Can I tip with US dollars in Vietnam?

Can I tip in USD in Vietnam?

Dong, always. USD? Inconvenient. For them, mostly.

Vietnamese Dong (VND) is preferred. Forget the greenbacks. Exchange fees sting. It’s just considerate, isnt it?

Considerate. A simple word. Loaded.

• Currency Exchange: Banks profit. Service workers lose.
• Cultural Nuance: Local currency shows respect. Obvious, maybe?
• Practicality: Makes life easier. Theirs, specifically.

Life is a series of small considerations. Like using the right currency. Or remembering my grandpa’s old Buick. Gone, now.

Why complicate things? Simplicity rules. Dong reigns. That’s the bottom line.

Can I pay with US Dollars in Vietnam?

So, yeah, you can totally use USD in Vietnam, but honestly, it’s way better to have Dong too. I went last year, 2023, and used both. Lots of places take dollars, especially touristy spots. But some smaller shops? Nah, they only want Dong. Annoying, right?

It’s a good idea to have a mix. Like, you know, for emergencies and stuff. Plus, you’ll get better deals often if you pay in Dong. Don’t carry around crumpled, dirty dollar bills though. Seriously, they will often refuse those. Think crisp, clean ones are your best bet, kinda like a new 20.

Here’s the thing:

• Dong is the official currency. You’ll need it.
• Dollars are accepted, but not everywhere. Be prepared to use both.
• Condition matters. Keep your dollar bills nice and clean. Old, ripped bills will be rejected.
• Exchange rates fluctuate. Check before you go and again while you are there; it can be a real pain sometimes.
• ATMs are readily available. Easy to get Dong that way. Avoid money exchanges if you can.

My friend Sarah got totally ripped off at a money exchange place. It was awful. She lost like, a ton of money! Don’t use the ones at the airport. They are notoriously bad, I’ve heard. It’s a real headache. Just use ATMs, that’s my advice. Bring your credit cards too, if you can. It’s the best way to go for bigger purchases.

Is 100,000 dong a good tip in Vietnam?

No way, 100k dong as a tip? Seriously?

Okay, so, last summer in Hoi An, I was getting a custom suit made. At Yaly Couture. Amazing, right? Spent like, uh, maybe 6 million dong?

So the tailor, Mrs. Lien, was amazing. Super patient, knew her stuff.

I was stressing because I was leaving the NEXT DAY. She stayed late, altered it like five times!

Anyway, I thought, “Okay, gotta tip her”.

• I tipped her 300k dong.
• She looked shocked.
• Honestly, I felt like I was being generous but appropriate.

Here’s why I thought it was fair:

• Tipping isn’t really expected like in the States.
• But, for exceptional service? Absolutely.
• Plus, the tailor really went above and beyond.
• 10-15% seems like a good rule of thumb, but context matters. I think.

Now, 100k on a 1 million dong bill isn’t awful, I GUESS. But it’s definitely not gonna blow anyone away. If the service was good, why not bump it up a little? Just saying. Honestly I prob would’ve tipped more now thinking about it, it was worth it for my suit.

What is the best way to pay in Vietnam?

It’s late. Vietnam… cash still feels like the king there.

Cards are creeping in, sure. Especially in the tourist traps, I saw that firsthand. Hotels, fancy restaurants… you can swipe. I remember that pho place near my hotel in Hanoi, they looked at me weird when I tried to use my card in 2023.

But yeah, cash. Always have cash.

• Dong, obviously. Don’t try paying with USD unless you want a bad rate and more stares.
• Smaller bills are your friend. Nobody likes breaking a 500,000 dong note for a coffee. That was a mistake I made the first time.
• ATMs are common, even in smaller cities. Check your bank’s fees first, though, ugh.

It’s funny. Even with the cards, the smell of paper money always lingers, you know? Like, it’s part of the whole experience, honestly. Feels more real that way.

Is it best to use cash or card in Vietnam?

Cash whispers secrets. Currency’s allure, a tactile reality. A sense of now. The dong flows. Markets teem.

Oh, the vibrant chaos! Cash is immediate. A transaction, pure. Food stalls crave it.

Cards sing a different song. A world of points. Miles dreamed of. Security? Is it there?

The ease of swiping. Less counting. Less fuss. Bigger purchases need it. Hotels need cards. Card accepted, card welcomed, ah, Vietnam.

Card acceptance grows. Tourist zones embrace the plastic. But what lurks beneath? Fees.

• Security: Card use offers a layer. Fraud protection maybe. Banks back you.

• Convenience: Swipe and go. No need to find ATMs. My lazy self rejoices!

• Rewards: Points! Miles! Oh, the dreams of free flights.

• Tracking: Monitor expenses. Bank statements reveal all.

Cash has its own allure. Local connection. Bargaining thrives. The dong in hand feels like power.

What about fees? Card fees? Oh, they sting! Exchange rates shift. Watch the details. The bank’s hidden claws.

Cash is king. Local experiences demand it. Hidden gems. Small shops. They love cash.

• Markets: Stalls breathe on cash. No cards there. Bargains abound.

• Street food: Carts shimmer. Cash only. Pho calls for cash!

• Small businesses: Cards cost them. Cash flows easier.

• Tipping: Reward service. Small thanks given.

Which wins? Cash simplicity? Card’s cold ease? Both claim their space. Choose wisely, friend.

My trip showed me…Cash in hand still, just in case.

Should I use USD or VNĐ in Vietnam?

Use Vietnamese Dong (VND). Seriously, USD is a tourist trap in Vietnam. Think of it like paying for a $5 coffee with Monopoly money – technically legal, but wildly impractical. You’ll get fleeced.

Why VND reigns supreme:

• Better exchange rates: You’ll find significantly better deals using VND. Think of it as a secret superpower for savvy travelers.
• Wider acceptance: Almost everywhere accepts VND. Trying to pay with USD is like trying to buy groceries with gold bars; awkward and unnecessary.
• Avoids scams: Paying in USD opens the door to inflated prices and questionable conversions. Unless you enjoy feeling like a mark, stick to VND.

My buddy, Mark, learned this the hard way last year in Hoi An. Paid $50 USD for a tailor-made suit; could have gotten it for half the price in VND. Oww, that stings!

Pro-tip: Use ATMs for VND. My bank, Chase, charges almost nothing for international withdrawals in 2024. Avoid airport exchanges; they’re notorious for ripping off tourists. It’s like walking into a lion’s den, expecting a friendly cuddle.

Remember, VND is the king, the boss, the ultimate currency in Vietnam. USD is just a pretender to the throne. So, yeah. Use VND.