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Need to exchange money in Hanoi? Our 2025 guide reveals where to get the best rates, from Hanoi airport to Old Quarter gold shops. Read now!
You’ve just landed in the vibrant chaos of Hanoi. The scooters are buzzing, the air smells like sizzling street food, and your mind is already on that first bowl of hot, fragrant phở. But before any of that happens, you face the first real traveler challenge: getting your hands on some Vietnamese Dong (VND).
But where do you start? The airport? A bank? A tiny shop in the Old Quarter?
You’re not alone. Almost every traveler arrives with the same concerns: Where do I get the best exchange rate? How do I avoid tourist traps? Is exchanging money in Hanoi safe? And how much cash do I even need?
This guide exists to make all of that effortless.
We’ll walk you through exactly where to exchange money in Hanoi, from airport counters and banks to the hidden-but-legendary gold shops offering the city’s best rates. By the end, you’ll know the safest, smartest, and most cost-effective way to get your Vietnamese Dong - so you can spend less time stressing and more time enjoying everything Hanoi has to offer.
Let’s get started.
The answer is: Yes. 100% yes.
If you want the best value for your dollars, euros, pounds, or any major foreign currency, exchange your money in Vietnam, not before you fly. Hanoi consistently offers better rates than Western banks, airport kiosks abroad, and currency services in your home country.
Vietnam’s currency exchange market is highly competitive. Banks, gold shops, and licensed money changers adjust their rates multiple times a day based on real demand. That means:
Lower fees
Better buy/sell spreads
More favorable rates for tourists
In most cases, travelers save 5 - 10 percent simply by waiting to exchange after landing.
Important Tip: The Condition of Your Bills Matters
If you’re bringing USD or other major currencies to exchange, pay attention to one crucial detail – the condition of your bills.
Vietnamese exchangers prefer:
Crisp
New
Clean
Unmarked
Undamaged bills
Especially $50 and $100 notes get the best rates.
Bills that may be rejected or given a worse rate:
Torn
Wrinkled
Stained
Written on
Old series USD (before 1996)
So, before traveling, check your cash and make sure it’s in excellent condition. It makes a real difference.
Up next, we’ll cover where to go first when you land - and which spots in Hanoi offer the best deals.
| Where to exchange money in Hanoi? | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| At Hanoi Airport (Noi Bai) | Safe & convenient for right after you land | Worst exchange rates |
| Banks (Vietcombank, BIDV, Agribank, etc.) | Reliable, official, and secure | Limited opening hours, slower service, requires passport |
| Gold Shops in Old Quarter | Best exchange rates in Hanoi. Fast service, no complicated paperwork | Some shops reject old or damaged bills |
| ATMs | Available everywhere. No need to bring cash. | Multiple fees applied |
| Western Union | For emergencies like losing your wallet. Fast and reliable transfers. | Not practical for everyday money exchange. High fees. |
When you first land at Noi Bai Airport, you’ll probably want some Vietnamese Dong right away, and the airport is the most convenient place to get it. But convenience always comes with a trade-off.
Airport exchange counters are fast, safe, and hassle-free… but the rates are noticeably worse than what you’ll find in central Hanoi. Think of this as your “starter” exchange option, not your main one.
Where to Go
Once you pass immigration and pick up your luggage, walk into the arrivals hall and you’ll see several official exchange booths such as:
VietinBank
Techcombank
BIDV
ACB
They’re open long hours and located right along your exit path, so you can’t miss them.
The Local Advice
Exchange just enough to get you going, typically $50 - $100 USD. That will easily cover:
Your taxi or Grab ride
Some water/snacks
Your first meal
Any small purchases until you reach the city
You’ll get safer and far better rates at banks or reputable gold shops in the Old Quarter, and we’ll show you exactly where in the next sections.
If you're the type of traveler who prefers security over speed, exchanging money at a bank in Hanoi is a perfectly solid option.
You’ll find branches of all major Vietnamese banks across the city, including:
Vietcombank (https://www.vietcombank.com.vn/)
BIDV (https://bidv.com.vn/)
Agribank (https://www.agribank.com.vn/)
Techcombank (https://techcombank.com/)
MB Bank (https://www.mbbank.com.vn/)
These are reputable, government-regulated institutions, no surprises, no scams.
Pros:
100% safe and legitimate
Transparent, official exchange rates
Receipts provided
Staff are generally helpful and professional
Cons:
Slower process, expect paperwork and waiting time
Passport required for every transaction
Rates are good but not the best
Limited opening hours (usually 8 AM - 4 PM, closed weekends and holidays)
The Verdict
Banks are ideal if you value peace of mind, prefer a formal environment, or are exchanging larger amounts and want full documentation.
However, and we’ll explain next, they don't offer the best rates in Hanoi.
If you want the absolute best money exchange rates in Hanoi, skip the airport and the banks. The real magic happens in the Old Quarter, where gold and jewelry shops quietly offer the most competitive rates in the city.
The Insider Tip (The Reddit Secret)
Ask any seasoned traveler or expat and they’ll tell you:
The best Hanoi money exchange is at gold shops, especially on: Ha Trung Street & Hang Bac Street
These small, family-run gold shops have been exchanging currency for decades and usually offer rates very close to the official market rate.
Ha Trung Street Direction: https://maps.app.goo.gl/TBA45RYpx5rDF6yy9
Hang Bac Street Direction: https://maps.app.goo.gl/yFR4n4i4N2ZzNHms6
Why Here?
These shops are licensed money changers, and competition between them keeps rates extremely attractive. They deal with high volume, so their margins are tighter - which means you get more VND for your USD, EUR, GBP, or SGD.
Highest rates, often better than banks by a noticeable margin
Fast, simple process
Trusted by locals
No unnecessary paperwork or delays
This is why seasoned travelers and Reddit threads consistently rank gold shops as the gold standard for exchanging money in Hanoi.
How to Do It Safely
Exchanging money at a gold shop is easy, fast, and safe if you follow a few steps:
Choose a reputable shop: Pick one that looks established and has a steady flow of Vietnamese customers inside. Busy = trustworthy.
Ask for the rate first: Say: “Tỷ giá hôm nay?” (pronounced: tee zah hom nay?/Today’s exchange rate?). They’ll show you the rate on a calculator.
Count your money before leaving: Vietnamese Dong has large numbers, make sure double-check all bills carefully.
Bring new, crisp bills: Shops may refuse torn or old USD notes or offer lower rates.
A well-known example of a reliable shop is: Quoc Trinh Gold Shop - 27 Ha Trung Street, Hoan Kiem District. This is often recommended by locals, expats, and Reddit travelers for its excellent rates and professional service.
If you’re staying in the Old Quarter, this area is unbeatable - safe, convenient, and consistently offers the best deals in the city.
If you prefer a hands-off, no-hassle way to get Vietnamese Dong, ATMs in Hanoi are everywhere: airports, malls, convenience stores, outside banks, and all over the Old Quarter.
How It Works
Just insert your debit card, choose the amount, and withdraw, exactly like at home.
But there’s a catch…
The Costs (Here’s the Part Travelers Often Miss)
Local Vietnamese Bank Fee: Most ATMs charge 40,000 - 60,000 VND per withdrawal (about $1.50 - $2.50 USD).
Your Home Bank Fee: Depending on your bank and card, foreign transaction fee, currency conversion fee, & international ATM withdrawal fee - These can stack up quickly.
Exchange Rate Markups: Your home bank may apply a weaker exchange rate compared to Hanoi’s best money changers.
The Verdict
ATMs are super convenient, especially when you need cash fast, but they’re usually the most expensive option due to multiple fees.
Use ATMs for:
Emergency cash
Small top-ups
When you don’t want to carry large amounts of cash
For the best value? Stick to Option 3: Gold shops whenever possible.
Western Union isn’t a typical money exchange method, but it’s important for travelers who may need emergency support.
By definition, Western Union is a global service that lets you receive (or send) money from abroad. You don’t exchange currency here, you collect funds sent to you.
When to Use Western Union
Western Union is ideal when:
You lost your wallet and need someone at home to send cash.
Your bank card stops working and you’re stuck without money.
You need to receive a larger sum from family/friends.
It’s not something travelers use daily, it’s a backup plan.
Where to Find Western Union in Hanoi
Western Union counters are commonly located:
Inside banks like Agribank, Vietinbank, BIDV
Inside gold shops or postal offices
At designated agent locations around the Old Quarter
You can easily find the closest Hanoi location using the Western Union online locator.
The Verdict
Western Union is a lifesaver in emergencies, but it’s not practical for regular travel spending due to fees and inconvenience.
Think of it as your “break-glass-in-case-of-emergency” option, helpful to know, even if you hope you’ll never need it.
For the absolute best rates, go to the gold and jewelry shops on Ha Trung Street in the Hanoi Old Quarter. For safety and convenience, use a major bank.
Yes, 100%. You will get a much better rate by exchanging your money after you land in Hanoi.
Yes! As of late 2025, $100 USD is over 2.5 million VND. For a budget traveler, this could easily last for 2-3 days covering food, transport, and attractions.
The cheapest way is to bring clean, large-denomination foreign currency (like $100 USD bills) and exchange it at a reputable gold shop in the Old Quarter.
Only exchange a small amount ($50-$100) for immediate needs like a taxi. The rates are not as good as in the city.
Head to Ha Trung Street or Hang Bac Street. Look for the busy gold shops that have signs for "Money Exchange."
You can check the official bank rates online (e.g., on the Vietcombank website) to get a baseline. The gold shops will be slightly better than this rate.
Exchanging money in Hanoi doesn’t have to be confusing, once you know the system, it becomes one of the easiest parts of your trip. Here’s the simple strategy seasoned travelers swear by:
At the Airport: Exchange a small amount, around 50 to 100 USD, for your taxi and first few expenses.
In the City: For the best rates, head to the gold shops on Ha Trung Street. This is where locals and long term expats go.
Backup Option: If you run out of cash, use an ATM. It is convenient, though fees are higher.
Handling money in Hanoi is simple once you know the right spots. So relax, grab your Dong with confidence, and focus on enjoying every delicious and chaotic moment of this incredible city.
Planning your trip and want everything arranged smoothly?
Asia Mystika can help you design a stress-free travel plan, complete with airport pickup, hotel bookings, and customized tours around Vietnam. If you want a trip that saves you time and avoids all the guesswork, reach out to Asia Mystika and let local experts handle the details for you.
