Vietnam is one of the most compelling travel destinations in the world.
For American travelers, the Vietnamese dong (VND) is a big part of the reason why. With every US dollar currently buying approximately 26,000 VND, American travelers enjoy an amazing exchange rate: superb street food for under $2, comfortable boutique hotels for $40 or less a night, and Michelin-starred restaurant experiences for the price of a standard sit-down meal back home.
Whether you’re planning your first visit or returning to a country you already love, this guide covers what you need to know about traveling in Vietnam, the prices you can expect to pay, and how to get VND before you fly.
History of Vietnamese Currency
The Vietnamese dong (often spelled đồng) came into being as the national currency in 1978, replacing the previously separate North and South Vietnamese currencies. Until 2016, Vietnam’s central bank utilized a “crawling peg” that loosely tracked the US dollar while also accounting for market forces. The dong is known for being one of the lowest valued currencies in the world, currently behind only the Iranian rial and Lebanese pound.
According to the World Bank, Vietnam has been transitioning from “a centrally planned economy to a socialist-oriented market economy” since 1986. That transition has paid off: it was recently ranked #12 in the world for the fastest economic growth over the past 10 years. This outstanding growth rate puts Vietnam on track to surpass neighbors like Singapore and Thailand in economic size in the coming years.
Vietnam in 2026: A Destination on the Rise
Vietnam's status as a global travel destination has been building for years, and this year may be the strongest yet. The country recorded 13.9 million international arrivals in the first seven months of 2026, a record-breaking pace even as disruption elsewhere has reshaped global travel patterns. It reflects what the country has long offered to visitors: a rare combination of natural beauty, culinary depth, and history. Add in the favorable exchange rate, and you have an irresistible global travel destination.
Traveling in Vietnam
Vietnam’s climate can range from the warm, humid tropics to the south, to the cooler, more temperate and variable north. Seasonality and location will have a major effect on your travel plans — in fact, some travelers may consider the rainy season to be ideal for visiting (at least if you’re aiming for the perfect photograph).
If you plan to visit southern Vietnam, you can generally count on warm weather year-round, though the June-to-November rainy season will lead to the most striking photos. Just beware the March-to-May window in which temperatures routinely exceed 100°F.
Northern Vietnam can get relatively cool in winter, with near-freezing nights from December to February; these are offset by humid, sweltering temps from May to August. For more temperate weather, many travelers prefer to visit the north in the March to April (spring) or September to November (autumn) windows.
Top Sights to See
There are countless striking sights throughout Vietnam, but here are three time-tested destinations worth anchoring a trip around:
- Ha Long Bay – Known as the #1 attraction in Vietnam, Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage site famed for its emerald waters and thousands of limestone islands. Best explored via a multi-day houseboat stay or a shorter boat excursion.
- Hoi An – Another UNESCO site, this seaside city is widely considered one of the most beautiful destinations in Vietnam. Famous for its well-preserved architecture and lantern-filled streets, its historic Old Town is a particular delight, as is its exceptional food culture.
- Hue – Known as Vietnam’s ancient imperial capital, Hue is a site of stunning ruins, with equally impressive tombs of ancient emperors outside the city. The Citadel is of particular note and not to be missed.
Other key places of note: Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park (home to the world’s largest cave), Ho Chi Minh City (commonly known as Saigon), Hanoi, and the Mekong Delta.
Dining in Vietnam: From Street Food to Michelin Stars
Vietnam has one of the most celebrated food cultures in the world. For American travelers, it’s also one of the most affordable places to eat exceptionally well.
A bowl of pho at a street stall typically runs 40,000-60,000 VND ($1.50-$2.30). A banh mi from a street cart runs 20,000-35,000 VND (less than $1.50). In short, you can eat extremely well in Vietnam for a fraction of what a comparable meal costs at home.
For a sense of just how far the VND stretches even at the high end: Vietnam now has eleven Michelin-starred restaurants. A multi-course tasting menu at places like Gia in Hanoi or La Maison 1888 in Da Nang typically runs 3,500,000 VND (roughly $135), whereas a comparable experience in New York or Chicago would cost two to three times as much.
Other foods worth seeking out on your visit: bánh xèo (crispy Vietnamese sizzling pancakes), cơm tấm (broken rice, a Saigon staple), bún bò Huế (spicy beef noodle soup from Hue), cao lầu (a Hoi An regional specialty), and of course pho and banh mi, the two dishes that most define Vietnamese street food culture globally.
What Does Your Dollar Buy in Vietnam?
Here’s a snapshot of typical costs for American travelers, based on July 2026 rates (1 USD ≈ 26,000 VND). Figures are drawn from traveler-reported data across Vietnam’s major tourist destinations and will vary by city, season, and establishment:
- Street food meal (pho, banh mi, etc.): ~$1.50–$2.30 (40,000–60,000 VND)
- Sit-down restaurant: ~$2 per person (50,000 VND)
- Local draft beer: ~$1.15 (30,000 VND)
- Budget guesthouse or hostel: ~$15-$30/night (400,000-800,000 VND)
- Mid-range hotel: ~$21-$33/night (550,000-850,000 VND)
- 4-star hotel: ~$37-$65/night (950,000-1,700,000 VND)
- 5-star hotel: ~$77-$115/night (2,000,000-3,000,000 VND)
- Grab (Uber equivalent) ride within a city: ~$1-$4 (30,000-100,000 VND)
- Car and driver, full day: ~$60-$100 (1,500,000-2,600,000 VND)
- Domestic flights (e.g., Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City): ~$43 (1,100,000 VND)
Before Your Trip
Obtaining a visa: American visitors need a tourist visa for Vietnam, but getting one is painless: Vietnam’s e-visa costs $25, is processed entirely online in 3-5 business days, and is available in either a 30-day or 90-day option. A visa on arrival (VoA) is also available, but it’s less reliable for independent travelers.
Getting your VND currency before you fly: Most American banks don’t carry Vietnamese dong. If you want to land with cash in hand (which we strongly recommend), you’ll need to plan ahead. We ship VND in any denomination, with next-day delivery available for last-minute orders. As a federally registered Money Services Business, we’ve been helping travelers source currency for over 20 years.
Don’t Wait: Buy Vietnamese Dong Now
If you prefer to withdraw cash as you go, ATMs are widely available in cities and major tourist areas. Just make sure you’re traveling with a card that carries no foreign transaction fees.
During Your Trip
Vietnam is an exceptionally affordable destination, but knowing what things generally cost in VND helps you avoid overpaying in tourist-heavy areas — and can also help you spot a great deal.
Cash vs. card: Plan to pay mostly in cash, particularly outside of major cities. ATMs are plentiful in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang, but more limited in rural areas, so carry cash if you’re heading off the beaten path. When using a card, confirm it carries no foreign transaction fees before you travel.
Getting around: Within cities, the Grab app (Southeast Asia’s equivalent of Uber) is reliable, safe, and inexpensive. A typical city ride runs 30,000–100,000 VND (~$1-$4). Hiring a car and driver for the day costs approximately 1,500,000–2,600,000 VND (~$60-$100), making it one of the best transportation values in Southeast Asia.
Vietnam’s train network links Hanoi to Saigon, with buses reaching virtually everywhere else. For islands and river destinations, boat travel is both practical and one of Vietnam’s signature experiences.
Domestic flights on Vietnam Airlines and VietJet are a practical option for longer distances. Renting your own car is generally unavailable and inadvisable for independent travelers.
Tipping: Not customary in Vietnam, though rounding up or leaving a small tip for exceptional service is always appreciated.
After Your Trip
Arrived home with extra VND? Simply sell it back to us: submit your transaction online, pack your currency, and drop it off at any FedEx location. The day after we receive your VND, we’ll deposit the USD equivalent directly into your bank account.
Vietnam offers food, landscapes, culture, and sheer dollar value that few global travel destinations can match. We hope you have the trip of a lifetime.
Key Takeaways
- Vietnam is one of the world’s most affordable travel destinations: travelers can enjoy outstanding street food for under $2, fine dining at a fraction of the cost, and luxury hotel experiences for around $100 a night.
- Vietnam is experiencing record tourism: with a highly favorable exchange rate, eleven Michelin-starred restaurants, and breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage sites, Vietnam is thriving despite global travel disruption.
- Most American banks don’t carry Vietnamese dong: SafeDinar.com ships any denomination you need, with next-day delivery available, so you can land with cash already in hand.
