Vietnam Currency Guide: VND Notes, Colors & How to Avoid Common Scams

Vietnam (베트남 / 越南 / ベトナム)'s currency is the dong (VND), and while it looks straightforward on paper, the notes can confuse visitors—especially when you're holding ten of them and trying to figure out which is which. Here's what you need to know to avoid overpaying and spotting the most common cash scams.

VND Notes: Colors & Denominations

Vietnamese dong notes come in nine denominations, each with a distinct color. The government redesigned them in 2006, so all notes in circulation today share the same style and security features.

Large denominations:

• 500,000 VND — bright blue. Worth roughly $20 USD. You'll use these at restaurants, shops, and hotels.
• 200,000 VND — red. Worth roughly $8 USD. Common for mid-range purchases.
• 100,000 VND — green. Worth roughly $4 USD. One of the most useful everyday notes.
• 50,000 VND — pink. Worth roughly $2 USD.

Medium denominations:

• 20,000 VND — blue-grey or silver-blue. Worth roughly $0.80 USD.
• 10,000 VND — brown. Worth roughly $0.40 USD.

Small denominations:

• 5,000 VND — green. Worth roughly $0.20 USD.
• 2,000 VND — brown. Worth roughly $0.08 USD. Rarely used.
• 1,000 VND — purple. Worth less than $0.05 USD. Almost never seen in circulation.

The 200k / 20k Confusion (and Why It Matters)

The most common mistake—especially for travelers new to Vietnam—is mixing up the red 200,000 note with the blue-grey 20,000 note. A tenfold difference. It happens quickly at night markets, crowded street stalls, or when you're counting change in a hurry.

Check the number printed on the note. The 200,000 will clearly show "200000" or "200" in large figures. The 20,000 shows "20000" or "20." If you're not sure, ask the vendor to count aloud, or step aside and verify before handing over cash.

Vendors typically won't deliberately swap them—they want repeat customers—but in high-volume places (night markets, tourist-heavy restaurants), mistakes do happen.

Common Change Scams

The Quick-Count Swap

You hand over a 500,000 note for a 150,000 meal. The vendor counts out change—let's say three 100,000 notes and a 50,000. But as they hand it back, they slip a 50,000 out of the stack and palm a 20,000 instead. You're walking away down 80,000 VND without noticing.

How to avoid it: Watch the vendor count. Don't look away. Count the notes yourself before putting them in your wallet, especially if the vendor is handling a lot of other customers' cash at the same time. If you're unsure, politely ask them to recount.

The Small-Note Shell Game

Common at street food stalls and markets. You pay with a large note, and the vendor hands back an armful of small denominations—1,000s, 2,000s, 5,000s—that looks substantial but adds up to less than it should. The sheer volume of notes makes it hard to verify on the spot.

How to avoid it: Ask for larger denominations in your change. "Can you give me 50,000 and 20,000 instead?" Most vendors will accommodate. If they refuse or seem evasive, that's a red flag.

ATM Shortchanging

Rarely reported, but possible at poorly maintained or suspicious ATMs: the machine dispenses fewer notes than the receipt says. ATMs in busy tourist areas, late-night convenience stores, or non-bank locations are higher risk.

How to avoid it: Use ATMs inside banks or at reputable hotels. Count your cash before you leave the ATM. If the count is short, go back inside immediately and report it. Most banks have 24-hour customer service lines.

Spotting Fake Notes

Counterfeit VND is uncommon compared to some Southeast Asian currencies, but it exists.

Real notes have:

• A security thread (thin metallic strip running vertically) that shows a repeated pattern when held to light.
• Watermarks in the corner that match the portrait.
• Microprint text (tiny, detailed text) that's crisp, not fuzzy.
• Color-shifting ink (on newer versions) that changes when tilted.
• Raised, textured printing (you can feel bumps if you run your finger over them).

If a note feels plastic, flimsy, or the colors look dull or faded, it's likely counterfeit. Most street vendors don't accept obviously fake notes because they know they'll get stuck with them. If you receive one, report it to your hotel or the police (though enforcing is slow).

ATM Withdrawal Limits & Fees

Most Vietnamese ATMs dispense cash in 100,000 or 500,000 VND increments. Daily withdrawal limits vary by bank:

• Vietcombank, Agribank, BIDV: typically 5–10 million VND per day ($200–$400).
• Techcombank, MB Bank: often 3–5 million VND per day.
• International cards: your home bank may impose lower limits. Check before you arrive.

ATM fees are usually 20,000–30,000 VND per transaction ($0.80–$1.20). Some banks charge more. Avoid ATMs in tourist traps (airports, tourist zones) if you can; they often charge 50,000+ VND.

Practical Tips

• Exchange at banks or your hotel, not street money-changers. Rates are nearly identical, and you avoid the risk of counterfeit notes or short-counting.
• Withdraw cash in the morning, not late at night. You'll be alert and can verify your count easily.
• Keep small notes separate. If you carry 500,000 and 100,000 notes in different pockets, you're less likely to hand over the wrong one when buying something.
• Use card when possible. Contactless payment (Momo app, card machines) is widely accepted in cities and cuts cash risk entirely.
• Don't exchange money with unofficial vendors on the street, no matter what rate they offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I tell the difference between the 200,000 and 20,000 VND notes?

The 200,000 note is red and the 20,000 note is blue-grey — a tenfold difference in value. Check the number printed on the note: 200,000 clearly shows "200000" or "200" in large figures, while 20,000 shows "20000" or "20." If you are unsure at a night market or busy stall, ask the vendor to count aloud before handing over cash.

What are the most common cash scams to watch for in Vietnam?

Two scams appear frequently. In the Quick-Count Swap, a vendor counting change for a large note — such as a 500,000 VND note — palms a higher-value note and replaces it with a lower one, so you walk away short. In the Small-Note Shell Game, change is handed back in a pile of 1,000 and 2,000 notes that looks large but totals less than owed. Counting notes yourself before pocketing them avoids both.

When using ATMs in Vietnam, which locations are safest to withdraw cash?

Use ATMs located inside bank branches or at reputable hotels. Machines in busy tourist areas, late-night convenience stores, or non-bank locations carry higher risk of dispensing fewer notes than the receipt confirms. Count your cash before leaving the ATM, and if the amount is short, return inside immediately — most banks maintain 24-hour customer service lines to handle disputes.

Bottom line

VND notes are straightforward once you know the colors, and scams are usually small-time and avoidable with basic awareness. The 200k / 20k mix-up is the most common genuine mistake; actual theft is rare. Keep your eyes open, count your change, and you'll be fine.