vietnam’s money is also essential, so that you know how to plan and manage your budget.
Before your Vietnam travel journey, you should know about the geographical position of Vietnam, its weather, culture, and people. Besides, having information on Vietnam’s money is also essential, so that you know how to plan and manage your budget. Different notes of Vietnamese currency bear different pictures of popular tourist destinations.
Things to know about the history of Vietnam’s money The official Vietnam’s money, Vietnamese dong, was first created by the government of the Vietnam Democratic Republic in 1946 to replace the piastra of French Indochina. In 1975, after the fall of Saigon’s regime, the dong was also used in the southern region.
Nowadays, there are banknotes of 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, 100,000, 200,000, and 500,000 Vietnamese dongs. On one side of the banknotes is the phrase “Socialist Republic of Vietnam”, the national emblem, and the portrait of President Ho Chi Minh. On the other side is a picture with the phrase “State Bank of Vietnam” on top.
2. Vietnam currency denominations: How much is Vietnam’s money worth?
Vietnamese banknotes are printed on cotton or polymer paper in different colours and sizes so as to be easily distinguished. Specifically:
2.1. Cotton banknotes
VND1,000 banknote
VND2,000 banknote
VND5,000
2.2. Polymer banknotes
VND10,000
VND20,000
VND50,000
VND100,000
VND200,000
VND 500000
VND500,000 banknote – The most valuable Vietnam’s money unit (Source: Collected)
Vietnamese Currency Facts
The official currency of Vietnam is the ‘dong.’
The currency symbol is ₫
Foreign currency is much sought after, and it is possible to pay in some places with the US dollar. However, you’ll always be handed your change in dong. Other foreign currencies are less widely accepted, but in tourist areas, you’ll often find people who will want to make some profit exchanging banknotes for you.
The currency code is VND
All the money you receive will be paper. (You can buy commemorative coins if you like, but I’ve never seen one in 5 years of living here)
The dong was first introduced into Vietnam in 1946 by the then-North Vietnam government to replace the French piastra. It wasn’t until 1975, when the South Vietnamese government was ousted after losing the Vietnamese war, that South Vietnam also came to use the dong
The currency was hit with a massive wave of inflation in the 1980s, which explains why today, 1,000,000 only equals about $40.
Lower denomination Vietnamese banknotes are made of cotton, and higher ones are of polymer
In the past, the dong was subdivided into even smaller units called the hao and xu. These were often in the form of aluminum coins
Can you guess who the only person on the banknote is? That’s right. Uncle Ho. Ho Chi Minh, the legendary communist thinker and founder of modern Vietnam, festoons every denomination. The picture is identical on each note, so you can see why it causes problems in differentiating between them.
