Money exchange in Ho Chi Minh City: Ben Thanh locations and rates
Hà Tâm is at 2 Nguyễn An Ninh beside Ben Thanh Market; Mai Vân is opposite at No. 1. Compare the VND you will actually receive for the same amount. The calculator below uses reference rates dated 8 October 2026. Confirm today's quote and opening hours with the bank or counter.
- Exchange rate
- 1 USD ≈ 25,750 VND (reference rate used on this page)
- Exchange counters
- 26 main places in District 1 — 15 banks · 7 hotel exchange agents · 4 gold shops (checked 2026-10-10)
- Best bills
- Crisp new 100-dollar bills
- Licensed places
- Banks and counters showing a bank "Đại lý đổi ngoại tệ" (exchange agent) sign
Baseline
The reference rate used on this page is 1 USD ≈ 25,750 VND. Actual rates differ a little from counter to counter. Crisp new 100-dollar bills get the best rate; creased or old bills get marked down.
| What you bring | Approx. VND | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 100 USD | approx. 2,575,000 VND | Newer bills get a better rate |
| 100,000 KRW | approx. 1,678,000 VND | Cash won is marked down more than dollars |
| 10,000 JPY | approx. 1,581,000 VND | Ask for the yen rate separately |
| 500 CNY | approx. 1,888,000 VND | Dollars are easier |
Reference rates used on this page. The counter's actual rate board takes priority.
What is the USD–VND rate? — Reference rates used on this page
| Currency | Cash buying | Transfer buying | Selling |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 USD | 25,750 | 25,780 | 26,160 |
| 1 KRW | 16.78 | 18.64 | 20.23 |
| 1 JPY | 158.12 | 159.71 | 169.01 |
| 1 CNY | 3,776 | 3,814 | 3,937 |
"Cash buying" is the rate when you hand the bank cash and get dong back. At the reference rate, 100 USD is about 2,575,000 VND. Won and other cash currencies are marked down more than dollars, so crisp US dollar notes lose the least. The calculator below uses the same reference rates.
Check the actual rate: Vietcombank exchange rates. Rates change during the day, so check again when you exchange.
Exchange calculator
As of 2026-10-08 (reference rate used on this page) · Results are approximate. The actual amount you receive at the counter or in the app, after fees, takes priority.
Where
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- Hà Tâm exchange 2 Nguyễn An Ninh (Ben Thanh south gate). Long lines.
- Mai Vân exchange 1 Nguyễn An Ninh. Opposite Hà Tâm. Go when the line is short.
- Judge hotel front desks and airport counters by the same standard: for the same amount, check how much the actual payout after fees differs from a downtown counter, then choose.
- Hà Tâm: reports say it closed for a few days in late April 2026 and has since reopened. Check Google Maps before you go.
- Mai Vân is also listed as 1A Nguyễn An Ninh. Its rates are close to Hà Tâm's and the line is often shorter.
- Bank branches such as Vietcombank or Eximbank: longer lines, but the safest choice.
- Airport counters are on the arrivals level after customs. They give less than the city; sources put the gap anywhere from under 1% to 5%. Change only what you need for the first Grab and dinner.
Where are the money changers in District 1? — 26 places (checked 2026-10-10)
Places confirmed on the banks' own published lists come first. 26 places in total. Many banks close in the evening and at weekends, so change money in the daytime and bring your passport. Tap Map to see each location.
Vietcombank branches
Checked on Vietcombank's official branch finder (2026-10-10). A PGD is a small transaction office. Hours vary by office; ask at the counter or call 1900 54 54 13.
- Vietcombank PGD Lê Thánh TônTầng trệt Gemadept, 2 Lê Thánh Tôn, P. Sài GònSame street as Rabbit Bar (Lê Thánh Tôn) · Mon–Fri 08:00–11:30 · 13:00–16:00, closed weekends (tour operator guide, 2026-10-06)Map
- Vietcombank CN Sài Gòn69 Bùi Thị Xuân, P. Bến ThànhMon–Fri 08:00–12:00 · 13:00–16:30, closed weekends (tour operator guide, 2026-10-06)Map
- Vietcombank PGD Mê Linh231–233 Lê Thánh Tôn, P. Bến ThànhFormerly PGD Quận 1Map
- Vietcombank PGD Đồng KhởiPhòng 03, Lầu 1, The Metropolitan, 235 Đồng Khởi, P. Sài GònMap
- Vietcombank CN TP. Hồ Chí MinhTòa nhà VBB, 5 Công trường Mê Linh, P. Sài GònMap
- Vietcombank PGD Tôn Đức ThắngP110 Saigon Trade Center, 37 Tôn Đức Thắng, P. Sài GònMap
- Vietcombank PGD Mạc Đĩnh ChiTầng trệt PVFCCO Tower, 43 Mạc Đĩnh Chi, P. Sài GònMap
- Vietcombank PGD Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai2A Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai, P. Sài GònMap
- Vietcombank PGD Võ Văn Kiệt10 Võ Văn Kiệt, P. Sài GònMap
- Vietcombank PGD Bến Nghé569 Trần Hưng Đạo, P. Cầu Ông LãnhMap
Sacombank branches
Checked on Sacombank's official branch list (2026-10-10). Ask at the counter whether they exchange foreign cash.
- Sacombank PGD Bến Thành28-30-32 Nguyễn Thị Nghĩa, P. Bến ThànhMon–Fri 07:30–11:30 · 13:00–17:00 (tour operator guide, 2026-10-06)Map
- Sacombank CN Sài Gòn177-179-181 Nguyễn Thái Học, P. Bến ThànhMap
- Sacombank PGD Quận 163B Calmette, P. Bến ThànhMap
- Sacombank PGD Cống Quỳnh260 Cống Quỳnh, P. Bến ThànhMap
- Sacombank CN Minh KhaiTầng 1–2, 43-45-47 Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai, P. Sài GònMap
Vietcombank exchange agents (hotels etc.)
Checked on Vietcombank's published list of foreign-currency exchange agents (2026-10-10). Ask the front desk about hours and whether non-guests can use it.
- Rex (Khách sạn Bến Thành)141 Nguyễn Huệ, P. Sài GònMap
- Royal Hotel Saigon (Khách sạn Kim Đô)133 Nguyễn Huệ, P. Sài GònMap
- Majestic (Khách sạn Cửu Long)1 Đồng Khởi, P. Sài GònMap
- Grand Hotel (Khách sạn Đồng Khởi)8 Đồng Khởi, P. Sài GònMap
- Continental (Khách sạn Hoàn Cầu)132–134 Đồng Khởi, P. Sài GònMap
- Grand Imperial Saigon101 Hai Bà Trưng, P. Sài GònMap
- Anh Minh (Opera View)GA1, tầng trệt Opera View, 161 Đồng Khởi, P. Sài GònGround-floor counter in the Opera View buildingMap
Gold shops often named in travel guides
Not on the Vietcombank or Sacombank lists (they may be agents of another bank). Look for a bank exchange agent sign (Đại lý đổi ngoại tệ) at the counter before you change.
Use licensed places
Since 2026-02-09 Vietnam has enforced new penalties for foreign-currency trading (Decree 340/2025). Individuals who buy or sell foreign currency at unlicensed places, or with each other, can be penalised.
| Amount | Penalty for individuals |
|---|---|
| Under 1,000 USD | Warning |
| 1,000–10,000 USD | Fine of 10,000,000–20,000,000 VND |
| 10,000–100,000 USD | Fine of 20,000,000–30,000,000 VND |
Licensed places are banks and outlets showing a bank's exchange agent sign (Đại lý đổi ngoại tệ). Not every gold shop is licensed. Look for the sign, and change large sums at a bank. Do not deal with people on the street offering to "change money".
At the counter
- Take a photo of the rate board.
- Say or write the VND amount you want.
- Count the stack you receive at the counter . Don't step away to count.
- Ask for a mix of 50,000, 100,000, 200,000 and 500,000 VND notes. If you only have 100,000 VND notes in the evening, you'll be short on change.
- Get a receipt.
Don't mix up the notes
Dong amounts have many zeros, so it is easy to hand over the wrong note. Polymer notes of 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, 100,000, 200,000 and 500,000 VND are all in use.
- 20,000 and 500,000 VND are both bluish and easy to confuse in the dark. Count the zeros every time.
- Split your wallet: big notes (200,000 and 500,000) in one side, small ones (10,000–100,000) in the other.
- Count change where you receive it before it goes into your wallet.
- Rough conversion: 100,000 VND is about US$3.8–3.9 (reference rate).
ATMs, cards and QR payments
- ATMs often charge foreign cards a fee. In a May 2026 reporter test most machines charged about 55,000 VND per withdrawal, and BIDV's fee schedule lists 3% (minimum 50,000 VND) for foreign cards. The fee is shown on screen; check before you confirm.
- Cards work at large malls, hotels and chains. Market stalls such as those in Ben Thanh Market are cash first.
- QR apps: Alipay users can pay at VietQRGlobal merchants since 2026-04-03, and WeChat Pay joined the same network in August 2026. Not every shop accepts them, so carry cash too.
- Grab lets you add a foreign card, but some cards are declined, so have cash on your first day.
Sources
- Where to check the actual rate — Vietcombank
- Penalties for unlicensed exchange (Decree 340/2025) — Viet Nam News, 2025-12-30
- ATM fees in practice, cards, market payments — News Tomato, 2026-05-23
- Alipay QR payments from 2026-04-03 — Tuổi Trẻ News, 2026-04-04
- WeChat Pay QR payments — VietnamPlus, 2026-08-06
- Hà Tâm and Mai Vân location and rates — Tripstore, 2026-04-13
- District 1 bank branches and exchange agents — Vietcombank branch finder, checked 2026-10-10
- Sacombank branch list — Sacombank, checked 2026-10-10
- Bank hours (3 offices) — An Tours Vietnam, 2026-10-06
- Minh Thư, Kim Mai and Hà Tâm addresses — Công Thương, 2026-04-23
Prices and hours can change. Figures follow the dated sources above; on-site and in-app information comes first.
FAQ
Can I just pay in dollars?
Some places accept it, but each applies its own rate. Compare the real cost with paying in dong. Rabbit Bar accepts VND, USD, card and USDT.
Can I exchange at the airport?
Yes. For the same amount, compare the actual payout after fees with a downtown counter; if the gap is large, change only what you need right away.
Is it illegal to change money at a gold shop?
Outlets with a bank exchange agent sign are fine. At unlicensed places, or between individuals, the rules since 2026-02-09 give a warning under 1,000 USD and fines of 10,000,000–20,000,000 VND for 1,000–10,000 USD.
Is Hà Tâm open now?
Reports say it closed for a few days in late April 2026 and later reopened. Check Google Maps before you go; if it is closed, use Mai Vân opposite or a bank.
How much are ATM fees?
It depends on the bank and card. 2026 reports and bank fee schedules show about 50,000–55,000 VND or 3% per withdrawal. Check the on-screen fee before confirming.
Where are the licensed exchange counters in District 1?
Bank branches and the exchange agents that banks publish. On 2026-10-10 Vietcombank's official branch finder listed 7 agents in the District 1 area: the Rex, Royal, Majestic, Grand, Continental and Grand Imperial hotels and a ground-floor counter at Opera View. Addresses and map links are in the list above.
Can I change money at night?
Many banks close in the evening and at weekends. Ask a hotel exchange agent for its hours first, and change what you need for the first night during the day. Rabbit Bar accepts VND, USD, card and USDT.
Rabbit Bar (hostess bar & karaoke, Le Thanh Ton 15B alley)
- Hours
- Daily 20:00–04:00 · same-day booking OK
- Where
- Le Thanh Ton 15B alley, District 1 (Japan Town). Message us at the alley entrance and the manager will come to meet you.
- Hall/bar
- $6 table charge per person + drinks
- KTV
- Soju set 1,500,000 VND per person for 1 hour · 2,000,000 VND for 2 hours (2 people for 2 hours: 4,000,000 VND)
Drinks ordered outside the set and other optional items (such as the hall hostess drink and seating fee) are billed at menu prices (check before you order). In-store information on the day takes priority.
Hem 15B Le Thanh Ton, District 1, HCMC