Quick Reference: Converting Vietnamese Dong to Japanese Yen

Approximate conversion from Vietnamese dong to Japanese yen (updated August 14, 2026) Vietnamese dong Approximate Japanese yen 10,000 dong about ¥50 50,000 dong about ¥250 100,000 dong about ¥500 500,000 dong about ¥2,500 1,000,000 dong about ¥5,000

The calculation is based on a rough rate of 1 dong ≈ ¥0.005 (¥1 ≈ 200 dong). Exchange rates fluctuate, so recalculate remittances, salaries, and contract amounts using the rate from your financial institution or currency exchange service at the time of use.

Quick Answer: How Much Is Vietnamese Dong in Japanese Yen?

A handy mental math tip is to drop two zeros from the dong amount and roughly halve the remaining number. Because exchange rates move, always include the rate for that day when explaining salaries, remittances, or contract amounts to avoid misunderstandings.

If your work involves Vietnam, you may have opportunities to stay there for a period of time. Because prices differ from Japan, it can be hard to know what living costs to budget for. In practice, living expenses in Vietnam vary considerably depending on which shops and modes of transport you use.

For a rough conversion of Vietnamese dong to Japanese yen, remember: “drop two zeros and divide by 2.”

  • 10,000 dong → about ¥50
  • 100,000 dong → about ¥500
  • 500,000 dong → about ¥2,500

Because exchange rates change daily, use this as a guide for shopping, business trips, and local living costs, and confirm exact amounts at the rate applied when you exchange currency or pay by card.

Monthly Living Costs in Vietnam ①: Currency

Most first-time visitors to Vietnam are surprised by how many zeros Vietnamese currency has. Receiving a thick stack of bills after exchanging money can make you feel like you have a large sum, and it is common to hear that this throws off people’s sense of spending.

Twelve Denominations Circulating in Vietnam

Vietnam’s currency is the dong. Coins were once used, but only banknotes are in circulation today. There are 12 denominations: 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 200,000, 50,000, 100,000, 200,000, and 500,000 dong. Notes of 100 or 200 dong may be given as change at large supermarkets, but small amounts are usually rounded down.

How to Convert Vietnamese Dong to Japanese Yen

To convert Vietnamese dong to Japanese yen, first drop two zeros from the amount, then divide that number by 2 for an approximate yen figure. For example, 12,000 dong is “120 ÷ 2,” or about ¥60; 560,000 dong is “5,600 ÷ 2,” or about ¥2,800.

Conversion Guide

・10,000 dong → about ¥50 (100 ÷ 2)

・50,000 dong → about ¥250 (500 ÷ 2)

・100,000 dong → about ¥500 (1,000 ÷ 2)

・500,000 dong → about ¥2,500 (5,000 ÷ 2)

・1,000,000 dong → about ¥5,000 (10,000 ÷ 2)

This calculation is only a rough guide. Actual amounts change with yen depreciation or appreciation and exchange fees, so check the latest rate for large payments.

Monthly Living Costs in Vietnam ②: Food

Among living costs in Vietnam, food is often a major concern. The more you adapt to local life, the more cheaply you can eat. If your base is in tourist areas or foreign residential neighborhoods, food costs will tend to add up.

Eat Cheaply at Local Eateries

Vietnam has local eateries everywhere, in both urban and suburban areas. Street stalls also appear in the morning and evening. The food they serve is very cheap and delicious. For under 50,000 dong (¥250), you can enjoy generous portions of tasty bun, pho, and other Vietnamese dishes. On the other hand, restaurants in shopping malls, tourist spots, and foreign residential areas aimed at wealthy Vietnamese and foreigners often cost 500,000 dong (¥2,500) or more per person per meal.

Note That Imported Ingredients Cost More

If you cook for yourself, you will mainly buy ingredients at supermarkets, convenience stores, independent shops, and street vendors. Large supermarkets and convenience stores are priced a bit higher, but local ingredients are still inexpensive. Goods from independent shops and street vendors are generally cheap, but prices change depending on the customer. Japanese shoppers in particular often face an unspoken “foreigner price” and pay more. Dressing in a way that blends in locally and becoming a familiar face at shops helps you buy at local prices.

Monthly Living Costs in Vietnam ③: Transportation

When getting around cities in Vietnam, areas with trains or subways are limited. Buses, taxis, and motorbikes are therefore the main modes of transport.

Buses Are the Most Affordable Option

Buses are the cheapest form of public transport in Vietnam. City bus routes form a dense network, making it easy to reach major destinations. Intervals vary—every 15 minutes, 30 minutes, or an hour—but schedules are quite loose. Fares are roughly 7,000 to 12,000 dong. You hand the fare to the bus staff and receive change and a ticket. Long-distance coaches also run day and night, and you can travel from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City for less than the cost of a flight.

Book Grab via the App

Buses are essential for getting around Vietnamese cities, but many vehicles are old and not particularly comfortable. They also rarely run on time, so it is hard to use your time efficiently. A convenient alternative is to call a motorbike or car via an app. In Vietnam, the Malaysia-based ride-hailing service Grab is widely used; download the app and you can easily arrange a car or motorbike. The fare is fixed when you book, so overcharging is rare, but fares vary with the number of available drivers, time of day, and season. Fares rise during Lunar New Year, rush hour, and national events. As a rough guide, short trips start from about 20,000 dong, and longer trips are around 100,000 dong.

FAQ: Converting Vietnamese Dong and Japanese Yen

How should I convert Vietnamese dong to Japanese yen?

For a rough calculation, drop two zeros from the dong amount and divide the remaining number by 2. As a guide, 10,000 dong is about ¥50, and 100,000 dong is about ¥500.

Is the conversion method for Vietnamese dong always the same?

It works as a rough guide, but actual amounts change with exchange rates and conversion fees. For situations that require accuracy—such as business trip costs, living expenses, or salary calculations—recheck using the rate for that day.

How much does it cost to live in Vietnam for one month?

It varies greatly depending on food, housing, and transportation. Using local eateries and buses keeps costs down; relying on imported ingredients and taxis raises them. This article covers how to read the currency as well as rough guides for food and transport costs.

Summary

To keep living costs low in Vietnam, buy ingredients at local shops whenever possible and eat out at small eateries or street stalls. If you suspect you are being charged a “foreigner price,” negotiate frequently. Avoid relying on taxis and use buses or motorbikes instead to hold down transport costs. Doing so can keep living expenses—excluding rent and insurance—to around ¥30,000 at most.

If you need help hiring Vietnamese talent or understanding life on the ground, feel free to inquire about our international talent placement services.

If you want to understand Vietnamese culture and daily customs, our article on religion in Vietnam is also helpful.

FAQ on Calculating Vietnamese Dong

What is a simple way to convert Vietnamese dong to Japanese yen? As a guide, drop two zeros from the amount and divide the rest by 2. For example, 12,000 dong is “120÷2,” or about ¥60; 560,000 dong is “5,600÷2,” or about ¥2,800. Because exchange rates move, confirm exact amounts with the rate for that day. How much is 100,000 dong in Japanese yen? About ¥500 as a guide (1,000÷2). Roughly, 10,000 dong is about ¥50, 500,000 dong about ¥2,500, and 1,000,000 dong about ¥5,000. What kinds of banknotes does Vietnam have? Only banknotes are used today, with 12 denominations from 100 dong to 500,000 dong in circulation. Small notes are mainly received as change, and fractions are usually rounded down.

Connecting This to Salary Explanations and Retention Support

A sense of living costs and currency also matters when explaining salary terms and remittances. For post-hire retention support, also review the relationship between family values and work among Vietnamese talent.

For Those Considering Hiring International Talent

As a Registered Support Organization, YourBright provides international talent placement services centered on Specified Skilled Worker. Hear from companies that have accepted talent in our case studies, and find materials useful for acceptance preparation via document downloads.