How much money do I need to bring to Vietnam?

Do you need to bring cash to Vietnam?

Cash? In Vietnam? Hah! Unless you’re planning a very off-the-beaten-path adventure involving questionable cyclo drivers and suspiciously cheap durian, you’ll be fine with plastic. Think of it as a digital dong detox.

Seriously though, cards reign supreme in tourist zones. Forget bulging wallets; embrace the sleek minimalism of contactless payments. Street vendors? Maybe not always. But the rest? Smooth sailing.

Key takeaway: Cards are king. Cash is a quaint relic, like rotary phones or those awful 2000s frosted-tip highlights. My brother-in-law still uses cash! He’s a dinosaur.

Here’s the breakdown:

• Major Tourist Areas: Cards accepted almost everywhere. Think fancy hotels to trendy cafes. Even my niece, the ultimate millennial, paid for her pho with Apple Pay. Amazing.
• Smaller Shops/Street Vendors: Hit-or-miss. A few still prefer cash, mainly because, well, Vietnam.
• Convenience: Cards win. No more awkward currency exchanges or worrying about petty theft. Just tap and go! I even used my Amex once, felt fancy as hell.

Pro-Tip: Always have a small amount of Vietnamese Dong handy for those rare cash-only situations. Don’t be a total digital diva. A few bucks for tips and minor purchases is all you need. Maybe twenty dollars.

Should I convert money before going to Vietnam?

Vietnam. The scent of pho hangs heavy, a promise whispered on the humid air. Should you exchange money beforehand? Absolutely. Airports, those concrete labyrinths, devour your savings. Avoid them like the plague.

Pre-ordering. Yes, pre-ordering is key. Securing a good rate, that’s the dream. A dream of sun-drenched rice paddies and ancient temples. The freedom of dong in your pocket.

Imagine. The clinking of coins, a small symphony in a bustling market. Each dong, a tiny piece of a vast, vibrant culture. Don’t let airport sharks steal your joy.

Best rates? Order your currency well in advance. Pick it up at their office. Or arrange delivery. Efficiency. A smooth start to your journey. The anticipation builds. The journey begins. The journey is now.

• Avoid airport exchanges. Predatory practices abound.
• Pre-order currency. Secure a superior exchange rate. 2024’s best advice.
• Collection or delivery. Your choice. Convenience reigns supreme.

This trip, my trip to Ha Long Bay in July, depends on this. Every sunset painted across the water, every spicy bite of street food, bought with the hard-earned dong. Don’t let the exchange rate ruin the magic. The anticipation is killing me. This will be the best trip ever, I know it. It’s gotta be.

Do you need cash to enter Vietnam?

Night… again. Thinking about that trip. Vietnam. Needed dong. Definitely. Landing in Hanoi, kinda hazy now. Remember the humidity. Thick. Needed cash for the taxi.

• Cash essential for initial expenses: Taxi, street food, small purchases.
• ATMs readily available: Right outside arrivals. Saw them. Used one. Citibank card worked.
• US dollars widely accepted: Exchanged some at a booth. Rate wasn’t great. But needed it.
• Cities have ATMs everywhere: Even small towns. Never really worried.
• Credit cards accepted in tourist areas: Hotels, bigger restaurants. Not so much in smaller places.
• My experience: Exchanged $200 USD initially. Lasted a few days. Then relied on ATMs. Fee was like $5 per transaction. Worth it for the convenience. Used my debit card mostly.
• Remember the pho: Street vendor. Near the lake. Amazing. Only took cash.

Thinking about going back. Maybe next year. Da Nang. Heard the beaches are beautiful. Definitely need dong.