Which currency for payment?

Bring USD, exchange as you go (at exchange booths or gold jewelry shops). Everyplace takes USD, make sure you have small denominations at markets, local eateries, etc.

Airfares, tours,hotels: pay in USD. The rest pay in VND. It's advisable to pay in VND whenever you can if the exchange rate is acceptable.
Have a great time.

There is no reason to bring USD these days, unless you are American and it doesn't cost you anything. You can use dong for everything and now they have 500.000 dong notes it's really easy to use. It costs money to exchange and you will often be charged more if you pay with dollars. There are ATM everywhere, just get cash out at the airport when you arrive. The only touble I've had with currency was with a US$ note that I kept being told wasn't good. I had got it from an aussie bank and did get rid of it eventually.

I met a poor guy who had bought $1000US for a fortnight's trip. He'd already paid for all his hotels and happened to hit town when all the banks were closed over athe long weekend. At least if you use ATMs you can get out only what you need, and you generally get a better rate.

Can I change from Singapore Dollar into Vietnamese Dong at the money changer?

It is that it doesnt cost me anything if I bring Singapore Dollars with me. However, it will cost me if I change into USD in the first place.

Thanks again

The Singapore dollar would be a soft currency, no? Euros, dollars, pounds. Go for dollars.

Violets,

You're right. I took USD with me from Australia only the first trip back to Vietnam in 1987. At that time, solid gold was better off if you was lucky enough not to be taxed at the airport- USD $30/ tael. Everybody had to declare everything on them, including their wedding ring. Nowadays we just bring AUD with us.

Charlie,

You can easily change your Sing dollar into VND at any bank. Vietcombank is recommended.

The larger notes like US$50 or US$100 can get a better exchange rate. You can pay for hotel, tour, int'l flight in USD and pay for food, local transport, entrance ticket etc., in VND.

Agree with Violets. Pay in Dong. It is the local currency, after all. I actually resent being quoted prices in $US (apart from in the US and maybe Cambodia).
ATMs everywhere will give you Dong and you'll get a fair exchange rate. That said it's always handy to have a few Yankee dollars squirreled away somewhere in case of emergency.
Bearing in mind Murphy's law, you shouldn't be carrying too much in cash, not in a country that has plenty of ATMs and banks.

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<hr>Bearing in mind Murphy's law, you shouldn't be carrying too much in cash, not in a country that has plenty of ATMs and banks. <hr></blockquote>

Groo,
Have you heard a train commuter left 70,000 AUD in cash on a train in Germany just a few days ago?