The currency issued by the Vietnam State Bank is the dong (abbreviated "d" or VND), which is used uniformly throughout the country. No coins are used. There are presently bank notes in circulation in dominations of:

100 dong	200 dong	500 dong	1,000 dong

2,000 dong	5,000 dong	10,000 dong

20,000 dong	50,000 dong	100,000 dong

Traveller's cheques and credit cards (American Express, Visa, Mastercard) are exchanged for Vietnamese dong at the banks. Cards can be used in travel agencies, hotels, and major restaurants. US currency is exchanged for Vietnamese dong and treasury notes in banks, exchange bureaus, hotels, and jewellery shops. The exchange rate always changes. When leaving the country, remaining Vietnamese currency can be exchanged for US dollars at the exchange bureau at the airport.

Exchange Rate: At bank $1=14,000D
Exchange Commission: Cash to VND -None, $ T/C to VND 0%-1?, $T/C to $ cash 1- 2%
Bank Opening hours: M-F 8:30-11:30,13:00-16:00, Sa 8:30-11:30, Su Closed.
Credit Cards: Visa, Master Card. Accepted only at high class hotels, restaurants, airlines.
                      Places in the north tend to accept only Visa.
Cash Advance: Visa, MC can be used at some banks. com Visa3.5-4.0%, MC 0?-4.0%(Vietcombank 3%)
ATM's: Available only in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Best currency to take: USA dollars. Cash can be used at many places. The exchange rate is better than for other currencies
The rate and T/C commission varies slightly between banks and cities. Not much difference in rate between T/C & cash. The rate is slightly higher for larger notes.  When price is quoted in US$, you can pay in dollar or Vietnamese Dong. Sometime paying in VD is better because of the exchange rate they use.

Black market: Money changers on street. Slightly higher than bank rates.
T/C com: Varies slightly between Banks. normally 2% (Vietcombank 1%) min$2 , rate $1=12,900D