Yes, you can use Euros in Vietnam, but they are not used for daily transactions. While the USD is more widely accepted, Euros are easily exchanged at banks, airports, and gold shops for Vietnamese Dong (VND). For the best rates, bring clean, high-denomination €50 or €100 notes.
US dollars are by far the most widely accepted foreign currency for exchange in Vietnam, followed (very distantly) by the Euro. So if, for whatever reason, you're caught without dong, most hotels accept US dollars (but exchange rates are generally not good).
For a more comfortable backpacker experience in Vietnam, it's best to budget around $50 per day. This way, you'll have more money to spend on things like food, drinks, activities and hotel rooms. For a comfortable mid-range experience in Vietnam, it's best to budget $60 to $100 per day for your entire costs.
Vietnam meal cost varies significantly based on location, dining style, and restaurant type. The average daily food cost ranges from VND 200,000 - 1,400,000 (USD 8 - 58) per person, with street food being the most economical option and luxury restaurants representing premium pricing.
Most Vietnamese locals primarily use cash, but card payments are becoming increasingly more popular. If you're going to be travelling to well-known tourist areas, you'll be able to pay for almost everything by card. However, there are still certain situations when you might need cash.
While cash is used for small purchases and street vendors in Vietnam, most establishments accept payments from major credit card providers such as Visa. Hotels, tour operators, boutiques, restaurants, grocery stores, and spas all generally accept international debit and credit cards.
Tips: Avoid currency exchange at Vietnam's airport. Instead, opt for local markets for better rates. Allocate 70% of your travel budget to USD currency notes.
Should I bring dong or USD to Vietnam? Vietnamese Dong is the best currency to use with no doubts. Most payments are made in Vietnamese Dong, but US dollars can be directly used for some hotels, restaurants, tours, or other services.
The 2/3/4 rule for credit cards is a guideline, notably used by Bank of America, that limits how many new cards you can get approved for: no more than two in 30 days, three in 12 months, and four in 24 months, helping manage hard inquiries and credit risk. It's a strategy to space out applications, preventing too many hard pulls on your credit report and helping maintain financial health by avoiding over-extending yourself.
Tip 1: Don't exchange USD for Dong inside the airport in Vietnam. Go into the nearby local market and you'll find currency exchange outlets which offer superb rates. Tip 2: Carry 70% of your total travel budget in the form of US dollar currency notes.
A local favorite, typically VND 15,000 – 30,000 ($0.60 – $1.20) at local cafes or street stalls. An absolute must-try! 🌟 Cà Phê Đen Đá (Vietnamese Iced Black Coffee): Stronger and bolder, without condensed milk. Similar price range, often a few thousand VND cheaper than cà phê sữa đá.
Vietnam's most expensive city is Ho Chi Minh City, followed by Hanoi. Even in these two places, a couple can enjoy a comfortable, middle-class lifestyle for less than $1,300 per month. Many Westerners who live in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City get by spending around $500 per month, but it's a no-frills lifestyle.
Strokes cause the most deaths in the Vietnamese population with 200,000 new cases each year; half of them are fatal. Vietnamese-Americans have the 2nd to highest stroke mortality rate among sub- Asian Americans groups.
So the first time you hit an ATM in Vietnam, you're a millionaire! Two million VND is less than $100 USD. All that to say, when I say something like “My apartment costs 7.5 million”, you shouldn't be alarmed.
