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Vietnamese Dong
The currency used in Vietnam is the Dong. It has been in use since 1978 and it is issued by the State Bank of Vietnam. It used to be sub divided into 10 hao, but the hao is no longer in circulation, due to inflation.
In the Vietnamese language Dong is translated as copper. The etymology of this word stems from the fact that coins used to be made from copper before the French colonised Vietnam.
History of the dong
The history of the dong is inextricably linked with the history of Vietnam.
Vietnam has a very colourful and chequered past. Officially it is called the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Located in the Far East it has borders with China, Laos, Cambodia and the South China Sea.
Vietnam has been colonised by the Chinese and then the French, but in the Second World War the French colonisation came to end. The Japanese invaded. When the Japanese were defeated in the Second World War, the country was taken over by Communists who proclaimed a provisional government and independence from any other state.
The Communists held control of Vietnam and it became known as an independent state. However, in 1946 the first Indo-China war started which lasted until 1954. As part of the settlement of this war, the state of Vietnam was dismantled and effectively ceased to exist with Vietnam being split into a north and south Vietnam.
North Vietnam was bitterly opposed by the United States and the Vietnam War followed, after which Vietnam was again reunited under Communist rule as a socialist state, known as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
The dong was issued in 1946 by in North Vietnam and it replaced the French IndoChinese currency which was used at the time.
In South Vietnam the dong was issued in 1953 however, in 1975 after Saigon fell South Vietnam changed its currency to the liberation dong.
When Vietnam was unified it was an obvious decision to unify the currency as well, which is why the dong was issued in 1978.
The Notes
The dong is issued in denominations of 200, 1000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, 100, 000 and 500,000 dong.
Money Matters
Vietnam is certainly not a location which is visited by everyone, which makes it an extremely exciting destination for anyone who wants to have a holiday which is just that little bit different, in fact a trip to Vietnam is more than just a little bit different!
And yet many people to visit Vietnam every year with around 3 million people going there every year. The economy is actually heavily reliant on tourism and this means that tourists will be welcomed.
It is quite easy to get hold of dongs. Increasingly ATM machines are becoming more prevalent throughout Vietnam and certainly they can always be found in most of the bigger cities and every one of the tourist type destinations. Most of the major credit cards can be used here. One thing to remember is that you will not be able to withdraw more than 2 million dong at any one point. You will usually be charged for taking money out from an ATM.
It is possible to use American dollars throughout Vietnam since they are very widely accepted but you may find that you get a lower exchange rate using a dollar to pay for something in a shop, so it is always better to pay using the dong.
Traveller's cheques are accepted in many banks but you will find that you also have to pay a fee to cash your cheques.
There are also various exchange centres where you can exchange money but you may get a very poor exchange rate at these centres. If you arrive in Vietnam through either Cambodia or China it is likely that you may be approached by a freelance money changer who will want to help you get rid of any surplus cash and sell you some Vietnamese dong. However, just bear in mind that these money changers do this for a living and no matter how persuasive they are, they probably will get the better of you and ultimately, though they are making a living not doing you a favour.
Using your dong
One very interesting aspect to Vietnam is that prices for hotels and bus fares maybe up to three times more expensive for tourists, than they are for locals. This is not the bus company or the hotel owner simply ripping you off, this is government policy. It has decided to make money from foreign guests and so will charge higher prices for some things. However Vietnam is still a very inexpensive country, due to the fact that it is still a very poor country.
So your dong will go a long way in Vietnam and it is possible to spend an exceptionally low amount of money and yet enjoy most of what Vietnam has to offer, so it's great for everyone no matter what your budget.
Eating out is one of the most amazing experiences in Vietnam. The cuisine is quite exceptional and is it a very fast food but it is very nutritious, which is something that the West could surely learn how to do as well, but of course we don't.
There are lots of local dishes to be had many of which have noodles and lots of herbs and spices including Vietnamese coriander, which has to be tried to be believed. Even the most modest of restaurants will be able to serve you the most amazing dishes, so there really is a very extensive choice of where to eat.
The beer is good too! There is a draught beer which is made every day and you will find it for sale in some of the very small bars usually on street corners. You should be aware that this is a very cheap beer and it only has three per cent alcohol, which means that it will not dehydrate you too much, but it may not always be produced in it the most hygienic of surroundings and so don't drink too much of it: at least at one sitting.
Safety
Vietnam is actually a very safe country for tourists. The government is exceptionally keen on ensuring that Vietnam becomes a really popular holiday destination for wealthy foreign tourists. As a result any person who is found guilty of committing a crime against a tourist will find that they receive an extremely harsh sentence. This means that violent crime against tourists is actually practically unheard of.
In the bigger cities particularly in Ho Chi Minh or Hanoi, it is advisable to be aware that pickpockets may be around and as such just be vigilant at all times.
The only other area where you may be vulnerable is on the beach. People have had items stolen when they leave the beach and go when for a swim so never leave your bank unguarded. If you do want to go for a swim make sure that someone looks after your valuables.
When in Vietnam, women should dress appropriately and not in too revealing a manner, out of respect for the locals and the culture.
Sometimes foreigners may find that the Vietnamese assume that they are wealthy. The reality is that you are probably much more wealthy than they are. Sometimes, traders can be a little unyielding when bartering with foreigners, so you may need to stand your ground if you really want something. However you should also remember that people are genuinely quite poor.
There are lots of different experiences to be had in Vietnam. You can go to Nha Trang and have a beach holiday, or you can go to Hanoi and experience life in Vietnam's capital. Or if you are interested in religious buildings then there are many temples and religious statues to be seen. There are also some amazing areas such as the Tam Coc area, which has the most beautiful scenery.
Hanoi is undoubtedly a very beautiful city and one which offers an amazing blend of eastern and western influences, due to the fact that it has been occupied by both the French and Chinese. The architecture in Hanoi is classic and it has a very refined air to it, perhaps as a direct result of both the French and Chinese influences. It almost feels like a colonial town, not the capital of a country. It is a university town, which makes it a very vibrant city and there really is a lot of things to see and do and there is some fantastic food to be eaten, with the prices still excellent value for money.
If you stay within the cities and the main tourist areas, you will find that English is widely spoken, but if you go out and about within Vietnam, then people may not have such a good grasp of English. In particular, you may find in North Vietnam that people have a habit of staring at you. This is simply their way, it is not meant to be rude, it is just how they are, so try not to take offence. Staring back aggressively, is not a good idea, just avert your eyes, or even just smile. That can work wonders sometimes.
Vietnam is blessed with a good train system, which is actually quite comfortable so is there is no excuse for not exploring some of the more remote areas. Buses are also available and slightly cheaper, but they are not very comfortable particularly for long journeys.
Overview
Vietnam has a lot to offer and it feels very different to all other places, even its neighbours. It has a very unique identity, but it is conscious of its history and has not forgotten its history. It is also a country where communism seems to have relaxed its grip and yet still survives. Despite the fate of some of its communist peers, Vietnam seems to go its own way and steer its own political course.
The people somehow make Vietnam and with the range of beaches, city life and spectacular scenery, it is a stunning place to go travelling in and see completely different ways of life.
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