Practical Information

The currency in Vietnam is the đồng, abbreviated as VND (Vietnamese đồng). The đồng is a non-decimal currency, meaning there are no smaller denominations like cents or fils. While the exchange rate may fluctuate slightly, 1 US dollar is generally worth around 24,000–25,000 VND (as of 2025).

Example Prices in Vietnam:
Small bottle of water: 7,000 VND (approx. USD 0.3)

Bánh mì (Vietnamese sandwich): 20,000 VND (approx. USD 0.8)

Phở (Vietnamese beef noodle soup): 50,000 VND (approx. USD 2)

Short taxi ride (3-5km): 40,000–60,000 VND (approx. USD 1.6–2.5)

Bus fare in major cities (e.g. Hanoi, HCMC): 7,000–10,000 VND (approx. USD 0.3–0.4)

Cinema ticket (standard 2D): 80,000–100,000 VND (approx. USD 3.2–4)

Coffee (local iced coffee – cà phê sữa đá): 25,000–35,000 VND (approx. USD 1–1.4)

Ride-hailing service (GrabBike short ride): 15,000–30,000 VND (approx. USD 0.6–1.2)

To tip or not to tip in Vietnam? The short answer is: tipping is appreciated but not mandatory. There are no strict rules when it comes to tipping in Vietnam, and how much you tip largely depends on the situation and your personal preference.

In restaurants, rounding up the bill or leaving a small amount of cash (10,000–50,000 VND) as a tip is a kind gesture. In hotels, it's common to tip porters or housekeeping staff if you're satisfied with their service. For taxis or ride-hailing apps like Grab, tipping is not expected but can be a nice way to show appreciation.

While tipping isn’t part of traditional Vietnamese culture, service staff are generally grateful for any extra you choose to give — and you'll often receive excellent service regardless.