You’ve saved up your Australian dollars for a trip to Vietnam, and now you’re wondering exactly how far they’ll stretch — with 100 AUD converting to nearly 1.9 million Vietnamese dong at current mid-market rates, the numbers can feel both exciting and a little confusing. This guide walks you through the real exchange rates, what your money can actually buy on the ground, and a few cultural cues that’ll help you spend it wisely.

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Current mid-market exchange rate: 1 AUD ≈ 18,840 VND · 100 AUD in Vietnamese dong: ≈ 1,884,000 VND · 100 AUD in euros: ≈ €62 · Average daily budget for backpacker in Vietnam: $30–50

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact meaning of the pinky finger gesture varies by region and context in Vietnam
  • Daily budget depends heavily on travel style — $30 can work for hostel stays, while $100 allows mid-range comfort
  • Exact percentage margin between consumer converter rates and mid-market rates varies and is not static
  • Whether you save more by exchanging in Australia or Vietnam depends on fees and rates at the time of exchange
  • The actual amount received for 100 AUD depends on the exact time and provider, as rates change continuously
3Timeline signal
  • Rates fluctuate daily — the spread between lowest and highest quoted 100 AUD conversion across providers was roughly 315,000 VND (XE (currency data provider))
  • Mid-market rates change intraday; locking a rate early can save money (XE (currency data provider))
4What’s next

Here are the key figures every Australian traveler should know before arriving in Vietnam.

Seven key figures every Australian traveler should know before arriving in Vietnam.
Item Value
Current AUD to VND rate 1 AUD = 18,840 VND
100 AUD in VND 1,884,000 VND
100 AUD in EUR €62
20,000 VND in USD $0.85
Average daily budget Vietnam $30–50
Pinky finger meaning Often considered rude
Red clothing meaning Lucky, avoid at funerals

How much is 100 Australian in Vietnamese dong?

How much is $1 Australian in Vietnamese dong?

Why this matters

The 315,000 VND gap between the lowest and highest quoted 100 AUD conversions means an Australian traveler could lose the equivalent of a bowl of pho every day simply by choosing the wrong provider.

What is the exchange rate from AUD to VND today?

The pattern: mid-market rates hover around 18,800-18,900 VND per AUD, but consumer-facing converters often display rates 12-16% lower because they build in a margin. For a 100 AUD conversion, that margin can cost you between 130,000 and 315,000 VND.

Bottom line: The mid-market rate for 1 AUD is roughly 18,840 VND, but the rate you actually get depends on your provider. Wise and Revolut display lower consumer rates; XE, OFX, and Instarem show rates closer to mid-market. Always check the final quoted amount before confirming.

The implication: choosing the right provider can save you the equivalent of a meal per day.

What is $100 Australian dollars in euros?

What is $1000 Australian in Euros?

  • Based on the same mid-market relationship, 100 AUD converts to approximately €62, and 1,000 AUD converts to about €620.
  • Rates fluctuate with global currency markets — the AUD-EUR pair is influenced by interest rate decisions from the Reserve Bank of Australia and the European Central Bank.

How much is $100 dollar to Euro today?

  • At the time of writing, $100 AUD equals roughly €62 using the mid-market rate. Actual exchange rates at banks or airport kiosks will include a spread.
  • For comparison, XE (currency data provider) shows the live AUD-to-EUR rate, which typically hovers in the low 0.60s.

The implication: if you’re transiting through Europe on your way to Vietnam, converting AUD to EUR first and then to VND usually results in two spreads instead of one, so direct AUD-to-VND is cheaper for the final destination.

Is $100 a day enough for Vietnam?

Is $100 per day enough for two weeks in Vietnam?

  • For two weeks, $100 per day gives you a mid-range budget: private rooms in guesthouses, restaurant meals, occasional tours, and domestic transport.
  • According to Numbeo (cost-of-living database), a meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about 50,000-80,000 VND ($2-3.50), and a mid-range three-course meal for two runs around 500,000 VND ($21).

What is a typical daily budget for a backpacker in Vietnam?

  • Budget travelers spending $30-50 per day can cover a hostel dorm bed ($5-10), street food ($1-3 per meal), local bus transport, and a few beers.
  • At the $100/day level, you can upgrade to a three-star hotel ($25-40), eat at sit-down restaurants, book private tours, and take domestic flights between cities.
  • Major expenses: accommodation (30-40% of daily budget), food (20-30%), transport (15-25%), activities and entry fees (10-20%).
The trade-off

$100 a day gives you comfort and flexibility, but budget travelers can comfortably explore Vietnam on $40-50 a day. The real variable is accommodation: a dollar in Hanoi’s Old Quarter goes further than in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1.

The pattern: $100 a day is more than enough for a solo traveler to cover all basics with room for treats. For a couple sharing rooms and meals, $150 total per day unlocks a noticeably higher standard.

Bottom line: $100 per day is sufficient for a comfortable mid-range trip to Vietnam. Budget backpackers can manage on $30-50. The big variable is accommodation choice — private rooms eat up the budget fast, while hostel dorms leave plenty for experiences.

The pattern: accommodation is the biggest variable in your daily budget.

What can 20,000 dong buy in Vietnam?

What can you buy with 20,000 VND?

  • 20,000 VND equals about $0.85 USD or roughly 1,300 AUD cents — a small amount by Australian standards, but useful in Vietnam.
  • It buys a bowl of pho at a street stall, a bottle of water, a fresh baguette sandwich (bánh mì) from a vendor, or a cup of Vietnamese iced coffee (cà phê sữa đá) at a local café.
  • Street food staples like bánh cuốn (steamed rice rolls) or a plate of fresh spring rolls also fall within this range at many local markets.
  • At sit-down restaurants, 20,000 VND covers a soft drink or a side dish, but not a full meal.

The catch: 20,000 VND is street-food territory. At tourist-focused restaurants, prices are typically 2-3 times higher. Stick to local stalls and markets for the best value — and the most authentic flavors.

What does the pinky finger mean in Vietnam?

Can I wear red in Vietnam?

  • The pinky finger gesture (raising the little finger) is widely considered rude or childish in Vietnamese culture. It can imply that the person is insignificant or that you are mocking them. Avoid using it in conversation.
  • Red is a lucky and celebratory color in Vietnam, commonly worn during festivals, weddings, and the Lunar New Year (Tết). However, wearing red during mourning periods or at funerals is considered inappropriate — stick to white or black in those contexts.
  • Other cultural tips: avoid touching someone’s head, remove shoes before entering a home or temple, and use both hands when giving or receiving something.

Why this matters: small gestures can leave a big impression. Australians are generally well-liked in Vietnam, but a simple hand signal or clothing choice can unintentionally cause offense. Knowing these cues helps you connect better with locals.

Upsides

  • Vietnamese dong is weak against AUD, giving Australian travelers strong purchasing power
  • Street food and local transport are extremely affordable — 20,000 VND covers a meal
  • $100/day allows mid-range comfort including private rooms and tours
  • Multiple providers (Wise, Revolut, XE) offer competitive rates with no hidden fees
  • Australia has several convenient options for buying VND before departure, like Travel Money Oz

Downsides

  • Exchange rates vary widely across providers — the spread on 100 AUD can exceed 300,000 VND
  • Consumer converter rates (Wise, Revolut) can be 12-16% below mid-market
  • Cash is still king in many parts of Vietnam; card acceptance is limited outside cities
  • ATMs charge fees, and withdrawal limits are often low (2-3 million VND per transaction)
  • Cultural missteps (pinky finger gesture, inappropriate clothing) can cause unintended offense

How to convert your Australian dollars to Vietnamese dong — step by step

  1. Step 1: Check the live mid-market rate. Use XE or OFX to see the real exchange rate without margins (XE (currency data provider)).
  2. Step 2: Compare providers. Wise, Revolut, Instarem, and Western Union all offer AUD-to-VND conversion. Enter 100 AUD on each to see the final VND amount you’d receive.
  3. Step 3: Decide where to exchange. You have three options: order VND in Australia through Travel Money Oz for pickup or delivery (Travel Money Oz (currency exchange service)); withdraw from ATMs in Vietnam (check your bank’s foreign transaction fees); or use a digital wallet like Wise or Revolut to transfer and spend.
  4. Step 4: Factor in fees. Many providers advertise “0% commission” but build the margin into the rate. Instarem (money transfer service) and Revolut (digital banking platform) both note that rates fluctuate and reflect mid-market conditions.
  5. Step 5: Carry a mix of cash and card. Vietnamese dong cash is essential for markets, street food, and local transport. Cards work at hotels, nicer restaurants, and larger stores in cities.
What to watch

The biggest trap for Australian travelers: airport exchange counters and hotel front desks often offer rates 10-20% below mid-market. On 100 AUD, that’s a loss of up to 380,000 VND — enough for a week of street-food breakfasts.

The pattern: the final amount you receive depends on the rate and fees, not just the headline.

Confirmed facts vs. what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

  • The mid-market exchange rate from XE is 1 AUD = 18,840 VND (XE (currency data provider)).
  • 100 AUD equals 1,884,000 VND at the mid-market rate.
  • 20,000 VND equals about $0.85 USD.
  • Red is a lucky color in Vietnam, but should be avoided during mourning periods.
  • Travel Money Oz allows Australian customers to order VND online for delivery or store pickup (Travel Money Oz (currency exchange service)).

What’s unclear

  • The exact interpretation of the pinky finger gesture can vary by region and context within Vietnam — it may be seen as childish, rude, or simply confusing depending on the situation.
  • A realistic daily budget depends heavily on travel style: $30-50 works for backpackers, while $100 provides mid-range comfort. The precise sweet spot depends on your itinerary and preferences.

“100 AUD equals about 1,873,360 VND according to our conversion page, using the mid-market rate with no hidden markup.”

— Wise (international money transfer service), rate display

“The current mid-market rate is 18,840 VND per Australian dollar, and 100 AUD converts to 1,884,000 VND at that rate.”

— XE (currency data provider), converter page

“We offer great exchange rates without hidden fees — 1 AUD equals about 16,044 VND on our converter.”

— Revolut (digital banking platform), rate display

“AUD to VND exchange rates are live and updated regularly — 1 Australian dollar equals 18,923.410369 Vietnamese đồng.”

— OFX (global money transfer service), rate page

The range across these four providers — from roughly 16,044 VND per AUD to 18,923 VND per AUD — tells you everything you need to know: the provider you choose directly determines how many dong you actually receive. For Australian backpackers, the smart move is to compare the final VND amount, not the headline rate.

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Frequently asked questions

How often do exchange rates change?

Exchange rates change continuously during market hours — every few seconds for major pairs like AUD-VND. Mid-market rates fluctuate with global supply and demand, while the rates offered by banks and exchange services are updated less frequently, often once or twice daily.

What is the best time to exchange AUD to VND?

There is no single “best time” — currency markets are unpredictable. However, you can reduce your risk by monitoring the rate for a few days before exchanging and using a service that lets you lock in a rate for 24-48 hours. Avoid exchanging at airports, where rates are typically poorest.

Should I exchange money in Australia or Vietnam?

Exchanging in Vietnam generally gives you a better rate than buying VND in Australia, because the dong is more readily available locally. Order a small amount from Travel Money Oz before you leave for immediate needs (taxi, coffee), then exchange the rest at gold shops or banks in Vietnam’s cities.

Is it safe to carry cash in Vietnam?

Vietnam is generally safe for travelers, but petty theft like pickpocketing and bag snatching does occur in crowded areas. Carry only what you need for the day, keep the rest in a hotel safe, and use a money belt or hidden pouch. Avoid flashing large wads of cash.

Do I need to tip in Vietnam?

Tipping is not mandatory in Vietnam, but it is appreciated. Round up the bill at restaurants, leave 10,000-20,000 VND for hotel staff, and tip tour guides 50,000-100,000 VND per day for good service. It’s a small gesture that goes a long way.

Can I use Australian dollars in Vietnam?

No, Australian dollars are not accepted as currency in Vietnam. You need to convert to Vietnamese dong. Some hotels and tour operators in tourist areas may quote prices in USD, but they expect payment in dong or US dollars, not AUD.

What ATMs work best for Australian cards in Vietnam?

HSBC, Citibank, and ANZ ATMs in Vietnam work reliably with Australian cards. Local bank ATMs (Vietcombank, BIDV, Techcombank) also accept international cards but may charge a fee of 22,000-33,000 VND per withdrawal. Always decline the dynamic currency conversion option (DCC) to avoid poor rates.

For Australian backpackers heading to Vietnam, the choice is straightforward: compare the final VND amount across providers, skip airport exchange counters, and carry a mix of cash and card. On 100 AUD, the difference between the best and worst provider can be over 300,000 VND — enough for a week of street-food meals. Check the rate, pick your provider, and spend your dong on experiences, not on avoidable fees.