Currency

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The Vietnamese currency is the DONG ( VND). Notes come in 200, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10.000, 20.000, 50,000, 100.000, and the new, plastic  500.000 denominations. Larger notes are available in " Bearer Bond" from the local banks. The currency is being slowly devalued against the US dollar which will currently buy around 15,800 dong.

Exchange kiosk are extremely rare in Vietnam, basically limited to the international airports, hotels and a few banks in major towns. Dollars can also be exchanged for dong in most gold and jewelry shops, and on the streets, though later 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 favorite. Credit cards are generally accepted only in westerns oriented hotels, shops and restaurants in larger cities, while cash machines (ATMs) are few in numbers and currently limited to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) and Hanoi.

Government controlled banks in Vietnam

- Vietnamcom bank ( Vietnam Commercial Bank)

- Agri bank ( Vietnam bank for agriculture and rural development)

Joint stock banks

- ACB bank (Asia Commercial bank)

-Techcombank (Technical commercial bank)

- VIB Bank (Vietnam International bank)

Foreign banks

- ANZ Bank ( Australia and New Zealand Bank)

- United Oversea Bank

- HSBC Bank ( Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank)

- City bank ( American Bank)