American Dollars

I visited Vietnam from Australia 10 years ago and exchanged both American Dollars and Vietnamese Dongs. I have now done some research and it is said that it is discouraged to use US Dollars. I can understand why but I just want to confirm that it is now the practice.

As far as I know it's illegal to list prices or ask for payment in any other curency other than VND, but in fact many shops/restaurants still display prices in USD and USD is still widely accepted in VN in big/tourist citis... However, you are strongly recommended using VND

In HCMC and the Mekong delta everything was priced in VND except some hotels in HCMC.
All the hotels I visited in the delta were priced in VND.
I wouldn't say discouraged is the right word, if you want to be a "dumb" tourist and pay for stuff in a foreign currency making the sellers change your money instead of paying like locals, go ahead, they'll probably be happy to change your money for you.

We haven't been to Vietnam for some years (12 to be precise) but if something was advertised in dollars, that's what we paid with. So I guess in your book that made me a dumb tourist. Even though we had already been to SEA five times by then.

We haven't been to Vietnam for some years (12 to be precise) but if something was advertised in dollars, that's what we paid with. So I guess in your book that made me a dumb tourist. Even though we had already been to SEA five times by then.

Well no of course if it's advertised in dollars and you pay in dollars that doesn't make you a dumb tourist. Some hotels in HCMC didn't even want any VND from foreigners. I'm talking about people who don't understand the dollar is not their currency, so they'll try to pay everything with dollars like motorbike taxis or whatever.

It's illegal for anyone to insist you pay in dollars. I haven't used dollars for years. And have had no problems. you just get dong directly out of an ATM and so it's easy to have no Vietnamese currency left at the end. I've noticed increasingly that quite often people don't want US dollars because it costs them money to exchange it.

Some years ago, the dong was an unstable currency and the inflation rate in Vietnam was high.
Dollars were seen as a safe haven for savings, and thus were desirable. With increased foreign trade and a government that is more engaged internationally, that situation has changed. Some merchants are still cautious. It is best to use dong for small purchases.

Thank you all for your replies.

These days there is no need to take USD to Vietnam, and as other poster have replied, it is now illegal to advertise prices in USD. I suggest you take AUD and change it to dong at major banks or gold shops. Check to daily exchange rates on the internet first. ATMs accept major plastic cards such as VISA and dispense only dong.

The maximum cash you are permitted to take to VN is $USD5000 or equivalent in AUD, British pounds, gold, jewellery, etc.

This topic has been automatically locked due to inactivity. Email community@lonelyplanet.com if you would like to add to this topic and we'll unlock it for you.