Vietnamese Dong (VND)

The Vietnamese Dong (VND) is the official money used in Vietnam for buying goods and services.

Author: Apo Messerlian
Apo Messerlian
Apo Messerlian
My name is Apo Messerlian, 22, recent graduate from the Lebanese American University with a bachelor's degree in Banking&Finance. My experience so far has been amazing, working together with other authors and editors has allowed me to write and publish over 15 article of various topics.
Reviewed By: Parul Gupta
Parul Gupta
Parul Gupta
Working as a Chief Editor, customer support, and content moderator at Wall Street Oasis.
Last Updated:February 25, 2024

What is the Vietnamese Dong (VND)?

Vietnamese Dong, or VND, is the currency used officially in Vietnam. When you're in Vietnam, you'll be using the Vietnamese Dong (VND) to buy things. It's like how you use dollars in America. But the dong isn't just money – it's a piece of Vietnam's story.

The dong has been Vietnam's official money since 1978. Before that, a different currency was utilized following the division of the country into North and South Vietnam.

In the past, you could divide the dong into smaller parts like hao and xu, but not anymore because prices went up a lot.

Now, you'll mostly see dong in the form of paper money, with special plastic notes for bigger amounts. They don't even use coins anymore; everything's moving towards digital money.

Vietnam's central bank takes care of the dong, making sure it stays strong and safe to use. They've made changes to the Dong over the years to make it better, like using stronger materials for the bills.

Dong is a symbol of Vietnam's past and its hopes for the future. As Vietnam grows and changes, so does its money. It's a big part of daily life and reflects how Vietnam fits into the world economy.

Key Takeaways

  • The Vietnamese Dong (VND) is the official money used in Vietnam for buying goods and services.
  • The VND has faced wars and tough times but shows Vietnam's strength and growth.
  • The State Bank and Mint in Vietnam make sure money is stable and reflects culture.
  • The VND is not just local money; it's important globally, affecting world trade.
  • The VND has changed to plastic notes with advanced security, showing Vietnam's modern approach to money.

History of the Vietnamese Dong

Prior to the introduction of the Vietnamese Dong, there existed a currency known as the Hao, which saw its last usage in 1978. This currency was preceded by the Franco-Indochina silver piastre, which circulated from 1885 until 1952.

1946 saw North Vietnam printing its currency, the dong, instead of the French Indochina piastre. Notably, between 1951 and 1959, the Dong experienced two significant revaluations, resulting in drastic increases in its value.

In the South, during the State of Vietnam era, money showed value in both piastres and dong. After Saigon fell in 1975, South Vietnam changed its currency to the "liberation dong," where 500 old Southern dong equaled one new unit.

When Vietnam reunited in 1978, the dong was unified. One new dong was the same as one Northern dong or 0.8 Southern "liberation" dong. In 1985, the dong was revalued again on September 14, with one new dong equaling 10 old dongs.

This was supposed to increase the value of a currency, but it only resulted in rampant inflation and economic distress.

Despite later reforms, the effects of the crisis still impact the dong's value today, making it one of the world's lowest currencies.

The journey from the French Indochinese piastre to the current dong shows Vietnam's strength and the challenges of making its money stable and strong.

National Bank and Mint

In Vietnam, the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) acts as a financial guardian, ensuring things stay stable. It doesn't just print money; it actively introduces and modifies policies to guide Vietnam's economy. Alongside the SBV, there's the Vietnamese Mint.

The Mint isn't just about making coins; it's an art center. It crafts each coin and banknote carefully, preserving Vietnam's culture and history in every piece.

Together, the SBV and the Vietnamese Mint ensure financial stability and the representation of Vietnam's identity in its currency.

Today, coins and banknotes with denominations ranging from 200 to 500 dong facilitate transactions of varying magnitudes.

With banknotes available in denominations such as one thousand and twenty thousand dong, Vietnam's currency system offers a versatile tool for economic exchange.

The Dong is important in South-East Asia because it represents Vietnam’s official currency. The Dong is used in trading and transactions, signifying the increasing stability of Vietnam, a major economic player in Southeast Asia.

In Vietnam, the State Bank ensures economic stability, while the Vietnamese Mint adds an artistic touch to the nation's currency.

State Bank of Vietnam (SBV)

The guardian with a far-reaching role stands at the heart of Vietnam's finances. The issuer par excellence is the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV).

The SBV is a good keeper, which, besides regulating currency flow, smoothes prices and determines all other parts of economic life.

Examining the numbers on a balance sheet occurs within an environment conducive to the growth of domestic businesses.

The SBV's pledge involves more than just the printing of currency; it is an active player determined to influence policies and guide Vietnam in shaping its economic destiny. 

The Vietnamese Mint

Collaborating seamlessly with the guardian role of the SBV is the artistic hand behind the currency's physical representation—the Vietnamese Mint.

The Mint has evolved into a center of excellence in coin minting. Its journey is one of careful craftsmanship, where each coin and banknote produced is a testament to the dedication to preserving Vietnam's cultural and historical essence.

The Mint's role is technical as well as an art form. It breathes life into the VND with precision and artistry, ensuring that each denomination reflects the nation's identity.

From the smallest coin to the most valuable banknote, the Vietnamese Mint helps shape the tangible representation of Vietnam's culture and economic vitality.

Global Role and Economic Factors of the VND

The influence of the Vietnamese Dong extends beyond the confines of Vietnam, significantly impacting the global financial landscape.

It transcends being merely a local currency, actively participating in international transactions, and thus holding significant importance in the realm of global finance.

From traders to big businesses, Dong's impact reaches far beyond Vietnam, making it a significant player in global economic activities.

Beyond Borders

The Vietnamese Dong (VND) has been subject to various global economic trends that have significantly impacted its value and stability over the years.

As a developing country with a growing export-oriented economy, Vietnam's currency has often been influenced by external factors such as trade dynamics, global interest rates, and geopolitical events.

As we examine its presence in the forex market, this currency emerges as a national currency and a player in the complicated global trade.

The involvement of the VND in the forex market plays a role in the global movement of currencies. From currency traders to international businesses, the VND's influence goes beyond the physical boundaries of Vietnam, making it a key player in global economic trade and affairs.

Industries Contributing to Economic Fortitude

Vietnam is an industrial economy. The VND acts as the point of intersection where various parts of these economic elements come together.

These sectors, like technology, agriculture, and services, play a vital role in maintaining the economy of Vietnam and attracting attention from foreign investors.

Dong is like Vietnam’s economic indicator, and the industries act to guide their nation into an international arena.

Factors Influencing VND's Value

The value of the currency in the forex market is not determined by one factor alone. Instead, it depends on a mix of different economic influences that interact in a complex way.

Political stability, sound fiscal policies, and Vietnam's flourishing status as an innovation hub have become integral partners in this.

The relation between these factors reveals the dynamic nature of the currency, responding to the evolving global economic stage.

Factors Influencing the Value of VND

Let's talk about the Vietnamese Dong. It's not just about one thing; it's like a mix of economic, world, and market. Picture it like a story, showing how Vietnam is strong and determined. Each part of this story adds up, making Dong deal with changes worldwide.

We'll look at how the Dong reacts to money situations, its history of staying strong, and how it connects to what other countries want from Vietnam. This is more than a money tale; it's about a currency that survives and wins in the ups and downs of money times.

The Intricate Interplay

The valuation of the Vietnamese Dong is not a singular determinant but a composite outcome influenced by economic, geopolitical, and market factors.

This forms a comprehensive framework, showcasing the currency's dual role as an economic metric and a testament to Vietnam's resilience.

Each constituent element in this framework represents a dimension of Vietnam's economic description. The combination of these elements shapes a currency that must remain adaptive within the dynamics of the global economy.

A fine understanding of this composition is imperative for recognizing the Vietnamese Dong's position as a practical and versatile currency on the international stage.

Sensitivity to Economic Events

The VND shows sensitivity to economic developments in Vietnam and worldwide. This currency may become agitated during economic uncertainty, which should be understood as a reflection of the investors' stand-offish behavior.

The Vietnamese Dong (VND) is highly sensitive to economic occurrences in Vietnam as well as internationally. This feature represents the responsiveness of currency to dynamically formulating factors that govern financial markets.

In times of economic instability, the volatility in VND is similar to investor sentiments and caution.

This sensitivity is an essential element of the VND’s mandate as a monetary tool. Investors pay attention to economic indicators, policy shifts, and geopolitical events to predict how the currency will respond.

The details of such sensitivity are helpful in examining the big economic picture and making more calculated decisions in finance.

Historical Instances of Resilience

The pages of history tell stories about how the VND has overcome storms in numerous economic cycles.

Whether riding out global economic downturns or saving opportunities during times of growth, the VND's historical performance helps give it a reputation as a stable and flexible currency.

The VND has demonstrated its ability to withstand economic adversity, as evidenced by certain historical examples. These tales of resilience offer lessons and are also part of the continuing tale of a currency that is not only a survivor but also a victor amid cycles in economic activity.

Demand for Vietnamese Exports

The VND is directly linked to the demand for exports from Vietnam as it creates an interdependence between the currency and several economic sectors of this nation.

In the words of Walter, “The demand for Vietnamese goods and services in global markets plays an influential role on how well the VND performs, indicating that market sectors must change to take part in this increasingly integrated world economy.”

Innovation in Vietnamese Dong

Vietnam's Dong got a makeover, moving from paper to plastic for better security. Led by the State Bank, this change, called the seventh series or Frontier Series, fights fake money using advanced tech.

It's not just Vietnam; worldwide, countries like Australia started using plastic in 1988, showing a need for more secure money. These plastic banknotes, with features like raised inks and metallic photos, make it tough for counterfeiters. It's a strong move against threats to the Dong.

Evolution of VND Design and Security Features

The Vietnamese Dong embarks on a contemporary journey with a revolutionary leap in design and security features.

Departing from conventional paper banknotes, the currency embraces advanced technology to introduce polymer banknotes, marking a significant stride in both security and durability.

This evolution goes beyond aesthetics; it signifies a commitment to staying ahead in the ever-changing currencies.

Each change is a step towards a more secure and resilient currency, reflecting Vietnam's dedication to innovation in the currencies.

Adoption of New Technologies

The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV), in its drive toward increased security and longevity, issues polymer banknotes to the VND.

This collection, which comprises the seventh series or Frontier Series (whatever you want to call it), represents Vietnam's determination to fight counterfeiting and its striving for advanced technology.

With such new technologies as these implemented, Vietnam fortifies the currency--not merely a medium of exchange but a symbol and concrete embodiment in the material form of its forward-looking policy toward currency.

Global Context of Polymer Banknotes

Polymer notes represent a worldwide trend, and Vietnam is now one of the nations leading the way.

Australia was the first country in 1988 to use polymer banknotes for anti-counterfeiting. Still, Vietnam's mezzanine is now moving closer and closer to other advanced countries like New Zealand or the United Kingdom.

The Global Setting for polymer banknotes highlights Vietnam and international currency trends. The currency's move to polymer notes isn't just a local change. It is also an international recognition that future currencies will have to be more secure and adaptable than paper money.

Security Features of Polymer Banknotes

Polymer banknotes bring a new era of security features to the VND, reinforcing its resilience against counterfeiting.

Raised inks and embedded metallic photos are among the advanced measures implemented, making these banknotes significantly more challenging to replicate.

The intricate details of these security features unravel how they contribute to the robustness of the currency in the face of evolving threats.

Vietnamese Dong (VND) FAQs

Researched and Authored by Apo Messerlian| Linkedin

Reviewed and edited by Parul Gupta | LinkedIn

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