Familiarize yourself with the denominations commonly used in Vietnam. The most common bills are 1,000d, 2,000d, 5,000d, 10,000d, 20,000d, 50,000d and 100,000d notes. You also may run across 200,000d and 500,000d notes, but they are uncommon. Vietnamese money originally was printed on paper, but the government switched to a new polymer version of the bills; today, you will find both types in circulation. Older paper money in denominations of 100d, 200d and 500d also exists, but these bills are rarely used because of their low value.
Avoid using Vietnamese coins. The state bank introduced coins into circulation a number of years ago, but they have not caught on with the general population. Few merchants will accept coins.
Keep track of the exchange rate. The dong has traditionally been tied to the value of the dollar, about 20,000 dong per dollar as of time of publication, but it still fluctuates daily. You can find the current exchange rate at a number of Internet sites or in the business section of major newspapers. If you are traveling in Vietnam, look for the exchange rates, which is posted at major banks.
Carry a supply of small bills in U.S. currency if you are traveling in Vietnam. The U.S. dollar is accepted as payment by most Vietnamese merchants, and many prices are listed in U.S. dollars, particularly in tourist areas.
