Vietnam Currency Guide 2026｜VND to TWD, Banknotes & What K Means
On your first trip to Vietnam, the long strings of numbers on menus can make it difficult to tell how much anything actually costs in New Taiwan dollars.
The first time our editor saw prices such as 50K, 100K, and 500,000₫, we also had to stop and do the math.
Once you remember one simple formula, however, it becomes easy to estimate the price of a coffee, meal, or item of clothing while traveling.
This guide explains how to convert Vietnamese dong to TWD, common Vietnamese dong denominations, and what "K" means on menus. It also covers how much cash to prepare for your first trip to Vietnam.
📅 Last updated: July 21, 2026
Exchange rates change daily. The figures in this guide are convenient travel estimates; actual conversion amounts depend on the exchange rate on the day of your transaction.
- Vietnam uses the Vietnamese dong, with the currency code VND.
- 10,000 VND is roughly NT$12.
- 100,000 VND is roughly NT$120.
- 100K on a menu means 100,000 VND.
- Avoid paying for small purchases with a 500,000 VND banknote.
What Is the Vietnamese Dong? VND, ₫ and đ Explained
Vietnam’s official currency is the Vietnamese dong, with the currency code VND.
On Vietnamese menus, store price tags, hotel booking websites, and card statements, you may see the currency written in several ways:
- VND
- ₫
- đ
- K
VND, ₫ and đ all refer to the Vietnamese dong.
K means "thousand," so 100K equals 100,000 VND.
It is especially easy to confuse the 20,000 and 200,000 VND notes or the 50,000 and 500,000 VND notes.
Do not rely on banknote color alone; always check the printed number before handing over cash.
Common Vietnamese Dong Denominations and TWD Conversion
Vietnamese dong comes in many denominations, but first-time visitors do not need to memorize them all.
Use the dropdown menu below to see the approximate value of common VND banknotes in New Taiwan dollars and where you might use them during your trip.
Quick Vietnamese Dong Converter
Select a VND denomination to see its estimated value in TWD and a typical use.
The 1,000, 2,000 and 5,000 VND notes are mainly used as small change.
During a typical trip, you are more likely to use the 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, 100,000, 200,000 and 500,000 VND notes.
How to Quickly Convert Vietnamese Dong to TWD
When you need to decide whether a coffee, meal, or item of clothing is expensive, use the quick VND-to-TWD estimate below.
It is not a live exchange rate from a bank or card network.
For accommodation, luxury goods, spa packages, or other higher-value purchases, check a live currency converter on your phone before paying.
Typical prices in Vietnam:
Bottled water and small snacks often cost around 10K–30K, Vietnamese coffee about 40K–80K, and a bowl of pho, a banh mi, or a regular meal roughly 40K–120K.
Prices are usually higher in tourist areas, department stores, Instagrammable cafés, and hotel restaurants. Actual prices vary by city, neighborhood, and business.
To see what you can eat within these budgets, read Ho Chi Minh City Food Guide｜Must-Try Street Food, Breakfast & Desserts.
What Does K Mean on Vietnamese Menus?
Prices such as 50K, 100K, and 250K appear frequently at restaurants, cafés, massage shops, and clothing stores in Vietnam.
Here, K means "thousand." Simply add three zeros to the number.
This means 50,000 VND, or approximately NT$60.
This means 100,000 VND, or approximately NT$120.
This means 250,000 VND, or approximately NT$300.
Some businesses may write only 65 without adding K.
On a typical restaurant or café menu, this usually means 65,000 VND.
Multiply 65 by 1.2 to get an estimated value of NT$78.
Point to the menu and ask, "Is this sixty-five thousand dong?"
Confirm the actual amount before ordering or buying.
How Much Cash Should You Bring to Vietnam?
The amount of cash you need depends on the length of your trip, your destination, how you pay for accommodation, and your spending habits.
If you have already paid for accommodation, private transfers, attraction tickets, and other major expenses, you will mainly need cash for:
- Street food and traditional markets.
- Cafés and small restaurants.
- Taxis, minor transportation costs, and tips.
- Massages, Vietnamese hair-washing services, and some personal services.
- Small businesses that accept cash only.
We recommend carrying enough Vietnamese dong for your first one or two days, then withdrawing or exchanging more according to your payment habits.
You do not need to convert your entire travel budget into VND at once, and you should not keep all your cash in the same wallet or bag.
If you plan to buy coffee, cashews, snacks, and souvenirs at markets, supermarkets, or local shops, read our Vietnam Souvenir Guide 2026｜What to Buy and What You Can Bring Back to Taiwan to estimate your shopping budget.
Street vendors, food stalls, and small businesses may not have enough change.
For small payments, use 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, or 100,000 VND notes whenever possible.
Where Can You Exchange Vietnamese Dong?
You can exchange VND before leaving Taiwan, bring US dollars to exchange in Vietnam, or withdraw cash directly from an ATM in Vietnam.
The main differences are convenience, exchange rates, fees, and how much cash you need.
For your first trip to Vietnam, we recommend preparing a small amount of VND for transportation, meals, and unexpected expenses after arrival. You can exchange or withdraw more later if needed.
Compare currency exchange in Taiwan and Vietnam, credit cards, ATMs, mobile payments, and common precautions.
Vietnamese Dong Conversion FAQs
How much is 10,000 VND in TWD?
Using the quick conversion method in this guide, 10,000 VND is approximately NT$12.
The actual amount depends on the day’s exchange rate and how you exchange your money.
How much is 100,000 VND in TWD?
Using the quick conversion method in this guide, 100,000 VND is approximately NT$120.
Remove three zeros from the VND amount, then multiply the remaining number by about 1.2.
How much is 500,000 VND in TWD?
Using the quick conversion method in this guide, 500,000 VND is approximately NT$600.
The 500,000 VND note is a common high-denomination banknote, so check whether the business can provide change before paying.
What does 100K mean on a Vietnamese menu?
100K means 100,000 VND.
Using the quick conversion method in this guide, that is approximately NT$120.
What does 65 mean on a Vietnamese menu?
Some restaurant and café menus in Vietnam show only 65 without adding K.
This usually means 65,000 VND, or approximately NT$78.
If you are unsure, ask a staff member to confirm the price before ordering.
Can I use a 500,000 VND note for small purchases?
It is not recommended.
Food stalls, street vendors, and small businesses may not have enough cash to provide change.
For small purchases, use 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, or 100,000 VND notes whenever possible.
How much cash should I bring to Vietnam for my first trip?
It depends on the length of your trip and your spending habits.
If accommodation and major expenses are prepaid, cash is mainly used for meals, coffee, traditional markets, street food, and some transportation costs.
Bring a reasonable amount of cash and use a credit card or ATM as needed rather than carrying your entire travel budget at once.
Can I use credit cards in Vietnam?
Major hotels, department stores, chain retailers, and some restaurants usually accept credit cards.
However, traditional markets, street food vendors, and some small businesses may accept cash only.
Carry both Vietnamese dong and a credit card instead of relying on a single payment method.
The VND-to-TWD conversion method in this guide is a convenient travel estimate, not a fixed or live exchange rate.
Actual conversion amounts vary by bank, money changer, ATM, card network, and transaction time.
Prices in Vietnam also vary by city, neighborhood, business, and date.
