Money in Vietnam
 

My flight to Vietnam will arrive just before midnight at the Ho Chi Minh City airport. Could someone tell me where to find the ATM there? Do cab drivers accept US dollars? About how much should I expect to have on hand for a taxi drive to the Park Hyatt from the airport? Also, how much should I plan to tip tour guides and drivers, and do they prefer USD or Vietnam currency? Thank you for any advice you might have for me.

I just got back from Ho Chi Minh last night. The taxi from SGN, the airport, to the area around your hotel should cost around 130,000. I suggest you only use Vinasun or Mai Linh taxis.

There are a lot of money changers, banks after custom control but I did not notice where the ATMs were located. Lots of ATMs around town but if you want Dong beforehand I suggest using one of the money changers at the airport, or find an ATM there as you've asked.

You can also ask Park Hyatt to provide pick up and drop off service. That's what I did when I was in Vietnam. It was more than taking a taxi but the convenience was well worth it.

Why don't you buy some currency before you leave so you are not panicking. I am about to order for my trip to Vietnam in 2 weeks. It will be waiting at my bank in a few days.

USD are fine. Just check the exchange rates. When I was there earlier this spring, the rated was 20,000 dong/1 USD, so the taxi would be about $6.50. I'd round up to $7.

Because VN dong is not a convertible currency, I doubt you will be able to get it in your own country. It is considered worthless outside of VN. You can sometimes exchange it elsewhere in SE Asia, but plan to get dong in the airport when you arrive and to spend it all before you leave.

MissGreen, do let us know if your Australian bank can get dong for you and if they can, what exchange rate they give and any fees involved.

Taxi drivera are typically glad to take USD from the airport, so you can wait to exchange money or use an ATM until the next day if you prefer.

Seems that if you are willing to spend the $$ on the Park Hyatt, then getting their hotel car to pick you up would be the way to go. Arriving at midnight after a long flight, then looking for an ATM and then a taxi isn't going to be a lot of fun.

If you do decide to take a taxi, do not take one from anybody that approaches you after you exit the terminal. Turn left after you pass the huge crowd of people outside and make your way to the official taxi area. You can also arrange for a car just before you exit the terminal at the booths located on your left. Price is around $10.

Thank you all-this is all very helpful!

<<<You can also arrange for a car just before you exit the terminal at the booths located on your left. Price is around $10>>>

We did this - you pay inside and get a voucher. They make the point that if the driver asks for more money (for tolls or whatever) just say No. It was $9.00 two years ago, which is a couple of dollars more than the legit metered fare.

As mentioned earlier take Mai Linh and VinaSun(they are govt. regulated)taxis only and look carefully at the spelling there are many knockoff cabs, whenever you travel by cab in HCMC. Any legit cab driver would be very happy to take 10$ for a ride from the airport to the Hyatt. Remember or write down the cab registration number on the upper right hand of the windshield in the green oval in case you are missing anything after the ride. There are ATMs all around the terminal that dispense Dong, 2 million Dong is about 100$, you are charged 20,000 dong (1$ US) every time you withdraw any amount. Let your bank and credit card company know you are traveling to Vietnam, it will prevent you being cut off and having to straighten it out after you are here. Tour companies and transportation companies use the Dong as currency, any travel agent will get you a car and driver but the prices vary widely, shop around and I wouldn't use the Hyatt service, it is $$$. A decent tip is 20,000 to 100,000 dong for practically everything, many people give no tip at all, the
Vietnamese certainly don't, it was once considered an affront,(Do I look so poor that you GIVE me money?).

It used to be just a couple of foreign banks in Hanoi and HCMC that offered ATMs, but Vietnamese banks have now got into this game in a big way. Vietcombank has the best network in the country, including most of the major tourist destinations and all the big cities. Agribank, Vietin Bank and Sacombank are also well represented. Every branch stocks a useful leaflet with a list of their nationwide ATMs. Withdrawals are issued in dong, and there is a single withdrawal limit of 2,000,000d (about US$125). However, you can do multiple withdrawals until you hit your own account limit. ANZ offers 4,000,000d withdrawals per transaction. Most banks charge 20,000d per transaction. Cash advances for larger amounts of dong, as well as US dollars, can be arranged over the counter during office hours.