I am leaving for Hanoi and Bangkok in a few weeks. I read a post here, can't seem to find it, about the best way to exchange currency in Vietnam. From what I remember some Fodorites wrote that using US$ is in many ways better than exchanging in to Dong. This makes perfect sense, since the exchange rate is something like 16,000 Dong to the US$. Do most shops and restaurants accept US$? How about taxis? What other words of advice do you have about currency. Is it possible to exchange Dongs back to dollars at the airport?

In my experience, using dollars rather than dong will mean that you are chronically overcharged. Dollars will be accepted by some venbdors, but teh currency in VN is the dong. I thought the best way to change money was to use an ATM. There is an ATM in the Hanoi airport. Do make sure you know what your bank charges for the use of a foreign ATM, and, especially, whether it adds a foreign exchange fee (often 3%!) for the use of their card in a foreign country. You can also take US$100 bills and exchange them for dong.

Use up all of your dong before you leave the country, as it is worthless outside VN. You can exchange dong back to dollars at teh airport, but you'll get a terrible exchange rate. Also, if you are thinking you'll use dong to buy at the duty free at the airport... well, you'll see great prices on Cognac and scotch, but if you examine the bottles closely you'll discover they are fakes!

Kathie, not long after a friend of mine was posted to Hanoi he walked into a shop and was delighted to see Johnny Walker Black Label going for a bargain price. The bottle and labels appeared authentic. And then he read the magic words: "Made in Scotchland".

Baltorep, it doesn't make perfect sense to me, I'm sorry. I can't think of a good reason to use a foreign currency in Vietnam, other than having to come to terms with a lot of zeroes, but you'll soon get used to that. I'd follow Kathie's advice.

in thailand you will only use baht, although some tourist shops may accept $$, you will not get a good exchange rate on your purchases....and most places will simply not take it....ATM's are the best i find although local money changers change money and checks at no fee...

Neil, "Made in Scotchland"! I love it!

Hi,
you'd use US$ for hotel, tour booking, restaurant, some shops but you need VNDong for taxi, market, some shop.
The exchange rate now is in Vietnam about 16,000VND for 1US$. You can exchange Dong to US$ in airport but you'd exchange it in the bank before you go to the airport

I found several ATMs in downtown Hanoi and used them without a problem. Most were big name international banks such as HSBC.