Keeping Your Money Safe when moving around in Vietnam

In the Western world, we tend to count our currency in single or double digits.

However, trying to understand Vietnam’s currency locally known as Dong, can at first be quite daunting.

When One U.S. dollar is equal to more than 22,808 Vietnamese dongs, and a million dongs is less than $44; all the zeros can be very confusing. You need a big calculator!

Knowing approximately how much things should cost will prevent any intentional overcharges.

This is especially relevant when going in a taxi from the airport and paying with an unfamiliar currency.

On the other hand, do not over-bargain when shopping.

A shopkeeper may be willing to take a bit off their asking price if you are bargaining with a smile, but do not haggle over a thousand dong—after all, that is not even five cents.

Best to wear a money belt to carry the bulk of your cash. If you use a pouch, keep it close to you and wear it on the inside of your clothes.

Nowadays there is always an ATM machine around the corner so credit or debit cards from home should be fine.

Try to use machines inside banks as they give you better security.

Best to always pack a backup credit or debit card for emergencies and leave one at your hotel.

Also do not count your money in public, but that goes for any country.

Finally, it always pays to make copies of all your credit cards and of course your passport too.

Leave the passport at your hotel.

If you do lose a card, most banks will replace them within 2-3 days.

Safe travels.

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