Practical Travel Info for Vietnam

Vietnam uses the Vietnamese Dong (VND). The exchange rate is roughly 25,000 VND = $1 USD (check current rates before traveling). Banknotes range from 1,000 to 500,000 VND. The polymer notes (10,000 VND and above) are waterproof.

Quick Price Conversions

ATMs & Cards

• ATMs are everywhere in cities. Most accept Visa and Mastercard.
• Withdrawal limits are typically 2,000,000-5,000,000 VND ($80-200) per transaction
• ATM fees range from 22,000-55,000 VND ($0.90-2.20) per withdrawal -- Vietcombank and BIDV tend to have lower fees
• Cards are increasingly accepted in hotels, restaurants, and shops in major cities
• Smaller establishments, street food, and rural areas are cash only
• Notify your bank of travel plans to avoid card blocks

Exchange Tips

• Exchange at gold shops (tiem vang) for the best rates -- they are everywhere and fully legitimate
• Banks offer decent rates but with longer waits
• Never exchange at airport currency counters (worst rates)
• USD is sometimes accepted for big purchases (hotels, tours) but at poor exchange rates

Tipping Culture

Tipping is not traditionally expected in Vietnam but is appreciated for good service. Typical tipping situations:

• Restaurants: Not expected, but rounding up the bill is a nice gesture
• Hotels: 20,000-50,000 VND for porters or housekeeping
• Tour guides: 100,000-200,000 VND per day for a good guide
• Spa/massage: 50,000-100,000 VND if you enjoyed the service
• Grab/taxi: Not expected

Vietnamese is a tonal language with six tones, making pronunciation tricky for foreigners. English is widely spoken in tourist areas, especially by younger Vietnamese. Learning even a few words earns enormous goodwill.

Vietnam has excellent mobile coverage and fast 4G/5G networks. Getting online is easy and cheap. WiFi is available in almost every hotel, cafe, and restaurant.

Major Mobile Providers

Tourist SIM Prices

• Airport SIM: 100,000-200,000 VND ($4-8) for 30 days with 3-6 GB/day
• City phone shop: 50,000-150,000 VND ($2-6) for similar packages
• Data is typically unlimited or capped at 3-6 GB per day (throttled after)
• Calls and texts within Vietnam are very cheap -- most travelers only need data

Getting a SIM

You can buy a tourist SIM card at the airport upon arrival (look for the Viettel, Mobifone, or Vinaphone counters after customs). You will need your passport for registration. The staff will install and activate it for you. Alternatively, consider an eSIM if your phone supports it -- you can set it up before you even land.

Vaccinations

No vaccinations are legally required to enter Vietnam (unless arriving from a yellow fever zone), but the following are recommended by the CDC and WHO:

• Routine: MMR, TDAP, Polio, Flu (ensure these are up to date)
• Hepatitis A: Highly recommended -- spread through contaminated food/water
• Hepatitis B: Recommended for longer stays
• Typhoid: Recommended if eating street food (you will want to!)
• Japanese Encephalitis: Consider if traveling to rural areas during monsoon
• Rabies: Consider if you plan to rent a motorbike or trek in remote areas
• Malaria: Low risk in tourist areas. Prophylaxis only needed for remote border regions

Water & Food Safety

• Never drink tap water. Bottled water is cheap (5,000-10,000 VND) and available everywhere
• Ice in restaurants and cafes is generally safe -- it is commercially produced
• Street food is usually safe if the stall is busy (high turnover = fresh food)
• Carry hand sanitizer and use it before eating
• Mild stomach issues are common the first 2-3 days -- bring Imodium and oral rehydration salts

Common Scams to Watch For

• Taxi meter tricks: Use Grab or stick to Mai Linh and Vinasun taxis with meters
• Shoe-shine scam: Someone "accidentally" gets polish on your shoes, then charges to clean them
• Wrong change: Learn to distinguish 20,000 (blue) from 500,000 (green) notes -- similar colors
• Motorbike "damage": Take photos of any rental before riding
• Cyclo overcharging: Always agree on a price before getting in a cyclo (it is per person, not per trip)
• Fake tours: Book through reputable operators or your hotel