The Vietnamese currency is the Dong (VND). Notes come in 200, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, 100,000, 200,000 and 500,000 dong denominations. The currency is being slowly devalued against the US dollar, which will currently buy around 21,000 Dong.
Dollars can also be exchanged for dong in airports, banks, most gold shops, and on the street, though the latter Is not advisable as customers are often cheated.
Travelers’ cheques can be exchanged in most banks and a few hotels, but cash in US dollars is favored. Credit cards are generally accepted only in western-oriented hotels, shops and restaurants in larger cities, yet cash machines (ATMs) are sprouting all over Vietnam, with many in the major cities.
The international prefix for Vietnam is: 84 plus city code – Hanoi 04, Saigon 08, Phan Thiet 062, Nha Trang 058, Dalat 063, Hoi An 0510, Da Nang 0511, Hue 054 (drop the first 0 when dialing from overseas of course). Mobile coverage is pretty good, and the local operators have reciprocal arrangements with many international mobile companies.
