- 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.

WORKING HOURS - Governmental agencies work 8 hours/day from 7.30am to 4.30pm (excluding one-hour lunch). Saturday and Sunday are close - Banks are open from 7.30am or 8am to 11.30am and from 1pm to 4pm. Saturday and Sunday are close. - Private shops are open from 8am or 8.30am to 9pm or 10pm. Public Holidays January 1 New Year's Day, (one day holiday) April 30 Saigon Liberation Day, (one day holiday) May 1 International Labour Day, (one day holiday) September 2 National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, (one day holiday) VietnamTraditional Lunar New Year Festival - Tet Nguyen Dan:(Four day holiday). Tet holiday usually falls at the end of January or middle of February by solar calendar. The holiday begins on the last day of the last lunar month and lasts through the first three days of the Lunar New Year (Tet Nguyen Dan)