Currency Exchange in Ho Chi Minh City: Legal Places, Rates
Exchange at a bank counter, or at an agent counter that shows a sign naming its authorising bank. Foreign-exchange services may be provided only after the State Bank approves in writing. Buying or selling foreign currency at an organisation not permitted to exchange it draws a warning below US$1,000 and a fine of VND 10-20 million from US$1,000.
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On 13 October 2026 Vietcombank paid VND 2,569,000 for US$100 and charged VND 2,610,000 to sell the same US$100 back, a difference of VND 41,000.
That gap is the price of a bank counter.
Where you may exchange legally
Banks and other organisations may provide foreign-exchange services only after the State Bank approves in writing.
- Tổ chức tín dụng, chi nhánh ngân hàng nước ngoài và các tổ chức khác được kinh doanh, cung ứng dịch vụ ngoại hối ở trong nước và nước ngoài sau khi được Ngân hàng Nhà nước Việt Nam chấp thuận bằng văn bản.
Credit institutions, foreign bank branches and other organisations may provide foreign-exchange services at home and abroad after the State Bank approves in writing.
Ordinance 28/2005/PL-UBTVQH11, Điều 36 khoản 1
Exchange agents (đại lý đổi ngoại tệ) work under State Bank registration, and an agent that fails to notify the State Bank of changes is penalised. An agent needs a State Bank registration certificate and authorisation by a licensed credit institution.
At the agent’s counter there must be a public rate board and a sign naming the authorising bank and the agent. In Ho Chi Minh City a State Bank regional branch letter reported on 29 May 2025 repeated this sign rule. That sign is your check, because no public list of agents was found.
The law allows agents at tourist accommodation rated 3 stars or higher. It also allows them at international border gates, and at tourist areas, shopping centres and supermarkets that foreign visitors tour or shop in.
To sell foreign cash for dong, you may sell it to a licensed credit institution. To buy foreign currency for a current payment, a licensed institution must meet the need within the foreign currency it holds.
What an unlicensed changer risks
Buying or selling foreign currency at an organisation not permitted to exchange it draws a warning below US$1,000. From US$1,000 to under US$10,000 the fine is VND 10-20 million.
A place that does not post its buying and selling rates as the law requires is fined VND 20-30 million. A missing rate board is a reason to walk out.
5 Cong truong Me Linh, Sai Gon, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam · Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
Vietcombank rates on 13 October 2026
Vietcombank’s rate feed was stamped 13 October 2026, 7:10 PM. Rates change through the day, so treat this as one dated reading; the live figures are in Vietcombank’s rate feed listed under sources. Values are VND per one unit.
| Currency | Buy | Transfer | Sell |
|---|---|---|---|
| US dollar | 25,690 | 25,720 | 26,100 |
| Euro | 28,225.74 | 28,510.84 | 29,714.48 |
| Pound sterling | 33,413.92 | 33,751.43 | 34,833.13 |
| Australian dollar | 17,599.43 | 17,777.20 | 18,346.94 |
| Japanese yen | 157.83 | 159.42 | 168.70 |
| Korean won | 16.70 | 18.56 | 20.14 |
The spread between buying and selling is what you pay to switch currency and back. The US$100 example above comes from the same feed.
Bank counter, ATM or airport
A bank counter pays the posted rate for the bank’s hours; an ATM pays out dong against your card at that bank’s fee. For fee and limit tables by bank, see ATM fees and limits in Ho Chi Minh City.
The international terminal at Tan Son Nhat Airport has 4 ATMs at Column 14 and 1 ATM at Column 3 on the arrivals ground floor.
Truong Son, Tan Son Hoa, Ho Chi Minh 705000, Vietnam · Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
Plan the first day with Tan Son Nhat Arrival: Immigration, Pre-Arrival Form, Cash and Tan Son Nhat Airport to the City.
Carrying cash in and out
Declare foreign-currency cash above US$5,000 or Vietnamese dong above VND 15,000,000 to customs at the border gate.
To pay foreign cash into your own foreign-currency account, show the customs-endorsed declaration of the amount you brought in. That declaration is valid for the deposit within 60 days of its date.
A passport holder may not carry gold bars or raw gold when entering or leaving Vietnam. A foreigner who enters with them must deposit them at a customs warehouse or send them abroad at their own cost.
Gold shops, street changers and paying in dollars
No source read lists gold shops or street changers among the places approved to exchange foreign currency, so this page does not recommend them. The penalties above apply to using one.
Paying for goods or services in foreign currency where the law does not allow it is also a violation; below US$1,000 it draws a warning. Keep dong for shops.
For a month of spending in dong, use the cost of living guide. The documents for a local account are in how to open a bank account.
Photos and clips uploaded to Google Maps (Vietcombank Tower on Google Maps (opens in a new tab), Techcombank on Google Maps (opens in a new tab), Tan Son Nhat International Airport on Google Maps (opens in a new tab), BIDV on Google Maps (opens in a new tab)) by Hoang Van, Pham Thanh Nam, Nguyen Chau, Bo-Wen Zheng, Thuy Nguyen Huu, Lars Lekken.
Step by step
- Pick a licensed placeUse a bank counter, or an agent counter with a sign naming the authorising bank and the agent.
- Find the rate boardA place must post its foreign-currency buying and selling rates; failing to do so is fined VND 20-30 million. No board means walk out.
- Compare with the bank rateOn 13 October 2026 Vietcombank bought US dollars at VND 25,690 and sold them at VND 26,100.
- Declare large cash at the borderDeclare foreign-currency cash above US$5,000 or dong above VND 15,000,000 at the border gate.
Not confirmed: No public list of licensed exchange agents in Ho Chi Minh City was found, so the sign at the counter is the check. No exchange counter in the Tan Son Nhat arrivals hall was found; the airport page lists ATMs only.
Common questions
Where can a foreigner legally exchange money in Ho Chi Minh City?
Use a bank counter, or an exchange agent whose counter shows a sign naming its authorising bank and a public rate board. Agents operate under State Bank registration.
What happens if I use an unlicensed changer?
Buying or selling foreign currency at an organisation not permitted to exchange it draws a warning below US$1,000, and a fine of VND 10-20 million from US$1,000 to under US$10,000.
What did Vietcombank pay for US dollars on 13 October 2026?
Vietcombank's buying rate was VND 25,690 per US dollar and its selling rate VND 26,100.
How much cash do I have to declare at the airport?
Declare foreign-currency cash above US$5,000 or Vietnamese dong above VND 15,000,000 at the border gate.
Can I carry gold bars through the airport?
A passport holder may not carry gold bars or raw gold when entering or leaving Vietnam.
Can I pay shops in US dollars?
Paying for goods or services in foreign currency where the law does not allow it is a violation, and below US$1,000 it draws a warning.
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General information checked against the sources listed above, not legal advice for your situation. Rules and office practice change; confirm with the immigration office or a licensed adviser before you act. See how guides are checked.
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