Paying in US Dollars

portland
Level Contributor
32 posts
8 reviews
1 helpful vote
Paying in US Dollars
Save

Will be visiting Vietnam for about 17 days in October. I keep reading that US dollars are widely accepted but that they need to be new crisp bills. Is this correct?

Tooele, Utah
Level Contributor
522 posts
13 reviews
14 helpful votes
1. Re: Paying in US Dollars
Save

Yes, try to take currency that is as new as possible. What they don't like are the creases going through the middle of the president's faces, torn corners, excessive wear, and odd markings.

Don't expect the same standard with the bills you get in exchange, and though you don't have to be overly concerned be aware that many people will frown when getting a Vietnamese Dong note that is torn, marked, worn excessively etc. It's as if they are afraid of getting caught holdingthe note that nobody else, including the banks, will accept.

Talk with your local bank a couple of weeks before departure and tell them you would like to get some new currency. They can order it in for you, or at the least they can sort through the vault and get you good bills.

Take larger bills, $100's are best, and exchange them for Dong when you get there. You will see that though prices are quoted in US dollars, they don't really want to get a bunch of 1's, 5's and 10's.

Oh yeah, make sure your bills aren't just in good condition, but that they are the newer series also.

portland
Level Contributor
32 posts
8 reviews
1 helpful vote
2. Re: Paying in US Dollars
Save

Thanks that helps. I have already obtained new bills but just wanted to make sure that I really needed to take them. Were you able to pay at most mid-range hotels ($40-$60) with credit cards or is cash king?

Nha Trang, Vietnam
Destination Expert
for Nha Trang
Level Contributor
8,410 posts
45 reviews
22 helpful votes
3. Re: Paying in US Dollars
Save

Alot of the mid ranged hotels will take cards,but not all.I prefer to get the room rate in Vietnamese dong.I then change my money at the gold shops for a better rate than at the bank or hotel.You will save yourself a good few dollars.

Da Lat, Vietnam
Level Contributor
16,606 posts
83 reviews
70 helpful votes
4. Re: Paying in US Dollars
Save

The only use I have for USD in Vietnam is for my Visa at the airport (I use the Visa on Arrival Approval Letter) - they require US$25. in newer crisp bills. I don't like using/carrying a great deal of cash with me - I use the ATM's for Dong and it has worked out very well. You will probably be overcharged for an item if you use dollars - the exception is your hotel bill. Remember Asia is the land of the bargain - it works very well, but takes a little practice (I keep forgetting myself and frequently will pay the asked price!)

rural West Aussie
Destination Expert
for Perth
Level Contributor
28,230 posts
74 reviews
75 helpful votes
5. Re: Paying in US Dollars
Save

Also be aware that for almost all credit card transactions (I'd say _all_ but there may be the odd exception) you will be charged an added 3% of the bill by the merchant, in addition to any fees your bank may add.

6. Re: Paying in US Dollars

-:- Message from Tripadvisor staff -:-

Tripadvisor staff removed this post either because the author requested it, or because it did not meet Tripadvisor's forum guidelines.

To review the Tripadvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html

We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason.

Removed on: 8:44 am, July 15, 2010
Tooele, Utah
Level Contributor
522 posts
13 reviews
14 helpful votes
7. Re: Paying in US Dollars
Save

To answer the question - you will find most of the hotels in the $40 - $60 dollar range will be able to accept/process credit card payments.

There are advantages to this of course. It creates a paper trail if you like to deduct your travel as part of a business, and it really is more secure than running around the country with alot of cash.

Finally I take a set amount of cash that I allow myself to spend. If I put hotels on cards, it frees up the cash for the fun stuff and I can deal with the cards 45-60 days later.

8. Re: Paying in US Dollars

-:- Message from Tripadvisor staff -:-

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. We hope you'll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one.

To review the Tripadvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html

We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason.

Removed on: 1:18 am, January 13, 2010
Get answers to your questions about Vietnam
CA$CAD
United States
© 2021 TripAdvisor LLC All rights reserved.

This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu.