The currency issued by  the Vietnam State Bank is the dong (abbreviated "d" or VND) which is used uniformly throughout the country. Bank notes in domination of are  presently in circulation.

Paper notes include: VND 500,000; 100,000; 50,000; 20,000; 10,000; 5,000; 2,000; 1,000; 500; 200 and 100.

Coins include VND 5,000; 2,000; 1,000; 500 and 200.

Cheques with value as Vietnamese dong include: VND 1,000,000 and 500,000.

Foreign currencies and tourist cheques can be exchanged into Vietnamese Dong at banks or foreign exchange agencies.

Credit cards are popularly used, especially in cities and big tourist centers.

Before leave Vietnam, Vietnamese dong can be changed into foreign currencies at the airport.

Vietnamese cooking is varied and usually very good. It is a mixture of Vietnamese, Chinese and French traditions, with a plethora of regional specialties. As in all countries of the region, rice or noodles usually provide the basis of a meal. Not surprisingly, fish is plentiful.

Pho (Noodle Soup) : Pho is the most popular food among the Vietnamese population. Pho is commonly eaten for breakfast, although many people will have it for their lunch or dinner. Anyone feeling hungry in the small hours of the morning can also enjoy a bowl of hot and spicy pho to fill their empty stomachs.
Nem Ran or Cha Gio (fried spring roll) : This dish is called Nem Ran by northerners and Cha Gio by southerners. In Hanoi, the introduction of Nem Ran dates back to a time when Cha Ca had not existed. Although it ranks among Vietnam's specialty dishes, Nem Ran is very easy to prepare. Consequently, it has long been a preferred food on special occasions such as Tet and other family festivities.
Cao Lau (Faifo Dainty) : Faifo dainty is a fairly unknown Vietnamese dish named after an old street in Hoi An. Dainty fiber is carefully made by putting rice in water containing ashes from wood found in Cu Lao Cham. Then, the rice is ground and quickly boiled to make a fibrous mixture. Dainty can be preserved only one day, which is why it is boiled and dried. Dainty fibers have a dark-yellow colour.
Banh Cuon (Rice Flour Steamed Rolls) : Eating banh cuon for breakfast is a great favorite among many Vietnamese. Banh cuon is made of rice flour. Thoroughly selected rice is soaked overnight, then ground with a stone mortar. Food preservatives are put into the flour to make the rice sheets softer and smoother.
Cha Ca (grilled minced fish) : Grilled minced fish has been served in Vietnam for more than 100 years. The Doan family of Cha Ca Street in Hanoi first invented this dish. A wide variety of fish can be used in this dish including sturgeon and tuna. Tuna is low in fat, has an exquisite flavour, and few bones. The bones are separated from the meat and put into saffron water to be later used in a sauce.
Bun Bo Hue (Hue Beef Noodle Soup) : One must have years of experience to cook excellent Hue beef noodle soup. This recipe mainly consists of shredded meat and rice noodles. Most restaurants and merchants in Hue do not make the rice noodles themselves; they buy them in Van Cu and Bao Vinh, two villages located near Hue.
Che (Bean Compote) : Dessert drink consisting of fruit, jelly, beans, coconut syrup and a bucketful of sugar. A favourite of student girls.
Tra or Che (Tea) : Tea drinking is a tradition of Asian people and of Vietnamese people in particular. The therapeutic and medicinal functions of tea are well known. In hot weather, hot tea is devoured for its surprising cooling effect; and in cold weather for its warmth. Tea is drunk everywhere in Vietnam by all whether rich or poor.
Ca Phe (Coffee) : Coffee is very popular since the French presence in Vietnam and is especially drunk by the men all day long, made out of tin coffee-filters (one should have a lot of patience). There are many different kinds of coffee: very strong, black or with the concentrated milk, hot or frozen. In the South, more people prefer coffee to tea, drank cold with ice cubes.
Bia hoi (Draught Beer) : Draught Beer is the draft version of Vietnam's beer and is thus the freshest example of the style you will find. In fact, it is only 3,5000 dong per glass (less than a quarter!) but that is not the best part of these bia hoi joints. What you really get is to experience the local hanging out scene. It is much like the coffee houses where mostly a male clientele sit around and share their daily experiences over a beer. It is great fun cheap entertainment and something not to be missed.
Ruou Nep, Ruou De (Rice Alcohol) : Ruou nep is a brew made from ordinary or sticky rice which has been fermented with yeast. The result is a thick, sweet pudding. The taste is said to improve with age and bottles of ruou nep are often kept for over a year. Today, the Vietnamese peasants still keep the habit of drinking ruou nep on festivals. Speciallly, Bau Da Wine: Is a famous wine of Binh Dinh; made in An Nhon; its delicious taste is special and can be equal to other famous wines of the country such as Van village's wine in the North and Go Den Wine in the South…

7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 01:00 p.m. to 05:00 p.m.
Closed on Saturdays & Sundays.

8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Some are open from 1 or 2pm to 4 or 5pm.
Closed on Saturdays & Sundays.

•  The Tet holiday (Lunar New Year) usually in February (3 days)
•  The Liberation Day on April 30th
•  The International Labor Day on May 1st
•  The National Day on September 2nd
•  The New Year on January 1st

Vietnam is one of the most safest travel destinations. However, care should be taken to avoid incidents which may happen to you.

Do not carry too much cash or other valuables, especially jewelry, as they may draw unwelcome attention. Beside that, you should take all necessary precautions to safeguard your passport, identity card & other identification documents, travel tickets, money, traveler's checks, credit cards and insurance documents.

As a safeguard, all these important documents should be photocopied before you leave home. Leave one copy with someone at home and keep another with you, separate from the originals. Remember not to carry these items together!

There is the risk of being left entirely without identification and funds in case of theft or loss.