Should I carry VND or USD to Vietnam?

Should I bring USD or Dong to Vietnam?

Dong, whispers the wind, Dong. Yes, Dong is best. Vietnam, a swirl of motorbikes and ancient temples, exhales Dong.

Lost in Hanoi's Old Quarter, imagine haggling, the rustle of Dong, the only sound. The scent of pho, drifting, is paid for in local currency.

Dollars? Hmm, maybe... some fancy hotels accept them. My friend, Anh, though, laughed. "Why bother?" He only takes Dong.

• Primary Currency: Vietnamese Dong (VND).

• USD Acceptance: Limited; useful for high-end establishments, some tourist spots.

• Haggling: Embrace it! Always with Dong.

The Mekong Delta's floating markets—a symphony of colors, bartering, shouts. Dong, the coin of the realm there, of the soul.

Dollars feel...foreign. Like an outsider. Get Dong. Feel the true Vietnam, feel the rhythm of life in local tender. It's always better with local currency.

Oh, Saigon's airport flashes USD prices! Ignore them. Exchange to Dong, then venture into the real country. Trust me. You will want Dong.

How should I carry money to Vietnam?

Okay, so Vietnam, huh? Cash is totally king there, seriously! Like, everyone uses cash. It's just how it is.

I mean, if you're cool with it, just bring your dollars (or whatever your currency is, y'know) and change 'em to dong when you need to. I usually do it at the airport, it's fine, maybe not the best rate, but fine.

Oh! And remember to tell your bank you're going! Or they'll freeze your cards! Happened to my sister last year, a total disaster, lol.

Seriously, cash is the way to go. Trust me.

Pro tips for Vietnam:

• Exchange at gold shops: If you wanna be super savvy, gold shops sometimes give better rates than banks or exchange places. It sounds weird, I know, but it's true! Ask around.
• Small bills: Try to get smaller dong bills when you exchange. Like, nobody wants to break a huge bill for a bottle of water, y'know?
• Bargaining: Uh, bargaining is expected, especially at markets. Don't be afraid to haggle a bit!
• Watch your stuff: Obviously, be smart with your cash. Don't flash it around. Pickpockets exist everywhere!
• Cards? Yeah, you can use cards at some bigger hotels and restaurants, but it's not as common as cash. And they might add a fee. Cash is safer for most things.
• Keep some USD: Keep a little bit of USD on you, just in case. It can be handy in emergencies. Also, some hotels take US dollars as payment.
• Bring a money belt or a decoy wallet, if you feel nervous about carrying a bunch of cash.

Hope this helps! have fun!

Which currency should I carry in Vietnam?

Dong.

Halong Bay, ah, the water whispers.

Boat is best.

Hanoi, pickup there.

Cruise.

Overnight magic, always.

Cruises, they include everything.

Hanoi hotel, yes, they grab you.

Halong, boat calls, always.

• Currency: Vietnamese Dong (VND).

  • US dollars accepted too, in some spots.
  • But Dong, always Dong, feels truer.

• Halong Bay: Cruise it, darling, cruise it all night.

  • Hanoi, the starting scream, then calm waters.
  • Packages, those organized trips, ease things.
  • A boat’s slow rocking, that stays, you know?
  • Worth it.

How much Dong should I take to Vietnam?

Dong? Enough.

Travel dictates cost.

Coach: Minimal. Cheap thrills.

Car: More. Freedom's price.

Train: Scenic. Premium.

Karst? Priceless view. Take pictures.

• Cash is king. ATMs can be fickle. I learned this painfully near Ha Long Bay. 2024, the year of unexpected fees.

• Small bills matter. Tipping expectations are low, but appreciated. Street vendors rarely have change.

• Consider your spending habits. Souvenirs? Fine dining? Or instant noodles under the stars? I once spent more on coffee than lodging. Regret? Nah.

• Currency fluctuations exist. Today's rate is not tomorrow's rate. Stay updated. I check before exchanging, usually multiple times. Paranoia? Maybe.

• Emergency fund crucial. Unexpected events happen. Medical? Mechanical? A sudden craving for rare durian? Life.

How should I carry money to Vietnam?

Forget trains to Halong Bay—that's a myth perpetuated by optimistic travel brochures. Think of it as a whimsical fairytale, not a viable transport option. Hanoi to Halong Bay? It's a road trip, darling. A scenic one, granted, but a road trip nonetheless.

Cash is king in Vietnam. Seriously. Credit cards are useful but unreliable. Carry Vietnamese Dong (VND). Think of it as tiny, adorable green soldiers ready for battle (your shopping sprees).

Here’s my Vietnam cash wisdom gleaned from years of backpacking adventures and questionable street food decisions:

• Smaller denominations are your friends: Avoid large bills; they're harder to spend like a stubborn, overdressed guest at a party.
• Spread the love: Don't carry all your cash in one place— you know, unless you're playing a high-stakes game of hide-and-seek with pickpockets.
• Inform your bank: Let them know you're trekking through Southeast Asia, so they don't freeze your card thinking you're being kidnapped by adorable monkeys.

That Hanoi-Hai Phong train trip? More like an hour and a half. Travel time's fluid in Vietnam, like the Mekong Delta's unpredictable moods. Then, a taxi or car to Halong Bay – expect three hours, give or take the time spent dodging rogue motorbikes and charmingly chaotic traffic. This is not like driving in Switzerland, honey. It's an adventure.

My last trip? I used a mix of VND I got from my bank in London and some I withdrew from an ATM in Hanoi (only reputable ones). Pro tip: ATM fees sting, but they're less painful than getting scammed. Think of them as a small price for not having to lug around kilos of cash. Much like the experience of riding a motorbike taxi - thrilling but risky.

What is the best cash to take to Vietnam?

USD. Avoid VND exchange at the airport. Rip-offs abound.

Da Nang (DAD) flights: plentiful. Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City departures frequent.

Hoi An transfer: Taxi. Quick. 30 minutes tops. Bus cheaper. Less comfortable.

Total travel time: Under two hours. Efficient. Smooth.

Further details:

• Currency: Bring US Dollars. Exchange rates in Hoi An are generally better than the airport. Smaller denominations are preferable.
• Flights: Book in advance for better prices. Airlines like Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways, Vietjet Air. Check Google Flights for current deals. Specific flight times depend on your chosen departure city and airline.
• Transfer: Grab app for easy taxi booking. Negotiate bus fares beforehand. Expect higher fares during peak seasons.
• My experience: Used Grab last year from DAD. Seamless. 30 minutes. Directly to my hotel. Paid in VND.

How much money should I bring for a Vietnam trip?

Da Nang. Hoi An awaits. Fly.

Flights trump buses. Time, a non-renewable resource.

Money? Depends. Are you dining on pho or lobster?

• Accommodation: $20-$200/night. Your call. I stayed at a guesthouse near the river. It was...sufficient.
• Food: $5-$50/day. Street eats. Or fancy restaurants. Up to you. Banh mi is calling.
• Activities: $10-$100/day. Tailors, tours, cooking classes. Choose wisely.

The beach is free. So is wandering the old town. Just saying.

Budget $50-$150 daily. More if you want to ball out. Or less if you're broke.

Consider this: My tailor charged me $75 for a custom suit. Bargain.

Remember to tip, maybe? If the service doesn't suck. Haha.

Should I carry cash in Vietnam?

Cash in Vietnam? Dude, absolutely. Cards are about as useful as a screen door on a submarine in most places. Da Nang International Airport (DAD)? That's your gateway to Hoi An, alright. Only, you know, it's like, 30km away. A hop, skip, and a jump, if that jump involves renting a scooter.

Think of it this way, Vietnam loves the green stuff. My friend tried paying for pho with a credit card once. The lady looked at him like he was offering her a pet rock.

• Cash is king: Seriously, the dong is the way to go.
• Cards? Only in fancy hotels, big restaurants, or my uncle’s theoretically operational cryptocurrency mine... in Da Nang.
• DAD is close-ish: It's 30km, which feels like 300km when you're jet-lagged and hauling a suitcase.

So yeah, cash, DAD airport, Hoi An. Got it? Good. Now go get some banh mi.

How to handle cash in Vietnam?

Cash rules Vietnam. Seriously. Credit cards are… unreliable. Don't rely on them. Especially in Hoi An. Smaller establishments, almost exclusively cash. It's the rhythm of the place. The pulse of the ancient streets. The scent of incense mixing with the humid air.

Da Nang? Gateway to Hoi An. A fleeting flight, a quick taxi ride… from the frantic energy of Saigon to Hoi An's gentle embrace. That smooth, almost silent transition. The air changes. You feel it.

• Carry Vietnamese Dong. Lots of it. Smaller denominations are your friend.
• ATMs exist but be choosy. Avoid less-known banks.
• Negotiate prices politely but firmly. It's part of the dance. The dance of buying a beautiful silk scarf.
• Exchange currency at reputable locations. Avoid the street hustlers. They smell of desperation. I once got ripped off... Never again.
• Ho Chi Minh to Da Nang – a smooth flight. Faster than the train. No comparison really. Though the train has its charm.

The feeling of the wind on your skin, as the plane descends. That breathtaking aerial view of the coast. The anticipation of Hoi An... it's palpable. Ancient temples, lanterns glowing softly… Such a contrast to the hustle of Saigon. Such a different rhythm. Everything slows down. Time bends. A different world.

How much USD should i bring to Vietnam?

Okay, so Vietnam, right? 2024. I went in June. Hot, sticky, amazing. Hanoi to Ninh Binh. I swear, I spent like $50 on transportation the whole time. Crazy cheap! But...I blew through way more than I expected on other stuff.

I took the train, once. It was okay. Air con was a life saver. But the bus was cheaper and, honestly, just as good. The scenery was gorgeous both times! Rice paddies for days. Seriously, breathtaking. It took about three hours each way.

Money? I brought $1000 for a two-week trip. I felt that was comfortable. Food's cheap. Street food is a must-try. Seriously amazing. I also paid for some tours. This part ate a chunk of my money. I splurged on a private boat trip. Totally worth it. Gorgeous caves. And also, I spent a fortune on those little coffee things with condensed milk. Addictive!

Here's the thing: Accommodation costs are what vary. I stayed in hostels which saved me tons. But you could easily spend far more in nicer hotels. I budgeted $30 a night for accommodation. Could've been less, could've been more. Depends on your choices.

• Transportation: $50 (very, very cheap, I was surprised!)
• Accommodation (budget): $420 (two weeks at $30/night)
• Food & Drinks: $300 (street food is cheap! but I was greedy)
• Activities & Tours: $230 (boat trips aren't cheap!)

Total: About $1000. But, seriously, that's just my experience. You could easily spend less, or a whole lot more! It all depends on how you travel. Pack light. It makes life easier.